So it’s R U OK Day/ World Suicide Prevention Day and I’ve written something about it. I’ve struggled with poor mental health and what Winston Churchill called his “black dog” for much of my life. @GCBulletin @ruokday #RUOKDay #RUOKDay2020 goldcoastbulletin.com.au/new…

Today in music: Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie from the 1981 single Under Pressure and the 1982 studio album Hot Space. Released 45 years ago today as a single, it was the sole collaboration between the iconic British acts. It was recorded at the Mountain Studios in Switzerland in July 1981 during the Hot Space sessions. Bowie was also in town at the studio recording the 1982 single Cat People (Putting Out Fire) and ran into Queen, kicking off a jam session which led to the creation of Under Pressure. Credited to the four members of Queen and Bowie, it was primarily written by Freddie Mercury and Bowie. A hit upon release, it went to No1 in the UK, the second song to do so for Queen and third for Bowie. It went to No.6 in Australia and No.29 in the US. Queen and Bowie never performed the song live together. Queen would go on to perform it live for five years before Mercury’s AIDS diagnosis prevented them from further touring. Bowie did not perform it live until 1992 when he duetted with his close friend Annie Lennox and the remaining members of Queen at Mercury’s memorial concert and it remained in his regular set list until his own retirement from live performance. #Music #UnderPressure #Queen #DavidBowie #HotSpace #rock #rocknroll #pop #1980s #1980smusic #80s #80smusic #QueenII #Sheerheartattack #ANightattheopera #ADayattheraces #Newsoftheworld #Jazz #TheGame #flashgordon #TheWorks #AKindofMagic #TheMiracle #Innuendo #Madeinheaven

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Today's Gold Coast Bulletin front page: LIVING IN THE FAST LANE - Torrential rain failed to stop the 2026 GC 500 delivering more than $50m to the Gold Coast economy, as leaders eye a potential IndyCar return to the city. @GCBULLETIN #GoldCoast

Today in music: Mony Mony by Billy Idol from the 1981 EP Don’t Stop. Released 45 years ago yesterday, it was the singer’s first solo release following the break-up of his band Generation X. It features a remix of Generation X’s final single, Dancing With Myself and Mony Mony. The latter went to No.7 on the US dance charts but would become a No.1 hit upon the release of a live version in 1987. #Music #MonyMony #BillyIdol #DontStop #rock #rocknroll #1980s #80s #1980smusic #80smusic #GenerationX #GenX #RebelYell #WhiplashSmile #CharmedLife #Cyberpunk #Devilsplaground #Happyholidays #kingsandqueensoftheunderground

This weekend’s Flashback

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Today in music: American Pie by Don McLean from the 1971 album American Pie. Released 55years ago today, it was the singer’s second studio album. A landmark release, it featured McLean’s two most famous tracks – Vincent and the title track. American Pie, clocking in at nearly nine minutes, was a surprise hit, going to No.1 in the US, UK and Australia. The song looks at the change in culture from the 1950s to the 1970s following “The Day the Music Died” - February 3, 1959 when Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash. It contains multiple references to the Cold War, Charles Manson and prominent musicians of the day including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, The Byrds and The Rolling Stones. The album American Pie was a hit, going to No.1 in Australia and the US. #Music #AmericanPie #DonMcLean #rock #rocknroll #1970s #70s #1970smusic #70smusic #Vincent #Tapestry #Playinfavourites #Homelessbrother #primetime #TheDaythemusicdied

Today in music: Underwater, by Midnight Oil from the 1996 album Breathe. Released 30 years ago this month, it was the Australian band’s ninth studio album. A hit, it reached No.3 in Australia. #Music #Underwater #MidnightOil #Breathe #PeterGarrett #RobHirst #1990s #90s #90smusic #1990smusic #HeadInjuries #Placewithoutapostcard #Redsailsinthesunset #Diselanddust #Blueskymining #Earthandsunandmoon #RedneckWonderland #Capricornia #armisticeday #Shortmemory #Readaboutit #USForces #Powerandthepassion #Kosciusko #Bestofbothworlds #Bedsareburning #Dreamworld #BackontheBorderline

Today in music: It’s in Your Eyes by Phil Collins from the 1996 album Dance Into The Light. Released 30 years ago this month it was the singer’s sixth solo album and his first since leaving Genesis. It came at a time when Collins’ second marriage had ended and he had begun the relationship with would become his third marriage. Inspired by his listening of Bob Dylan. Britpop and traditional African music, Collins found himself writing up-tempo songs for the first time in years. It wasn’t without controversy, with Britpop stars Oasis mocking Collins and declaring him to be the “antichrist of music”, particularly for his playing of a guitar borrowed from Paul McCartney for the music video for It’s In Your Eyes. Collins met Noel Gallagher following its release and the pair exchanged words, where Gallagher again mocked Collins and insisted he wasn’t “fooling anyone”. The album charted well but did not sell as strongly as Collins’ previous releases. Dance Into the Light went to No.4 in the UK, No.8 in Australia and no.23 in the US. #Music #itsinyoureyes #PhilCollins #danceintothelight #pop #rock #rocknroll #1990s #90s #1990smusic #90smusic #Genesis #facevalue #helloimustbegoing #nojacketrequired #butseriously #bothsides #testify #goingback

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Today's Gold Coast Bulletin front page: CITY GETS ITS WAY - Gold Coast Council has confirmed the controversial Oceanway will push through ‘millionaire’s row’ in 2027 after a survey found 90 per cent support for the project. @GCBULLETIN #GoldCoast

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Today in music: America by David Bowie from the 2001 album The Concert for New York City. Held 25 years ago yesterday, it was benefit concert to honour those affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks. Organised by Paul McCartney, it was held at Madison Square Gardens and featured performances by a wide variety of artists including Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, The Backstreet Boys, The Who, James Taylor and Elton John. Bowie, a long-time New York resident, was the opening act, famously performing an omnichord cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s America alone on the stage before his own track Heroes. Released as an album weeks after the concert, it was a hit reaching No.27 on the US charts. #Music #America #DavidBowie #TheConcertforNewYorkCity #rock #rocknroll #SpaceOddity #TheManwhosoldtheworld #HunkyDory #Theriseandfallofziggystardustandthespidersfrommars #Aladdinsane #Pinups #Diamonddogs #StationtoStation #Low #Heroes #Lodger #Scarymonstersandsupercreeps #Letsdance #Outside #Blackstar #FiveYears

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Today's Gold Coast Bulletin front page: ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY - Two people have been convicted of threatening to kill a Gold Coast councillor and her family, as leaders demand better protections after the attack on MP Helen Haines. @GCBULLETIN #GoldCoast

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Today in music: You’re the Voice by John Farnham from the 1986 album Whispering Jack. Released 40 years ago today, it was the singer’s 12th studio album and his commercial peak. A landmark of Australian music, it resurrected Farnham’s career and became the second-highest-selling album of all-time in Australia, beaten only by Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell. Whispering Jack spent 25 weeks at No.1, primarily on the back of its lead single, You’re the Voice. Considered Farnham’s signature track it too went to No.1 in Australia, No.6 in the UK and No.82 in the US. #Music #Yourethevoice #JohnFarnham #WhisperingJack #rock #rocknroll #pop #1980s #80s #1980smusic #80smusic #Ageofreason #chainreaction #saidethecleaninglady #Pressuerdown #Twostronghearts #thatsfreedom

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Today in music: Stay Young by INXS from the 1981 album Underneath the Colours. Released 45 years ago today, it was the Australian band’s second studio album. Recorded between July and August of 1981, it was produced by Ricahrd Clapton who had previously worked with the group on the non-album single The Loved One which came seven months earlier. The album charted, reaching No.15 in Australia. #Music #StayYoung #INXS #Underneaththecolours #rock #rocknroll #Michaelhutchence #1980s #80s #1980smusic #80smusic #ShaboohShoobah #TheSwing #ListenlikeThieves #Kick #X #Welcometowhereveryouare #Fullmoondirtyhearts #Elegantlywasted #Switch #OriginalSin #whatyouneed #nevertearusapart #suicideblonde #whatyouneed