– Television Personalities – In Session for John Peel – September 1, 1980 – BBC Radio 1 –
Television Personalities, despite a constantly changing lineup, are still (reportedly) together since their initial formation in 1978. Founded and headed by Dan Treacy, Television Personalities has weathered much controversy, including extended jail time for Treacy, who was convicted of shoplifting in order to feed a drug habit, spending most of 1998-2004 incarcerated on a Prison ship. Nonetheless, Television Personalities was one of the more influential bands of the 80s Indie movement, and a huge catalog of releases; from albums to singles to compilations is further evidence the band has enjoyed one of the “longest, most erratic and far-reaching careers of the new wave era” – according to the Allmusic bio. Even though they were never considered a commercial success in their native UK, they were big on the Continent, and had a loyal following. They were however, virtually unknown in the U.S.
This session, recorded in September of 1980 for John Peel at the BBC, catches them during the formative years of Television Personalities, and with the original lineup.
Have a listen and familiarize yourself if you don’t know them – they are part of history, after all.
