The Sports - Who Listens To The Radio (1978)

[millertas]

First herd this song listening to the radio in the late 70s.

[jsc1215]

Wonderful memories return with this song. I think Scott Reppert - then a deejay at my hometown radio station - was one of the very few American deejays who played this song on a regular basis. Thank you for posting the video!

[010wolfie]

Oh what memories. I'm the daggy teenager up the back in the overalls. Heard about this while I was at work and went to a film studio in Oakliegh and took my dodgy radio with me. Had a great time but was a bit shy so didn't meet the band. Did see them many times at Bombay rock etc, even helped the crew out many times, brilliant times.

[nzoz1978]

@010wolfie It's great to hear from those who were there!!!

[numbeddown]

that man is so beautiful - where have all the goofballs gone?

[Streetyify]

It was a great era- The Manzil room,Tivoli, San Mig, Chevron hotel, Manly Vale, Glider Room, Antler even saw INXS at the Bayview. Great for a dumb arse country kid who moved to the city when all the great bands were doing pub gigs.

[b0ban]

this music has awesomness

[macnaz1]

Dam i love all these old Aussie bands.... I Wish i could go back in time and live it all again :(

[gailmckennag]

james reyne 's voice , phrasing like elvis costello.

[C0NTR4l34ND]

@gailmckennag I thought the same thing. He sounds like a cross between Elvis Costello.. and Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy.

[gailmckennag]

@C0NTR4l34ND i think he was dancing like elvis too.lol.genius.

[shenthus]

I used to go to Melbourne Uni student night sin 1979/80 they these guys payed there lots. Great band. Even had Red play with them at one stage. Love them

[ManFromMelbourne]

A couple of the members of Boys Next Door/Birthday Party are in this clip.

[Chaxinator]

WHOOOOOOOOOO LISTENS TO THE RA-DI-O

[marcusbondi]

My best mate & neighbour, Rolfy, was in this clip - kid in green jumper at 1.44 behind drummer's hi-hat. I was only 11 at the time & they didn't want an even littler kid in the clip =(

[kurtfc1]

Well bass player's, kid you'll want to appreciate the terrific contribution your dad and his mates made to Aussie culture at the time. Solid pioneers they were, daggy daks and all.

[euqsabtnatillim]

There were Moove (Yes chocolate milk company) concerts freebies at the checquers club where I saw Kevin Borich shred his flying V guitar, 2JJ concerts and of course "the concert of the decade" featuring Stevie Wright. The same era spawned the life be in it concerts where I saw ACDC and Skyhooks for free.

All free kidly winks lets see any one top that for nothing

[slimtim6969]

i saw em at the opera house in sydney who knows when with thin lizzie off my chops.

[nzoz1978]

@slimtim6969 1978

[Manowar1349]

He sounds like Phil Lynott

[Manowar1349]

His voice looks like Phil Lynott

[nzoz1978]

@Manowar1349

You mean his breath has an afro?

[Manowar1349]

@nzoz1978 haha, my bad. 'Sounds like'. Hate typing distracted.

[JordysMine]

lol watching this is so embarrassing. 

[nzoz1978]

@JordysMine why, are you an extra in the clip?

[MrGziz1]

@nzoz1978 Nope- I'm not that old thankfully! But my parents are in this clip. I didn't realise any of this stuff would be up on youtube and was surprised to see it. I'm the bass players kid, actually. But i have better taste in clothes, i swear...

[TheBOB235]

You say Taylor Swift, I say Good Charlotte

You say Lady Gaga, I say Evanescence

You say Miley Cyrus, I say Slipknot

You say T-Pain, I say Three Days Grace

You say Eminem, I say Linkin Park

You say Justin Bieber, fuck you :|

You say Flowers, I say Puddle of Mud

92% of teens have turned to pop and hip-hop. If you are part of the 8% that still listens to real music, copy and paste this message to 5 other videos. DONT LET ROCK N ROLL DIE! , P.S Thumbs Up If You Agree ;D"

[euqsabtnatillim]

A very pretty brunette with short hair from the Sutherland Shire stuck her tongue down my throat at a concert these guys played on the steps of the Sydney Opera House not long after the release of this song. I lied to you I was only fifteen.

THANKS! 

[nzoz1978]

@euqsabtnatillim Ever since I was 15 (not too many years ago), girls have showed their interest in me by giving me a nasty look and snarling, with a fuck off look on their faces. It was years later that I found out they liked me. I guess I was born in the wrong era.

[euqsabtnatillim]

@nzoz1978 Dear musical ANZAC, That "pash" was typical of the era. Im sure it lives on! Even I thought it was dead....then the first tour by The Cult in Australia at Salinas, far out, with the Lime Spiders in support it was a big night. If your out there Lisa W a big hello.

Oops my point being? rock chicks in my opinion are still out there.Uni is a better hunting ground for indi cool gals. A little education and culture goes a long way. The death of pub rock was a 90's phenomenon. Festivals rock

[TheChampIsHere24]

@nzoz1978 who the fuck wants to hear your story

[nzoz1978]

@TheChampIsHere24 lol, and who wants to read your negative shit-for-brains-style of response? Cute trolling, now fuck off.

[beckyontheroad]

@euqsabtnatillim

I bet I was at that same concert, unless they made a habit of singing there. I saw them outside the Opera House in 1979. It was a lovely day!

[beckyontheroad]

I bet I was at that same concert, unless they made a habit of singing there. I saw them outside the Opera House in 1979. It was a lovely day!

[mrsgritoli1]

These days Stephen Cummings looks like the son of Sir Les patterson

[motownmaniax]

Obviously a huge Elvis Costello influence on this song. Great groove.

[nzoz1978]

@motownmaniax Stephen Cummings (singer) had claimed that it was a coincidence, much like his other song 'What Did The Detective Say'... Coincidences can be a bitch for those who aspire to originality, I guess.

[motownmaniax]

@nzoz1978 Yep, they were a fine band. I've had the "Don't Throw Stones" and "Suddenly..." LPs for probably 25+ years. Brings back memories. ♫♫♫

[nzoz1978]

@motownmaniax Aaaahhh... its good to hear from Americans that bought their records back in the day!

[motownmaniax]

@nzoz1978 You'd be surprised how many Yanks were into the Aussie/Kiwi scene back then. ;-) ♫

[jonnightrain]

@nzoz1978 

[jonnightrain]

@nzoz1978 liked it when was doing the trudge to school!!!

[Frillads]

@motownmaniax This song was written before Costello's.

[KG84C]

Cool guitar passage at 2.07

[KG84C]

Chuck Norris listens to the radio !

[budgiezacunt]

great song

[GavinJ37]

The guitarist with the grey jacket is the spitting image of William Katt from The greatest american hero.

[nzoz1978]

@GavinJ37 lol, that's awesome... i never noticed that before, but you're on the money there!

[adam872]

Another great old Aussie tune that takes me back. Loved The Sports back in the day. Actually, thinking about it, we had some great little rock bands in this period (late 70's to early 80's).

[PastaGrae]

Got to hang out with the drummer (paul) on Saturday. Mighty Man. Much less hair now. Ha!

[nzoz1978]

Yeah, he's a nice bloke. I added him to my nzoz myspace account. I'd love to see this band do reunion shows, but I doubt Stephen and Andrew would be up for it.

[suzieQfan]

Hope this band reforms..they had so many hit songs in a row...and without doubt the best live band in aussie rock...better than chisel and all the others put together..they held the record at the San Miguel Cammeray..people way back in the toilets listening tom them..and 100s inside the place.

[docgonzales]

dr johhny fever played this into the start of an episode of wkrp in cincinnati..

touched by greatness indeed

[WhatsAYak]

@docgonzales - That was the first time I heard it...couldn't get it out of my head for days afterwards! :-)

[tallxpro]

I like the American Version better...but still a good song

[nzoz1978]

you mean, the version that the Sports recorded for the 'Don't Throw Stones' LP, which initially became the hit in the US?

It wasn't really an American version - it was just a re-recording that happened to be the hit in the US....

[martaTFF]

@tallxpro Dr Mr Porn, there are times in this life that the American version is not the best thing in the world. I do not wish to be American and pray to god daily that the lard arse variety of life is not mine!

[aplusmedia]

ah I was at the drummers place the other day .. thats right - really!

[dogfaceboy47]

So glad to find this. This was truly one of the soundtracks of my life. I <3 the Spots.

[monkiemike]

DONT THROW STONES BEST ALBUM EVER

[paultige]

Cheers for the post of the proper version.

Possibly the only song in the world containing the word 'twiddling'. Oz rocks.

[eddie100]

I was a regular at the "KINGSTON" in Richmond.

I lost cassette recording of 3RRR FM radio, broadcasting, "The Sports" Live at Storey Hall, in about 1978 ish, when I left them in the front passenger seat of, The Second Fastest EH Holden Sedan in Victoria.

[franjon]

Cummings actually reminds me of James Reyne except Cummings can actually sing. I wonder what Andy Pendlebury is up to these days. Very underrated player.

[carpetcle]

Saw these guys at the airport just after this song was released, girls were all over them. I was so impressed, made me try and be famous, did'nt happen....

[darrenjray]

This is THE version. I've heard the other. I don't like it. This is the single I bought as a 14 year-old. What's the story with the other version I keep downloading in the hope of finding this gem?

[nzoz1978]

The Sports didn't ever release the original (which you're hearing here and which you purchased) on CD. Stephen Cummings says it's unavailable commercially and said he'd go about sending me an mp3 of the original, which he hasn't done yet...

The later version, which was the American hit doesn't quite do it for me either... this version is just so raw and uplifting... love it so much more than the album version.

[darrenjray]

Thank you so much for this information. I really dislike the later version. Looks like I'll have to purchase a record player!

[vinylman4533]

Yeah. A Sports reunion tour would be great!

[Dragonlady66]

Hello to a young Jim Niven!

[nzoz1978]

is he up for a Sports reunion?

[Dragonlady66]

I'd have to ask him. From memory, he was doubtful it would ever happen, which is not to say he wouldn't do it

[nzoz1978]

Paul Hitchkins (drummer) recently mentioned to me that he'd be up for it. It should happen!

[garlo66]

Had never ever heard this version. Just GOLD.

[garlo66]

and not hard to see why SC was the front man.. a typically diverse looking oz band.. even an angus young lookalike!

[nzoz1978]

Gina Riley looks great as the schoolgirl in this clip too!

[nzoz1978]

i'm 31 now... see if you can find me in this clip!

[rivier4]

The baby on the left

[nzoz1978]

ha ha ha, nah... i'm full of shit. nobody that raised me had the foresite to use me as an extra for this wonderful clip. god i wish!

[maestal]

@nzoz1978 Sorry mate the schoolgirl in the clip is not Gina Riley it's a friend of mine; Allie.

[bozolic]

read the book it is awesome - interesting guy

[DUNVEGANCASTLE]

And Billy Joel as well!!

[DUNVEGANCASTLE]

I heard an interview with Stephen Cummings on 2UE Radio yesterday about his latest book "Will It Be Funny Tomorrow, Billy?" He explained the meaning of the title of his book, and I really look forward to reading it.

"Billy" is Billy Joel!

Great Singer. Great Band. Great Era!!

[mrethrift]

Better than The Babys OR (don't call us The...) Shoes!

[vinylman4533]

Saw them live at the Mushroom Evolution Concert in 1982.

[nzoz1978]

I'll putting that very concert up on youtube soon!

[manikato]

That was probably one of the greatest gigs ever. I was there both days and I have the albums on vinyl and cd. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

thanks for your efforts on all the other stuff you've posted it's taken me back to good times.

[lvmscinco]

Thanks for posting all this great stuff! Awesome new find for me! Great music!!

[footscraysteve]

jimmy niven on the goanna

[mightypies4eva]

great song this WHO LISTENS TO THE RADIO

[BourbanScotchBeer]

Awsome Band, have it all on Wax!!!

[mongol55]

lol at "the sports" band name. Thanks for posting the vid.

[straddie1963]

when aus rocked

[JesseStirland]

Great Song!

[dimentagon]

Go Jimmy

[karenre]

Thanks for posting this.  I have not seen it in so many years. I had this record and really enjoyed the album...

[Super8888887]

Thanks so much for posting these. I haven't seen these videos since like 1979. Great to see them again!

[WhatsAYak]

Heard this for the first time on a rerun of WKRP in Cincinnati last wk and couldn't get it out of my head...very addicting! :-)

[ackerboy]

Me too! At first I thought it was made up, like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's fictional cover version of "She's Having My Baby!"

[WhatsAYak]

LOL...yeah, this is why WKRP's so much better w/the original music intact: besides more well-known hits of the era (Foreigner's "Hot Blooded", Robert Palmer's "Bad Case of Loving You", etc.), you also got to hear more obscure gems like this one!

[WhatsAYak]

Or the song from that 2-part ep where Johnny goes back to LA, "Nowhere Band" by the Soundtastics...imagine my surprise to learn both the song AND the group were fictitious!

[808D3]

Elvis Costello

[millertas]

Saw "Sports" at the 1978 RMIT "Disgusto" Ball. Ahh the memories, early twenties, early punk.

[IonaMackenzie]

hey millertas wass that the gig where Jane Clifton and the Stillettos(spelling?) performed too?

I went to that!

[millertas]

I don't think so but then again I wasn't in a fit state to remember much.

[marcusbondi]

Lame claim to fame: That little kid in the green jumper (above drum hi-hat & pretending to play drums at the end) was Rolfy, my mate & next door neighbour in StKilda in the 70s.

[paisleypower30]

Hee, hee, the version everybody knows, well everyone but me, this is the first time I've heard this, and I really like it!

[spacemanGoldie]

The blonde guy with the les paul was my first guitar teacher - Martin Armiger - he was in a band called Toads Nitely in Adelaide Australia

[slothman001]

Wow, that was cool...kinda strange tho! I usta listen to this song when I wuz a kid, and played the single so much I wore it out a little; then years later got 'Don't Throw Stones', which has an extra verse; but the tempo on this is a lot slower. Still fantasic to see. Thanks for posting this. Great stuff!

[Letmymonkeygo]

Toward the end of this version you can the guitar starts by itself...this guitar lick is what would eventually be used as the beginning.

[THeMaskedBlogCritic]

Yes, at around 2:11. Oh you crazy Aussies with your long hair and rock and roll!

Good stuff!

[Letmymonkeygo]

Yes we used to play this tune and, yes, this is not the 'hit' version. The heavy tv pre-mtv airplay had a guitar starting the song with a ringy, chord phrase....this is an early demo.

[FatBoyCazbahHigh]

ahh im an idiot

i made the mistake of introducing my dad to utube and now hes on like everyday listening to his "classics"

not that theres anything wrong with it i like his taste, but when u hav assignments due nxt day its not good to have ur dad on computer and tellin u to go away.

oh well,

btw <1999 (music) rox,

[bramanfiles]

I was at doveton tec school in melbourne when this came out, FAB

[THeMaskedBlogCritic]

This was the song I remember.. but yeah, I think I remember the album version having a quieter beginning....Could be wrong..

[nzoz1978]

The album version is very different to the 'video-clip' version and I have no idea why. I'll ask Stephen Cummings why this is the case next time I'm on his myspace. Personally, I like the 'video-clip' version a little more - stripped down and raw.

[PoochNYC]

DAMN...I thought I was the only person who remembered this group...one of the 1st videos I'd ever seen--years pre-MTV! I can still remember the album cover for "Don't Throw Stones!" Different from the LP version but still a great song :)

[damo3805]

Haven't heard this version before, I think they re-worked the song into the version I know. Love the piano bit.

[nzoz1978]

the version that everybody knows is a different recording to what's heard on this video clip... although I do like the video clip version more. I might ask Stephen Cummings why this is the case.

[OeditpusRex]

Yeah, in the one I remember, they sang "Who listens to KSJO?" in the third chorus. That's where I used to hear the song (rock station in San Jose, Calif.) and why I looked for the video.

[mgracer]

Why would an Aussie band mention a "rock station in San Jose, Calif."? :-)

[HeadlandRoad]

Someone probably paid them to do a promo version for the station

[nzoz1978]

Damn it, the Sports are all corporate whores!!!!

Kidding ;)

[MuzzikLvr]

It's a promo thing done by the record companies in America. If it fits the song, they'll ask the band to record special versions for the major stations to ensure airplay. I remember a Steppenwolf song that mentioned sports teams and they did didn't versions for many cities.