Now this is clever programming….

ABC is to play old Countdown footage in itsoriginal timeslot of 6pm Sundays, narrated by an artist who performed in that episode, with Gavin Wood reprising his role as announcer.

To be billed as Classic Countdown, each episode will encompass one year and screen as one-hour episodes over 13 weeks from Sunday 17 September.

Narrators will include John Paul Young, Kate Ceberano, Steve Kilbey, Richard Clapton and more.

Countdown was a cultural phenomenon that ran from 1974-1987, becoming the soundtrack to an entire generation of Australians.

Taking a year per episode, Classic Countdown pays tribute to the iconic artists, the incredible songs and Molly!

The original episodes have been lovingly and meticulously restored and the archives carefully searched to uncover performances not seen for decades. Unashamedly nostalgic and playful, Classic Countdown will celebrate the explosion in youth culture and Aussie music that was the driving force of the show’s success.

Classic Countdown will feature the very best music from the day, presented in the classic Countdown way… the artists performing their songs to a live studio audience.

The show will also feature the very best of Molly, his unique interview style and his incredible access to the likes of Elton John, Tina Turner, Abba, David Bowie, Kate Bush – not to mention the giants of Aussie Rock. The series will mirror the Countdown run-down with highlights of Humdrum plus a selection of the songs that were performed on the show that also made it to #1 each year.

Joining the tribute, ABC Music are proud to present Classic Countdown (out September 15), a massive 4CD collection and digital album featuring the biggest and most influential hits from the iconic original series including classic tracks from ABBA, Skyhooks, Iggy Pop, Hall & Oates, Cyndi Lauper, John Farnham plus many more.

Follow Classic Countdown online at abc.net.au/classiccountdown and via socials #ClassicCountdown

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