NOW 40 - Summer ‘98: Rob Johnson

The United Kingdom in Summer 1998 was an interesting place indeed. In June, the DVD was released for the first time and presumably the first person to ignore random extras, interviews and photo galleries was welcomed with open arms. The Crime and Disorder Act introduces Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOS) was introduced into our vocabulary and the tabloids jumped for joy at the possibility of a plethora of new, stupid headlines about 3am parties, alcopop-fuelled teenagers and wheelie bins. Significantly, it was also almost a year since an historic, seismic shift in the country’s cultural and political landscape. The release of Be Here Now. (Checks notes - and Labour’s political landslide victory.) And since the Gallagher Brothers self-obsessed, grandiose and frankly rubbish collection of bloat had detonated Britpop, the music scene in UK had undergone a transformation poptastic proportions. And, let’s be honest, not a moment too soon. As always, the ever trustworthy team at NOW, That’s What I call Music HQ were on hand to deliver a sterling snapshot of the summer’s latest and greatest chart toppers. And the series reached another monumental milestone - volume 40. Pop Life was beginning indeed! Step forward, er, Steps! Fifteen year old Billie (no Piper yet folks) who was setting the charts alight with her debut, Aqua who were proving that they were no doll-sized one hit wonders by heading out into the jungle and the almost-a-four piece Spice girls (Get well soon Geri!) were delivering (quite possibly) their finest moment yet. Viva, girls! Add dance music, DANCE MUSIC - well where to begin? Mousse T (with a little help from Chris Tarrant!), Fatboy Slim, David Morales, Lucid and The Tamperer were delivering slices of high powered BPM perfection. WHAT did the charts look like with a chimney on it? But, BUT, our favourite variously compiled brand were not having it all their way in 1998. Those pesky folks over at HITS had more than something to say about that. And plenty of huge (Fresh? New?) hits were now missing from NOW. Which side were you on? Let the compilation battles commence - AGAIN! Joining myself and Pop Music Activism supremo and saviour of pop streaming Rob Johnson as we revisit summer 1998 and NOW 40! As well as all of the above, find out why the CD single was still the BOSS, explore the seventies disco revival impact on the charts, how Iceland was trending setting, rediscover the incredible adventure of remixing supermos The Trouser Enthusiasts and join us as we begin the search for the Irish Billie, the calypso queen of Aldi (possibly), Kerri-Ann. It is a pop journey that you really don’t want to miss. Let’s Go! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can listen to NOW 40 - Summer ‘98: Rob Johnson online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

NOW 40 - Summer ‘98: Rob Johnson is an episode from Back to NOW! by Iain McDermott.

This episode is 1:16:45 long.

This episode was published on Jan 20, 2025.

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