1986-1988: First Computer Generated Titles
After nearly six years, "Yellow Pearl" was placed into the Top of the Pops archive, as a new era dawned. April 1986 saw Top of the Pops get its first full computer-generated opening titles. And of course, to go with it, a new signature tune, "The Wizard" by Paul Hardcastle, of 'nineteeeen' fame.
The newly designed opening titles were conceived by Everol McKenzie, employing wireframe computer-generated animation by the Molotov Brothers. These titles showcased vibrant, solid, and wire-frame images of musical instruments, tape cassettes, vinyl records, and CDs, all set against a solid black backdrop. The computer-generated instruments and media converge at the conclusion to form the new Top of the Pops logo.
The studio set design and presentation package employed during this period underwent several incremental updates, notably the alteration of on-screen performance captions and chart rundown typography. For the first time, performance captions indicated chart entries and the chart movement of the song. At the same time, new chart rundown graphics were also introduced, using new computer graphics. By the end of July 1987 new caption styles, and new fonts were introduced. End performance captions were also still used until the end of December 1988. The opening title sequence remained in use until the 25th anniversary TOTP special in December 1988.
Want to know more about the design process of these iconic opening titles? Check out this article by Ravensbourne University London.
Opening Title Sequence
Opening Title Sequence Screenshot 1
Opening Title Sequence Screenshot 1
Opening Title Sequence Screenshot 2
Opening Title Sequence Screenshot 2
Opening Title Sequence Screenshot 3
Opening Title Sequence Screenshot 3
Opening Title Sequence Screenshot 4
Opening Title Sequence Screenshot 4
Presenter Graphics
Presenter caption graphic, Janice Long - 3rd July 1986.
Presenter caption graphic, Janice Long - 3rd July 1986.
Presenter caption graphic, Gary Davies - 4th September 1986.
Presenter caption graphic, Gary Davies - 4th September 1986.
Presenter caption graphic, Janice Long & Steve Wright - 20th August 1987.
Presenter caption graphic, Janice Long & Steve Wright - 20th August 1987.
Presenter caption graphic, Nicky Campbell & Caron Keating - 8th December 1988.
Presenter caption graphic, Nicky Campbell & Caron Keating - 8th December 1988.
Performance Graphics
Performance caption graphic - 3rd July 1986.
Performance caption graphic - 3rd July 1986.
Performance caption graphic - 3rd July 1986.
Performance caption graphic - 3rd July 1986.
Performance end graphic - 3rd July 1986.
Performance end graphic - 3rd July 1986.
Performance caption graphic - 20th August 1987.
Performance caption graphic - 20th August 1987.
Performance end graphic - 20th August 1987.
Performance end graphic - 20th August 1987.
Performance caption graphic - 8th December 1988.
Performance caption graphic - 8th December 1988.
Chart Rundown Graphics
Chart rundown startup graphic - circa April 1986.
Chart rundown startup graphic - circa April 1986.
Top 40 breakers startup graphic - circa April 1986.
Top 40 breakers startup graphic - circa April 1986.
Top 40 over a performance graphics - 10th April 1986.
Top 40 over a performance graphics - 10th April 1986.
Chart rundown graphics - 3rd July 1986.
Chart rundown graphics - 3rd July 1986.
Chart rundown graphic - 3rd July 1986.
Chart rundown graphic - 3rd July 1986.
Chart rundown graphic - 20th August 1987.
Chart rundown graphic - 20th August 1987.
Chart rundown graphics - 8th December 1988.
Chart rundown graphics - 8th December 1988.
End Credit Graphics
End credits - 3rd July 1986.
End credits - 3rd July 1986.
End credits graphic - 18th December 1986.
End credits graphic - 18th December 1986.
Scrolling end credits over a performance - 20th August 1987.
Scrolling end credits over a performance - 20th August 1987.
End credits graphic - 8th December 1988.
End credits graphic - 8th December 1988.
Stage Designs
Stage design, circa July 1986.
Stage design, circa July 1986.
Stage design, circa July 1986.
Stage design, circa July 1986.
Stage design, circa July 1986.
Stage design, circa July 1986.
Stage design, circa July 1986.
Stage design, circa July 1986.