Does anybody know which piece of music the Top Gear theme is based on? I know I have heard it a number of times but I just can't put my finger on it.

It used to be "Jessica" by the Allman Brothers off "Brothers and Sisters". Have not seen the new series so it may have changed.

Simon

Markus,
Shazam! try this idea from Garyi.

Thanks, Simon.

Roy, sounds interesting, but as I'm based in Germnay I doubt I can use this service.

Markus,

Is there any way of receiving British programmes here in Germany? I know you can get BBC World on cable, but I have no intention of getting cable and from what I remember BBC World is nothing like their regular programmes.

Thomas

Thomas,

I get BBC World on cable. Not worth getting cable for, I agree.

I'm afraid I have no idea if BBC programmes are available via satellite.

I thought you meant John Peel's programme for a minute (by the way, anyone one know what that one is/was?)

The Clarkson Top Gear is still Jessica, albeit megamixed for the new series.

Every time I watch this prog I can picture Dicky Betts on the stage at Knebworth in 1974 blasting out that riff in glorious denim...

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Metcalfe:
I thought you meant John Peel's programme for a minute (by the way, anyone one know what that one is/was?)

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Peely's Saturday morning thing on R4 is a Dick Dale riff might be "King of the surf guitar".

Simon

Markus, thanks. I knew I shouldn't have raised my hopes -- I've never heard of any feasible option for watching British TV over here.

It's such a shame that ARD and ZDF gave up showing films and series in the original version. I can't bear watching dubbed films ("Johnassan, es war dein Job, auf Kärrie aufzupassen!" -- "Ja, Mann, komm vorbei. Wir haben eine gute Zeit." -- "Auf Wiedersehen, Mammi!").

As a result, I've become a regular at the DVD rental place. I've not had to show my card for years and the clerks already know what I will like and what not. I'm such a sad bastard.

Thomas

Markus/Thomas,

There is a way to see some British TV in Germany via satellite, including the home BBC channels and ITV. Although recently the BBC shrunk the 'footprint' and Berlin is now just out of reach. You others might be luckier depending where you are. If you're interested I'll find out more from some people I know and let you know how and of course, how much.

Sean

Sean,

Many thanks for the offer. Unfortunately (in this respect), I live near the Weißwurschtäquator, so if Berlin is just of reach I'm bound to be way out of reach.

Thomas

We named our daughter after the track only to find Top Gear using it after a couple of months of her berth. BTW anbody out there see the Allman's at Knebworth in '74? It was a fantastic day!

Bob

Bob,

You obviously didn't read my contribution above!

No ideas on John Peel's Top Gear theme?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Thomas K:
("Johnassan, es war dein Job, auf Kärrie aufzupassen!" -- "Ja, Mann, komm vorbei. Wir haben eine gute Zeit." -- "Auf Wiedersehen, Mammi!"). /QUOTE]

So true. So sad. Do you have a stereo TV? Sometimes you get the original language version on the second channel.

quote:

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Originally posted by bob atherton:
We named our daughter after the track only to find Top Gear using it after a couple of months of her berth.

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A pal of mine's life turned upside down when a new TV comedy was announced some years back. His name was (and still is) Blackadder.

Alan

Chris,

OOOOps... missed that one! What a day Doobies, Van The Man, Alex Harvey? Did you stay till the very end?

Bob

Sometimes you get the original language version on the second channel.

Markus, that's what I was referring to -- they still do it occasionally, but it used to be much more common in the 80s.

Thomas

Bob,

I stayed till the end, then spent about 2 hours getting out of the car park... actually don't remember too much about the later aspects as there was a vogue that year for certain stimulants which unfortunately I was persuaded to indulge in!! Long time ago...

Chris,

I don’t remember it too well either…. We got serious munchies and I queued for seemingly hours to buy some food, all they had was Wagon Wheels…. Perfect…!

Bob

I don't remember the Doobies being on but I do remember the Mahavishnu Orchestra (who were sublime).

Strongest memory is of Gregg Allman singing 'Come and Go Blues' for some reason. Great gig. I had queued for 12 hours outside the Rainbow in January 1974 for their first UK gig - which they then cancelled!