The hugely popular 1980s group The Human League seem set to provide their fans with a chance to remember those glory days on a special DVD. The corner stones of the electronic New Wave Music scene have responded to their noted absence on the BBC’s Top of the Pops repeats, with many of their appearances having been erased from the show’s re-runs.
Censorship decision on TOTP repeats
With the Beeb having made the calculated decision to effectively censor any TOTP show that featured either Jimmy Saville or Dave Lee Travis, Phil Oakey and his fellow band members seem to have suffered more than most.
That despite their undoubted prominent position in the charts during the decade, which culminated in the massive number one hit “Don’t You Want Me” in 1981.
Sex abuse scandals rocked the BBC
It had initially been feared that all of the TOTP repeats from the era would be axed by the BBC, as a result of the outcry after sex abuse scandals rocked them to the core. Several of the show’s main presenters during the 80s - including the tainted Saville – have become embroiled in the allegations and investigations that have dominated the front pages in recent times.
Episodes pulled from schedules
Reminiscing fans convinced them to relent slightly, yet 17 of the 54 episodes originally screened in 1981 have been pulled from the repeat schedules on BBC4.
Consequently, The Human League’s memory seems to have effectively been wiped from history.
New DVD allows fans to reminisce
The band have been equally concerned at their disappearance from the shows and in response The Human League at the BBC DVD will be released next month, part of a career-spanning package entitled A Very British Synthesiser Group.
Wisely they have omitted images of Savile and Travis from the clips on the BBC, but their fans can now once again sing along to hits such as “Open Your Heart” and “Love Action” and enjoy their distinctive look in the studio.
Cultural loss caused by removal
Pete McKee – the Sheffield artist responsible for the new compilation’s cover pictures- suggested that the removal of performances by The Human League (and other stars of the era) was a cultural loss. He reminisced that the group’s look was “totally unique and innovative”, adding that their appearances on TOTP “made your dad angry but inspired you.”
