Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum was the heart and soul of the weekly Australian music show, Countdown.

Broadcast nationally on the ABC, the music critic and record producer single-handedly did everyone ‘a favour’, promoting dozens of singers and bands like Skyhooks and Sherbet, giving us Blondie, Air Supply, Pseudo Echo and Sharon O’Neill, captivating us with live crosses to UK bands like the Bay City Rollers.

He even secured an historic interview with Prince Charles in 1977.

But when Countdown celebrates its 50th anniversary next month, the former host, Stetson wearer and national living treasure, Meldrum, now 81, will be on the couch at home.

Hosted by regular TV panelist Myf Warhust and ABC stalwart, Tony Armstrong, Countdown 50 Years On will be without the star of the show.

A spokesperson for Meldrum’s representatives, Profile Talent Management, told The New Daily the event’s producers did invite Molly to be part of the celebrations.

“I was approached by the producers some time ago for Molly to be a part of the event,” the spokesperson said.

“He is, of course, also invited to attend the recording of the special,” they said.

“[But] Molly is living a quieter life these days and is taking a back seat when it comes to media and events.

“He will be cheering on the celebrations for sure however.”

The epic night of music will feature Countdown heavy-hitters Daryl Braithwaite and Marcia Hines, Joe Camilleri, Kate Ceberano, GANGgajang, Grace Knight, Russell Morris, Leo Sayer and Ross Wilson.

Contemporary legends Electric Fields, Kate Miller-Heidke, Nooky, Regurgitator and Katy Steele will “reimagine” the classic Countdown hits (like Dragon’s April Sun in Cuba, of course).

They’ll be behind-the-scenes stories and interviews from Countdown’s original 13-year run which started in 1974, with never-before-seen archival footage.

“I am left with such fond memories of those days and a show that will never be forgotten,” Meldrum says in a statement.

“We made a difference to the music industry in Australia. Iconic Countdown lives on.”

Molly Meldrum in 2014. Photo: AAP

Where’s Molly?

After Countdown wrapped in 1987, Meldrum became the everywhere man.

He launched albums, was a red carpet regular at musical theatre productions and major events, and joined forces with Braithwaite, JPY and Jon English for the Countdown Spectacular in 2006 at Luna Park.

In 2011, Meldrum fell off a ladder in his backyard at his inner-Melbourne home and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

He suffered a fractured skull and spent months in rehabilitation.

In 2016, he slipped while getting out of a taxi in Bangkok, Thailand, and needed treatment in hospital after breaking bones.

His health battles continue.

On October 2, the Royal Australian Mint in partnership with the ABC launched the Countdown coin at the Australian Music Vault in Melbourne.

His long-time Countdown voiceover man, Gavin Wood, represented Molly Meldrum, and said he was “struggling”.

“Countdown would not have happened if it was not for Molly’s enthusiasm and foresight … he lived it, breathed it, drank it, consumed it,” he told the Herald Sun at the time.

“The fall, it is all down to the fall, was a horrible thing to have happened.

“He is 82 in January. He has been a public figure all his life and I think he is just enjoying a quieter life.

“He is still Molly, still interested in music and still has it turned up to 11. He is still naughty, he has still got that spark that we love, but I think he is enjoying life being a normal person.

“He would be chuffed to have something as beautiful and as imaginative as this recognising the show.

“He is my hero.”

Molly the myth, the man

Australian music journalist and former Rolling Stone editor, Toby Creswell, said Meldrum was far more intriguing than just the Countdown story.

“Molly’s impact on Australia goes way beyond Countdown. Inextricably connected to the recording industry, Molly’s opinion could get an act signed or a record prioritised,” he wrote on TND.

‘‘It would be fair to say that he is responsible for more hit records than anyone else in the country.’’

As a former record producer, Meldrum produced the landmark Australian single, The Real Thing, by Russell Morris.

The National Film and Sound Archive says it was the fourth best-selling single of 1969 (behind two Beatles’ songs and one from The Rolling Stones) and stayed in the charts for six months.

“Some of the records he championed like ABBA and Blondie went on to international fame while others like Roger Vodouris, the Members and the Motels faded away.

“In the end what mattered was Molly’s enthusiasm,’’ Creswell said.

“Meldrum actually knew what he was talking about and he wouldn’t shut up.’’

Countdown 50 Years On premieres on November 16 on ABC TV and ABC iview at 7.30pm