Summer In Stereo #73

HERC first saw "Switchin' To Glide" on American Bandstand on January 17, 1981 when The Kings performed it on the show. (Rockpile also perfomed "Teacher, Teacher" that week.  He wrote about the show here.)  On Billboard's Hot 100 chart that week, the single was at #87 in its 22nd week on the chart and the following week it would check in at #99 before falling off.  Over on the WLS Weekly Survey, the single peaked at #9 on January 17th and would go on to spend another 9 weeks on their survey before failing to make their Top 45 on March 28, 1981.  For those of you who like your Summer songs to be released between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you'll be glad to know that "Switchin' To Glide" debuted on August 23, 1980.  The record company foolishly neglected to include "This Beat Goes On" on the single until November 1980, which initially caused a upwards spike in what had been a downbound journey. The song rocks for days and is a definite party-starter.

To read more about The Kings and these two great songs that go great together, check out J.A. Bartlett's four part interview with guitarist Mr. Zero here, here, here and here.