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Let's head back to 1978

Richard Littlejohn looks at the years which changed Britain forever 鈥� politically, culturally, musically, with contributions from Joan Armatrading & Alan Johnson. Welcome to 1978

Over this series, journalist and writer Richard Littlejohn looks back at the years which changed Britain forever 鈥� politically, culturally, musically 鈥� and they鈥檙e not necessarily the years you鈥檇 think they are.

Ask most people about the pivotal year in Britain in the 1970s which altered the course of history and they'll probably answer 1979 - the year that Mrs Thatcher was elected.

Richard argues that they're a year out - 1978 was the year that changed everything.

If things had turned out differently, it would have been the end of Margaret Thatcher, before she entered Downing Street. There would have been no privatisations in the early 80s,, no miners' strike, and Labour may well have pulled us out of Europe.

It was a landmark year, too, in the fight for racial equality. Against this backdrop rose Rock Against Racism, marshalling the power of music to fight discrimination at rallies in London and Manchester.

In 1978, punk was on its last legs, and a new wave was emerging from the wreckage; proper musicians who'd cut their teeth on the pub-rock circuit . Dire Straits, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, The Clash, Gerry Rafferty, The Jam and Elvis Costello provided a different kind of soundtrack to 1978.

The musical event of the year was the festival at Blackbushe Aerodrome, headlined by Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton and including the wonderful Joan Armatrading who shares her memories of that day with Richard.

Plus contributions from Alan Johnson, a former trades union leader, Labour MP, Health Secretary, Education Secretary and 成人快手 Secretary.

57 minutes

Last on

Sun 11 Aug 2019 21:00
成人快手 Radio 2

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Let's head back to 1972

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Let's head back to 1992

See all episodes from The Years That Changed Britain Forever

Music Played

  • Ian Dury & the Blockheads

    What A Waste

    • The Best Of Ian Dury.
    • Repertoire.

  • Dire Straits

    Sultans Of Swing

    • (Single).
    • Vertigo.
    • 5.

  • The Clash

    Tommy Gun

    • Epic.

  • Warren Zevon

    Werewolves Of London

    • Drive Time (Various Artists).
    • Now.

  • Gerry Rafferty

    Baker Street

    • Boots Rock Collection Vol.4 (Variou.
    • Boots.

  • Joan Armatrading

    Bottom To The Top

    • Love And Affection CD2.
    • Mercury Records Limited.
    • 10.

  • Steel Pulse

    Handsworth Revolution (Radio 1 Session, 31 Aug 1977)

  • The Jam

    Down In The Tube Station At Midnight

    • Into The Eighties - Various Artists.
    • Global Television.

  • Elvis Costello

    This Year's Girl

    • This Years Model.
    • Mercury Records Limited.
    • 2.

Broadcast

  • Sun 11 Aug 2019 21:00
    成人快手 Radio 2