Video tapes of ‘lost’ Top Of The Pops performances have been found - here’s how much they’re worth

The footage - which features musicians such as Sir Elton John, Status Quo and Elvis Presley - had previously been thought lost. (Getty)The footage - which features musicians such as Sir Elton John, Status Quo and Elvis Presley - had previously been thought lost. (Getty)
The footage - which features musicians such as Sir Elton John, Status Quo and Elvis Presley - had previously been thought lost. (Getty)

A fan’s 1970s recordings of Top Of The Pops performances, previously feared to be lost for good, are now up for auction.

The footage - which features musicians such as Sir Elton John, Status Quo and Elvis Presley - had previously been thought lost after the BBC removed parts of its archive by recording over its old film to save money.

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Other artists featured on the vintage tapes include Sir Rod Stewart, Mungo Jerry, 10cc, Roxy Music and Canned Heat.

However, saving the day is a Welsh music fan who had used a Sony CV-2000 (one of the first video tape recorders for home use) to record the performances from his TV when they first aired.

When is the auction?

If you are a fan of the ‘70s, or miss the days when Top of The Pops graced our screens, you can place a bid at the auction which will take place on 8 September.

The tapes, along with DVD digital back-ups, are all going under the hammer at the Omega Auctions of Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside.

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However, the footage wont come cheap, as auctioneers are expecting the set of tapes and back ups to sell for anywhere between £5,000 and £8,000.

Do the recordings come with copyright?

The recordings are going to be sold without copyright, auctioneers said, meaning the buyer is not legally allowed to reproduce or distribute them.

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