THIS WEEK IN ROCK

November 24, 2019

Wham! hit number one (again), Elvis hits the big screen (again) Billy Joel hits the top of the US charts (for the very first time) and more. It’s This Week In Rock’.

#OnThisDay November 18, 1978
Billy Joel hits the top of the US album charts for the first time with his sixth LP, ‘52nd Street’. Did you know that it was later the first commercial album to be released on CD?

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#OnThisDay November 19, 1965
Many happy returns to Spiritualized mainman and pioneer of modern day psychedelia Jason Pierce. Did you know that their acclaimed 2001 album, ‘Let It Come Down’, featured around 100 additional musicians and singers playing the orchestral parts?

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#OnThisDay November 20, 1976
Paul Simon hosts the popular comedy show ‘Saturday Night Live’ where he performs an incredible rendition of ‘Homeward Bound’ with none other than George Harrison. Luxuriate in its loveliness here…

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#OnThisDay November 21, 1994
Following a five year hiatus, The Stone Roses are back in action with the release of ‘Love Spreads’, the lead single from their not-so-modestly titled album, ‘The Second Coming’.

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#OnThisDay November 22, 1960
Elvis Presley’s sixth movie, ‘GI Blues’, is released. Did you know that some of the pre-production exterior shots were filmed in Germany before The King’s release from the US Army where he was serving?

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#OnThisDay November 23, 1980
Hall and Oates crack the UK Top 40 for the first time when ‘Kiss On My Lips’ enters at No. 33. Did you that this video was played on MTV’s first day of broadcast?

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#OnThisDay November 24, 1985
Wham! continue their unstoppable rise as ‘I’m Your Man’ becomes their third UK No. 1 single. Did you know that the video was filmed in the legendary though sadly defunct Marquee Club in London’s Soho?

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#billy-joel #elvis #hall-oates #stone-roses #wham

George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ hits 1 Billion Streams on Spotify!

George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ has just joined the Spotify #BillionsClub!

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

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.

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.

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!

‘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’.

Let Whamageddon Commence!

Let Whamageddon commence! Are you playing?

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.

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!