Arrows (TV series)

The Arrows Show was a pop television series aimed at the teen market, which aired in 1976 and 1977 in the UK. The show was produced by British TV legend Muriel Young, and ran for two full 14 week series on the Granada ITV network. The Arrows Show format was that the band would perform their own songs, and they would introduce the guest artists. There was also a pop dance troupe called Him and Us who were regulars on the series. The Arrows were (lead singer) Alan Merrill, (guitarist) Jake Hooker and (drummer) Paul Varley. Guests on The Arrows Show included such artists as Marc Bolan, The Bay City Rollers, The Drifters, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Gene Pitney, Slade, Pilot, Billy J. Kramer, The Real Thing, and many more. Although they had hit singles before their series, the band released no recordings during the run of the shows, both series. The Arrows are the only band in pop music history to have a TV series and no records released. This unusual situation was due to a legal wrangle with their record label. Their last single release was two months before the first broadcast Arrows TV show. There were 28 Arrows Shows broadcast.

Historically, The Arrows are now best known for writing, recording, and releasing the first version of the song "I Love Rock N Roll" in 1975, a year before The Arrows had their TV series. The song is an international rock classic, recorded by many well known artists, including Joan Jett, and Britney Spears.