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While Radiohead wasn't the first band to break free of the corporate machine and drop an album on their own terms, they were easily the most promiment. And while this was par for the course for underground artists and bands through the '80s and '90s who thrived within a specific independent framework (that was arguably co-opted by the mainstream post-Nirvana, but that's another discussion), the release of In Rainbows opened the eyes of acts of similar stature, proving that they didn't need to rely on the expensive machinations and iron clad contracts of a major record label to survive. And in fact, they could sell less records and earn more money by striking it out on their own. Nowadays, if a band isn't founding their own label, they're at least setting up vanity shingles under corporate umbrellas, and taking a stronger say in how they conduct their careers.

Frank Carson, who passed away at the age of 85 yesterday, had a long and varied career on television. The comedian starred in everything from Opportunity Knocks to Tiswas to Noel's House Party - here, we present a selection of clips of his TV appearances. Opportunity Knocks

Carson made his first mainstream appearance on the talent show Opportunity Knocks. Here is a clip featuring the Northern Irish comedian alongside Les Dawson and Hughie Green. The Comedians

After winning Opportunity Knocks three times, Frank Carson graduated to The Comedians to show off his stand-up comedy routines. Tiswas

Carson was a perfect fit on the riotous children's show Tiswas and soon became a regular part of the programme. (more)...

Paul Weller has revealed that The Jam were turned down for a spot on ITV talent show Opportunity Knocks. Before the mod group had their first top 40 hit with 'In The City', they unsuccessfully auditioned for the Hughie Green-fronted show in the '70s. Weller explained to Q: "Our guitarist's girlfriend at the time, she wrote off to get us an audition for Opportunity Knocks. She was going (more)...