Hollywood Heartbeat

1979-1980

Color Videotape

Hosted by Bob Welch, this music video program revolves around the innovative music being heard throughout the early 1980s club scene in the Los Angeles area. Or, as the show-opening narration puts it: "new sounds living in the walls of the most famous nightclubs and stages in the world."

Welch (one-time member of Fleetwood Mac and later Top 40 solo artist) does much of his hosting from behind the wheel of a classic convertible car rolling up and down the Sunset Strip. He also conducts interviews and video introductions in and around clubs like The Roxy, The Troubadour, The Whisky A Go-Go, Hong Kong Cafe and Madame Wong's where he chats with the Madame herself - Esther Wong.

Among Welch's other guests is his then-manager (and former bandmate) Mick Fleetwood. The two musicians chat on the sidewalk in front of famed lingerie store Frederick's of Hollywood as the nightlife bustles around them. Other interviews include Sammy Hagar, John Densmore (of The Doors), Barry Goudreau (of Boston), Molly Hatchet member Dave Hlubek, actor Jeff Conaway (Taxi and Grease) and legendary 12-string bassist Tom Petersson during his hiatus from Cheap Trick. Perhaps the most famous ex-Runaways member Joan Jett is seen on another episode of Hollywood Heartbeat being interviewed by Mackenzie Phillips.

For the most part, music video programs are all forged from the same pre-filmed material seen on MTV and other such outlets. Hollywood Heartbeat expands the format by featuring big names (Tom Petty, AC/DC, Heart, The Police, The Clash, Queen, The Cars, Roger Daltrey, The Pretenders, John Cougar...) along with some decidedly-less-mainstream artists (The Surf Punks, Suzi Quatro, The Heaters, The Kingbees, Angel City, Gary Myrick & The Figures, Billy Burnette, Daniel Webster, Holly Penfield and former Sparks member Hilly Michaels) then further distinguishes itself by offering some truly unique clips created by its own production team and video-taped at the legendary night spot known as Gazzarri's.

These one-of-a-kind performances include artists like: The Kats ("Lost My TV Guide"), The Twisters (local favorite LA new wave group), The Bank, The Scooters, Seagull, Danny Johnson & The Bandits, Shandi (produced by Mike Chapman who famously helmed hit albums by Blondie and The Knack) and The Orchids - an all-girl rock quintet created/managed by Kim Fowley as a follow-up to The Runaways. The rarity of this particular clip is enhanced by the fact that The Orchids (including former Runaways bassist Laurie McAllister) disbanded by the end of the year.

Hollywood Heartbeat Television Library includes footage of: