Jason: When did you start watching Countdown?

John: On 3 March 1975 with the first colour episode.

Jason: What are amongst some of your greatest Countdown memories,favourite Countdown episodes?

John: I liked the episodes hosted by Bob Hudson and Angus Young in 1975 (now destroyed). Also the pre-Christmas episode in 1976 hosted by Sherbet and JPY. The rodeo episode in 1985 where Molly rides into the ground on a poddy calf was also good.

Jason: Who were your favourite artists during the 70's and 80's that Countdown introduced you to?

John: Abba, Pilot, Boney M, Ted Mulry Gang, Pat Benatar, Kim Wilde.

Jason: What were or are your favourite segments of the show?

John: Humdrum, Top 10, The Countdown Flashback (1975). I didn't like the UK or US Top 10 which was introduced in 1984.

Jason: Did you ever attend Countdown, and if not did you ever want to at the time?

John: No, I didn't visit Melbourne for the first time until 1992 when I was 33. I would have loved to be there especially for the early episodes when colour TV first began.

Jason: Were you shocked when the show ended?

John: No, not really because it came during the "pay for play" controversy when every pop show on TV ended. I believe it could have continued were it not for the bizarre "Pirate Television" experiment during early 1987.

Jason: Do you think that given the chance Countdown could have kept going to this day or do you think it ended at a good time?

John: See above. You only have to look at Top of the Pops in Britain.

Jason: What do you think it is about Countdown that makes it still stand up today and why is Countdown so special to you?

John: The production and its impact on the pop scene at the time. It is special because it represents youth and nostalgia.

Jason: Do you think it's important that Rage keep repeating Countdown so that a new generation may be introduced to the history of Australian and overseas music through Countdown and just in general?

John: Very much so. I believe that all the old pop shows should be repeated on a regular basis. It is criminal to think that young people today believe that music involves electronic gimmickry and chanting rubbish with no tune.

Jason: Do you think the ABC should repeat Countdown on a regular basis?

John: The last Saturday of each month should be given over to Countdown repeats.