Ashes to Ashes 

Swindon's connection to the time-warp cop show

The BBC's retro police drama Ashes to Ashes concluded last night after attracting millions of viewers over the last eight weeks.

 

The popular 80s-style cop drama made all the better by music from some of Swindon's best-known singers and songwriters.

 

Crime-busting 80s-style: DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) and DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) in BBC1's Ashes to Ashes > visit BBC Ashes to Ashes pages > watch last episode on BBCi Player (until 04 April 08)

 

The final scene of the final episode, where DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) reflects on 'witnessing' the death of her parents in a car bomb and her relationship with her brash and politically incorrect boss DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister), made even more poignant by the nostalgic strains of Supertramp's 'Long Way Home'.

 

A mega-selling 1979 track penned by the group's lead member - Swindon's Rick Davies, which featured on the band's number one US album 'Breakfast in America'.

 

Step back to 1979: Swindon's Rick Davies enjoying his Breakfast in America > more on Supertramp connection

 

The album cover of which even features none other than Swindon's local newspaper - the Evening Adver.

 

Each member of the band shown reading their home town's local paper, with Rick spilling his sugar on what looks like the sports page.

 

Sgt. Rock

 

Earlier in the series, the producers also turned to Swindon's most successful band, XTC, for the ideal track to accompany episode 5.

 

The familiar sound of Andy Partridge and co. belting out their 1981 hit 'Sgt. Rock' while Drake, Hunt and the team hunt down a notorious pimp and drug baron.

 

Early 80s success: XTC - (l to r) Andy Partridge (vocals and guitar), Colin Moulding (bass), Dave Gregory (guitar) and Terry Chambers (drums) > more on XTC

 

The record, which reached number 16 in the UK charts, namechecks the comic book character of the same name and reflects Partridge's (who still lives in Old Town) lifelong obsession with American comics.

 

Gilbert O'Sullivan

Music fans may also have noticed a connection to Swindon in the original run of the time-warp series - Life on Mars, which featured DI Sam Tyler (John Simm) transported back to 1973.

 

Life on Mars: the predecessor to Ashes to Ashes, featuring DCI Sam Tyler (John Simm) and music from Gilbert O'Sullivan > visit BBC Life on Mars pages

 

Episode 4 of Series 2, featuring Tyler, Hunt and WPC Cartwright in a wife-swapping scene which included a song from Swindon's Gilbert O'Sullivan - 'Alone Again Naturally'.

 

70s singing superstar: Swindon's Gilbert O'Sullivan > more

A number three hit for the former St Joseph's schoolboy way back in 1972. A record that was part of a golden year for O'Sullivan which also included two number one singles and a number one album.

 

No doubt with the BBC announcing that Ashes to Ashes will return in 2009, scenes featuring prostitution, extra-marital affairs and on-off sexual chemisty will have the writers delving straight into the music archives for more Swindon tunes!

 

In the meantime, us nerdy souls at SwindonWeb will keep our ears open for more Swindon-related music on TV and film.

 

Swindon Connection - more