ABC To Honour 'Countdown' With 13-Episode Tribute Series On Sunday Nights

The ABC is semi-resurrecting beloved music show Countdown, airing 13 one-hour episodes of new series Classic Countdown from 17 September in the program's original timeslot of Sunday at 6pm.

Classic Countdown will spend each of its episodes focusing on one year in the original show's 1974-1987 run, revisiting the artists and songs who helped make it a cultural monolith in Australian music history — and, naturally, the best moments from its iconic host, Molly Meldrum.

Featuring restored footage and narration from artists who perform in the episodes, such as John Paul Young, Kate Ceberano, Steve Kilbey, Richard Clapton and more, Classic Countdown promises to delve deep into the archives to highlight some of the best-loved and long-forgotten outings from its original run.

It will mirror Countdown's run-down format, with highlights of Humdrum as well as dusting off a few of the songs performed on the show that enjoyed success at #1, and will feature the return of announcer Gavin Wood to his spot behind the mic.

In conjunction with Classic Countdown's premiere, ABC Music will release a four-CD collection of the same name on Friday 15 September, featuring bona fide hits from the program's original run, including tracks from ABBA, Skyhooks, Iggy Pop, Hall & Oates, Cyndi Lauper, John Farnham and more.

Do yourself a favour and be sure to tune in when the program kicks off mid-next month, and see its website for more information and content.