THIS WEEK IN ROCK
June 30, 2019
Chart breakthroughs, birthdays and the greatest comeback in history. We look back at this week in rock – #OnThisDay
#OnThisDay June 24, 1984
Alison Moyet’s debut solo single, ‘Love Resurrection’, enters the UK Top 30 at No. 28, and is the first single to be lifted from her album, ‘Alf’. Did you know that two versions of the music were made? One was shot especially for the US, but here’s the first one that was made for worldwide release.
#OnThisDay June 25, 2004
Spiritualized headline The New Tent at the Glastonbury Festival with a 12-song set that includes selections from their then-current album ‘Amazing Grace’ as well as this haunting reading of ‘Broken Heart’, that originally appeared on 1997’s ‘Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space’.
#OnThisDay June 26, 1999
Manic Street Preachers headline the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival. The band enters a war of words with Billy Bragg after the he berates them for bringing their own Portlaloo for the own personal use. Playing T In The Park a few months later, Nicky Wire retaliated saying: “I wouldn’t let him piss in my toilet for all the money in the world.”
#OnThisDay June 27, 1968
Elvis Presley begins filming what becomes known as the ’68 Comeback Special’. The show is later aired on NBC on December 3. Did you know that it was watched by an incredible 42% to the total TV audience in the US, this making it the most watched show of the holiday season?
#OnThisDay June 28, 1986
Wham! are at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their fourth and final UK No.1, ‘The Edge Of Heaven’. On this same day, Wham! play their farewell concert in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, London. Tell us about it if you were there!
#OnThisDay June 29, 1968: Small Faces begin a six-week residency at the top of the UK album charts with their concept album, ‘Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake’. Side 2 of the album featured the narration of Stanley Unwin, famed for his gobbledegook “Unwinese” language.
#OnThisDay June 30, 1949
A happy 70th birthday to The Sweet’s guitar slinger Andy Scott. The band scored a UK No. 1 single with ‘Blockbuster’ plus 14 other Top 40 singles including the stack-heeled stomping ‘Teenage Rampage’. Turn this one right up!
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 – Motivational Special!
It’s the middle of January and the vibes are low. But don’t despair – here in the Spotlight office we’ve been cranking up the stereo and endorphins with these big hits that’ll get you through to Feb. It’s all daffodils from here.
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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!
Spotlight in Stereo – The Office Christmas Party!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so make sure you’re accompanying your festive spirit with some gift-wrapped classics and press play on these Spotlight Stereo Christmas gifts!
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‘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 week – a chart first for ‘Last Christmas’.
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Let Whamageddon Commence!
Let Whamageddon commence! Are you playing?
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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!
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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