Jul 26, 20211 min read

Rock On - David Essex (1974) 7/26/21

The 1973 film, "That'll Be the Day," was a British "coming of age film starring actor/musician David Essex.

David asked the film's producers if he could write the closing theme song, and they told him to give it a shot. Using his bass guitar, he wrote an odd little tune that paid tribute to the '50s, mentioning the songs "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Summertime Blues," as well as actor James Dean.

The producers rejected it...and that turned out to be a BIG mistake, because "Rock On" became a "Great Song of the '70s!"

CBS Records thought the song might be a hit, so they signed David to a contract and released it as a single. The result: #1 in Canada, #3 in the UK and #5 in the US. Obviously, they were right.

Unfortunately, David became a one-hit wonder...but ironically, "Rock On" became a hit twice more!

In 1989, soap opera star Michael Damian ("The Young & The Restless) released a cover version that topped David's by going to #1 in both Canada AND the US!

And then, in 2006, Def Leppard spent 18 weeks on Billboard's Hard Rock Chart with THEIR cover--which peaked at #18.

Interestingly, all 3 versions are still being played on the radio today--with both David's original and Michael's cover appearing on oldies stations, and Def Leppard's version heard on classic rock stations.

That's unusual to say the least...but it's certainly proof that "Rock On" is a "Great Song of the '70s, '80s, and aughts!"

David Essex (1974):