Rainbow Valley
Rainbow Valley, the podcast where your host, Scott, takes a look at key events and personalities that shaped one of the most influential, vibrant, tumultuous and swinging decades in history. Join us as we celebrate the 1960s with the stories surrounding the music and news events of the decade that shook the world.
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Episode 030 - The Apollo One Disaster (1967)
02/10/2024
Episode 030 - The Apollo One Disaster (1967)
Rainbow Valley - The Sixties Podcast. Telling the stories from the decade that shook the world. The Apollo One Disaster January 27th 1967, US astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee way made their way into a brand new spacecraft perched atop a large powerful Saturn Five rocket at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. A routine dress rehearsal, and one of many, for their approaching launch into orbit less than a month away. All three astronauts were experienced pilots, all harbouring dreams of one day setting foot on the moon. But little did they know, nor did anyone else, that once they entered the spacecraft that chilly winters day, they would never leave it alive. The Apollo programme would be dangerously close to cancellation before it even got off the ground. The Apollo spacecraft was condemned from the start, comprising of miles of uninsulated wiring, tons of flammable materials confined in an atmosphere consisting of pure oxygen, and a hatch that wouldn’t open. Public opinion was already turning against the space race, and the events of that January evening did nothing to boost their confidence in the programme. It is a story not only of how America continued to fulfil its destiny of placing a man on the moon, but also a valiant tale of the three American heroes who lost their lives in a horrific accident Ladies and gentlemen, Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of Apollo One. Don't forget you can also listen to our weekly sixties chart show evey Sunday on Mixcloud. Link below:
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Episode 029 - The Button Down Mind Of Bob Newhart (1960)
03/08/2023
Episode 029 - The Button Down Mind Of Bob Newhart (1960)
On August 1st 1960, an album on the Warner Brothers label reached number one in the Billboard Mono Action Albums Chart. It was the debut album for this particular artist and would remain at the top for fourteen weeks. The album would stay in the chart for two years selling over 600,000 copies near release and ranking as the 20th best selling album of all time on the Billboard charts. Its total running time was just short of thirty two minutes, it consisted of just six tracks, and was a recording of a live performance It won album of the year at the 1961 Grammy awards as well as best new artist for its performer. Yet this was no pop, folk or rock album. It was the first comedy album to win album of the year and the only time that a comedian had won best artist. That comedian was Bob Newhart and this particular album saved the struggling Warner Brothers Records label and changed the face of modern comedy and the way the world experienced stand up forever. Ladies and gentlemen, Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of The Button Down Mind Of Bob Newhart. Don't forget you can also listen to our weekly sixties chart show evey Sunday on Mixcloud. Link below:
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Episode 028 - The Aberfan Disaster
01/04/2023
Episode 028 - The Aberfan Disaster
The Aberfan Disaster 9:13am on October 21st 1966, Pantglas School in the small Welsh mining village of Aberfan Inside the school, more than 200 children and nine teachers were waiting for their first lesson of the day to begin when the air was filled with the sound of a distant rumble. A massive coal tip - a mountain of waste generated by the town's mines that employed 8000 people had collapsed and a landslide of mud and debris flooded into the classroom, burying the school and engufing everyone inside 116 children and 28 adults were killed It was one of the worst industrial disasters Britain has ever seen. An accident that could and should have been prevented and a tragic account of a mistake that cost a village an entire generation of its children. You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast Join our Facebook group at Facebook/rainbowvalleypodcast Or send us your thoughts and feedback to You can also listen to our weekly sixties chart rundown at: This has been a Stinking Pause production. Thanks for listening Scott
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Episode 027 - 1966: The Year We Won...And Lost The World Cup
11/17/2022
Episode 027 - 1966: The Year We Won...And Lost The World Cup
1966: The Year We Won...And Lost The World Cup As we head rapidly towards the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, you may be forgiven for thinking that this episode must surely recount the tale of how England won the world cup in the summer of 1966. You wouldn’t be far off though as this episode of Rainbow Valley is the story of not how we won the World Cup that summer, but how we lost it. Three months before the World Cup finals were due to take place, the much coveted solid gold Jules Rimet trophy sat proudly on display in central London only to be stolen in what could only be described as a daylight robbery. Fast forward a week or so and the thief is apprehended but no sign of the most famous sporting trophy in world….until an incredible canine steps in to save the day. Ladies and gentlemen Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of Pickles-the unlikely hero of the 1966 World Cup final You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast Join our Facebook group at Facebook/rainbowvalleypodcast Or send us your thoughts and feedback to This has been a Stinking Pause production. Thanks for listening Scott
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Episode 026 - The Big Freeze
09/28/2022
Episode 026 - The Big Freeze
The Big Freeze Boxing Day evening 1962 The Christmas Number One at the top of the hit parade was Return to Sender by Elvis Presley All around the country, families were settling down after a busy two days of eating, drinking and making merry. Small screen entertainment on the tv that evening included a hilarious variety show from the London Palladium featuring Bruce Forsyth and Norman Wisdom and the BBCs big Boxing Day movie was Moulin Rouge starring Jose Ferrer and Zsa Zsa Gabor And then, it began to snow. A day late and tantalisingly close to giving the country a proper White Christmas, but snow nevertheless. The temperature dropped…..and it continued to snow. And it snowed and snowed, and it got colder. And it snowed and it snowed some more And that was how it would be for the next one hundred days or so as Britain was plunged into an icy wilderness that would last until the following March. Industry ground to halt as businesses and schools were forced to close. There was widespread panic as ambulances and fire crews were unable to respond to emergencies. Essential supplies and medication failed to get through to hospitals and over half the natural wildlife population died in the freezing temperatures, unable to forage to food. Nothing could be done to stop the bitter temperatures and the relentless snowfall Ladies and gentlemen, Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of The Big Freeze You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast Join our Facebook group at Facebook/rainbowvalleypodcast Or send us your thoughts and feedback to This has been a Stinking Pause production. Thanks for listening Scott
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Episode 025 - The Making Of Zulu (1964)
06/28/2022
Episode 025 - The Making Of Zulu (1964)
WE’RE BACK!! Our first episode in two years is finally with you – and it’s a cracker. Join Scott as he tells the story of the making of the movie Zulu. RAINBOW VALLEY – THE MAKING OF ZULU Rainbow Valley is a monthly podcast where your host, Scott takes a look at key events and personalities that shaped one the most influential, vibrant, tumultuous and swinging decades in history. Join us as we celebrate the 1960’s with the stories surrounding the music and news events of the decade that shook the world. 22nd January 1879, Rorkes Drift, Natal, South Africa. A remote mission station, the setting for one of the most famous, battles in British history. But until 1964 and the release of the movie Zulu, the story of the events of those ten hours were not particularly familiar to the British public. In reality, 100 British soldiers defended a series of attacks by approximately 4000 Zulu warriors. By the end of the battle, which lasted from late afternoon until dawn the following morning, 15 soldiers were dead, two mortally wounded and surrounding them, the bodies of some 350 Zulus Possibly one of the most celebrated and documented battles in British history you might think. But you would be wrong, for if it were not for the release of the movie 85 years later, it’s likely it would have remained a mere postscript in the annals of military conflict. The story of the making of Zulu begins with a magazine article written in 1958 and takes us on a journey that will change the lives of many people along the way. People such as director, Cy Endfield, producer and actor Stanley Baker, Zulu tribal leader, Chief Buthelezi and a certain young actor from south London called Michael Caine. A movie that remained on cinema screens almost constantly for 12 years before becoming one of the most regarded and best loved British movies of all time, the story of its creation is almost worthy of a movie in its own right. Ladies and gentlemen, Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of the making of Zulu. You can find all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter @rv_podcast Join our Facebook group Or drop us a line at Thanks for listening Scott @scophi NEXT TIME – THE BIG FREEZE OF 1963
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Episode 024 - Hits and Headlines of 1964
07/02/2020
Episode 024 - Hits and Headlines of 1964
Ladies and gentlemen, Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of the Hits and Headlines of 1964.
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Episode 023 - The Theft Of The Duke Of Wellington
03/16/2020
Episode 023 - The Theft Of The Duke Of Wellington
Rainbow Valley - the sixties podcast - telling the stories from the decade that shook the world:
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Episode 022 - Tammi Terrell
09/14/2019
Episode 022 - Tammi Terrell
Join us as we tell the story of one of Motown's greatest stars. The story of a life cut tragically short, but thankfully a life that brought us one of the greatest soul singers of all time.
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Episode 021 - The Zapruder Film
11/20/2018
Episode 021 - The Zapruder Film
Join me as I tell the story of the most famous home movie ever…22 seconds of film that captured the death of the most powerful man on the planet in November 1963.
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Episode 020 - David Frost, Emil Savundra, and the trial by television
09/23/2018
Episode 020 - David Frost, Emil Savundra, and the trial by television
Episode 020 of the Rainbow Valley podcast – telling the stories that made the swinging decade.
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Episode 019 - Dusty Springfield
09/03/2018
Episode 019 - Dusty Springfield
Join me as I tell the story of one of the finest singers Britain has ever produced.
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Episode 018 - The Making Of Cleopatra (1963)
07/29/2018
Episode 018 - The Making Of Cleopatra (1963)
Episode 018 of The Rainbow Valley podcast – telling the stories that made the swinging decade.
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Episode 017 - Hits and Headlines of 1963
07/11/2018
Episode 017 - Hits and Headlines of 1963
Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of the hits and headlines from 1963.
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Episode 016 - The Hammersmith Nude Murders
04/02/2018
Episode 016 - The Hammersmith Nude Murders
The story of the Sixties answer to Jack the Ripper in the west of London. Six, possibly seven victims – all prostitutes…murdered in a chilling reign of terror in the early years of the swinging decade.
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Episode 015 - Matt Monro
01/27/2018
Episode 015 - Matt Monro
Matt Monro was described as the UK’s answer to Frank Sinatra, a label he detested. For Matt Monro was not an answer to anything. Matt Monro was unique, he was his own entity, had his own marvellous style, and was possibly the finest male popular music singer the UK has ever produced.
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Episode 014 - Dr No And The Birth Of James Bond On The Big Screen
01/06/2018
Episode 014 - Dr No And The Birth Of James Bond On The Big Screen
To many people, James Bond is only an entity that can be found on the big screen.
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Episode 013 - Hits and Headlines of 1962
12/03/2017
Episode 013 - Hits and Headlines of 1962
1962 – A year of worldwide upheaval, the continuing space race and the death of Hollywood’s biggest sex symbol. Join us as we celebrate the hits and the headlines of 1962.
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Episode 012 - The Rolling Stones at Altamont
10/27/2017
Episode 012 - The Rolling Stones at Altamont
If the sixties had ended on August 17th 1969 instead of the 31st December, Woodstock would be considered a fitting finale to a turbulent decade but instead, just a few months later the sixties dream became its nightmare at another free concert, this time headlined by the Rolling Stones. With support from Santana, Jefferson Airplane and a host of other acts, events would unfold that led to the ugliest scenes in the history of rock music culminating in the deaths of four people.
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Episode 011 - The Great Train Robbery
09/02/2017
Episode 011 - The Great Train Robbery
The Great Train Robbery was the robbery of £2.6 million from a Royal Mail train heading from Glasgow to London on the8 August 1963, at Bridego Bridge, Mentmore in Buckinghamshire.
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Episode 010 - Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
06/03/2017
Episode 010 - Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Beatles heralded in what would become known as the summer of love with a soundtrack that featured songs influenced by music hall, circus western and Indian music. We were asked to turn on tune in and drop out in a year that proved be a remarkable watershed in the social history of western youth.
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Episode 009 - The Making of Breakfast at Tiffany's
05/18/2017
Episode 009 - The Making of Breakfast at Tiffany's
In 1961, how much would the movie going public be prepared for an adaptation of a novella that told the story of a New York prostitute, her devoted gay best friend, Japanese landlord, and her cat. With Audrey Hepburn in what could potentially have been a career destroying, but eventually became the career defining role of Holly Golightly, the world was more than ready.
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Episode 008 - Hits and Headlines of 1961
04/04/2017
Episode 008 - Hits and Headlines of 1961
One year , particularly important to the story of the sixties was 1961. It was a year that would divide countries, events would take place that would lay the foundations for potential global nuclear destruction and see the first man escape the confines of the earth’s atmosphere. And amongst all of this, the soundtrack of 1961 would be presented to us by Elvis Presley, Shirley Bassey and Helen Shapiro.
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Episode 007 - Martin Luther King and the March for Freedom
03/08/2017
Episode 007 - Martin Luther King and the March for Freedom
The 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination based on race in the United States, but while legally black people were allowed the vote, some southern state officials obstructed their efforts to register. Local groups in Selma had already been agitating for change, but when Dr Martin Luther King chose it as the testing ground for his black voter registration campaign in early 1965, it drew national attention to the Alabama town.
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Episode 006 - Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison
02/12/2017
Episode 006 - Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison
When Johnny Cash walked into the gloomy Folsom Prison on January 13th 1968, he had no idea how it would change his life or the course of popular music.
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Episode 005 - The Making of Psycho
01/30/2017
Episode 005 - The Making of Psycho
1960, the first year of the swinging decade. In cinemas across the world, audiences would laugh along at the misfortunes of Jack Lemmon in The Apartment, cheer for Kirk Douglas in Spartacus and ride into Mexico with The Magnificent Seven. But they would also be watching from the very edges of their seats as the master of suspense himself unleashed a film that as well as being terrifying and horrific has also gone down as one of the truly great Hollywood motion pictures.
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Episode 004 - Hits and Headlines of 1960
12/16/2016
Episode 004 - Hits and Headlines of 1960
The first year of this remarkable decade would bring us the cold war, the space race, traffic wardens and royal births and weddings. Television would play a major part this year with the first ever televised trial, Grand National and presidential debate. Major changes in Africa. Natural disasters worldwide. A new president, Coronation Street and The Flintstones. Along with The Shadows, Connie Francis and Elvis Presley…
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Episode 003 part two - The Brian Epstein Story (2)
11/24/2016
Episode 003 part two - The Brian Epstein Story (2)
In 1963, Brian Epstein’s stable of stars had occupied the number one position in the UK charts for an incredible 37 weeks. In just over a year he had gone from running the record department at his father’s store to becoming one of the most successful entertainment impresarios.
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Episode 003 part one - The Brian Epstein Story (1)
11/14/2016
Episode 003 part one - The Brian Epstein Story (1)
The first of a two part episode telling the story of the tragic life of the man who became the manager of the biggest band in the world.
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Episode 002 - The Profumo Affair
10/11/2016
Episode 002 - The Profumo Affair
Two worlds would collide in the summer of 1961, when a young nightclub showgirl and a British Cabinet minister would meet by chance on an aristocrat’s Buckinghamshire estate. Also present that fateful weekend was a Russian spy and a successful man about town whose wit and charm had secured him his position in London’s high life.
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