Countdown (Australia)- Molly Meldrum Interviews Rod Stewart- January 17, 1982

A segment from the long running Australian music TV series Countdown, which aired on the ABC from 1974-1987.

This particular segment aired during the Countdown episode which originally aired on January 17, 1982, on the ABC.

This clip features an interview of British singer Rod Stewart conducted by Countdown Talent Co-Ordinator Molly Meldrum.

The interview begins with Rod trying to get Molly to take off his trademark Stetson (and not Akubra as is commonly assumed) hat for the interview (which Molly says is his 'Director's hat'), and generally stirring Molly up. The interview segment then alternates back and forth from the present interview, to one they recorded earlier that day, which Rod calls depressing.

Molly congratulates and asks Rod about the success of his most recent album 'Tonight I'm Yours'. Molly also asks Rod about getting a new band. Molly also asks Rod about his song-writing methods.

Molly and Rod then discuss his disappointment with his 1980 album 'Foolish Behaviour'. They then discuss the recent album 'Tonight I'm Yours'. Molly then discusses with Rod how he is able to combine a successful career with a successful marriage.

Molly then asks Rod about some of the cover songs he has recorded, including Bob Dylan's 'Just Like A Woman' on 'Tonight I'm Yours'. Molly then asks Rod about his 'image', including his musical and personal image. Rod also speaks of his new vitality, which he largely attributes to his new band.

Molly concludes the interview by asking Rod when he will return to Australia to tour, and asks Rod about the title from his hit song from 'Tonight I'm Yours', 'Young Turks'.

Vaxfacts: Molly asks Rod in the middle of the interview about how he is able to be successful in his career and his marriage. At the time, Stewart was married to Alana Collins, with whom he had two children. The success in their marriage would not last long- Rod and Alana would divorce in 1984. Rod's second wife was New Zealand supermodel Rachel Hunter, who was the host of the premiere episode of the 1994 Australian documentary series 'Weddings', of which the full episode can be seen at the following link:
   • Weddings (Australia)- Premiere Episod...  

The segment begins with Rod trying to knock Molly's Stetson hat off his head. The Stetson hat would become Molly Meldrum's trademark, wearing it in every media appearance from the 1980s onwards, through to today. Indeed, searching through various Countdown episodes, it appears that 1982 was the year that Molly began to wear it, alternating with various styles before settling on the version he is most famous for wearing. Indeed, as of March 1982, Molly still does not wear his hat while presenting segments on Countdown. Also, in the introduction to this episode, Molly is not wearing his Stetson. This then suggests that this Rod Stewart interview is one of the first, if not THE first film of Molly Meldrum wearing his trademark Stetson hat! He is wearing a different style of hat here in July 1981:
   • Countdown (Australia)- Humdrum- July ...