The Kings Still Reign: Canadian Rock Legends Defy 'One-Hit Wonder' Label as 'Nowhere to Go But Gone' Climbs U.S. Charts

Fri Sep 06, 2024
The Kings

Forty-four years ago, they declared The Kings Are Here. Now Canada’s cherished rock legends are specifying exactly where “here” is: on the charts and rising.

This week, The Kings’ ridiculously compelling “Nowhere to Go But Gone” climbs to #42 on the Mediabase CHR Activator list—a nigh-on-miraculous showing for a Canadian classic-rock band on US radio. It’s a designation that shows the tune continues to spread like wildfire, receiving airplay in markets from Utah to Florida to Cape Cod. If this keeps up, the group might have to issue an official clarification that the title of their documentary, Anatomy of a One-Hit Wonder, was meant with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

"This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide" by The Kings Inducted Into Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Fri Nov 06 2020
The Kings

Two songs, one classic hit.  Song writing partners and members of The Kings, David Diamond and Mister Zero knew they had two pretty good tunes, but it wasn’t until the band put the songs together as a segue in rehearsal that the magic started to happen.  The 1980 release of This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ to Glide, became The Kings’ breakout rock hit that stayed on Billboard’s Hot 100 for 23 weeks, and today has more than 2 million+ streams on Spotify while the video has 4 million+ views on YouTube. 

On the 40th anniversary of This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ to Glide, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame is pleased to celebrate the song induction that will be presented to Diamond and Zero on Monday, November 2 during a virtual induction airing on Breakfast Television Canada.  The presentation will also include a live-streamed performance by The Kings on stage inside the newly renovated El Mocambo in Toronto.

The Kings Celebrate 40 Years with “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide”

Fri Sep 11, 2020
The Kings

There is a French expression “la plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” which roughly translates to "the more things change, the more they stay the same". For me, this really describes the musical journey of The Kings.

It’s been 40 years since The Kings released “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide,” and closed the show at Heatwave. To celebrate, they’ve got unseen, exclusive, re-mastered footage.

This story is about a hard-working band hailing from Vancouver, BC and Oakville, ON that appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, was nominated for a JUNO Award, named ‘Most Promising Group’ by Cashbox Magazine, hit Platinum-selling status, and has released five studio albums, two live albums, a live DVD, an anthology, a documentary, and numerous hit singles — including “another rocking two-fer,” “Circle of Friends / Man That I Am.”  The 2018 single was somewhat like arriving full circle; it was mixed in Nashville by industry legend Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, KISS), who also helmed the same role on their 1980’s debut, The Kings Are Here, and sophomore follow-up, Amazon Beach.

Live at Heatwave “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide,” with The Kings

Fri Aug 21 2020
The Kings

The Kings: Live at Heatwave is Set to Add to The Kings’ Already 7.3+ Million Streams Across Spotify & YouTube.

August 2020 marks not one, not two, but three crown-worthy milestones in the land of Canada’s long-iconic band, The Kings:

  1. 40 years ago this month, they released their Bob Ezrin produced debut album, The Kings Are Here on US major label Elektra Records.
  2. That same month, their smash hit single “This Beat Goes On / Switchin’ to Glide” first entered the BillboardHot 100.
  3. And on August 23rd, 1980, The Kings closed the now-legendary Heatwave Festival, holding court alongside fellow rock royalty Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, The Pretenders, Nick Lowe and Rockpile, Teenage Head, the B-52’s, and more

It’s that third one — their midnight appearance at the now-storied Toronto-area festival — produced by John Brower--that’s inspired the exclusive release of The Kings: Live at Heatwave, a 30-minute concert movie available in a premiere at 8pm on August 23rd.

Watch and listen to “California Girls” (Live at Heatwave) here: