(I've Had) The Time of My Life by Vince and Dannii: Young Talent Time, 1988

Live shows like this one were a chance for fans to see their Young Talent Time idols and 12,000 people attended this concert held at the 1988 World Expo in Brisbane, which was broadcast on 7 May 1988. 

The enormous popularity of Young Talent Time, which ran from 1971 to 1988, and its two young performers Dannii Minogue and Vince Del Tito (now Deltito), is emphasised by the sweeping crowd shot.

The coverage follows expected conventions for concert footage with vision from multiple cameras switching between wide shots and close-ups of the pair. 

‘(I've Had) The Time of My Life’ is the Oscar-winning theme song from Dirty Dancing (US, Emile Ardolino, 1987) composed by Franke Previte, John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz.

The sentiment of the song has additional resonance because Dannii was about to graduate from the show – the next episode was her last.  

This performance is a key memory for many fans of the show and it’s easy to see why. The two singers have a great chemistry and appeal on stage and the live band adds to the atmosphere. 

Special mention needs to be made of Dannii’s costuming which is pure 1980s: big hair, cropped t-shirt, bubble skirt, wide elastic belt, slouched socks and Reebok pumps.  

This clip is from episode 88/13. 

Notes by Beth Taylor