5 of the Most Iconic ‘Top of the Pops’ Debuts in Music History

Top Of The Pops has been the UK’s premier music chart television show since the 1960s. Quite a few major acts from across the pond have debuted on the show, and their performances are some of their most memorable. Let’s take a walk through British music history and discover five of the most iconic Top Of The Pops debuts of all time!

1. Oasis

Oasis had one of the most iconic debuts on Top Of The Pops in 1994, which also happened to be their year. By the summer of 1994, Oasis had blown up substantially. They even debuted at Glastonbury around the time they debuted on Top Of The Pops. That particular debut may not have been what catapulted the band into fame, but it was one of many performances that diehard fans remember fondly.

2. Pink Floyd

This Top Of The Pops debut was a memorable one. The band performed on the program the year before Syd Barret left Pink Floyd, so we got to see the OG lineup in all their glory. Their performance of “See Emily Play” is rough around the edges, but nonetheless a memorable and important one in music history.

3. The Smiths

By the time The Smiths were asked to play on the show in 1983, Top Of The Pops had lost much of its luster and edge. It wasn’t particularly exciting and taboo anymore; mainstream acts would show up, do their set, and leave audiences relatively unchallenged. That all changed when The Smiths took the stage. Their performance of “This Charming Man” lit a fire under the rears of a young generation of viewers, and they likely gained an even bigger following after that very performance.

4. Kate Bush

Kate Bush’s debut on Top Of The Pops in 1978 was an aesthetically pleasing one, made only better by Bush’s stunning vocal ability. She was only a teen when she sang “Wuthering Heights” on the show, and it was the start of a truly legendary pop career.

5. Sex Pistols

When punk rock outfit Sex Pistols kicked off their performance on Top Of The Pops in 1977, it was obvious that it would be a controversial but ultimately killer show. Johnny Rotten and company swore, spat, and screamed through the debut of their song “Pretty Vacant” after the BBC prevented them from performing “God Save The Queen”. If you were there to see it on TV, you probably can’t forget it decades later.

Photo by Chris Walter

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