Classic hits, seminal singles, infectious smashes and idiosyncratic sensations. This week in rock history as it happened…

#OnThisDay July 22, 1989
A top 5 hit in the UK, Martika’s ‘Toy Soldiers’ begins a two-week residency at the top of the US charts. A global hit, it also went Top 5 in Ireland, Germany and Australia as well topping the charts in New Zealand.

#OnThisDay July 23, 2007
Taken from their eighth studio album, ‘Send Away The Tigers’, Manic Street Preachers release ‘Autumn Song’, which peaks at No. 10 in the UK singles charts. In so doing, it marks 11 years in which every single release – excluding limited editions – by the band has gone Top 20.

#OnThisDay July 24, 1983

Paul Young is at No. 1 for the second week running with his idiosyncratic cover of ‘Wherever I Lay My Hat’. Did you know that it was his third single, but the first to chart?

#OnThisDay July 25, 1960
Having been turned down by both Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison’s ‘Only The Lonely’ peaks at No. 2 in the US singles charts. It goes one step further in the UK charts to reach pole position.

#OnThisDay July 26, 1980
Patrick Hernandez’s utterly infectious ‘Born To Be Alive’ is a non-mover at No. 13 after spending seven weeks in the UK charts. Sounding every bit as good now as it did then, this is the perfect way to kick start your weekend!

#OnThisDay July 27, 1974
John Denver reaches the top of the US singles charts for a two-week stay with ‘Annie’s Song’, which goes on to hit No.1 in the UK. Did you know that John Denver wrote the song in 10 minutes while on a ski lift in tribute to his wife?

#OnThisDay July 28, 1974:
The first stirrings of the disco era are felt as The Hues Corporation enter the UK Top 20 singles charts at No. 15 with the influential ‘Rock The Boat’. Peaking at No. 6, it goes on to No. 1 in the US and becomes what it is arguably the first disco chart topper. Did you know that the group got its break when they played themselves in the 1972 blaxploitation flick, ‘Blacula’?