Pan's People image

Pan's People: 1968-1976

Pan’s People were formed in London in December 1966, starting as a trio before expanding to a sextet. They gained popularity by appearing on television series in the UK and the Netherlands. Their breakthrough came in 1968 when they were first approached to perform on Top of the Pops.

In 1968, choreographer Virginia Mason invited two dancers from the troupe to perform on TOTP for a routine to “Simon Says” by the 1910 Fruitgum Company. Later that year, they performed a routine to “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, and finally, the entire sextet's first official performance was on 30th May 1968, dancing to "U.S. Male" by Elvis Presley.

Pan's People were the second dance troupe to appear regularly on Top of the Pops, succeeding the Go-Jos in May 1968. Starting with monthly appearances, they became a weekly feature of the programme following its revamp and time extension in January 1970. During this time the group’s fan mail and high viewing figures led to the group being featured on Top of the Pops nearly every week.

Original Line-up:

  • Louise Clarke
  • Felicity (Flick) Colby
  • Barbara “Babs” Lord
  • Ruth Pearson
  • Andrea “Andi” Rutherford
  • Patricia “Dee Dee” Wilde

Flick Colby gradually stepped down from dancing duties towards the end of 1971 to focus on choreographing the group’s routines. In 1972, Andi Rutherford left Pan’s People to raise a family and was replaced by Cherry Gillespie. In mid-1974, Louise Clarke left to start a family and was replaced through an open audition by Susan “Sue” Menhenick.

The final personnel changes within the dance troupe occurred in 1975 when Babs Lord and Dee Dee Wilde left the group. Two new members, Mary Corpe and Lee Ward, joined the troupe.

Line-up by April 1976:

  • Mary Corpe
  • Cherry Gillespie
  • Sue Menhenick
  • Ruth Pearson (the only remaining original member)

Pan’s People last appeared on Top of the Pops on 29th April 1976, dancing to "Silver Star" by the Four Seasons.

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The Go-Jos

NEXT

Ruby Flipper

Timeline

FIRST APPEARANCE

30/05/1968

U.S. Male

Elvis Presley

LAST APPEARANCE

29/04/1976

Silver Star

The Four Seasons

Statistics

0

TOTAL APPEARANCES

Pan's People Members

Louise Clarke
Felicity Colby
Barbara Lord
Ruth Pearson
Andrea Rutherford
Patricia Wilde
Mary Corpe
Cherry Gillespie
Sue Menhenick

Appearances

Episode Track / Artist Chart #
06/01/1994 Mama's Pearl
The Jackson 5
OLD
15/10/1992 (They Long To Be) Close To You
The Carpenters
OLD
29/04/1976 More More More
Andrea True Connection
17
29/04/1976 Silver Star
The Four Seasons
16
22/04/1976 You Sexy Sugar Plum (But I Like It)
Rodger Collins
22
22/04/1976 Jungle Rock
Hank Mizell
4
15/04/1976 Theme From 'Mahogany' (Do You Know Where You're Going To)
Diana Ross
7
15/04/1976 Disco Connection
Isaac Hayes
17
08/04/1976 Paperback Writer
The Beatles
23
08/04/1976 There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)
The Carpenters
24
01/04/1976 Jungle Rock
Hank Mizell
18
25/03/1976 Yesterday
The Beatles
10
18/03/1976 Take It To The Limit
The Eagles
25
11/03/1976 Wake Up Everybody
Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
26
04/03/1976 Let's Do The Latin Hustle
Eddie Drennon & B.b.s. Unlimited
25
26/02/1976 Funky Weekend
The Stylistics
18
19/02/1976 Squeeze Box
The Who
15
12/02/1976 Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto De Aranjuez (Theme From 2nd Movement)
Manuel & The Music Of The Mountains
8
05/02/1976 December '63 (Oh What A Night)
The Four Seasons
8
29/01/1976 Baby Face
The Wing & A Prayer Fife & Drum Corps
21
22/01/1976 Midnight Rider
Paul Davidson
10
15/01/1976 Let The Music Play
Barry White
15
08/01/1976 Itchycoo Park
The Small Faces
23
01/01/1976 In Dulce Jubilo
Mike Oldfield
22
Christmas 1975 - Part 2 I Only Have Eyes For You
Art Garfunkel
OLD
Christmas 1975 - Part 2 Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)
The Stylistics
OLD
Christmas 1975 - Part 1 Barbados
Typically Tropical
OLD
Christmas 1975 - Part 1 Space Oddity
David Bowie
OLD
18/12/1975 Do The Bus Stop
Fatback Band
29
11/12/1975 Let's Twist Again
Chubby Checker
9
04/12/1975 First Impressions
The Impressions
22
27/11/1975 Imagine
John Lennon
6
20/11/1975 Lyin' Eyes
The Eagles
23
13/11/1975 This Old Heart Of Mine
Rod Stewart
27
06/11/1975 Imagine
John Lennon
25
30/10/1975 Rock On Brother
The Chequers
21
23/10/1975 Hold Back The Night
The Trammps
18
16/10/1975 Island Girl
Elton John
22
09/10/1975 No Woman No Cry
Bob Marley & The Wailers
27
02/10/1975 Who Loves You
The Four Seasons
14
25/09/1975 I Only Have Eyes For You
Art Garfunkel
10
18/09/1975 Feel Like Makin' Love
Bad Company
28
18/09/1975 Summertime City
Mike Batt With The New Edition
4
11/09/1975 There Goes My First Love
The Drifters
26
04/09/1975 Summertime City
Mike Batt With The New Edition
6
28/08/1975 One Of These Nights
The Eagles
29
21/08/1975 That's The Way (I Like It)
K.C. & The Sunshine Band
8
14/08/1975 Fame
David Bowie
30
07/08/1975 Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me
Gladys Knight & The Pips
30
31/07/1975 It's Been So Long
George McCrae
28
24/07/1975 Foot Stompin' Music
Hamilton Bohannon
23
17/07/1975 Barbados
Typically Tropical
5
10/07/1975 Have You Seen Her
The Chi-lites
5
03/07/1975 Misty
Ray Stevens
5
26/06/1975 The Hustle
Van Mccoy
4
19/06/1975 Disco Stomp
Hamilton Bohannon
10
05/06/1975 (For You) I'll Do Anything You Want Me To
Barry White
21
29/05/1975 Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Eric Clapton
25
22/05/1975 Sing Baby Sing
The Stylistics
6
15/05/1975 Once Bitten Twice Shy
Ian Hunter
25
08/05/1975 I Wanna Dance Wit Choo (Doo Dat Dance) ~ Part 1
Disco Tex & The Sex-o-lettes Feat. Sir Monti Rock Iii
12
01/05/1975 The Night
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
16
24/04/1975 Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right
Diana Ross
27
17/04/1975 Get Down Tonight
K.C. & The Sunshine Band
26
10/04/1975 Swing Your Daddy
Jim Gilstrap
7
03/04/1975 Girls
The Moments & The Whatnauts
3
27/03/1975 Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar
Duane Eddy
11
20/03/1975 What Am I Gonna Do With You
Barry White
5
13/03/1975 Philadelphia Freedom
Elton John
24
06/03/1975 Pick Up The Pieces
Average White Band
9
13/02/1975 Please Mr. Postman
The Carpenters
2
06/02/1975 Star On A T.v. Show
The Stylistics
18
30/01/1975 Promised Land
Elvis Presley
9
30/01/1975 Footsee
Wigan's Chosen Few
25
23/01/1975 Boogie On Reggae Woman
Stevie Wonder
22
16/01/1975 Help Me Make It Through The Night
John Holt
12
16/01/1975 Down Down
Status Quo
1
09/01/1975 You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything
Rod Stewart & The Faces
14
09/01/1975 Ms. Grace
The Tymes
7
02/01/1975 Help Me Make It Through The Night
John Holt
29
Christmas 1974 - Part 1 You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me
The New Seekers Feat. Lyn Paul
OLD
Christmas 1974 - Part 1 You're The First, The Last, My Everything
Barry White
OLD
19/12/1974 Never Can Say Goodbye
Gloria Gaynor
25
05/12/1974 You're The First, The Last, My Everything
Barry White
1
28/11/1974 Sha-la-la (Make Me Happy)
Al Green
24
21/11/1974 You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
20
14/11/1974 You're The First, The Last, My Everything
Barry White
5
07/11/1974 Then Came You
Dionne Warwick & The Detroit Spinners
29
31/10/1974 Da Doo Ron Ron
The Crystals
23
24/10/1974 Let's Put It All Together
The Stylistics
28
17/10/1974 Samba Pa Ti
Santana
27
11/10/1974 I Get A Kick Out Of You
Gary Shearston
14
04/10/1974 You Little Trustmaker
The Tymes
28
27/09/1974 It's Better To Have
Don Covay
30
20/09/1974 Machine Gun
The Commodores
26
13/09/1974 Another Saturday Night
Cat Stevens
23
05/09/1974 Baby Love
The Supremes
24
29/08/1974 Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe
Barry White
29
29/08/1974 Annie's Song
John Denver
18
22/08/1974 What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted
Jimmy Ruffin
4
15/08/1974 You Make Me Feel Brand New
The Stylistics
3
08/08/1974 When Will I See You Again
The Three Degrees
2
13/06/1974 Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Elton John
16
06/06/1974 Summer Breeze
The Isley Brothers
21
23/05/1974 I Can't Stop
The Osmonds
12
16/05/1974 There's A Ghost In My House
R. Dean Taylor
24
09/05/1974 T.s.o.p. (The Sound Of Philadelphia)
Mfsb
25
02/05/1974 I Can't Stop
The Osmonds
24
25/04/1974 I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
Genesis
21
18/04/1974 The Entertainer
Marvin Hamlisch
27
11/04/1974 Homely Girl
The Chi-lites
22
04/04/1974 Homely Girl
The Chi-lites
28
28/03/1974 Seasons In The Sun
Terry Jacks
3
21/03/1974 You Are Everything
Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye
25
14/03/1974 Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
Aretha Franklin
26
07/03/1974 Rebel Rebel
David Bowie
5
28/02/1974 The Most Beautiful Girl In The World
Charlie Rich
11
14/02/1974 Love's Theme
Love Unlimited Orchestra
19
07/02/1974 All Of My Life
Diana Ross
9
31/01/1974 The Love I Lost
Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
21
17/01/1974 Dance With The Devil
Cozy Powell
4
10/01/1974 All Of My Life
Diana Ross
38
03/01/1974 Love On A Mountain Top
Robert Knight
13
10 Years of Top of the Pops I Want You Back
The Jackson 5
OLD
10 Years of Top of the Pops Spirit In The Sky
Norman Greenbaum
OLD
Christmas Day 1973 Get Down
Gilbert O'Sullivan
OLD
20/12/1973 Love On A Mountain Top
Robert Knight
16
13/12/1973 Dance With The Devil
Cozy Powell
38
06/12/1973 Truck On (Tyke)
T. Rex
13
29/11/1973 Lamplight
David Essex
8
22/11/1973 Keep On Truckin'
Eddie Kendricks
30
15/11/1973 Do You Wanna Dance?
Barry Blue
9
01/11/1973 Daydreamer
David Cassidy
1
11/10/1973 Ghetto Child
The Detroit Spinners
20
04/10/1973 That Lady
The Isley Brothers
25
27/09/1973 Monster Mash
Bobby 'Boris' Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
4
20/09/1973 Nutbush City Limits
Ike & Tina Turner
18
13/09/1973 Monster Mash
Bobby 'Boris' Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
21
31/08/1973 I Think Of You
The Detroit Emeralds
30
24/08/1973 Fool
Elvis Presley
22
17/08/1973 I'm Doing Fine Now
New York City
23
10/08/1973 Smarty Pants
First Choice
24
03/08/1973 You Can Do Magic
Limmie & The Family Cookin'
18
27/07/1973 All Right Now
Free
29
20/07/1973 Spanish Eyes
Al Martino
31
06/07/1973 Finders Keepers
Chairmen Of The Board
24
22/06/1973 Take Me To The Mardi Gras
Paul Simon
24
15/06/1973 Hallelujah Day
The Jackson 5
27
01/06/1973 Walking In The Rain
The Partridge Family Starring David Cassidy
14
18/05/1973 You Want It You Got It
The Detroit Emeralds
25
11/05/1973 Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)
Deodato
19
04/05/1973 Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
The Detroit Spinners
30
27/04/1973 Wam Bam
The Handley Family
30
19/04/1973 The Right Thing To Do
Carly Simon
30
05/04/1973 Tweedlee Dee
Little Jimmy Osmond
6
29/03/1973 Why Can't We Live Together
Timmy Thomas
12
22/03/1973 Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree
Dawn Feat. Tony Orlando
16
15/03/1973 Love Train
The O'Jays
28
01/03/1973 Killing Me Softly With His Song
Roberta Flack
19
22/02/1973 Doctor My Eyes
The Jackson 5
19
01/02/1973 You're So Vain
Carly Simon
3
25/01/1973 Papa Was A Rolling Stone
The Temptations
14
18/01/1973 Wishing Well
Free
15
04/01/1973 You're So Vain
Carly Simon
15
Christmas 1972 - Part 2 Without You
Nilsson
OLD
Christmas 1972 - Part 1 Popcorn
Hot Butter
50
21/12/1972 The Jean Genie
David Bowie
16
14/12/1972 Ball Park Incident
Wizzard
34
07/12/1972 Crazy Horses
The Osmonds
2
30/11/1972 My Ding-a-ling
Chuck Berry
1
23/11/1972 Crocodile Rock
Elton John
5
02/11/1972 Let's Dance
Chris Montez
19
26/10/1972 Here I Go Again
Archie Bell & The Drells
24
12/10/1972 In A Broken Dream
Python Lee Jackson
9
05/10/1972 Back Stabbers
The O'Jays
22
21/09/1972 Walk In The Night
Junior Walker & The All Stars
16
14/09/1972 Ain't No Sunshine
Michael Jackson
8
07/09/1972 Walk In The Night
Junior Walker & The All Stars
25
24/08/1972 Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
Mardi Gras
22
17/08/1972 I Get The Sweetest Feeling
Jackie Wilson
24
03/08/1972 Working On A Building Of Love
Chairmen Of The Board
23
27/07/1972 Popcorn
Hot Butter
19
20/07/1972 My Guy
Mary Wells
26
13/07/1972 Betcha By Golly Wow
The Stylistics
25
06/07/1972 I've Been Lonely For So Long
Frederick Knight
26
22/06/1972 Little Bit Of Love
Free
20
15/06/1972 Rockin' Robin
Michael Jackson
5
25/05/1972 Could It Be Forever
David Cassidy
2
18/05/1972 Me And Julio Down By The School Yard
Paul Simon
23
11/05/1972 Saturday Night At The Movies
The Drifters
19
04/05/1972 Wade In The Water
Ramsey Lewis
31
27/04/1972 Runnin' Away
Sly & The Family Stone
29
30/03/1972 Without You
Nilsson
1
16/03/1972 Floy Joy
The Supremes
18
20/01/1972 Theme From 'The Persuaders'
John Barry
20
13/01/1972 Where Did Our Love Go
Donnie Elbert
28
30/12/1971 Stoney End
Barbra Streisand
NEW
30/12/1971 Jeepster
T. Rex
2
Christmas 1971 - Part 2 My Sweet Lord
George Harrison
OLD
Christmas 1971 - Part 1 Tap Turns On The Water
CCS
OLD
09/12/1971 Theme From 'Shaft'
Isaac Hayes
7
02/12/1971 Fireball
Deep Purple
21
18/11/1971 Let's See Action
The Who
24
11/11/1971 Surrender
Diana Ross
22
21/10/1971 Sultana
Titanic
10
14/10/1971 Witch Queen Of New Orleans
Redbone
9
30/09/1971 Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum
Middle Of The Road
4
16/09/1971 Tap Turns On The Water
CCS
18
09/09/1971 Maggie May
Rod Stewart
19
26/08/1971 Nathan Jones
The Supremes
26
19/08/1971 Hey Girl Don't Bother Me
The Tams
19
12/08/1971 Move On Up
Curtis Mayfield
22
01/07/1971 River Deep Mountain High
The Supremes & The Four Tops
22
17/06/1971 Joy To The World
Three Dog Night
26
27/05/1971 Rain
Bruce Ruffin
19
06/05/1971 Heaven Must Have Sent You
The Elgins
25
29/04/1971 Mama's Pearl
The Jackson 5
28
15/04/1971 Remember Me
Diana Ross
18
01/04/1971 Walkin'
CCS
10
11/03/1971 Another Day
Paul McCartney
2
04/03/1971 Allemande/Wedding March
Early Music Consort
NEW
25/02/1971 Everything's Tuesday
Chairmen Of The Board
20
04/02/1971 Resurrection Shuffle
Ashton, Gardner & Dyke
9
28/01/1971 Stoned Love
The Supremes
19
28/01/1971 My Sweet Lord
George Harrison
1
21/01/1971 My Sweet Lord
George Harrison
7
14/01/1971 We've Only Just Begun
The Carpenters
37
07/01/1971 You're Ready Now
Frankie Valli
25
Boxing Day 1970 Spirit In The Sky
Norman Greenbaum
OLD
Christmas Day 1970 The Tears Of A Clown
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
OLD
10/12/1970 I'll Be There
The Jackson 5
13
19/11/1970 Cracklin' Rosie
Neil Diamond
10
12/11/1970 Voodoo Chile
Jimi Hendrix Experience
5
05/11/1970 Whole Lotta Love
Top of the Pops Orchestra
32
29/10/1970 War
Edwin Starr
15
15/10/1970 (They Long To Be) Close To You
The Carpenters
8
01/10/1970 Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)
The Temptations
26
24/09/1970 Don't Play That Song
Aretha Franklin
13
17/09/1970 Montego Bay
Bobby Bloom
15
10/09/1970 Jimmy Mack
Martha Reeves & The Mandellas
23
03/09/1970 Make It With You
Bread
7
27/08/1970 Give Me Just A Little More Time
Chairmen Of The Board
19
20/08/1970 The Tears Of A Clown
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
5
13/08/1970 The Love You Save
The Jackson 5
17
06/08/1970 Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
Stevie Wonder
15
30/07/1970 Big Yellow Taxi
Joni Mitchell
17
23/07/1970 Something
Shirley Bassey
7
16/07/1970 Love Like A Man
Ten Years After
20
09/07/1970 It's All In The Game
The Four Tops
5
18/06/1970 Bet Yer Life I Do
Herman's Hermits
27
11/06/1970 Abraham, Martin And John
Marvin Gaye
14
04/06/1970 Cottonfields
The Beach Boys
12
28/05/1970 ABC
The Jackson 5
11
21/05/1970 Up The Ladder To The Roof
The Supremes
30
14/05/1970 Daughter Of Darkness
Tom Jones
8
07/05/1970 Travellin' Band
Creedence Clearwater Revival
8
30/04/1970 Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
29
23/04/1970 Who Do You Love
Juicy Lucy
20
23/04/1970 House Of The Rising Sun
Frijid Pink
14
16/04/1970 Never Had A Dream Come True
Stevie Wonder
13
09/04/1970 Farewell Is A Lonely Sound
Jimmy Ruffin
13
02/04/1970 Spirit In The Sky
Norman Greenbaum
15
26/03/1970 Who Do You Love
Juicy Lucy
29
19/03/1970 Rag Mama Rag
The Band
NEW
26/02/1970 Temma Harbour
Mary Hopkin
7
19/02/1970 Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
Steam
27
12/02/1970 I Want You Back
The Jackson 5
12
05/02/1970 Both Sides Now
Judy Collins
25
29/01/1970 I'm A Man
Chicago
12
22/01/1970 Wedding Bell Blues
The Fifth Dimension
33
01/01/1970 Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
19
23/10/1969 Return Of Django
The Upsetters
17
02/10/1969 Bad Moon Rising
Creedence Clearwater Revival
1
11/09/1969 Marrakesh Express
Crosby, Stills & Nash
17
03/07/1969 Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'
Crazy Elephant
12
19/06/1969 The Ballad Of John And Yoko
The Beatles
1
29/05/1969 Get Back
The Beatles & Billy Preston
1
01/05/1969 Get Back
The Beatles & Billy Preston
1
27/03/1969 Gentle On My Mind
Dean Martin
5
Christmas 1968 - Part 2 The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Hugo Montenegro
5
28/11/1968 The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Hugo Montenegro
1
14/11/1968 All Along The Watchtower
Jimi Hendrix Experience
8
31/10/1968 This Old Heart Of Mine
The Isley Brothers
16
24/10/1968 The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Hugo Montenegro
8
05/09/1968 I Say A Little Prayer
Aretha Franklin
4
15/08/1968 Mony Mony
Tommy James & The Shondells
1
08/08/1968 Mony Mony
Tommy James & The Shondells
1
30/05/1968 U.S. Male
Elvis Presley
17
18/04/1968 Cry Like A Baby
The Box Tops
18

Make It With You

Bread

Pan's People Routine
03/09/1970

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