Irish Net Issues Compilation Album

Billboard Magazine (1982-06-05)

DUBLIN—As part of a policy of maximizing the commercial potential of its programs, Radio Telefis Eireann here has released a 16 -track compilation album based on its successful RTE 2 television series “Non Stop Pop,” hosted by Gerry Ryan.

Unlike other RTE album releases, the compilation includes, besides Irish bands such as the Crack, U2, Rosetta Stone and the Bogey Boys, international acts like Tight Fit, Imagination, UB40, Depeche Mode and Shakin’ Stevens. It is being distributed by CBS.

The series itself is one of RTE’s most ambitious and fast-moving pop shows, using three stages, a live audience, and featuring 69 bands in the space of nine weeks. Because of its success, the series has been extended for a further six weeks.

Meanwhile, RTE’s Radio 2 has just begun airing the first series here devoted exclusively to black artists. Titled “Young, Gifted and Black,” the hour-long show is broadcast once a week.

Presented by Billboard’s Irish correspondent Ken Stewart, it includes Album of the Week features, and interviews with visiting artists. Local record companies have welcomed the series, saying that sales of many black artists are not what they should be, and that, apart from pop hits, much black music receives too little exposure on air.

[U2Songs Note: The track appearing on the “Non Stop Pop” compilation was U2’s “Gloria” and the compilation was manufactured by Scoff Records and distributed by CBS]

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