"Clog Dance" was the first single released by

Violinski Violinski was a rock music, rock band formed in 1977 by Electric Light Orchestra violinist Mik Kaminski with former member Mike de Albuquerque on guitar and vocals. In March 1979 the band become a one-hit wonder with their instrumental "Clog ...

, and became their only charting single. It was written by band member

John Marcangelo John Marcangelo (born 1950, Whitehaven, Cumberland, England) is an English pianist, drummer and composer of folk rock. Early life He comes from The Valley in Whitehaven in Cumberland. He went to St Begh's Catholic School, (now a junior school) o ...

, inspired by a shop in his town called Brew's which sold clogs. It reached number 17 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

and also became a big hit in the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

. Having become a favourite amongst various brass bands, the tune was also used in the 1996 film ''

Brassed Off ''Brassed Off'' is a 1996 British comedy-drama film written and directed by Mark Herman and starring Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan McGregor. The film is about the troubles faced by a colliery brass band, following the closure of ...

''. "Clog Dance" appeared on various compilation albums, including ''

Friends & Relatives ''Friends & Relatives'' is a compilation album released by Eagle Records and Purple Pyramid (US) in 1999. The album features songs from various artists that have a common linkage to Electric Light Orchestra, such as The Move and Wizzard ...

'' and '' Clog Dance: The Very Best of Violinski'', the latter including an alternative 'rock' version. The song is used as the theme tune for the Ministox racing formula on many of the UK's short oval car racing circuits, as well as the backing track for several games in the spoof Japanese game show Banzai. In 2007 “Clog Dance the Musical” by John Marcangelo,was performed at Whitehaven Civic Hall to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the William Pit disaster Repeated in 2017 for the 70th Anniversary.

Charts

References

External links

Clog Dance - The Very Best of Violinski
at ftmusic 1979 singles 1970s instrumentals British rock songs {{1970s-rock-song-stub