Golden Oldie Picture Show – He Ain’t Heavy

Photos by Gail Herbert, no reproduction without permission.

The Golden Oldie Picture Show ran from 1985-88 and was presented by Radio 1 DJ, Dave Lee Travis.  The show consisted of specially shot music videos, created for popular hits recorded before music videos were routinely made.  Individual directors suggested the tracks they’d like to create videos for, so there were a myriad of styles of both videos and music, linked by DLT.

These photos are from a shoot which cameraman John Williams directed for the hit ‘He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother’.  It was shot at a centre for young people with disabilities which John had a connection with.  The resulting film was poignant and uplifting.  There are several versions of the ballad, including recordings by The Hollies and Neil Diamond.  I’m not sure which version was used for the film.

The photos show John Williams (white shirt, pale blue trousers), grips Jimmy Monk (bent over by Variety Club van) and Keith Schofield (crouched by van).

Thanks to Gail Herbert for sharing the photos.

John Williams, Jimmy Monk, Keith Schofield