Editing Pan's People (section)

==Early ''Top of the Pops'' (April 1968 to early 1972) and the 'Original' line-up==

===''Top of the Pops'' before Pan's People===
''Top of the Pops'' began on 1 January 1964<ref name="Popscene"/> as a weekly programme playing a selection of records from the current charts. From November 1964, ''Top of the Pops'' had an all-girl dance troupe regularly appearing, the [[Go-Jos]], formed and choreographed by another ex-Beat Girl, [[The Jo Cook Dancers|Jo Cook]]. Through to the beginning of 1968, professional dancing had been restricted to approximately monthly appearances by this group, performing to one track on the show typically where the artist couldn't attend.

This situation began to change in January 1968: whilst still in the Beat Girls, Diane South appeared solo on the show, dancing to the song "[[Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)]]".<ref name="DianeS">{{cite web|title=Diane South - Biography|url=http://www.panspeople.com/?q=node/283|website=PansPeople|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-date=26 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126051026/http://www.panspeople.com/?q=node%2F283|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On several occasions Pan's People presented brochures to the BBC with a view to appearing on ''Top of the Pops'', the last being in March 1968, but up to this point they had not been employed on any BBC programme.<ref name="Badman"/>

===Early appearances by Pan's People members===
[[File:Pan's People en Herman van Veen (1968).jpg|thumb|1968: Pan's People (from left, Dee Dee Wilde, Louise Clarke, Babs Lord, Ruth Pearson and Andi Rutherford) accompanying [[Herman van Veen]]]]

In late March 1968, the producers held an open audition for dancers on ''Top of the Pops'' to appear on 4 April 1968 to a routine to "[[Simon Says (1910 Fruitgum Company song)|Simon Says]]" by the [[1910 Fruitgum Company]]. Four dancers were engaged, Dee Dee Wilde and Ruth Pearson from Pan's People (who along with the four other Pan's People had auditioned individually rather than as part of a group),<ref name="DeeDee">{{cite web|title=Dee Dee's Top of the Pops memories|url=http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/848408.dee_dees_top_of_the_pops_memories/|website=This is Wiltshire|publisher=Newsquest|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> and Janice (Janie) Kells and Jackie Dalton (both later in the [[Dougie Squires#The Young Generation|Young Generation]]<ref>{{cite web|title=International Cabaret from Sweden (1968)|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b86396be9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205155105/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b86396be9|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 December 2020|website=BFI|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>). An established choreographer, Virginia Mason, arranged the dancing.<ref name="Badman"/> However, a BBC database recording band appearances only indicates 'disc' for this performance, omitting mention of dancers, so there is no direct evidence this performance was ever broadcast.<ref name="Popscene">{{citation|title=TOTP Episode Guide - the 60s|publisher=Popscene}}</ref>

Following the performance, the two Pan's People participants spoke to the producer of the show, Colin Charman, and persuaded him to hire Pan's People as a group.<ref name="GoJo">{{cite news|title=Dee Dee Wilde and Babs Powell: how we made Pan's People|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/sep/02/how-we-made-pans-people-dee-dee-wilde-babs-powell|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=12 June 2017|quote=We got our big break after a couple of us passed auditions for the Go-Jos – Top of the Pops' original group of dancers. After the show, Ruth Pearson and I buttonholed the producer, Colin Charman. He was quite small, so we lifted him off his feet, pinned him to the BBC bar, plied him with booze and said: "Forget the Go-Jos. We've got this fantastic new group. Pleeeeeeeease give us a chance." When the BBC phoned up later we all screamed with excitement.|date=2 September 2014|last1=Simpson|first1=Dave}}</ref> This led a further routine with three members of Pan's People (Wilde, Pearson and Colby) with no extra dancers, and choreographed by Colby. The exact date and performance varies in different sources, alternatively:

* "[[Cry Like a Baby]]" by [[The Box Tops]]<ref name="Badman"/> – the BBC archive indicates this track was only featured on the show on 18 April.
* "[[Young Girl (song)|Young Girl]]" by [[Gary Puckett and the Union Gap]]<ref name="DeeDee"/> – the BBC archive indicates this track was featured on the show on 2, 16 and 23 May, with later showings after known Pan's People performances.<ref name="Popscene"/>

The two early performances are sometimes stated in contemporary sources as Go-Jo performances,<ref name="GoJo"/> but the Go-Jos were not involved.<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview: Jo Cook of the Gojos / Beat Girls / Jo Cook Dancers|url=http://panspeople.com/?q=node/740|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128024356/http://panspeople.com/?q=node%2F740|archive-date=28 January 2013|website=PansPeople|access-date=14 June 2017|date=11 July 2011|quote="Are you watching Top of the Pops? There's a new group of dancers on there!". This was the first time that Jo, or any of the Gojos, knew that they had been replaced.|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Subsequently, the entire Pan's People sextet appeared in a routine set to "[[US Male]]" by [[Elvis Presley]]<ref name="dee_dees"/> on 30 May 1968.<ref name="Badman">{{cite magazine|author1=Keith Badman|title=Transmission impossible - Pan's People their first incarnation|url=http://one-for-the-dads.979225.n3.nabble.com/Pans-People-pre-June-1974-tp4062102p4094076.html|magazine=Record Collector|access-date=2 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="Popscene"/>

The final performance of the Go-Jos was either to the 1910 Fruitgum Company,<ref>{{cite web|author1=Gary Rose/Linda Hotchkin|title=INTERVIEW WITH LINDA HOTCHKIN|url=http://panspeople.com/?q=node/699|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128041820/http://panspeople.com/?q=node%2F699|archive-date=28 January 2013|website=PansPeople|access-date=14 June 2017|date=18 August 2011|quote=the last song we danced to was Simon Says by 1910 Fruitgum Company|url-status=dead}}</ref> whose track was on ''Top of the Pops'' on 4 and 25 April 1968<ref name="Popscene"/> or [[the Rolling Stones]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Dolores Bourne (The Gojos)|url=http://panspeople.com/?q=node/977|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223094100/http://panspeople.com/?q=node%2F977|archive-date=23 February 2014|website=PansPeople.com|access-date=12 June 2017|quote="After joining the Gojos, I...performed on "Top of the Pops". I made my debut - and final appearance! - dancing to "Jumping Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones. It was the last song Jo choreographed for "Top of the Pops"|url-status=dead}}</ref> transmitted on 20 June 1968.<ref name="Popscene"/> By either scenario, Pan's People were left as the sole dance troupe by July 1968.

Following the changes in the line-up during their first year,<ref name="sextet"/> Pan's People by the time of their first appearance on ''Top of the Pops'' were:<ref name="BBCi">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/trivia/pans_people/ |title=Top of the Pops 2 - Trivia: Pan's People |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916135453/http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/trivia/pans_people/ |archive-date=16 September 2014 |access-date=26 July 2014}}</ref>
*Louise Clarke
*Flick Colby (dancer and choreographer)
*Babs Lord
*Ruth Pearson
*Andi Rutherford
*Dee Dee Wilde

This is often called the 'Original' line-up, though several dancers had joined the troupe subsequent to its formation.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Story of Pan's People: Why Babs, Cherry, Dee Dee & Ruth were top of the pops|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01mb3yw|website=BBC Breakfast|access-date=4 June 2017}}</ref>

In summary:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Date !! Track/Performer !! Dancers !! Choreographer !! BBC Archive !! Notes
|-
| 4 April || Simon Says/1910 Fruitgum Company || Dee Dee Wilde, Ruth Pearson, Janice Kells, Jackie Dalton || Virginia Mason || Disc || 1st performance including Pan's People members 
|-
| 18 April || Cry Like a Baby/The Box Tops || Dee Dee Wilde, Ruth Pearson, Flick Colby || Flick Colby || Disc/Dancers || 2nd performance candidate including Pan's People members
|-
| 25 April || Simon Says/1910 Fruitgum Company || GoJos || Jo Cook || Disc ||  Final performance candidate for GoJos
|-
| 2 May || Young Girl/Gary Puckett and the Union Gap || Dee Dee Wilde, Ruth Pearson, Flick Colby || Flick Colby || Promo || 2nd performance candidate including Pan's People members
|-
| 16 May || Young Girl/Gary Puckett and the Union Gap || Dee Dee Wilde, Ruth Pearson, Flick Colby || Flick Colby || Promo || 2nd performance candidate including Pan's People members
|-
| 23 May || Young Girl/Gary Puckett and the Union Gap || Dee Dee Wilde, Ruth Pearson, Flick Colby || Flick Colby || Promo || 2nd performance candidate including Pan's People members
|-
| 30 May || US Male/Elvis Presley || Dee Dee Wilde, Ruth Pearson, Flick Colby, Andi Rutherford, Louise Clarke, Babs Lord || Flick Colby || Disc/Pan's People || 3rd performance - all Pan's People members
|-
| 20 June || Jumping Jack Flash/Rolling Stones || GoJos || Jo Cook || Disc/Dancers || Final performance candidate for GoJos
|}

'Disc' indicates the track is played with the accompanying footage either of the audience or dancers.

'Promo' indicates a video is played.

===Late 1960s and early 1970s===
Penny Fergusson briefly rejoined the group for the [[Frankie Howerd]] show (broadcast August to September 1969)<ref>{{cite web|title=Dilys Watling (centre) in 'The Frankie Howerd Show'|url=https://www.rexfeatures.com/search/?kw=frankie+howerd+1969&js-site-search_submit=Go&order=newest&iso=GBR&lkw=frankie+howerd&viah=Y&stk=N&sft=&timer=N&requester=&iprs=f|website=Rex Pictures|publisher=Rex Pictures|access-date=14 June 2017|date=1969}}</ref> when Ruth Pearson worked as a choreographer on the ''[[Dusty Springfield#1968–69: Dusty in Memphis|Decidedly Dusty]]'' TV show (broadcast September to October 1969).<ref>{{cite journal|title=Decidedly Dusty|issue=2392|pages=32|url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/5a44f4c789e1447d8820a0bcbedf6e9a|journal=The Radio Times|access-date=16 June 2017|date=11 September 1969}}</ref> In both 1968 and 1969, Pearson was co-credited with Colby for choreography on some shows.<ref name="Throw"/>

Two male dancers, Adrian Le Peltier and [[Gary Downie]], also occasionally accompanied the group between 1968 and 1970, in ''[[Lulu (singer)#Television series|Happening for Lulu]]'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Pans People - Funky Street - [Happening For] Lulu TX: 01/02/1969|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkHk6rvcy10|website=Youtube|access-date=2 June 2017}}</ref> the ''Bobbie Gentry Show'' and ''Top of the Pops''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The girls one step ahead|url=http://one-for-the-dads.979225.n3.nabble.com/F-is-for-Flick-tp4062391p4131801.html|work=The Mirror|access-date=2 June 2017|date=23 June 1969}}</ref>

The group also did shows, their manager said in June 1969, "So far this year they have had 24 free days...to compensate it would be a bad week if the girls didn't pick up at least £90 each".<ref>{{cite news|title=The girls one step ahead...|url=http://one-for-the-dads.979225.n3.nabble.com/F-is-for-Flick-tp4062391p4131801.html|access-date=16 June 2017|date=23 June 1969}}</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Pans People Top of the Pops.jpg|thumb|Pan's People’ on [[Top of the Pops|Top of the pops]] when the show started to broadcast in color in 1969.]] -->
From November 1969, ''Top of the Pops'' began broadcasting in colour. Each week, from 22 January 1970 up until September 1970, the group performed a short routine during the opening credits.<ref>{{citation |title=TOTP 290170 Intro & Outro |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60hloY3G66Q |language=en |access-date=2022-09-25}}</ref> New titles were produced using Andi Rutherford as a dancer, that debuted on 1 October 1970,<ref>{{citation |title=Top of the Pops Early 1970s Opening Titles |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPeuT0CvBuc |access-date=2022-09-25}}</ref> however, this was only used for 5 editions before finally being replaced in early November by the iconic C.C.S cover version of 'Whole Lotta Love'.

The earliest known footage of Pan's People on ''Top of the Pops'' is rehearsal footage for the 1 January 1970 edition.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pan's People - 'Green River' Top of the Pops Creedence Clearwater Revival|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kob-H7a6AWY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Kob-H7a6AWY| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|website=Youtube|access-date=3 June 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

From 22 January 1970 the programme was extended from 25 to 45 minutes; the group appeared weekly from this point on. Also from this date, Colby as choreographer and the group began to be listed in the end credits of the programme and in ''[[Radio Times]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top of the Pops |issue=2410 |pages=42 |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/ffa19d2a323d4627aded630d118cd0bb |magazine=Radio Times |access-date=3 June 2017 |date=15 January 1970}}</ref>

Colby chose to concentrate full-time on choreographing the group's routines,<ref name="Girls Who Bring Glamour"/> making her last performance as a dancer in February 1972. She was not replaced, so the number of dancers reduced to five.