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THIS WEEK IN ROCK

March 8, 2020

A week of lyrical landmarks, timeless trivia and record-breaking record releases, it’s This Week In Rock…

#OnThisDay March 2, 1991
The Clash re-issue their 1982 single, ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’, after it gets used in a jeans commercial. It gives the band their first and only UK No. 1 single.

#OnThisDay March 3, 1960
With his national service finished, Elvis Presley sets foot in the UK for the first and only time when his flight home from Germany lands in Prestwick Airport on Ayrshire, Scotland. Though he was met by some 200 fans, he didn’t perform.

Did you know that ‘Love Is In The Air’ by John Paul Young was written by Harry Vanda and George Young? The pair started their career in 60s Aussie band The Easybeats before turning their hand to songwriting and production. In addition to producing all of AC/DC’s albums up to and including 1978’s ‘Powerage’, they also scored hits of their own as Flash And The Pan, including the UK No. 7 single, ‘Waiting On A Train’.

#OnThisDay March 5, 2007
Paul Simon’s 1986 album, ‘Graceland’, is chosen for preservation by the US Library Of Congress. The album is added to the National Recordings Registry, which preserves historic works to be enjoyed by future generations.

#OnThisDay March 6, 1991
George Michael plays the first night of four – count ‘em – sold out dates at the Tokyo Dome in Japan during his ‘Cover To Cover’ world tour.

#OnThisDay March 7, 1976
Tina Charles is sitting pretty for the second week at the top of the UK singles charts with the utterly infectious disco smash, ‘I Love To Love (But My Baby Loves To Dance)’. An international hit, it went also went to No. 1 in Ireland, and No. 2 in France, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.

#OnThisDay March 8, 1970
Elvis Presley climbs seven places and reaches No. 11 in the UK charts with ‘Don’t Cry Daddy’. One of the King’s most emotional performances, it goes on to peak at No. 8. Back home in the US, the single reaches No. 6.

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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If I Can Dream (’68 Comeback Special)

Elvis Presley