David Essex facts: Singer's age, wife, children, songs and career revealed  - Smooth

About the Song

Ah, “Rock On”! A true anthem of the 70s, and a track that still resonates with a certain raw energy today. When you think of David Essex, you might immediately picture him crooning ballads like “Hold Me Close,” but this track, “Rock On,” throws a delightful curveball. It showcases a different facet of his musical persona, a grittier, more rebellious side. Released in 1973, this wasn’t just a hit; it was a phenomenon, solidifying Essex’s status as a bona fide rock star.

David Essex wasn’t just a pretty face; he had genuine musical talent, and “Rock On” is a testament to that. It’s not your typical bubblegum pop; it’s got a real driving force, a swagger that’s infectious. The song, penned by Essex himself, has a surprisingly dark and mysterious undercurrent. The lyrics, with their cryptic imagery and hints of danger, create a sense of intrigue. What exactly is going on? The beauty of the song lies in its ambiguity; it leaves the listener to fill in the blanks, creating their own narrative.

The production on “Rock On” is also worth noting. It’s got that classic 70s rock sound – raw, unpolished, and full of energy. The driving rhythm section, the gritty guitars, and Essex’s distinctive vocals all come together to create a sonic experience that’s both thrilling and captivating. It’s a sound that instantly transports you back to a time of big hair, platform shoes, and a burgeoning rock and roll scene.

What makes “Rock On” so enduring is its timeless quality. It’s not just a relic of the 70s; it still sounds fresh and relevant today. The energy is palpable, the lyrics are intriguing, and the overall vibe is just plain cool. It’s a song that you can crank up on the car stereo and instantly feel like you’re cruising down a sun-drenched highway, wind in your hair, without a care in the world. It’s a reminder of the power of rock and roll to liberate, to energize, and to simply make you feel good. So, turn it up, let the raw energy of “Rock On” wash over you, and rediscover why David Essex was, and is, a true rock icon.Rock On! 7Ts Reissues David Essex's First Three Albums - The Second Disc

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Lyrics: Rock On

Ooh

Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on
Ooh, my soul
Hey kid, boogie, too, did ya?
Hey, shout, summertime blues
Jump up and down in my blue suede shoes
Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on

And where do we go from here?
Which is a way that’s clear?
Still looking for that blue jean baby queen
Prettiest girl I’ve ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean
(James Dean)

And where do we go from here?
Which is the way that’s clear?
Still looking for that blue jean baby queen
Prettiest girl I ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean
Jimmy Dean

Rock on
Rock on
Rock on
Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on
Rock on
Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on
Rock on
Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on
Rock on
Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on
Rock on
Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on
Rock on
Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on
Rock on
Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on
Rock on
Hey, kid, rock ‘n’ roll, rock on

You Missed

MINNIE PEARL WALKED ONSTAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY FOR 50 YEARS WITH A $1.98 PRICE TAG ON HER HAT — AND THEN ONE NIGHT, SHE JUST COULDN’T ANYMORE. Here’s something most people don’t think about with Minnie Pearl. That price tag hanging off her straw hat? It wasn’t random. Sarah Cannon — that was her real name — created it as a joke about a country girl too proud of her new hat to take the tag off. And audiences loved it so much that it became the most recognizable prop in country music history. For over fifty years, that tag meant Minnie was here, and everything was going to be fun. So imagine what it felt like when she couldn’t put the hat on anymore. In June 1991, Sarah had a massive stroke. She was 79. And just like that, the woman who hadn’t missed an Opry show in decades was gone from the stage. But here’s what gets me. She didn’t die in 1991. She lived another five years after that stroke, mostly out of the public eye, unable to perform, unable to be “Minnie” the way she’d always been. Her husband Henry Cannon took care of her at their Nashville home. Friends visited, but they said it was hard. The woman who made millions of people laugh couldn’t get through a full conversation some days. Roy Acuff, her old friend from the Opry, kept her dressing room exactly the way she left it. Nobody used it. The hat sat there. She passed on March 4, 1996. And what most people remember is the comedy. The “HOW-DEEE” catchphrase. The big goofy grin. What they don’t remember is that Sarah Cannon was also a serious fundraiser for cancer research. Centennial Medical Center in Nashville named their cancer center after her — not after Minnie, after Sarah. She raised millions and rarely talked about it publicly. There’s a story about the very last time Sarah tried to put on the hat at home, months after the stroke, and what her husband said to her in that moment — it’s the kind of detail that makes you see fifty years of comedy completely differently. Roy Acuff kept Minnie Pearl’s dressing room untouched for years after she left — was that loyalty to a friend, or was he holding a door open for someone he knew was never coming back?