Hawkwind Countdown, BBC Transcription Disc

The Holy Grail of Hawkwind Kollekting.
First run of BBC Transcription Disc, recorded by a Panasonic Lumix Camera - which is not a HiFi equipment. I could've used another audio source, like one of them CD boots, but that wouldn't be the same.

Lyrics:
Andy Dunkley:
This is London, Earth.
This is London, Earth.
This is London, Earth.
This is London, Earth.

Stacia:
Mothership Control in readiness.
Sonic Assassins cleared for space flight.
Countdown starting now. 30.

Andy Dunkley:
Countdown started.
All units prepare for activation.

Stacia:
25.

Andy Dunkley:
Producion androids activated - Now.

Dik Mik:
The tape is rolling, red orb is glowing.

Stacia:
20.

Andy Dunkley:
Audience receptor units. Activated - Now.

Stacia:
15.

Andy Dunkley:
Music distribution equipment. Activated - Now.

Stacia:
10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4.

Andy Dunkley:
All units activated. Countdown terminating.

Stacia:
3. 2. 1. Countdown complete.

Andy Dunkley:
All units functioning. Motion commencing.
We have lift off. We have music.
We have Hawkwind.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hawkwind
• Countdown

[amendu]

@underwwraps2

This vinyl is rare, because it has never been sold.

It is archive music for the worldwide BBC Radio Stations, and each copy is supposed to have been destroyed 28.2.1977

[amendu]

Hi folks - (sorry for not responding earlier...)

Yes, this is the £870 entity.

I don't know how many there were pressed, or how many there's still in circulation. Once heard a number of 35, but I think there must be more of them out there. Never heard of any vinyl bootlegs though.

The french Hassan is rare, but is pretty easy to catch compared with this beauty.

I would rank Sonic Attack as the hardest-to-get seven-incher, if I look how often I see them on eBay and other websites.

[uncleambient]

R.I.P Andy Dunkley

[monovenaros]

@underwwraps2

Yes, it was a PROMO (i.e. was never sold in stores). It was a one sided single (back side is shiny blank) with Bob reciting Sonic Attack. It was housed in a cloth bag with the words "Sonic Attack" and "HAWKWIND" on both sides of the bag. This item was not sold even on gigs, it was tossed free to the fans by the band members in the beginning or the end of the shows back in 1973. You imagine how many were treated like fisbees... and how many were rescued until today.

[monovenaros]

@underwwraps2

@underwwraps2

They were made in very limited numbers (around 30) to be distributed to brit radio stations, for a limited time of 5 years. After that time were to be returned to the BBC and destroyed. Few escaped to hands of collectors probably to a closed down station.

You can get many Sonics and Hurry 7, but hardly any BBC. There is one on auction at Ebay as we speak.

Search Item number 280625203722

[underwwraps2]

Why is this vinyl so rare?? I am not fully aware of what it is.

[underwwraps2]

@monovenaros

They made a single of Sonic attack??... With BOB??!!

[monovenaros]

@underwwraps2

Yes i understand what you mean. Also the italian quark is pretty rare. But believe me the key is to distinguish between "rare" and "scarce". Also there is a the matter about Silver Machine made in Iran and Angola. Actually i got them both on Ebay after they first appeared (they fetched aroun 800 dollars). I got them for just 150. BBC, Hurry on Sundown (2 versions) and Sonic Attack are the most sought after.

[underwwraps2]

I would say the HW holy grail would be the Hassan I Sabah 1977 france 7inch 45.

[monovenaros]

Is this bought from Ebay on the 2/2/10 for 870 GBP? I have this very record bought for around 1000 euros around a decade ago. Mine doesn't have the red "Library" stamp and no cue sheets but just 2 photocopies. Do you know anything about it (how many were pressed)? Do you have also the other two discs (one made earlier and the next after this one with only interviews). Any idea if this was ever bootlegged?

thanks mate!