The Jools in the crown
It’s 30 years Later. MARION MCMULLEN looks at the music highs of Jools Holland’s TV show
THERE have been 60 series and more than 450 episodes in the 30 years since Later... With Jools Holland made its TV debut.
The first show, on BBC2 on October 8, 1992, featured a lineup that included The Neville Brothers and The Christians, and the first series went on to boast guest stars like Smokey Robinson Nick Cave and Shane Macgowan, Simply Red, Morrissey, Tori Amos and Chris Rea.
Jools Holland has been at the helm – and the piano – from the start. He made his name as the keyboard player in Squeeze, best known for hits such as Cool For Cats and Up The Junction, before turning to TV presenting.
The 64-year-old music lover says: “It’s unbelievable that this year sees my show reach its 30th birthday. It’s a testament to the great power of music that we are still going strong, and are now the longest-running international music show on earth.”
The show’s popular New Year’s Eve Hootenanny has also become a BBC staple, featuring guests like Sir Paul Mccartney and Jools has described it as “like a fantastic party that you would love to have
in your house, but you know could never do in real life”.
The show has been a showcase for musical styles ranging from boogie-woogie, grime and jazz, to pop and reggae.
Jools will be marking the 30th anniversary with a one-off show for 3,000 fans at the Eventim Apollo in West London, which will be later broadcast on the BBC, and a new series of Later… With Jools Holland has just begun on BBC 2 and BBC iplayer.
As the man himself modestly points out: “We have had some great guests over the years.”