In 1980, Countdown embraced the energy of new wave and pop-rock. Split Enz and Men at Work began their rise, while international stars like Madness and Queen electrified audiences. Molly Meldrum’s Humdrum segment remained central, guiding fans through the evolving music landscape. The show’s influence on record sales and radio playlists was unmatched.
Episodes
Episode 33
7 September 1980 - Show #256
September 7, 198055m0.0
Episode 37
5 October 1980 - Show #260
October 5, 198055m0.0
THE SHOW IS HOSTED IN TURN BY JIMMY MANZIE FROM THE BREAKERS,CHRIS VENN FROM DELANEY VENN,CHRISSY AND LINDSAY HAMMOND FROM CHEETAH AND MICHAEL HUTCHINS FROM INXS AND MOLLY INETRVIEWS JOHN FARRER LIVE STUDIO ITEMS: BREAKERS 'WHEN I'M ON TV' DELANEY VENN 'NO EXPECTATIONS' CHEETAH 'SPEND THE NIGHT' INXS 'JUST KEEP WALKIN' CHARTBUSTERS: OL'55 'TWO FACES HAVE I' CLIFF RICHARD 'DREAMIN' SKATT BROS 'LIFE AT THE OUTPOST' GEORGE BENSON 'GIVE ME THE NIGHT' LOCAL ARTISTS VIDEO ITEMS: MARK GILLESPIE & BAND 'SMALL MERCIES' OVERSEAS ARTISTS VIDEO ITEMS: STEVIE WONDER 'MASTER BLASTER' WILLIE NELSON 'ON THE ROAD AGAIN' DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS 'GENO' WHITESNAKE 'FOOL FOR YOUR LOVIN' ABBA 'THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL' TOP TEN ITEMS: ROCKY NURNETTE 'FALLIN IN LOVE' MARTHA & THE MUFFINS "ECHO BEACH' ROMANTICS 'WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU' DAVID BOWIE 'ASHES TO ASHES' ONJ/ELO 'XANADU' KATE BUSH 'BABOOSHKA' DIANA ROSS 'UPSIDE DOWN' IRENE CARA 'FAME' LEO SAYER 'MORE THAN I CAN SAY'