It was 42 years ago this week that The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy made its debut as an unassuming BBC radio series written by a tall, yet largely unknown ape descendant named Douglas Adams.
The universe hasn’t quite been the same since.
Modestly successful, the first six episodes of Hitchhiker’s Guide immediately hooked listeners with its absurd views on, well, life, the universe, and everything. Although the genres of science fiction and comedy had been combined before, most notably by Kurt Vonnegut, Adams’ story hit at a time when Star Wars had everyone looking for the next big genre hit. The fact that it was brilliantly written and performed didn’t hurt matters either.
Word of mouth about the program began to spread like crazy, and the Hitchhiker’s phenomenon was officially underway. Soon, everything from a second radio series to a book adaptation to a spin-off towel...
The universe hasn’t quite been the same since.
Modestly successful, the first six episodes of Hitchhiker’s Guide immediately hooked listeners with its absurd views on, well, life, the universe, and everything. Although the genres of science fiction and comedy had been combined before, most notably by Kurt Vonnegut, Adams’ story hit at a time when Star Wars had everyone looking for the next big genre hit. The fact that it was brilliantly written and performed didn’t hurt matters either.
Word of mouth about the program began to spread like crazy, and the Hitchhiker’s phenomenon was officially underway. Soon, everything from a second radio series to a book adaptation to a spin-off towel...
- 3/11/2020
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
By Darren Allison
On the 31st January, Silva Screen released two excellent BBC vinyl albums from the 1970s. Firstly, Paddy Kingsland was the first Radiophonic composer to see a solo release of his compositions, even though he’s not name-checked on the front of the sleeve. “Fourth Dimension”, first released in 1973, showcased Kingsland’s theme tunes for television and radio while at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The recordings feature a rock-style backing band and synthesisers including the Vcs 3 and “Delaware” Synthi 100, and the track “Reg” from the album was also released as the B side to the 1973 single release of the iconic Doctor Who theme tune. Kingsland remained at the workshop for 21 years, leaving in 1981, during which time he composed music for much loved TV shows The Changes, Doctor Who and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy among others. Paddy Kingsland is now part of the newly-revived independent “Radiophonic Workshop...
On the 31st January, Silva Screen released two excellent BBC vinyl albums from the 1970s. Firstly, Paddy Kingsland was the first Radiophonic composer to see a solo release of his compositions, even though he’s not name-checked on the front of the sleeve. “Fourth Dimension”, first released in 1973, showcased Kingsland’s theme tunes for television and radio while at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The recordings feature a rock-style backing band and synthesisers including the Vcs 3 and “Delaware” Synthi 100, and the track “Reg” from the album was also released as the B side to the 1973 single release of the iconic Doctor Who theme tune. Kingsland remained at the workshop for 21 years, leaving in 1981, during which time he composed music for much loved TV shows The Changes, Doctor Who and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy among others. Paddy Kingsland is now part of the newly-revived independent “Radiophonic Workshop...
- 2/11/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
The rise of YouTube and a handful of committed archivists/nostalgics means that almost any programme you grew up with can be remembered, found and rewatched in seconds. Conversations which used to end with fond, communal remembrances now finish two minutes into a YouTube video with rose-tinted bubbles burst and a shared sigh of disappointment. Make no mistake – this is a good thing.
The latest releases from the BFI, to coincide with their Wonders of Sci-Fi season, are two examples of the genuinely unsettling TV; both designed to educate, in very different ways. The Changes is a ten episode exercise in Luddite terror as a strange event causes people to turn against the electronic infrastructure built into everyday life. This is before Skynet and tablets for toddlers so, despite the sedate pace, this is as relevant today as ever.
It’s a challenging watch, the ubiquity of technology in our...
The latest releases from the BFI, to coincide with their Wonders of Sci-Fi season, are two examples of the genuinely unsettling TV; both designed to educate, in very different ways. The Changes is a ten episode exercise in Luddite terror as a strange event causes people to turn against the electronic infrastructure built into everyday life. This is before Skynet and tablets for toddlers so, despite the sedate pace, this is as relevant today as ever.
It’s a challenging watch, the ubiquity of technology in our...
- 8/26/2014
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Digital Spy presents Doctor Who Week - seven days of special features celebrating the return of the world's favourite sci-fi series, and the arrival of a brand new Doctor - on August 23.
You don't need a classic theme for a great TV show, but as programmes from M*A*S*H and The X-Files to The Wire and Buffy The Vampire Slayer have shown, it certainly doesn't hurt.
Below, we take a look at the history of the revolutionary Doctor Who theme and also explore how the show has intertwined with the wider world of pop.
'Doctor Who Theme' [Original Version] - The Radiophonic Workshop (1963)
"Did I write that?" Ron Grainer apparently asked on hearing the completed version of the original theme crafted by the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop. "Most of it," Delia Derbyshire kindly replied.
Grainer attempted to get Derbyshire a co-writing credit but the policy of the time was to keep Workshop members anonymous,...
You don't need a classic theme for a great TV show, but as programmes from M*A*S*H and The X-Files to The Wire and Buffy The Vampire Slayer have shown, it certainly doesn't hurt.
Below, we take a look at the history of the revolutionary Doctor Who theme and also explore how the show has intertwined with the wider world of pop.
'Doctor Who Theme' [Original Version] - The Radiophonic Workshop (1963)
"Did I write that?" Ron Grainer apparently asked on hearing the completed version of the original theme crafted by the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop. "Most of it," Delia Derbyshire kindly replied.
Grainer attempted to get Derbyshire a co-writing credit but the policy of the time was to keep Workshop members anonymous,...
- 8/19/2014
- Digital Spy
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
There really isn’t an awful lot you can say about this. It’s the Radiophonic Workshop, performing the Doctor Who theme tune to close their Glastonbury set on Saturday, June 28th 2014. Featuring original members of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Dick Mills, Peter Howell, Roger Limb, Paddy Kingsland & Mark Ayres, the theme as featured here
The post Miss The Radiophonic Workshop at Glastonbury 2014? [Video] appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
There really isn’t an awful lot you can say about this. It’s the Radiophonic Workshop, performing the Doctor Who theme tune to close their Glastonbury set on Saturday, June 28th 2014. Featuring original members of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Dick Mills, Peter Howell, Roger Limb, Paddy Kingsland & Mark Ayres, the theme as featured here
The post Miss The Radiophonic Workshop at Glastonbury 2014? [Video] appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 7/21/2014
- by Christian Cawley
- Kasterborous.com
Tom Baker is 80! National treasure, cult legend and Doctor Who's longest-serving lead, Tom is now an official octogenarian.
To celebrate, Digital Spy has compiled eight of Baker's greatest moments from both the small and silver screens - Happy Birthday, TB!
1. Tom breaks big with Nicholas and Alexandra
In the early '70s, Baker got his big break, taking on a role he was surely born to play - the mad monk Rasputin - in historical epic Nicholas and Alexandra. He was recommended for the part by Laurence Olivier, donchaknow.
2. "The definite article, you might say…"
"Well, here we go again..." In 1974, Tom Baker replaced Jon Pertwee as the star of Doctor Who and television history was made. Alright, so Tom's debut adventure 'Robot' is unlikely to lead any fan's top 10 list, but his commanding charisma had viewers hooked from the off. Jon who?
3. "Do I have the right?"
Perhaps...
To celebrate, Digital Spy has compiled eight of Baker's greatest moments from both the small and silver screens - Happy Birthday, TB!
1. Tom breaks big with Nicholas and Alexandra
In the early '70s, Baker got his big break, taking on a role he was surely born to play - the mad monk Rasputin - in historical epic Nicholas and Alexandra. He was recommended for the part by Laurence Olivier, donchaknow.
2. "The definite article, you might say…"
"Well, here we go again..." In 1974, Tom Baker replaced Jon Pertwee as the star of Doctor Who and television history was made. Alright, so Tom's debut adventure 'Robot' is unlikely to lead any fan's top 10 list, but his commanding charisma had viewers hooked from the off. Jon who?
3. "Do I have the right?"
Perhaps...
- 1/20/2014
- Digital Spy
Music Composed by: Various Artists
Formats: Digital Download
Number of Discs: 2 (45 tracks, approx. 2 hour 37 minutes)
Label: Silva Screen Records
Overview:
Fifty years, 11 Doctors and 45 tracks, this is the release that Doctor Who fans have been waiting for.
Assembled after years of research and trawls through dusty archives and libraries it’s a compilation of the very special music that has accompanied the Doctor over his travels through time and space from William Hartnell in 1963 to present day Matt Smith.
From Ron Grainer’s iconic theme realized by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’s Delia Derbyshire to Murray Gold’s orchestral tapestries, this is a sci-fi musical saga.
The esteemed collection of composers featured include Tristram Cary, Brian Hodgson, Dudley Simpson, Geoffrey Burgon, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Malcolm Clarke, Keff McCulloch, Dominic Glynn, John Debney and more.
The set includes liner notes from Doctor Who composer Mark Ayres on the history of...
Formats: Digital Download
Number of Discs: 2 (45 tracks, approx. 2 hour 37 minutes)
Label: Silva Screen Records
Overview:
Fifty years, 11 Doctors and 45 tracks, this is the release that Doctor Who fans have been waiting for.
Assembled after years of research and trawls through dusty archives and libraries it’s a compilation of the very special music that has accompanied the Doctor over his travels through time and space from William Hartnell in 1963 to present day Matt Smith.
From Ron Grainer’s iconic theme realized by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’s Delia Derbyshire to Murray Gold’s orchestral tapestries, this is a sci-fi musical saga.
The esteemed collection of composers featured include Tristram Cary, Brian Hodgson, Dudley Simpson, Geoffrey Burgon, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Malcolm Clarke, Keff McCulloch, Dominic Glynn, John Debney and more.
The set includes liner notes from Doctor Who composer Mark Ayres on the history of...
- 12/23/2013
- by Jess Orso
- ScifiMafia
News Louisa Mellor 8 Nov 2013 - 10:11
Two shiny new box sets of retrospective Doctor Who music are coming your way to mark the 50th anniversary...
Family, friends, and Secret Santas will not lack for things to fill the stockings of Doctor Who fans this Christmas; the tricky thing will be choosing which commemorative box set or pack of collectible Tardis hankies to purchase.
Stuff the hankies, we say, and go for this neat-looking Silva Screen retrospective collection of Doctor Who music. It's an eleven CD set featuring music from each Doctor's era on the show, in presentation packaging that's shaped like a Tardis. We love it when they shape things like a Tardis.
In addition to that tidy package comes a four-cd set comprising music from across all Eleven Doctors' reigns, including previously unreleased material from the likes of Ron Grainier, Delia Derbyshire, Dudley Simpson, Paddy Kingsland, Mark Ayres and Murray Gold.
Two shiny new box sets of retrospective Doctor Who music are coming your way to mark the 50th anniversary...
Family, friends, and Secret Santas will not lack for things to fill the stockings of Doctor Who fans this Christmas; the tricky thing will be choosing which commemorative box set or pack of collectible Tardis hankies to purchase.
Stuff the hankies, we say, and go for this neat-looking Silva Screen retrospective collection of Doctor Who music. It's an eleven CD set featuring music from each Doctor's era on the show, in presentation packaging that's shaped like a Tardis. We love it when they shape things like a Tardis.
In addition to that tidy package comes a four-cd set comprising music from across all Eleven Doctors' reigns, including previously unreleased material from the likes of Ron Grainier, Delia Derbyshire, Dudley Simpson, Paddy Kingsland, Mark Ayres and Murray Gold.
- 11/8/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Cameron K McEwan Aug 16, 2016
Cameron sings the praises of 25 classic and modern Doctor Who adventures that went underappreciated. See what made the cut below...
Doctor Who fans can be an odd bunch at times (and by that I mean all the time), what's gold to one is dross to another. And when you think everyone is agreed on a genuine stinker (Timelash, for example), you'll find it has admirers in abundance. But what's here are some of the stories that, for whatever reason, get overlooked, underseen and, perhaps, undervalued - in no particular order.
The Awakening
Two-parters often get forgotten about (in classic Doctor Who at any rate) and this Peter Davison story, whilst perhaps best known to Who fans for a famous blooper featuring a horse, has some tremendous imagery and beautiful location shooting. Best of all is the villain of the piece, The Malus, who put the willies...
Cameron sings the praises of 25 classic and modern Doctor Who adventures that went underappreciated. See what made the cut below...
Doctor Who fans can be an odd bunch at times (and by that I mean all the time), what's gold to one is dross to another. And when you think everyone is agreed on a genuine stinker (Timelash, for example), you'll find it has admirers in abundance. But what's here are some of the stories that, for whatever reason, get overlooked, underseen and, perhaps, undervalued - in no particular order.
The Awakening
Two-parters often get forgotten about (in classic Doctor Who at any rate) and this Peter Davison story, whilst perhaps best known to Who fans for a famous blooper featuring a horse, has some tremendous imagery and beautiful location shooting. Best of all is the villain of the piece, The Malus, who put the willies...
- 4/25/2013
- Den of Geek
Feature Cameron K McEwan 26 Apr 2013 - 07:00
Cameron sings the praises of twenty-five classic and modern Doctor Who adventures that deserve more love. See what made the cut below...
Doctor Who fans can be an odd bunch at times (and by that I mean all the time), what's gold to one is dross to another. And when you think everyone is agreed on a genuine stinker (Timelash, for example), you'll find it has admirers in abundance. But what's here are some of the stories that, for whatever reason, get overlooked, underseen and, perhaps, undervalued - in no particular order.
The Awakening
Two-parters often get forgotten about (in classic Doctor Who at any rate) and this Peter Davison story, whilst perhaps best known to Who fans for a famous blooper featuring a horse, has some tremendous imagery and beautiful location shooting. Best of all is the villain of the piece, The Malus,...
Cameron sings the praises of twenty-five classic and modern Doctor Who adventures that deserve more love. See what made the cut below...
Doctor Who fans can be an odd bunch at times (and by that I mean all the time), what's gold to one is dross to another. And when you think everyone is agreed on a genuine stinker (Timelash, for example), you'll find it has admirers in abundance. But what's here are some of the stories that, for whatever reason, get overlooked, underseen and, perhaps, undervalued - in no particular order.
The Awakening
Two-parters often get forgotten about (in classic Doctor Who at any rate) and this Peter Davison story, whilst perhaps best known to Who fans for a famous blooper featuring a horse, has some tremendous imagery and beautiful location shooting. Best of all is the villain of the piece, The Malus,...
- 4/25/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Humour. Where would we be without it? Blackadder, The Goodies and Miranda have this in abundance. Mork from Ork swears by it. Frankie Boyle hasn't found its meaning yet.
And humour is one of the cornerstones of all good Doctor Who. Think of some of the most popular Doctors - Tom Baker, Patrick Troughton, David Tennant - their Doctors are known for quirky humour. A good chunk of the show's stories contain several killer funny lines that could slot comfortably in any comedy show.
Mind you, when we think of humour in Doctor Who, the 5th Doctor and Christopher Hamilton Bidmead are not the first names to leap off the tongue. Peter Davison himself is the king of the DVD commentary, always chipping in with a sly wisecrack about any aspect of the story, but sadly he was never really allowed to display his wry humour in his tales. As for Bidmead,...
And humour is one of the cornerstones of all good Doctor Who. Think of some of the most popular Doctors - Tom Baker, Patrick Troughton, David Tennant - their Doctors are known for quirky humour. A good chunk of the show's stories contain several killer funny lines that could slot comfortably in any comedy show.
Mind you, when we think of humour in Doctor Who, the 5th Doctor and Christopher Hamilton Bidmead are not the first names to leap off the tongue. Peter Davison himself is the king of the DVD commentary, always chipping in with a sly wisecrack about any aspect of the story, but sadly he was never really allowed to display his wry humour in his tales. As for Bidmead,...
- 1/26/2011
- Shadowlocked
The early 2010s are not happy times. Especially if you don't like the Royal Family. Yes, in Spring 2011, it's street party and tacky memorabilia time as Kate and Wills get hitched to the tune of several million pounds and the out of tune of Jls and Take That, who will no doubt perform at some half-arsed concert presented by some fawning non-entity like Fearne Cotton. And then the following year, whasserface will celebrate yet another milestone jubilee. Heaven for the Royalists, a nightmare for those who are finding it a bit harder to make ends meet...
Pardon the crass soapboxing - it's just that it seems hard to get away from the hee-haw-ing Royals at the mo. At the time of writing, they're on telly, they're in the papers, and now to make matters worse, they've just mentioned the 1977 jubilee in Mawdryn Undead, one of the key season 20 stories in Doctor Who.
Pardon the crass soapboxing - it's just that it seems hard to get away from the hee-haw-ing Royals at the mo. At the time of writing, they're on telly, they're in the papers, and now to make matters worse, they've just mentioned the 1977 jubilee in Mawdryn Undead, one of the key season 20 stories in Doctor Who.
- 1/6/2011
- Shadowlocked
The turbulent decade of the 1980s – not much fun, eh? Thatcherism at the height of its powers. The emergence of the yuppies. Not to mention the likes of mannequin crooners like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet dominating the charts like suited bankers. So no wonder Doctor Who wanted to go revisit the 1960s for inspiration.
Think I'm joking? Well think on this. We've had Hartnell-like temper flares from the main man Davison. We've had an all-new historical adventure. And now, in true Daleks Masterplan-style, a companion is about to bite the dust.
Yes, time's run out for Adric, everyone's favourite laughing stock. He's about to buy it in spectacular fashion at the end of Earthshock, one of the jewels in season nineteen's crown. The great thing about this at the time was that it came totally out of the blue. Normally, companions – of late – tend to leave of their own accord or get married.
Think I'm joking? Well think on this. We've had Hartnell-like temper flares from the main man Davison. We've had an all-new historical adventure. And now, in true Daleks Masterplan-style, a companion is about to bite the dust.
Yes, time's run out for Adric, everyone's favourite laughing stock. He's about to buy it in spectacular fashion at the end of Earthshock, one of the jewels in season nineteen's crown. The great thing about this at the time was that it came totally out of the blue. Normally, companions – of late – tend to leave of their own accord or get married.
- 12/29/2010
- Shadowlocked
Maths - I hate it. Ever since I was a small kid, I've never got it. All that talk of hypotenuses, acute angles and fractions frequently left me with a revolving head at school. Even as a grown-up, anything to do with maths leaves me in a cold sweat. Me and maths do not go together - much like the fourth Doctor. This may account for his long face which never really breaks into a smile during the story called Logopolis.
Or maybe it's to do with the fact that he's about to meet his maker.
Yes, after a record-breaking near-on seven years, Tom Baker is about to hang up his scarf. It's an important moment in Doctor Who, especially when you consider how Doctor Who had changed between 1974 and 1981. In 1974, it was a well-respected and much loved family TV show, watched by millions. However, Tom Baker helped to turn...
Or maybe it's to do with the fact that he's about to meet his maker.
Yes, after a record-breaking near-on seven years, Tom Baker is about to hang up his scarf. It's an important moment in Doctor Who, especially when you consider how Doctor Who had changed between 1974 and 1981. In 1974, it was a well-respected and much loved family TV show, watched by millions. However, Tom Baker helped to turn...
- 12/15/2010
- Shadowlocked
It's totally something not to be missed if you can make it to London - the best of the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop has been performed at the Roundhouse! Featuring Workshop archivist Mark Ayres and three of its key '70s players, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb and Peter Howell clad in white lab-coats and accompanied by extensive brass and percussion, the iconic soundsmiths of yesteryear brought back to life some of the most remarkable and memorable sounds from BBC television history, which...
- 5/19/2009
- by Christian Cawley info@kasterborous.com
- Kasterborous.com
Great news to fans of the iconic and influential BBC Radiophonic Workshop – a special live event takes place at the Roundhouse, London on May 17th, 2009 – with various veterans in attendance! Scheduled to appear are Peter Howell, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Dick Mills and Mark Ayres who get together to explore Radiophonics past, present, and future. With old and new innovative electronica for a large arena combined with live performance and multimedia projections, this is truly...
- 3/18/2009
- by Christian Cawley info@kasterborous.com
- Kasterborous.com
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