Get It On (Bang a Gong)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin the funky, electrified cover of "Get It On (Bang a Gong)" by The Power Station from their self-titled debut album. This track, originally by T. Rex, was transformed in 1985 into a rock-funk anthem that hit number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, outpeaking the original’s number ten. The song’s creation was a happy accident, sparked when John Taylor, dating model Bebe Buell at the time, gathered pals to record a cover for her. Instead, it became a defining moment for The Power Station, with Robert Palmer’s soulful vocals stealing the show. Fun fact: the music video features dancer Sara Carlson, and the band performed it live on a 1985 episode of "Miami Vice" titled “Whatever Works,” with Michael Des Barres on vocals after Palmer left for his solo career.

Another tidbit comes from the song’s live history. During the 1985 Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, The Power Station rocked the stage with Des Barres, as Palmer had already moved on to record his hit album Riptide. Fans on Reddit have shared mixed concert memories, with one recalling disappointment at a 1985 show where John Taylor turned his back during the bass solo, though Tony Thompson’s drumming still blew them away. The song’s enduring appeal shines through in posts on X, like one from 2025, calling it a killer combo of Chic’s rhythm and Duran Duran’s edge. The extended seven-minute version, praised on Reddit, is a must-hear for its epic bass and guitar work.

The Power Station was a supergroup born in 1984 in New York City during a Duran Duran hiatus. John Taylor (bass) and Andy Taylor (guitar) from Duran Duran, burned out from relentless touring, teamed up with Robert Palmer, a soul-rock solo artist, and Tony Thompson, formerly of funk legends Chic. The project started as a lark to back Bebe Buell on a T. Rex cover but evolved into a full album recorded at New York’s Power Station studio, hence the band’s name. Initially, they planned to feature different singers per track, approaching stars like Mick Jagger and Billy Idol. But after Palmer nailed “Communication” and “Get It On,” they knew he was the voice for the whole record. Produced by Bernard Edwards of Chic, the album’s rock-funk fusion clicked, spawning hits like “Some Like It Hot” alongside “Get It On.”

Sadly, The Power Station lacks an official website or active social media, as the band dissolved in the late 1980s, with a brief reunion in 1996. Robert Palmer and Tony Thompson passed away in 2003, and the surviving members, John and Andy Taylor, are tied to Duran Duran. Check out Duran Duran’s official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on the Taylors. Fans can connect on the Duran Duran Fan Community on Facebook or explore Duran Duran Music, a fan site with band history and forums. For Power Station-specific vibes, search r/80smusic on Reddit, where fans still rave about the band’s funky legacy.