Bowie TOTP 73, Jean Genie for the first time on Air in BBC Radio, Interview with John Henshall

The Lost recording of Jean Genie
Broadcast TOTP 3rd January 1973

David Bowie Top of the Pops footage found by cameraman

John Henshall, 69, from Stanford-in-the-Vale, Oxfordshire, retained a copy of Bowie performing Jean Genie in 1973.

He said: "I just couldn't believe that I was the only one with it.
I just thought you wouldn't be mad enough to wipe a tape like that."

It was unveiled on Sunday at an event held by the British Film Institute.

The annual event, Missing Believed Wiped, was the first time the footage had been seen since January 1973.

Mr Henshall said he only kept it because he wanted it for his showreel.

In the footage he used Telefex Fisheye lenses which he had designed himself.
He also ended up in the background of one of the shots.

After the recording he asked producers for a personal copy on 2in (5cm) broadcast videotape.
'Rarer than rare'
Continue reading the main story
"Start Quote The hairs stood up on the back of my neck"

John Henshall

Mr Henshall said: "I didn't realise that it had been wiped by the BBC.

"They'd been looking for it for years, hoping that somebody had maybe pointed an 8mm home
movie camera at the screen, because there was no VHS in those days.

"I didn't realise that anybody wanted it. I'd just had it because it was my Fisheye.

"I had loads of ideas for optical effects back then."

Bowie's performance of Jean Genie was recorded on 3 January 1973 and transmitted the
following day for the first and only time.

After realising he had a "rarer than rare" piece of television history,
Mr Henshall went to Westpoint Television in London to view the footage.
David Bowie on Top of the Pops Mr Henshall used one of his own lenses
to create the optical effects seen in the recording

"The hairs stood up on the back of my neck," he said.

"There it was in full broadcast quality. Amazing."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bowie
• totp
• 1973

[ashy99999]

And why is creating media jobs in Salford Quays a ludricous decision exactly? Yeah let's keep it all in London why don't we you silly twit?!?!

[sonicsteev]

awesome!

[pfordsq]

Peter Noone was the lead singer for Herman's Hermits (Still is , but a different version of the group.) , he recorded a version of "Oh , You Pretty Things", with Bowie's assistance.

He also hosted "VH1 - My Genration" . I just thought the guy talking sounded like Noone , is all.

[brido8]

@carterUSM1961 Yeh I agree

[brido8]

@pfordsq What are you on that you remember Noone.Who he what hits did he have.

[andyjack11000]

magic andy from bury went to see bowie in london in 1976 wot a day ta dave

[gram2358]

@DelticFACTS ????

[trashiscool1]

Wow broadcast on my wee sisters 1st birthday cool.

[DelticFACTS]

where did he get the 2" tape, i guess he must of stolen them all, i wonder if the bbc will prosicute him for stealing thease tapes, i guess not they found this idiot to give the tapes back, what a stupid guy he is

[milradio1]

Excellent interview. Thanks for sharing.