Wired UK From June 2016

This aptly titled collection digs back into the archaeology of Cliff Richard's career to celebrate the seething rock & roll with which he announced his arrival and which kick-started the rocking dreams of an entire generation of British kids. The passage of time and the fictions of history have, between them, conspired to downplay the young Richard's significance rock's revenge for his defection to "family entertainment," once the competition grew too stern. But the fact remains, for four years prior to the emergence of the Beatles, Cliff Richard wasn't simply the biggest rock & roller in the country, he was also the best, and the 16 tracks here capture him at his earth-shattering best.

"The Rock Connection" is the twenty-seventh solo studio album by Cliff Richard. Released in November 1984 on EMI, the album is a part studio, part compilation album. It includes seven studio tracks recorded exclusively for the album, five tracks from the previous year's limited release album Rock 'n' Roll Silver, one previously released single, and one B-side from 1980. The album reached #43 on the UK Albums Chart. Two singles were released to promote the album. "Shooting from the Heart" was released in October 1984 and only reached #51 on the UK Singles Chart. "Heart User" was released in January 1985 and only reached #46. Most notably, although released almost two years prior, the hit single "She Means Nothing to Me" - a duet with Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers featuring Mark Knopfler - was included. Originally released in January 1983 and lifted from Phil Everly's self-titled solo album, "She Means Nothing to Me" made it to #9 on the UK Singles Chart.