Half a century ago, Countdown, a new music program aired on ABC television, initially on Friday night but subsequently every Sunday evening. Few Australian popular TV shows have attracted such a loyal audience or produced such an enduring impact.
With a brief to promote Australian music, Countdown and its host Ian “Molly” Meldrum oversaw the rise of a succession of talented Aussie bands and performers, names such as AC/DC, Kylie Minogue, John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John.