Receiving a ban from the BBC is an act that can give an artist everlasting notoriety. More often than not, there’s a legitimate motive for this therapy to be handed out, however all it took for the Cockney Rejects was one controversial look on ‘High Of The Pops’.
The Cockney Rejects had been booked for the programme following the success of their hit track, ‘I’m Endlessly Blowing Bubbles’. Since 1940, the observe has additionally been an anthem related to the Cockney Rejects’ beloved West Ham United Soccer Membership, a staff that had reached the FA Cup Closing in 1980 and impressed the quilt. Following the discharge, the only peaked at 35 on the UK Singles Chart and earned the band an look on the nation’s favorite music programme.
On the time, soccer tradition was shrouded in a darkish cloud of hooliganism, and thru protecting ‘I’m Endlessly Blowing Bubbles’, the Cockney Rejects additional aligned themselves with the scene. Whether or not consciously or subconsciously, the BBC’s punishment feels related to the Rejects’ hyperlink to a knees-up on the soccer.
After they appeared on nationwide tv to advertise ‘I’m Endlessly Blowing Bubbles’, the Cockney Rejects had been solely youngsters and naturally had enjoyable on the BBC. Alcohol was flowing freely, and following the mimed efficiency, they triggered a scene by operating across the constructing, inflicting mayhem. Vocalist Jeff Geggus later advised Concern and Loathing: “We had been simply supporting our staff. I imply, if somebody had mentioned to me a 12 months earlier than that West Ham had been going to be within the Cup Closing and that we’d be doing a Punk model of ‘Bubbles’ on High Of The Pops, I’d’ve by no means have believed them. So after all we had been going to be lairy.”
He added: “I imply, if it had occurred now, the press would’ve beloved it, however again then, being punks, they thought it was horrible that 4 youngsters had been allowed to run-riot on the BBC. However what did they anticipate ? Though, I’ve to say, I used to be the one one who wasn’t drunk… solely as a result of they wouldn’t serve me within the bar … I didn’t have any snide ID with me!”
Geggus additionally shifted the blame in the direction of their label, EMI and mentioned: “Nah, there was no assist or steering. They only checked out us as a money cow for a bunch of people that needed to make cash. They had been us, like, give them their 18 months after which they will fuck off and we’ll maintain the cash. That was principally the best way it went. There was nobody to information us or assist us alongside the best way…”
It wasn’t solely the BBC that banned the Cockney Rejects from performing. For a time, they weren’t allowed to play anyplace in London. Geggus defined: “We acquired a ban from Ken Livingstone and the GLC. We nonetheless don’t actually know why they picked on us. There have been a great deal of fights happening all over the place. Even Insanity used to have a variety of bother at their gigs. There was once a great deal of Nazis going to see them.”
He added: “We had been the one ones who actually stood up in opposition to that lot and we had been solely youngsters once we had been doing it, in order that took a variety of balls.”
With the good thing about hindsight, the Cockney Rejects’ therapy by the BBC and elected officers in London was totally unfair. Within the Nineteen Eighties, worse issues had been occurring backstage on ‘High Of The Pops’ than some drunken youngsters inflicting mischief. On each events, the punk band had been unreasonably scapegoated.
Comply with Far Out Journal throughout our social channels, on Fb, Twitter and Instagram.
