Stock Aitken Waterman: Legends of Pop

I was a teenager in the 1980s and so I found this doco interesting. Yes, it's a love-in of the type that's popular in music docos. I.e. There is nothing really negative, and little downside is presented. Which is hard to believe. The criticism that record producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman were too much of a business and were a bit of a soulless hit factory is valid. The trio of producers are not so much artists as they are producers in their approach. But that is just what people wanted, right? Some diversion from everyday life? The story of Mel from Mel and Kim getting cancer was shocking. I hadn't known that. I liked the story about Rick Astley being the nonchalant office boy before the trio recorded him.

SAW did write and craft some really average songs. However a handful of their songs were great, and were deservedly big hits. Rick Astley was never a complex artist, and was not that successful but I guess there is nothing wrong with just being a teen idol. And he can sing.

In the end of part one of the doco I felt a bit flat. But I guess SAW at least got people dancing so that's a positive.