Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrateded.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p.254. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Tom Robinson began gigging in London in 1976. By the end of the year, he had decided to put together a permanent band. Robinson's old friend, guitarist Danny Kustow, was the first in the permanent lineup. They ran small ads in the music papers looking for a bass player and drummer. Robinson found drummer Brian "Dolphin" Taylor. Motorway" was not issued on a UK album at the time, and Robinson still rues what he calls the "fatal mistake" of omitting the band's most famous songs "2-4-6-8 Motorway" and "Glad to Be Gay" from their debut album Power in the Darkness, although both songs appeared on a 12" bonus record included with the US release of Power in the Darkness.

2-4-6-8 Motorway by Tom Robinson - Songfacts Lyrics for 2-4-6-8 Motorway by Tom Robinson - Songfacts

a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19thed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

Marketplace

EMI Records signed the Tom Robinson Band (TRB). Robinson later described this period, saying "Within nine months we'd made the transition from signing on at Medina Road dole office to Top of the Pops, Radio One, EMI Records and the giddy heights of the front cover of the New Musical Express". [a] [9] The song has subsequently appeared on numerous compilation albums, including Rising Free (1980), The Collection (1987), Last Tango, Midnight at the Fringe (1988), Winter of '89 (1992), Home from Home (1999) [8] and Tom Robinson Band The Anthology 1977–1979. It also appeared on No Thanks! The '70s Punk Rebellion (2003), and is still a part of Robinson's live set. [9] [10] Charts [ edit ] Chart (1978) The music and lyrics were written by Tom Robinson. The song was the first single released by the Tom Robinson Band, who had formed in January 1977 and was signed to EMI in August 1977.

2-4-6-8 Motorway — Tom Robinson Band | Last.fm 2-4-6-8 Motorway — Tom Robinson Band | Last.fm

Motorway" was their first single, released in late 1977, which got into the top five of the UK singles charts and stayed there for over a month. It was followed almost immediately by their next record, a four-song EP called Rising Free, which was recorded live at London's Lyceum Theatre in November 1977. It contained the songs "Don't Take No for an Answer", "Martin", "(Sing if You're) Glad to Be Gay" and "Right on Sister". The EP reached No.18 in the UK singles charts. Larkin, Colin (1994). All Time Top 1000 Albums . Enfield: Guinness Publishing. p.247. A great amalgam of punk / pop, ethics and all, translated as an exciting, visceral album in a style much imitated, but rarely bettered for fury and genuine loathing. ;August 2004 Script". Queer Music Heritage. August 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-07-05 . Retrieved 2014-08-05. The B-side is a cover of Bob Dylan's " I Shall Be Released" which Robinson performed many times, including as part of the supergroup "The Secret Police" at The Secret Policeman's Ball in 1979. Gardner, Steve (1996). "Hiljaiset Levyt: 100 Best Punk LP's". Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. One of the greatest records that came out in the late 70s ;

2-4-6-8 Motorway - Tom Robinson Band (1977) [Play along 2-4-6-8 Motorway - Tom Robinson Band (1977) [Play along

Motorway" was originally released on 7 October 1977 and immediately attracted attention. It rose to No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart on 22 October 1977, and stayed on the chart for 9 weeks. [3] This is Robinson's highest charting single; his later (solo) single " War Baby" reached No. 6. The band performed it on Top of the Pops on 27 October, and again on 10 November. [4]Robinson wrote the song between leaving Café Society in 1976 and forming the Tom Robinson Band the following year, at a time when he was performing with whichever friends were available on the night; thus, the song had to be simple enough to learn in a few minutes. [1] The search for a bass player continued, until Mark Ambler auditioned. Some days later, Ambler mentioned he also played keyboards; he had spent many years studying piano with veteran jazz musician Stan Tracey. After listening to Ambler playing his Hammond organ Robinson realised he would have to be the bass player himself. Thompson, Dave (2000). Punk . Ontario: Collector’s Guide Publication. p.122. ISBN 1-896522-27-0. the most successful album of all the year's 'political offerings. ; It was released in Europe, reaching No. 1 in Sweden on 27 January 1978, and staying at the top for 4 weeks, while in the US (Harvest 4533) has "2-4-6-8" on both sides. It was re-released on Old Gold in 1983 and on EMI in 1987, including a 12" version. [7] Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19thed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.