“I Don’t Like Mondays” by “The Boomtown Rats” hit number 1 in the UK this week in 1979 for the first of four weeks. At a basic level, this song is often heard as lamenting the beginning of the working week. Some radio stations even play it every Monday at a certain time. However, the actual subject matter of the song is a real-life school shooting.
According to lead singer Bob Geldof, he wrote the song after reading about the shooting spree by 16-year-old Brenda Ann Spencer, who fired at children in a school playground at Grover Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, California, on 29 January 1979, killing two adults and injuring eight children and one police officer. Spencer showed no remorse for her crime; her explanation for her actions was “I don’t like Mondays. This livens up the day.”
Spencer’s family tried to prevent the single from being released in the United States, but were unsuccessful. Geldof had originally intended the song as a B-side, but changed his mind after the song was well received by audiences on the Boomtown Rats’ US tour.
“I Don’t Like Mondays” was a number 1 in 32 Countries!
On July 25, 1980, AC/DC released “Back In Black,” their first album without the late Bon Scott as the lead singer. This album served as a heartfelt tribute to Scott, who tragically passed away five months prior due to alcohol poisoning after a drinking binge. Rather than disbanding, the remaining members of the band made the bold decision to carry on and enlisted Brian Johnson, formerly the vocalist for “Geordie.”
“Back In Black” went on to achieve unprecedented success both commercially and critically, cementing its position as one of the best-selling albums in the history of music. Sales estimates from around the world consistently place it second only to Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller.”
After Back in Black was released, AC/DC’s previous records “Highway to Hell,” “If You Want Blood You’ve Got It,” and “Let There Be Rock” all re-entered the British charts, which made them the first band since “The Beatles” to have four albums in the British Top 100 simultaneously.
This week in 1984 “Two Tribes” by “Frankie Goes To Hollywood” was in the middle of a nine week stretch at number one in the UK. It would become the longest running number-one single in the UK of the 80’s. The song’s title derives from the line “two mighty warrior tribes went to war” from the movie Mad Max 2.
“Two Tribes” was released as an anti-war single during a tumultuous period characterized by the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies. In this context of heightened global apprehensions about nuclear warfare, the song struck a chord with listeners, resonating the collective fears and concerns of the time. Accordingly the song was a hit in many other countries as well and also topped the charts in Belgium, Greece, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand and West-Germany.
That’s the title of the latest single by Dutch band DI-RECT. With roots dating back to 1999 in “Den Haag” (The Hague), a city famed for its vibrant music scene, DI-RECT followed in the footsteps of illustrious predecessors such as “Shocking Blue,” “Earth & Fire,” and “Golden Earring.”
According to DI-RECT, their new single is a song about self-discovery . “Keeping the faith is what it’s all about. No matter how scared you may be along the way, life is a wave that carries you to your destination“.
“OMG It’s Happening” by “DI-RECT is new this week on RadiJohan.
With a career spanning decades and a list of contributions to over 1500 albums, Steve Lukather is a renowned figure in the global rock world. As a founding member and guitarist of the iconic band “Toto,” Lukather has left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Lukather has recently released his ninth solo album, aptly titled “Bridges,” which serves as a bridge between his solo work and Toto’s music. With the album featuring appearances and contributions from both past and present members of Toto, and Lukather recently proclaiming Toto “will never record another studio album”, this may be as close to the real thing as it gets.
One standout track from “Bridges” is the emotionally charged “All Forevers Must End.” Reminiscent of Lukather’s iconic ballads with Toto, this breakup song showcases his immense talent and ability to evoke deep emotions. With its relatable lyrics and Toto-esque melody, “All Forevers Must End” could easily find a place among Toto’s greatest hits.
“All Forevers Must End” by Steve Lukather is new this week on RadiJohan.
Formed in 1985 in Sundsvall, Swedish rock band “Roulette” quickly gained popularity in their hometown. With a handful of hits on local radio stations and performances at pubs and festivals across Sweden, the band enjoyed success in their early years. However, a lack of promotional support resulted in a bumpy ride, ultimately leading to a hiatus.
In 2008, Roulette released a “best of” album titled “Better Late Than Never.” More than a decade later the band made a triumphant return with their album “Now!” which received positive reviews.
Earlier this year, Roulette Rocked RadiJohan with “Ready For Friday Night,” reaching the top spot on the RadiJohan Top 10 in February.
Now, in the midst of a scorching European summer, Roulette have unveiled their latest creation, “Summer Day.” This brand-new anthem celebrates the warmth and carefree attitude that accompanies the season and is bound to leave a lasting impression as it hits the “airwaves,” bringing a much needed dose of summer spirit to fans across the globe.
“Summer Day” by Roulette is new this week on RadiJohan.
On July 18, 1966, the music world was shocked by the untimely death of Bobby Fuller, frontman of The Bobby Fuller Four. Bobby was found dead in a car parked outside his Hollywood apartment. The circumstances surrounding the 23-year-old singer’s death have remained shrouded in mystery for decades. Was it a murder, suicide, or a tragic accident? While authorities stated that asphyxia due to gasoline inhalation was the official cause of death, persistent speculation and lingering doubts leave some convinced that Bobby Fuller met a more sinister fate.
Bobby Fuller’s death occurred within months of “I Fought the Law” reaching the top 10 in the USA and becoming The Bobby Fuller Four’s biggest hit.