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THIS WEEK IN ROCK

December 15, 2019

Legendary shows, groundbreaking album anniversaries, eye watering memorabilia auctions and more – it’s this week in rock.

#OnThisDay December 9, 1976
The Clash play the Electric Circus in Manchester as part of The Anarchy Tour. Also on the bill are Sex Pistols, Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers and locals Buzzcocks.

#OnThisDay December 10, 2010
So how much would you pay for the handwritten lyrics to Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’’? In the case of hedge fund manager and art collector Adam Sender, it’s an eye-watering $422,500 that he coughs up in a six-way auction.

#OnThisDay December 11, 1961
Clear the decks because ain’t no one else coming in as Elvis Presley begins a staggering 20-week residency at the top of the US album charts with ‘Blue Hawaii’, his seventh US chart-topping album.

#OnThisDay December 12, 1987
Hurtling its way to become the best-selling US single of the year, George Michael’s ‘Faith’ parks up at No. 1 where it remains for the next four weeks. Its parent album of the same name is declared Album Of The Year at the 1989 ceremony.

#OnThisDay December 13, 1975
Widely regarded as one of the most influential debut albums of all time, Patti Smith releases ‘Horses’. And watching this raw and passionate performance from the Old Grey Whistle Test, you can see exactly why it maintains its exalted position.

#OnThisDay December 14, 1979
Happy anniversary to The Clash’s mighty double album, ‘London Calling’. Spread over four sides of vinyl, the band stretched out to deliver an album choc-full of rock’n’roll, reggae, ska, jazz and much more as they tackled subjects such as unemployment, the scourge of racism and consumerism among others. Few records truly deserve to be called ‘classic’, but this is one of them.

#OnThisDay December 15, 1980
Many happy returns to Kasabian guitarist and songwriter Sergio Lorenzo ‘Serge’ Pizzorno. Here he is with the band and their first chart hit, ‘Club Foot’.

Spotlight in Stereo – International Women’s Day

Spotlight in Stereo – International Women’s Day

Happy International Women’s Day! Today, just like many others, our office stereo will be blasting some of the best, boldest and most empowering female anthems.

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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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