The Network Two Coca-Cola Music Weekend (19-21 August 1988)
The most prominent names in the music industry at home and overseas featured in Network Two’s (now TVNZ 2) musical showcase during the weekend of 19-21 August 1988.
The Network Two Coca-Cola Music Weekend commenced at midnight on Friday 19 August (overnight Saturday), continuing through until midnight on Sunday 21 August (overnight Monday) and kicking off with the Nelson Mandela Birthday Concert.
This music weekend - which included a variety of music specials, films, documentaries and concerts to appeal to diverse musical preferences (from Kiri Te Kanawa to Iron Maiden) - was introduced by actors Simon Prast and Jay Laga’aia, along with several guest presenters.
16 August 1988 marked the 11th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death and the King’s performance was featured in the 1962 film Kid Galahad which screened at noon on Sunday 21 August. The film line-up also included The Sound of Music (starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (starring Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon) and Play Misty for Me (directed by and starring Clint Eastwood), plus the television premiere of The Big Chill (starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt and others).
Concerts were held by Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, Terence Trent D’Arby, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Frank Sinatra, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Michael Houstoun, accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
New Zealand music was showcased alongside international stars with a special edition of Heartbeat City called Kiwi Rock: Don’t You Forget It. Bruce Springsteen took part in an exclusive interview which was featured in the documentary, Inside the Tunnel of Love, while the all-female Kiwi group, When the Cat’s Away, offered a unique look at the New Zealand pub scene in a TVNZ documentary covering their national tour, which was originally shown in December 1987.
Below are the full listings for the Network Two Coca-Cola Music Weekend (from the NZ Listener and The Press):
SATURDAY 20 August 1988
12.00am: The Nelson Mandela Birthday Concert. Lenny Henry hosts the tribute to imprisoned South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela on his 70th birthday. Top musicians from around the world gathered at Wembley Stadium in June for 10 hours of non-stop music and entertainment. (Elephant House/BBC)
Performers and entertainers include (all performance times approximate):
12.00am - Sting, George Michael
1.00am - George Michael, Richard Gere, Eurythmics
2.00am - Al Green, Joe Cocker, Ashford & Simpson, Natalie Cole, Freddie Jackson
3.00am - Tracey Chapman, Wet Wet Wet, Midge Ure, Tony Hadley, Phil Collins, Joan Armatrading, Paul Carrack, Paul Young, Bee Gees
4.00am - Jonas Gwangwa, Sly and Robbie, Salif Keita, Aswad Brown
5.00am - UB40, Chrissie Hynde, Whoopi Goldberg, Tracey Chapman, Billy Connolly
6.00am - Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masakela
7.00am - Simple Minds, Peter Gabriel, Meatloaf, Daryl Hannah, Jackson Browne
8.00am - Whitney Houston
9.00am - Salt-N-Pepa, Meatloaf, Stevie Wonder, Chubby Checker, Fat Boys
10.00am - Billy Connolly, Dire Straits, Jessye Norman
Noon: The Compleat Beatles. A documentary following the career of the biggest pop success of the 60s from beginnings in Liverpool to the break-up. Introduced by Ray Columbus. (Delilah Films)
2.15pm: U2: Outside It’s America. A look at U2 during an American concert tour, shooting videos, doing a photo session, recording and meeting locals. Introduced by Grahame Bond. (Ideal Communications)
3.00pm: Cyndi Lauper in Paris. Cyndi Lauper in concert at the Zenith Theatre in Paris, 1987. Including tracks from the “True Colours” album and earlier hits. (Calhoun/CBS)
4.00pm: More Dirty Dancing. A look at the success of the film Dirty Dancing, interviews with stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray, the choreographer, dancer and clips from the movie. Introduced by Lisa Chappell. (RCA)
4.30pm: Terence Trent D’Arby: Music Special. Concert, interview and documentary footage shot in Munich, November 1987. The truth behind the headlines, his views on himself, his band, life, women and his music. Live footage of selections from his album “The Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby”. (Initial/Zenith)
5.30pm: David Bowie: Glass Spider Tour. An extended music video version of David Bowie’s latest world tour - The Glass Spider Tour. Introduced by Geeling Ng. (Tall Pony)
6.30pm: RTR Choice Clips. A countdown of the six most popular requests from RTR’s mailbag - featuring George Michael, U2, Bon Jovi, Tiffany, Kylie Minogue and The Holidaymakers. Choice! (TVNZ)
7.00pm: The Sound of Music (1965) (R). The blockbuster Rodgers and Hammerstein musical based on the life of the singing Von Trapp family who come under fire in war-torn Austria. Starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Eleanor Parker. Directed by Robert Wise. (20th Century-Fox)
8.00pm: Lotto. Live from Auckland, Doug Harvey calls the numbers that may make you a winner. (TVNZ/NZ Lotteries Commission)
8.05pm: The Sound of Music (Continued)
10.30pm: Network Two Coca-Cola Music Weekend Competition Draw. Live from Auckland, Dick (Richard) Driver and Peter Sinclair announce the winners of the two Philips VIP audio-visual systems. (TVNZ)
10.35pm: Heartbeat City - Kiwi Rock: Don’t You Forget It. 2.5 decades of New Zealand pop classics from Ray Columbus to the Holidaymakers. Split Enz, Shane, Coconut Rough, Dance Exponents, Space Waltz, Dragon, Monte Video … Monte Video? All these and dozens more too fabulous to mention. (TVNZ)
12.00am: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) (R). … Let’s do the Time Warp again. And not just time is warped in this tale of a Transylvanian transsexual who gets his hands on a pair of honest American newlyweds. Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’Brien. Directed by Jim Sharman. (20th Century-Fox)
SUNDAY 21 August 1988
2.00am: Play Misty for Me (1971) (R). Psycho-melodrama with a late night radio DJ stalked by a possessive fan. Starring Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walter, Donna Mills, John Larch. Directed by Clint Eastwood. (Universal Pictures)
3.50am: Jimi Hendrix (1973). A documentary about the life of rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix, including interviews with family, friends and colleagues. Directed by Joe Boyd, John Head, Gary Weis. (Warner Bros)
5.40am: John Lennon Live in New York City. In August 1972 John Lennon and Yoko Ono, backed by Plastic Ono. performed at Madison Square Garden in a benefit concert to raise money for the mentally handicapped. This is an edited version of that concert which comprised post-Beatles material such as “Instant Karma”, “Imagine” and “Cold Turkey”. (Joko Films)
6.30am: Duran Duran: As the Lights Go Down (R). A live performance of Duran Duran in concert at the Oakland Coliseum in California, featuring songs from their album “Arena”. (Zenith/Tritec Duran Vision)
7.00am: Dixie Chicken (R). Andy Anderson hosts a mainly country music show with New Zealand artists the Toner Sisters, Dalvanius, Sharon du Bont, John Grenell and the Ranchsliders. (TVNZ)
7.25am: New Country: Gettin’ Tough. Andy Kershaw presents a 1987 country music special featuring performances and interviews with: T Graham Brown, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, The O’Kanes, Randy Travis, Steve Earle and the Dukes, Dwight Yoakam and The Judds. Songs include “Guitar Man”, “Forever and Ever, Amen”, “Oh, Darlene”, “Midnight Rodeo”, “Rock It”, “Billy Rock It” and “From a Distance”. (BBC/CMA)
8.20am: When the Cat’s Away (R). In May 1987 five of New Zealand’s leading singers - Annie Crummer, Margaret Urlich, Kim Willoughby, Debbie Harwood and Dianne Swann - and their friends hit the road to present a unique cabaret of rock. This documentary-style programme shares the women’s performances and emotions as they toured the country’s pubs. It started as fun and became a celebration. (TVNZ)
9.10am: The Johnny Otis Show. Filmed at the 1987 Monterey Jazz Festival, this programme features interviews with and performances by: Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Linda Hopkins, Etta James, Shuggie Otis, Ernestine Anderson and Preston Love performing blues, jazz and gospel. Song titles include: “Amen”. “Wanna Make Love to You”, “Goin’ to Chicago”, “Crazy About You” and “Every Beat of My Heart”. Introduced by Koko Taylor. (Bluelight)
10.00am: Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. Richard Pryor presents a celebration of 25 years of Motown music taped live at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, featuring vintage footage of groups from the 60s and 70s. Guests include: Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Lionel Richie, the Commodores, Howard Hesseman, Jermaine Jackson, Rick James, Martha Reeves, Tim Reid and Linda Ronstadt. (Motown/Mischer)
11.35am: The Power of Music. A 1987 documentary following Herbs as they launched their new album in the East Coast town of Ruatoria, their arrival at the Ruatoria Marae and the activities there as they presented a concert. Introduced by Dilworth Karaka. (Matte Box Film)
Noon: Kid Galahad (1962). A musical about a garage mechanic who becomes a boxer and gets a shot at the championship. Starring Elvis Presley, Gig Young, Joan Blackman, Charles Bronson. Directed by Phil Karlson. (United Artists)
1.30pm: Opus - Gala Concert. William Southgate conducts the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in a performance especially recorded at the Christchurch Town Hall for the music weekend. The concert begins with “Lemminkäinen and the Maidens of Saari” Opus 22 by Jean Sibelius, then Michael Houstoun features as soloist in Piano Concerto No 4 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Introduced by Rachel Weston. (TVNZ)
2.20pm: The Ultimate Event. Richard Wilkins presents Frank Sinatra and Peter Allen as they perform in a concert at the opening of Queensland’s Sanctuary Cove Resort. Introduced by David Hartnell. (Channel 9)
3.35pm: Time Is on Our Side (1982) (R). Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Ron Wood star in the concert film of the Rolling Stones’ US tour. Songs include: “Under My Thumb”, “Let’s Spend the Night Together”, “Shattered”, “Black Limousine”, “Beast of Burden”, “Going to a Go-Go”, “Miss You”, “Start Me Up”, “Brown Sugar”, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Satisfaction”. (Roadshow)
5.05pm: Bruce Springsteen: Inside the Tunnel of Love. Live footage of the Boss performing earlier material and songs from his album “Tunnel of Love”, plus interviews with him about how his musical style has changed. (MTV)
6.00pm: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in Concert. New Zealand’s most famous singer in concert at Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the climax of New Zealand Week at World Expo 88. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra is conducted by John Hopkins and the Honour Guard is provided by the Royal New Zealand Navy Band. (TVNZ/TVQ-0 Brisbane)
7.00pm: The Cosby Show. Looking Back: When Elvin drops by the Huxtable home after fighting with Sondra, the whole family shares some of the classic moments in Huxtable history - including the funeral for Rudy’s goldfish, Theo’s pierced ear and the slumber party. (Carsey-Werner/Bill Cosby)
7.50pm: The Prince’s Trust ‘88 Rock Gala. The gala concert given in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, featuring top names in rock and pop from both sides of the Atlantic. Performers include Rick Astley, the Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Elton John, Mark Knopfler, T’Pau, Midge Ure and Wet Wet Wet. (Hadrian)
9.00pm: The Big Chill (1983). How much love, sex, fun and friendship can a person take? The story of eight former college-radicals who are reunited after the death of a contemporary. Starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, JoBeth Willias, Don Galloway. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan. (Columbia Pictures)
10.40pm: Radio with Pictures. Dick (Richard) Driver introduces a weekly programme of progressive music, including tour information and music news. Tonight: Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Marvin Gaye, Julia Fordham, The Bats, Mica Paris, Jack Pudding, Brass Construction and an interview with Jerry Harrison. (TVNZ)
11.25pm: Thrashout! And after 48 hours, what better way to end the weekend than a full-on assault on the senses. Metal, hard rock, raunch and roll - call it what you like, but turn it up! An extension of Radio with Pictures, featuring AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction, Knightshade, Phil Lynott and Gary Moore, Guns N’ Roses, WASP, Ozzy Osbourne and Van Halen. (TVNZ)
12.00am: Closedown
To commemorate the music weekend, TVNZ raffled off two Philips VIP audio-visual systems valued at $7,500 each. To enter the contest Network Two viewers had to remember and submit the names of the two regular music programmes on the channel (e.g. RTR Countdown and Radio with Pictures) via post to the following address:
The Network Two Coca-Cola Music Weekend Competition
PO Box 4556
Auckland
The live-to-air prize draw was televised and the winners were announced at 10.30pm on the evening of Saturday 20 August 1988 - right after the screening of the 1965 musical, The Sound of Music (beginning at 7pm), with the inclusion of the live Lotto draw (at 8pm).
