My Memories of Buying the Fame Albums

The Kids From Fame album came out in the U.K. in July 1982 and was followed by the release of "Hi Fidelity" as a single in August 1982. I remember first hearing the single on the radio just before it came out and was really excited that some of the music would be released from the show. Up until that point I had no idea that they were even considering releasing the music. These days it's pretty much a given but back in the 80s that wasn't always the case. It was also my first indication that "Fame" was different to and bigger than any other TV show at the time. The single went to number 5 in the U.K. charts and "I Still Believe In Me" was the B-side. Valerie came over to the U.K. to promote the single release. "Starmaker" was then released as a single with "Step Up to the Mike" as the B-side and went to number 3 on the chart.

The album went to number one and stayed there for a total of 12 weeks. They weren't consecutive as other albums would be released go to number one and then the Fame album would go back to number one a week or so later. The first album was the biggest seller of all the albums and in total spent 46 weeks on the chart. Every week I would listen to the album chart show on the radio and record the songs they played. Although I bought the singles, I didn't have much money so couldn't afford the album, however every time I went to a record store I would always look at the album and track listing to see which songs I didn't have.

After the huge success of the first album RCA released the 2nd album "The Kids From Fame Again" on 10th October 1982 and "Mannequin" backed with "Come What May" was released as a single. Although the album raced to number 2 on the album charts and stayed in the charts for 21 weeks, the single didn't do very well and failed to reach the top 40 despite having the additional release of a piture disc and only reached number 50.

As it was October it was nearly my birthday and my Mum and I were in a supermarket (which also had a record depratment). As usual I was looking at the album covers when my Mum asked me if there was anything I wanted for my birthday. Even though I'd taped so many of the songs I really wanted a copy of the albums but was in dilemma as I thought maybe I should spend the money on something I hadn't got. I kept picking up the albums, putting them in the trolley then changing my mind and putting them back, the security must have thought I was maybe trying to steal them. In the end I could resist no longer and had to have them both and afterwards was so pleased that I'd finally got them.

No further singles were released from the "Again" album but both albums continued to sell huge amounts and this led to the cast touring the U.K. at the end of 1982 and start of 1983.

In March 1983 my brother and I were in a local clothes store shopping and "Starmaker" was playing in the background. I was always happy to hear the Kids records but I didn't take too much notice of it. However, as the song ended I noticed how it was different to the normal record in that the song actually had an ending and Debbie said "We'll be right back" and the sound of an audience could be heard. I was immediately intrigued by this and we went next door to a record store and there I saw "The Kids From Fame Live" album. I had no idea it was coming out and was really excited. Even though some of the songs were duplicated from the original albums there was no way I could wait for this album so I rushed to my Nan's house and asked to borrow the money and then rushed back to get a copy of the album. There were so many great pictures of the Kids live concerts on the cover and inner sleeve which brought back so many great memories of the concert that I'd been to. The album reached number 8 and spent 28 weeks on the chart. "Friday Night" was released as a single and reached number 13 in the U.K. charts with the live version of "Could We Be Magic Like You" as the B-side. Also a picture disc was released of this single.

Around a month later "The Kids From Fame Songs" album was released again a couple of the songs we'd already got from the "Live" album but most of it was new and at that point we hadn't seen the season 2 episodes on TV that the songs came from so it was all very exciting. Again I couldn't wait for this album and bought it straight away.

I remember listing to the album chart top 10 and the DJ had previously stated that there was a new number 1 and I was really excited that the new album had gone straight into the chart at number one. As we counted down the top ten the "Songs" album hadn't been mentioned so I was thinking it just had to be number one. However when the announcement came something else had hit the top spot and "Songs" disappointing didn't even make the top ten! It's highest U.K. position was number 14 and it spent 16 weeks on the chart.

"Body Language" was released as a single on 10th June 1983 with "Life is a Celebration" live as the B-side. This was the first and only release to come out on 12 inch single with "Fame" live as an additional track on there. However, the single failed to make the U.K. top 40 and only reached number 76.

One further release "Songs" was tried as a single backed with "Just like you" as the B-side but again this failed to chart and no further singles were released in the U.K. "Be Your Own Hero" was released in America as a single with "Reach For A Dream", which isn't actually on the album, as the B-side.

Despite disappointing sales of the last album and singles the BBC did release a final album "The Kids From Fame Sing For You" again it didn't set the charts on fire and it's highest position was number 28. It only managed to stay in the charts for 7 weeks and no singles were released from that album. By the time this album came out in the U.K. the cast were filming the 3rd season and this album was renamed for the U.S. release as "Rock N Roll World" this additional song from the 3rd season was used to promote that season in the U.S. and was also released as a single in America with "Reach For A Dream" as the B-side.

No more albums were released in the U.K. and I remember writing to the BBC asking for an album to be released of the excellent 3 songs. They did write back saying they were considering it but ratings had decreased for the show and as the previous 2 albums hadn't sold well, disappointingly nothing was ever released.

A year or so later I was in a record store in London and discovered "The Best Of Fame" album. This was an American import that I didn't know about previously as it never come out officially in the U.K. Even though the only track I didn't have was "Rock N Roll World" I had to have the album for my collection. This album did come out on CD (I think in Germany) but was pretty rare.

In 2000 the Original "Kids From Fame" album was released on CD much to my delight as I no longer had anything to play vinyl on anymore. As soon as I found out about the release I rushed out to buy it and I hoped all the original albums would come out on CD but we are sadly still waiting for them.

In 2004 the Ultimate Fame CD was released containing songs from the original film, the musical and the TV series with never released before bonus songs of "Murphy's Blues" and "False Alarm".

Obviously other songs from the series are still held in a vault somewhere and I've always dreamed that a huge CD box set would be issued containing all those unreleased songs. I know it's only a dream and will never happen which is why I started the blog but I'm still going to keep on dreaming!