John Williams

American film composer, born in Los Angeles, CA in 1932. Williams is principally known for his work on a series of Steven Spielberg films, as well as the famous theme to Star Wars. He is renowned for sweeping orchestral scores.

1978 - 7" - Superman Theme
Warner Brothers K17292
Tracklisting:
1. Superman Theme (edit)
2. Love Theme From Superman
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1981 - 7" - Superman Main Title March
Warner Brother K17778
Tracklisting:
1. Main Title March
2. Lex Escapes / Lex And Miss Teschmacher To Fortress
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1982 - LP - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
MCA MCFP3160
Tracklisting:
1. Three Million Light Years From Earth
2. Abandoned And Pursued
3. E.T. And Me
4. E.T.'s Halloween
5. Flying
6. E.T. Phone Home
7. Over The Moon
8. Adventure On Earth
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Wendy O Williams

American singer with an outrageous image, born in Webster, NY in 1948. She was lead singer of theatrical punk band The Plasmatics, and her subsequent solo albums used a heavy rock template. She committed suicide in 1998.

1984 - Album - W.O.W.
Music For Nations MFN24
Tracklisting:
1. I Love Sex (And Rock 'n' Roll)
2. It's My Life
3. Priestess
4. Thief In The Night
5. Opus in Cm7
6. Ready To Rock
7. Bump 'N' Grind
8. Legends Never Die
9. Ain't None Of Your Business
No Image Available

Bruce Willis

German-born American screen actor, born in Idar-Oberstein in 1955. Following his TV success in the series Moonlighting, Willis was allowed to indulge his passion for vintage soul with a Motown contract. The resulting album was a lovingly-produced pastiche of 60s styles. However, a burgeoning movie career (including films like Die Hard, Pulp Fiction and Twelve Monkeys) soon ended his singing exploits.

1987 - 12" - Secret Agent Man
Motown ZT41438P
Tracklisting:
1. Secret Agent Man
2. Lose Myself
3. Under The Boardwalk (instrumental)
No image available

Jackie Wilson

Early American R'n'B/soul star, born in Detroit, MI in 1934. His greatest successes came in the 50s and 60s, and he was left comatose by a heart attack on stage in 1975, eventually dying in hospital in 1984.

1988 - Square 7" - Reet Petite
SMP SKMP3
Tracklisting:
1. Reet Petite
2. You Brought About A Change In Me
3. I'm The One To Do It
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Note: This record contains vintage recordings from the 1950s. The title track was promoted with an innovative claymation video, a still from which features on the picture disc.

Witchfinder General

English heavy metal group from Stourbridge, West Midlands, who played doomy Black Sabbath-influenced rock. Their line-up included Zeeb Parkes (vocals), Phil Cope (guitar), Rod Hawkes (bass), and Dermot Redmond (drums).

1982 - LP - Death Penalty
Heavy Metal International HMRDP8
Tracklisting:
1. Invisible Hate
2. Free Country
3. Death Penalty
4. No Stayer
5. Witchfinder General
6. Burning A Sinner
7. RIP
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1983 - LP - Friends Of Hell
Heavy Metal International HMRDP13
Tracklisting:
1. Love On Smack
2. Last Chance
3. Music
4. Friends Of Hell
5. Requiem For Youth
6. Shadowed Images
7. I Lost You
8. Quietus Reprise
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Witchfynde

English heavy metal band from Mansfield, Notts, whose style included Venom-style references to Satanism. The original line-up included Steve Bridges (vocals), Montalo (guitar), Andro Coulton (bass) and Gra Scoresby (drums).

1983 - LP - Cloak And Dagger
Expulsion PEXIT5
Tracklisting:
1. The Devil's Playground
2. Crystal Gazing
3. I'd Rather Go Wild
4. Somewhere To Hide
5. Cloak And Dagger
6. Cry Wolf
7. Start Counting
8. Living For Memories
9. Rock 'n' Roll
10. Stay Away
11. Fra Diabolo
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Wolfmother

Australian hard rock group from Sydney, whose unashamedly retro sound recalls 70s behemoths like Led Zeppelin. Their line-up comprises Andrew Stockdale (guitar/vocals), Chris Ross (bass/keyboards) and Myles Heskett (drums).

2006 - 7" - Woman
Island IS933
Tracklisting:
1. Woman
2. Woman (Avalanches Remix)
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2006 - 7" - Love Train
Island 177876
Tracklisting:
1. Love Train
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Wolfsbane

English heavy metal band, formed in Tamworth, West Midlands, whose gritty sound was a contrast to the 'hair metal' stylings of their era. Their line-up comprised Blaze Bayley (vocals), Jason Edwards (guitar), Jeff Hateley (bass), and Steve Ellett (drums). Following the band's split Bayley became vocalist for Iron Maiden in 1994.

1989 - 12" - Shakin'
Def American DEFAP212
Tracklisting unavailable
Image unavailable

World Of Twist

Inventive English alternative rock band, formed in Sheffield in 1985. The band were subsequently based in Manchester, and their line-up included Tony Ogden (vocals), Gordon King (guitar), Andy Hobson (keyboards), Alan Frost (keyboards) and Nick Sanderson (drums). Their mix of retro synth sounds and melodramatic songs excited critics but only achieved modest success. The band released only one LP before splitting in 1992. Ogden died in 2006.

1991 - 12" - Sons Of The Stage
Circa YRTP 62
Tracklisting:
1. Sons Of The Stage (7" Version)
2. Sons Of The Stage (12" Version)
3. Life And Death (Remix)
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Worlds Apart

English boy band, manufactured in the mould of Take That. After minor success in the UK and numerous line-up changes, the band became unlikely stars in France with a four-piece line-up that included Nathan Moore, formerly of Brother Beyond.

1993 - Shaped 7" - Worlds Apart
Arista 74321153847
Tracklisting:
1. Wonderful World
2. Dance With Me
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Wrathchild

English heavy metal group from Evesham, Worcs, whose line-up included Rocky Shades (vocals), Phil Vokins (guitar), Marc Angel (bass) and Brian Parry (drums). Although lumped in with the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal', their glam-rock-influenced image was adopted later by US bands such as WASP and Twisted Sister. However, their career was held back by record company politics, and the band split in 1989.

1982 - 7" - Do Ya Want My Love
Bullet PBOL 5
Tracklisting:
1. Do Ya Want My Love
2. Twist Of The Knife
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1984 - LP - Stakk Attakk
Heavy Metal International HMRDP 18
Tracklisting Unavailable
Image Unavailable

Steve Wright

English radio DJ, born in London in 1954. His afternoon show on BBC Radio One pioneered the American 'zoo radio' format on the British airwaves with comedy slots and a regular 'posse' of contributors. The single arose from characters created in this show. Wright today hosts a regular slot on Radio Two.

1984 - Shaped 7" - The Gay Cavialeros
MCA MCAP 925
Tracklisting:
1. The Gay Cavialeros
2. Shut Up
No image available

The Wurzels

English folk/comedy group, originally formed in Somerset during the 1960s by folk singer Adge Cutler. Following Cutler's death in 1974, the band scored novelty hits with parodies of popular songs performed in heavy West Country accents. Key members include Pete Budd (vocals/banjo), Tommy Banner (accordian) and Reg Quantrill (guitar/banjo).

1995 - Shaped 7" - I Want To Be An Eddie Stobart Driver
Loose WURZELP1
Tracklisting:
1. I Want To Be An Eddie Stobart Driver
2. You Can't Kid A Kidder
No image available

Bill Wyman

English vocalist, born in 1936 in London, whose main claim to fame is playing bass guitar in The Rolling Stones from 1962 to 1993. He has occasionally recorded solo albums of quirky pop as a sideline.

1982 - LP - Bill Wyman
A&M AMLH68540
Tracklisting:
1. Ride On Baby
2. A New Fashion
3. Nuclear Reactions
4. Visions
5. Jump Up
6. Come Back Suzanne
7. Rio De Janeiro
8. Girls
9. Seventeen
10. Si Si Je Suis Un Rock Star
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XTC

Idiosyncratic English band, formed in Swindon, Wiltshire in 1976, whose output has ranged from jerky post-punk experimentalism to bucolic folk-rock songcraft. The only all-present members are Andy Partridge (vocals/guitar) and Colin Moulding (vocals/bass); each writes and sings songs separately. Other members have included Barry Andrews (later of Shriekback, keyboards), Dave Gregory (guitar) and Terry Chambers (drums). Regarded as one of the most quintessentially English of groups, the band has, bizarrely, often sold more records in the USA.

1983 - 7" - Wonderland
Virgin VSY606
Tracklisting:
1. Wonderland
2. Jump
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Y&T

American hard rock group, formed in San Francisco, CA in 1975. The line-up comprised Dave Meniketti (vocals/guitar), Joey Alves (guitar), Phil Kennemore (bass) and Leonard Haze (drums). The band perservered for two decades with little commercial success until finally splitting in 1997.

1983 - Shaped 7" - Mean Streak
A&M AMP135
Tracklisting:
1. Mean Streak
2. Straight Thru' The Heart
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Yazz

English pop-dance female vocalist, born in London in 1960. After featuring on Coldcut's club hit 'Doctorin' The House', she launched a briefly successful solo career.

1988 - LP - Wanted
Big Life YAZZLP1P
Tracklisting:
1. The Only Way Is Up
2. Where Has All The Love Gone
3. Got To Share
4. Fine Time
5. Stand Up For Your Love Rights
6. Wanted On The Floor
7. Something Special
8. Systematic People
9. Turn It Up
No image available

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

American garage-rock trio, who formed in New York, NY in 2000. This energetic bass-free group comprise Karen O (vocals), Nicolas Zinner (guitar) and Brian Chase (drums).

2003 - LP - Fever To Tell
Polydor 760611
Tracklisting:
1. Rich
2. Date With The Night
3. Man
4. Tick
5. Black Tongue
6. Pin
7. Cold Light
8. No No No
9. Maps
10. Y Control
11. Modern Romance
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2006 - 7" - Gold Lion
Fiction 9877352
Tracklisting:
1. Gold Lion
2. Let Me Know [demo]
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2006 - Shaped 5" - Cheated Hearts
Fiction 1706875
Tracklisting:
1. Cheated Hearts [radio edit]
2. Cheated Hearts [remix by Peaches]
The disc was packaged with a free tattoo transfer.
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Yello

Swiss synthpop duo, who formed in Zurich in 1979. Comprising vocalist Dieter Meier (a conceptual artist) and composer/programmer Boris Blank, the duo specialise in created icy, cinematic soundscapes laced with wry humour.

1983 - 7" - I Love You
Stiff PBUY176
Tracklisting:
1. I Love You
This one-sided disc featured a 3-D design, and included a free pair of 3-D glasses.
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Yes

Legendary English prog rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968. They helped create the prog genre, with their long meandering songs, expansive musical passages and pretentious lyrics. Mostly, they've kept the same style, although an early-80s liaison with producer Trevor Horn led to a briefly successful electro-rock direction. The line-up has seen several changes; key members include Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris White (bass), Rick Wakeman (keyboards) and Bill Bruford (drums). Many of the members have had solo careers; Howe was also a member of 80s prog rock supergroup Asia, while Wakeman's skill as a raconteur have led to several TV appearances.

1983 - Oval 7" - Owner Of A Lonely Heart
Atco B9817P
Tracklisting:
1. Owner Of A Lonely Heart
2. Our Song
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Yip Yip Coyote

English band, part of London's briefly voguish 'cowpunk' scene, which mixed country with new wave rock. Their line-up comprised Fifi Coyote (vocals), Carl Evans (guitar), Eg White (bass) and Volker Von Hoff (drums).

1984 - Shaped 7" - Dream Of The West
IRS YIPP 1
Tracklisting:
1. Dream Of The West
2. The Law
No image available

Paul Young

English blue-eyed soul singer from Luton, born in 1956. Previously a member of Streetband and The Q-Tips, Young's polished vocals have graced a surprisingly wide range of cover versions.

1983 - Shaped 7" - Wherever I Lay My Hat
CBS WA3371
Tracklisting:
1. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)
2. Broken Man
Track 1 is a cover of a b-side by Marvin Gaye
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1983 - 7" - Love Of The Common People
CBS WA3585
Tracklisting:
1. Love Of The Common People
2. Behind Your Smile [live]
Track 1 was originally recorded by The Four Preps
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1984 - Shaped 7" - I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down
CBS WA4786
Tracklisting:
1. I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down
2. One Step Forward
Track 1 was originally recorded by Ann Peebles
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Frank Zappa

Experimental American guitarist/singer/songwriter, born 1940 in Baltimore, MD. Working in a heavy rock style, but with classical influences, Zappa employed satirical and (to his detractors) pornographic lyrical themes in his music. He died of cancer in 1993.

1981 - 12" - You Are What It Is
CBS A11-1622
Tracklisting:
1. You Are What It Is
2. Pink Napkins
3. Harder Than Your Husband
4. Soup 'n Old Clothes
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Rob Zombie

American heavy metal singer, born in 1966 in Haverill, MA. Formerly lead singer of White Zombie, his songs are heavily influenced by schlocky horror films. Away from music, Zombie even directs films in this style, notably the cult hit House of 1000 Corpses.

1998 - 7" (two discs)- Dragula
Geffen GFS 22367 (disc one), GFX 22367 (disc two)
Disc one tracklisting:
1. Dragula
2. Dragula [Hot Rod Herman Remix]
Disc two tracklisting:
1. Dragula
2. Halloween (She Get So Mean)
The two discs were made available separately.
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The Zutons

English indie rock band from Liverpool, playing tuneful guitar and sax-driven pop songs. Band was formed in 2002 and comprises David McCabe (vocals/guitar), Boyan Chowdury (guitar), Russell Pritchard (bass), Abi Harding (saxophone) and Sean Payne (drums).

2004 - 7" - Confusion
Deltasonic DLT030
Tracklisting:
1. Confusion
2. You Will You Won't
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2006 - 7" - Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?
Deltasonic DLT046
Tracklisting:
1. Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?
2. Love's Little Lies
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ZZ Top

American rock trio from Houston, TX. They formed in 1970 playing rootsy boogie-rock, but became more commercially successful in the 80s by adding synthesizers to the mix and making flashy videos. Line-up consists of Billy Gibbons (guitar/vocals), Dusty Hill (bass) and Frank Beard (drums). Famously, Gibbons and Hill sport extremely long beards while the ironically-named Beard has a clean-shaven chin.

1983 - Shaped 7" - Gimme All Your Lovin'
Warrner Brothers W9693P
Tracklisting:
1. Gimme All Your Lovin'
2. If I Could Only Flag Her Down
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1985 - Album - Eliminator
Warner Brothers W3774P
Tracklisting:
1. Gimme All Your Lovin
2. Got Me Under Pressure
3. Sharp Dressed Man
4. I Need You Tonight
5. I Got The Six
6. Legs
7. Thug
8. TV Dinners
9. Dirty Dog
10. If I Could Only Flag Her Down
11. Bad Girl
This LP was originally released in 1983. The picture disc was released to coincide with the band's appearance at the Castle Donnington rock festival.
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1984 - Shaped 7" - Sleeping Bag
Warner Brothers W2001P (disc one), W2001DP (disc two)
Both discs, available separately, had the same tracklisting:
1. Sleeping Bag
2. Party On The Patio
Image (disc one)
Image (disc two)

1985 - Shaped 7" - Stages
Warner Brothers W2002BP
Tracklisting:
1. Stages
2. Hi Fi Mama
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1985 - Shaped 7" - Rough Boy
Warner Brothers W2003FP
Tracklisting:
1. Rough Boy
2. Delirious
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1990 - Shaped 7" - Give It Up
Warner Brothers W9509P
Tracklisting:
1. Give It Up
2. Sharp Dressed Man
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1991 - Shaped 7" - My Head's In Mississippi
Warner Brothers W0009P
Tracklisting:
1. My Head's In Mississippi
2. Fool For Your Stockings
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1992 - Shaped 7" - Viva Las Vegas
Warner Brothers W0098P
Tracklisting:
1. Viva Las Vegas
2. 2000 Blues
Track 1 is a cover of the Elvis Presley hit
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1994 - 12" - Breakaway
RCA 20677
Tracklisting:
1. Breakaway [edit]
2. Mary
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