The Aussies on the board will know EXACTLY where I'm going with this.... Back many years ago, there was a show on our ABC (like the US PBS or BBC in the UK) there was a show called "The Money or the Gun". Incredibly great show. The highlight each week was a rendition of the song "Stairway to Heaven" performed by a different band (or guest performer). Some of them were distinctly ordinary, however some just went out of the stratosphere. The Rolph Harris version actally went to No. 1 in charts in UK and Australia and revitalised his career. Other highlights are the Opera version (yes - Opera!!!), the 70's Lounge Singer version (Bob Downe - gotta love him!) and the late, great Aussie Actor Leonard Teale reciting it (Leonard also recorded what has been said to be the definitive recitiation of "The Man from Snowy River"). If you want to see them all, then here is a guy on You Tube who has put them all up to enjoy This show is forgotten - but this particular segment has gone into Aussie television history! (And yes, SJ - the DAAS version with Barry Crocker is there too)

Oh, god - I so miss that show!!! Maddy, you have certainly found a way to brighten up my saturday afternoon!

I'm watching Knight Rider at the moment - and love all the 80's music memories it brings back! Oh - and yes. I have watched all those versions of Stairway to Heaven!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Money_or_the_Gun The 'Stairway to Heaven' list makes up most of the article. <---cause they're silly.

oh oh oh - found the link!! This is the Doug Anthony All Stars at their very best - if you're not an Aussie, then sit through the first five minutes or so to get to the ultimate demonstration of their talent... These guys could have been international superstars - if they had just done this more often... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-BGlQ1U6ek&feature=related

Ahhh yes - Heard it on the Grapevine..... Oh hell yeah - these guys had just so much musical talent. Considering they did all the arrangements for the "Stairway to Heaven" bits ..... I think they just were having too much fun to put the serious time into international success. Gotta admit though - over 10 years later, and Paul is still one of the gorgeous men out there! (Ahhh - Good News Week - one of my treats on that is when Paul sings (rare occasions though they are)).

I remember when I first saw this - the Big Gig was a must watch show with me... Talking about it with other kids at school the following monday, it turned out I wasn't the only one that found a tear or two running down my face at the end... Such glorious talent - and they kept it local.... Shame for the rest of the world, but for us Aussies! Damn, I miss that show - and the DAAS!

Oh Squeeeee..... Paul McDermott singing "I Was Made for Loving You" .... with Marcia Hines and Mark Trevorrow as backup singers even!

There was also a disco version of it by some band called "The Wonder Band", which I have never heard, but their version was called "Stairway To Love" or something? And yeah Maddy, the 80's had some good stuff.

Oh, yeah! Damn, that man is one of our most incredible talents! He's not only one of the funniest people ever - specialising in the smarter side of humour - but the boy can carry any tune!

Can I add another DAAS classic here.... Here they sing the "Missing" songs from the Mikado...... Fun and very much in the style of G&S WARNING - THIS CLIP IS DEFINITELY NOT WORK OR KIDDY SAFE!!!

OMG - I had forgotten all the stuff they used to do! We need to bring back the Big Gig to Saturday nights!!

Saw DAAS live several times and a DVD of them in USA (they did not seem to get the humour) But then again with great classic songs like "Dead Elvis", "I want to spill the blood of a hippy", " commie's for christ"" Motocycle St Sebastian" they tend to be a acquired taste for some Then they bring out songs like "Bottle" that hit close to the truth The "Big Gig" was the only time me and my flat mates would sit down together to watch...then it was off to the pub