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THIS WEEK IN ROCK

June 23, 2019

Live debuts, awards, classic releases and a revolution in the recording industry. We look back at this week in rock history…

#OnThisDay June 17, 1965
The Kinks make their live US debut at the Academy Of Music in New York. Following the tour, the band is refused work permits by the American Federation of Musicians. Though no reason is given for the ban, it’s widely believed that The Kinks’ rowdy onstage behaviour is to blame.

#OnThisDay June 18, 1948
Columbia Records introduces the 33 1/3 rpm LP, a format that revolutionises recorded music. This new format enables each side of vinyl to contain 23 minutes of music – something could never be achieved on a 78rpm disc. What’s your favourite format and why?

#OnThisDay June 19, 1971
Carole King begins a five-week residency at the top of the US charts with ‘It’s Too Late’/’I Feel The Earth Move’. Did you know that ‘It’s Too Late’ scooped the Grammy for Record Of The Year?

#OnThisDay June 20, 2005
Jamiroquai release their sixth studio album, ‘Dynamite’. The album’s first single, ‘Feels Just Like It Should’, reached No. 8 in the UK singles chart whilst topping the Billboard Dance Charts in the US. Good work, fellas!

#OnThisDay June 21, 1981
Odyssey crack the UK Top 5 in the singles charts with the amazing ‘Going Back To mY Roots’. Did you know that it was written by legendary songwriter Lamont Dozier?

#OnThisDay June 22, 1985
Prefab Sprout release their second studio album, ‘Steve McQueen’. Containing the hit ‘When Love Breaks Down’, the album makes it to No. 4 in NME’s End Of The Year Poll for Best Album.

#OnThisDay June 23, 1989
George Michael receives the Silver Clef Award for outstanding achievements to British music. Other recipients of the award include Jamiroquai, Eurythmics and The Clash. The current holder is Roger Waters.

WHAM! Re-Release Their Iconic Albums ‘Fantastic’ and ‘Make It Big’

WHAM! Re-Release Their Iconic Albums ‘Fantastic’ and ‘Make It Big’

We’re delighted to announce that WHAM!’s ‘Fantastic’ and ‘Make It Big’ albums will be released on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years! Pressed on both limited edition colour and black vinyl. Available everywhere on 22nd March. Pre-order now

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Spotlight in Stereo – Valentine’s Day Duel!

Spotlight in Stereo – Valentine’s Day Duel!

It’s the most romantic day of the year if you’re happily in love. If you’re not, then it’s quite possibly the most tedious, lonely and depressing one on the calendar. Ever the diplomats, here in the Spotlight Office we want to include all our colleagues in the celebrations and commiserations, so we created two Valentine’s playlists; one for Everybody In Love and another for those who are Single.  

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WHAM! Make history as ‘Last Christmas’ claims its first ever UK Christmas No.1!

WHAM! Make history as ‘Last Christmas’ claims its first ever UK Christmas No.1!

Britain’s much-loved duo WHAM! have claimed the Official UK Christmas Number 1 with ‘Last Christmas’ for the first time since the song was released nearly 40 years ago!

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‘Last Christmas’ hits No1 for second week running!

‘Last Christmas’ hits No1 for second week running!

Britain’s best-loved duo WHAM! have claimed the Official UK Number 1 chart position with ‘Last Christmas’ for the second consecutive weeka chart first for ‘Last Christmas’. 

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Let Whamageddon Commence!

Let Whamageddon Commence!

Let Whamageddon commence! Are you playing?

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25 years of George Michael’s ‘Outside’

25 years of George Michael’s ‘Outside’

Let’s go outside! 25 years ago today George Michael released arguably one of the most important singles of his career “Outside”.

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Back in the Spotlight – 90s collaborations!

Back in the Spotlight – 90s collaborations!

We’re celebrating the 90s all month and what better way than by revisiting some classic collaborations!

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Spotlight in Stereo

Spotlight in Stereo

It may not have been the hottest of summers here in the UK, but we’re still holding out for a sizzling September and enough of a vitamin D boost to see us into Christmas smiling.

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Artist Spotlight: WHAM!

Artist Spotlight: WHAM!

Celebrating forty years of their debut album with a heartwarming Netflix documentary and new The Singles: Echoes from the Edge of Heaven release, this month’s Artist Spotlight lands on WHAM!

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Last Christmas

WHAM!