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THIS WEEK IN ROCK

August 18, 2019

Ozzy in the USSR, The Clash’s live London debut, many happy returns to David Crosby, the legendary Woodstock festival and more. It’s the week in rock as it happened…

#OnThisDay August 12, 1989
Ozzy Osbourne is among the acts to play the two-day Moscow Music Peace Festival at the Lenin Stadium in the Russian capital. Did you know that it was the first time that an audience was allowed to stand up and dance at rock gig in the former Soviet Union?

#OnThisDay August 13, 1976
The Clash make their London debut at a private, invite-only gig at Rehearsal Rehearsals in Camden, north London. The band are still a five-piece at this point and feature Keith Levine on guitar.

#OnThisDay August 14, 1941
Happy birthday to the incredible David Crosby. As a founder member of The Byrds, he helped revolutionise popular music with their distinctive and progressive blend of folk and rock music. And they still sound ahead of the curve today.

#OnThisDay August 15, 1993
Billy Joel enters the UK Top 5 at No. 4 with ‘River Of Dreams’, his biggest hit of the 90s. Did you know that his then-wife Christie Brinkley painted the cover of the album of the same name?

#OnThisDay August 16, 1969
Billed as “An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days Of Peace & Music”, the second day of Woodstock – arguably the most famous festival ever – is in full swing. Janis Joplin takes the stage at 3am and is followed 90 minutes later by Sly & The Family Stone. Also appearing that day are Santana, while Saturday’s music is brought to a close by Jefferson Airplane who finally take the stage at 8am on Sunday morning.

#OnThisDay August 17, 1959
Widely regarded as the greatest jazz album of all time, Miles Davis releases the incredible ‘Kind Of Blue’. Beloved of aficionados, the album also serves as an excellent entry point for the novice. A towering achievement of 20th century music, it was one of the first 50 albums to be added to the National Recording Registry in the US. Check out this live footage of opening track ‘So What’ and luxuriate in its magnificence.

#OnThisDay August 18, 1990
Do summer vibes come as loved up as this? Primal Scream continue their metamorphosis from leather-clad rock pigs to dance floor emperors with the utterly groovetastic ‘Come Together’.

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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The Clash – ‘Combat Rock/The People’s Hall’ Special Edition Album

The Clash – ‘Combat Rock/The People’s Hall’ Special Edition Album

Originally released in May 1982, ‘Combat Rock’ is the biggest and highest charting final album from The Clash and features two of the band’s most popular songs ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’ and ‘Rock The Casbah’.

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Video of the Week: Westlife ‘Uptown Girl’

Video of the Week: Westlife ‘Uptown Girl’

This Week on the Official UK Chart: 25 October

This Week on the Official UK Chart: 25 October

Primal Scream release ‘Demodelica’

Primal Scream release ‘Demodelica’

Primal Scream complete a retrospective campaign celebrating the 30th anniversary of their classic 1991 album ‘Screamadelica’ with the release of ‘Demodelica’.

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Album of The Month: Primal Scream Screamadelica

Album of The Month: Primal Scream Screamadelica

Our Album of The Month for September is ‘Screamadelica’, the third studio album from Primal Scream.

 

 

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Uptown Girl

Billy Joel

London Calling

The Clash

30 years of Primal Scream’s album Screamadelica!

30 years of Primal Scream’s album Screamadelica!

Primal Scream announce 30th Anniversary ‘Screamadelica’ 12″ singles boxset and picture disc.

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Bobby Gillespie & Jehnny Beth share second collab single ‘Chase It Down’

Bobby Gillespie & Jehnny Beth share second collab single ‘Chase It Down’

Bobby Gillespie & Jehnny Beth

Bobby Gillespie and Jehnny Beth have shared their second collaborative single together, ‘Chase It Down’, along with its official video.

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