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Vixen – Edge Of A Broken Heart (Marx/Waybill) b/w Charmed Life (Tripp/Paris)

1988 Limited Edition Cut-To-Shape Picture Disc

Now this little gem comes in a 12 inch sleeve and looks like a 12 inch record but the truth is it just isn’t.

As such it nearly missed the cut as far as 12@12 goes. But then we were never going to let the fact that this is an oversized seven incher deny our favourite girl band of the 80s another stab at rushonrock glory.

And now you’ve feasted your eyes on this neatly shaped vinyl set against a garish pink background we’re sure you’ll agree the small matter of five inches shouldn’t spoil our fun. This was the band’s first charting single on both sides of the Atlantic and the super smooth Richard Marx production and arrangement makes Edge Of A Broken Heart a true standard of the hair metal era. Read the rest of this entry »

There was a time when MTV was the place to go for your daily fix of the best rock videos around.

Bands like Whitesnake, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi sold millions of records on the back of heavy rotation 24/7.

And then there was the outstanding Headbanger’s Ball with its heady mix of video clips, live footage and interviews. Read the rest of this entry »

Just days after hitting our vinyl throwback 12@12, with the classic Come Back Baby single, the delightful Dan Reed called up rushonrock to give us the lowdown on life after fame, fortune, addiction – and a spell with Tibetan monks.

And with new album Coming Up For Air released earlier this week there’s never been a better time to catch up with the original funk rocker.

Out on tour across the UK for the next 10 days you’d be a fool to miss one of the finest musicians of a generation but in case you do here’s what Dan’s doing these days! Read the rest of this entry »

Dan Reed Network – Come Back Baby (Reed) b/w Come Alive (Reed) & Make It Easy (Reed)

1989

Dan Reed Network’s brand of easy listening funk rock really hit the mark as the MTV generation were hitting their stride and this mixed race multi-talented band delivered two outstanding records at the turn of the decade.

Their self-titled debut preceded Slam and both albums won widespread acclaim.

Support slots with Def Leppard, on the final leg of the Hysteria tour, Bon Jovi and the Rolling Stones reinforced DRN’s status as the musicians’ ban of choice in the late 80s/early 90s. But the onset of grunge and a lack of label support led to an indefinite hiatus in 1993. Read the rest of this entry »

FM – Only The Strong Survive (Goldsworthy/Jupp/Overland/Barnett) b/w Little Bit Of Love (Rodgers/Fraser/Kossoff/Kirke) & Primitive Touch (Overland)

1992

This self-penned tune from FM’s third major label album followed a cover version of Marvin Gaye’s I Heard It Through The Grapevine – the single which was expected to take FM to the next level.

In fact the song wasn’t a hit and the record on which it appeared, Takin’ It To The Streets appeared to lack the commercial appeal of predecessors Indiscreet and Tough It Out. Which is a shame as this track was one of several superb tracks penned by one of Britain’s best-loved melodic rock acts. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s time to cast our eyes over the week’s new releases and top of the list is the brand new two-CD Savatage retrospective

There’s a piece of ambitious electro rock from emerging crew North Atlantic Oscillation.

And there’s some good old fashioned rock and roll from AC/DC clones Big Ball.

Plus we check out the debut album from US singer/songwriter Kenni DeNile.  Read the rest of this entry »

The Mayfair Reunion returns next month and the North East’s favourite night of rock nostalgia looks better than ever thanks to Jon Bon Jovi and his mates.

Everyone who buys a ticket in advance for the Newcastle o2 Academy event on April 2 will be entered into a prize draw with a very special package up for grabs – tickets, travel and accommodation for Bon Jovi at London’s o2 Arena this summer. Read the rest of this entry »

Everywhere I go right now it’s Glee this and Glee that. Think High School Musical mixed with Grange Hill and you get the idea – it’s basically an American kids’ TV programme which has become a big hit worldwide. But what the f**k has that got to do with rock I hear you say?

Quite a lot, in fact. Just as Guitar Hero started turning a generation of Slash wannabes in the direction of classic rock Glee regularly revisits pop metal’s standards and gives them a refreshingly contemporary revamp. Read the rest of this entry »

Multi-million selling melodic rock masters Europe kick off their UK tour in Leeds tomorrow riding high on the back of Swedish chart topper Last Look At Eden.

rushonrock will be checking out Joey and co. when they stop off in Newcastle towards the end of what promises to be another sensational show.

But for now you can feast your eyes on a feature written by editor Simon Rushworth for the North East’s Journal newspaper. And thanks to Tina Korhonen for the sparkling new band shot. Read the rest of this entry »

Earlier this week the mighty Bon Jovi added a further two dates to their massive summer 2010 o2 Arena residency.

And while Jon and the boys may no longer be genuine rock heroes – preferring to ‘pop out’ many years ago – it’s exciting to think a real band with real musicians can still be such a huge draw. Read the rest of this entry »