David Essex: Rock On Album (1973)

A Glam-Pop Debut Triumph

David Essex’s Rock On LP, was released in the UK on November 2, 1973, on CBS Records (catalogue: S 65823). This 11-track debut studio album introduced Essex’s blend of glam rock, pop, and theatrical flair, featuring the iconic title track. Produced, arranged and conducted by Jeff Wayne, it showcased Essex’s charismatic vocals and songwriting, peaking at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart for 12 weeks. It launched Essex’s solo stardom after That’ll Be the Day.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: CBS Records (UK).

Formats: Vinyl LP, cassette.

℗ & ©: 1973 CBS Records. Recorded at Advision Studios, London, 1973. Matrix numbers (e.g., S 65823 A-1) confirm authenticity.

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

Rock On was released in the UK in 1973 as a vinyl LP and cassette, with CD reissues later. All formats maintain the same 11-track sequence:

Vinyl LP (Catalogue: S 65823):

Side A:

Lamplight (2:55, David Essex)

Turn Me Loose (2:20, Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman)

On And On (2:50, David Essex)

Streetfight (3:50, David Essex)

Rock On (3:24, David Essex)

Side B:

Ocean Girl (3:10, David Essex)

Bring In The Sun (4:35, David Essex/Jeff Wayne)

For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her (2:55, Paul Simon)

We All Insane (3:05, David Essex)

Tell Him No (4:00, Travis Pritchett)

September 15th (1:25, David Essex)

Musicians

David Essex – vocals

Julie Covington, Doreen Chanter, Irene Chanter, Jimmy Helms, Gary Osborne, Jimmy Thomas, Paul Vigrass, Billy Laurie, Tom Saffrey – backing vocals

Jeff Wayne, Alan Hawkshaw – Moog synthesizer

Mark Griffiths, Jo Partridge, Kirby Gregory – guitar

Herbie Flowers – bass guitar

Ray Cooper – percussion

Barry de Souza – drums

John Morton – Ondes Martinot

Technical

Gary Martin – engineer

Jeff Wayne – producer, arranger, conductor

London Weekend Television – photography

Chart (1973–1974) Peak position

Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 37

Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM) 24

UK Albums (OCC) 7

US Billboard 200 32

UK Variations:

Album 12" Vinyl Orange Labels

Label: CBS – S 65823, CBS – 65823

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

A1 Lamplight 2:56

A2 Turn Me Loose 2:18

A3 On And On 2:51

A4 Streetfight 3:50

A5 Rock On 3:24

B1 Ocean Girl 3:10

B2 Bring In The Sun 4:36

B3 For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her 2:56

B4 We All Insane 3:03

B5 Tell Him No 3:58

B6 September 15th 1:22

Published By – Jeff Wayne Music Ltd.

Published By – April Music Ltd.

Published By – Carlin Music Corp.

Published By – Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.

Published By – Pattern Music Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records

Copyright © – CBS Records

Printed By – Shorewood Packaging Co. Ltd.

Produced For – Jeff Wayne Music

Pressed By – CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton

Photography By [Cover] – London Weekend Television

Producer, Arranged By, Conductor – Jeff Wayne

Label: Orange with hole through centre CBS logo

Made In England

Sleeve: SHOREPAK by Shorewood Packaging co. Ltd, England.

Has the cat. # as 65823 on the spine and rear of the cover.

For matrix/runout var 4:

Orienting the "S 65823 A5" at 12 o'clock, the "C" is relative at 9 o'clock and the "1 6" at 3 o'clock (same for side 2). This is reminiscent of EMI or Decca pressings on which the mother number is at 9 o'clock and the stamper(s) at 3 o'clock, though the matrix is located in the 6 o'clock position for those EMI and Decca pressings.

Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout, stamped. Variant 1): S 65823 A5

Matrix / Runout (Side B Runout, stamped. Variant 1): S 65823 B5

Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout, stamped. Variant 2): S 65823 A1

Matrix / Runout (Side B Runout, stamped. Variant 2): S 65823 B5

Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout, stamped. Variant 3): S 65823 A1

Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout, stamped. Variant 3): S 65823 B1

Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout, stamped, Variant 4): S 65823 A5 C 1 6

Matrix / Runout (Side B Runout, stamped, Variant 4): S 65823 B5 D 1 7

Album 12" Vinyl Sunburst Labels

Label: CBS – S 65823, CBS – 65823

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Sunburst Labels

A1 Lamplight 2:56

A2 Turn Me Loose 2:18

A3 On And On 2:51

A4 Streetfight 3:50

A5 Rock On 3:24

B1 Ocean Girl 3:10

B2 Bring In The Sun 4:36

B3 For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her 2:56

B4 We All Insane 3:03

B5 Tell Him No 3:58

B6 September 15th 1:22

Published By – Jeff Wayne Music Ltd.

Published By – April Music Ltd.

Published By – Carlin Music Corp.

Published By – Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd.

Published By – Pattern Music Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records

Copyright © – CBS Records

Made By – Shorewood Packaging Co. Ltd.

Produced For – Jeff Wayne Music

Pressed By – CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton

Photography By [Cover] – London Weekend Television

Producer, Arranged By, Conductor – Jeff Wayne

Made In England

Sleeve: SHOREPAK by Shorewood Packaging co. Ltd, England.

Matrix / Runout (Runout, Side A): S 65823 A13E

Matrix / Runout (Runout, Side B): S 65823 B5

Tape Cassette

Label: CBS – 40-65823

Format: Cassette, Album

A1 Lamplight

A2 Turn Me Loose

A3 Tell Him No

A4 Streetfight

A5 Bring In The Sun

B1 Rock On

B2 Ocean Girl

B3 On And On

B4 For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her

B5 We All Insane

B6 September 15th

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records

Produced For – Jeff Wayne Music

Producer, Arranged By, Conductor – Jeff Wayne ℗ 1973

Do you have Rock On in your vinyl stack? Which track rocks your turntable? Share in the comments!

Sources

Discogs: Rock On (1973)

45cat: David Essex Singles

YouTube: Rock On Official Audio (2009 upload, 1M+ views)

Wikipedia: Rock On (David Essex album)

Official Charts Company: David Essex Albums

AllMusic: Rock On

Billboard Chart History: David Essex