1986-1988: First Computer Generated Titles

After nearly six years, "Yellow Pearl" was placed into the Top of the Pops archive, as a new era dawned. April 1986 saw Top of the Pops get its first full computer-generated opening titles. And of course, to go with it, a new signature tune, "The Wizard" by Paul Hardcastle, of 'nineteeeen' fame.

The newly designed opening titles were conceived by Everol McKenzie, employing wireframe computer-generated animation by the Molotov Brothers. These titles showcased vibrant, solid, and wire-frame images of musical instruments, tape cassettes, vinyl records, and CDs, all set against a solid black backdrop. The computer-generated instruments and media converge at the conclusion to form the new Top of the Pops logo.

The studio set design and presentation package employed during this period underwent several incremental updates, notably the alteration of on-screen performance captions and chart rundown typography. For the first time, performance captions indicated chart entries and the chart movement of the song. At the same time, new chart rundown graphics were also introduced, using new computer graphics. By the end of July 1987 new caption styles, and new fonts were introduced. End performance captions were also still used until the end of December 1988. The opening title sequence remained in use until the 25th anniversary TOTP special in December 1988.

Want to know more about the design process of these iconic opening titles? Check out this article by Ravensbourne University London.