Something in the Air

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic track Something in the Air by Thunderclap Newman, from their sole album Hollywood Dream, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the revolutionary vibes. This 1969 single, a UK number one hit for three weeks, was a surprise success, famously knocking The Beatles off the top of the charts. Written and sung by John "Speedy" Keen, the song’s anthemic call to arms captured the late-60s zeitgeist, blending psychedelic pop with a subtle melancholic undertone. Its enduring appeal is evident in its use across films like The Magic Christian (1969), Almost Famous (2000), and The Instigators (2024), as well as TV ads for British Airways and the Austin Mini. A lesser-known tidbit: the song’s recording marked the first time the band’s core members—Keen, Andy "Thunderclap" Newman, and Jimmy McCulloch—met, brought together by Pete Townshend in his home studio. A 2015 post by X user H.P. Saucecraft on a music forum called it “one of the best songs evah,” though he noted the album didn’t quite live up to the single’s brilliance.

Another fascinating story comes from Mark Ian Wilkerson’s 2024 book, Hollywood Dream: The Thunderclap Newman Story, which recounts how Townshend, fascinated by Andy Newman’s eccentric piano skills, followed him along a high street, ducking behind cars to observe him before striking up a friendship. The song’s legacy also includes a notable cover by Tom Petty, featured on his Greatest Hits album, which renewed interest in the original. Fans on X, like @Marklistoga69 in April 2025, have expressed amazement that the song only reached #37 in the U.S. despite its UK dominance, calling it an “All Time Great Song.” The track’s slightly pro-revolutionary lyrics, as noted by a Songfacts commenter named Paul from Cincinnati, add a provocative edge, with its dreamy yet urgent vocals and rocking piano solo making it a standout.

Thunderclap Newman’s origin story is as eclectic as their music. Formed in late 1968 or early 1969, the band was a brainchild of Pete Townshend of The Who and their manager Kit Lambert, who aimed to showcase the talents of three unlikely collaborators. John "Speedy" Keen, a former Who chauffeur and drummer, had already penned Armenia City in the Sky for The Who’s The Who Sell Out album. His songwriting and multi-instrumental skills made him the band’s creative core. Andy "Thunderclap" Newman, a GPO telephone engineer and self-taught jazz pianist, met Townshend at art college and impressed him with his ability to overdub music on reel-to-reel tape decks. Jimmy McCulloch, a 15-year-old guitar prodigy from Glasgow, walked into The Who’s Track Records office with his mother, seeking work, and ended up as the band’s lead guitarist. Townshend, under the pseudonym Bijou Drains, played bass and produced their recordings at his Twickenham home studio and IBC Studio. This “anti-supergroup,” as described by Rate Your Music, came together haphazardly but created a near-miraculous album in Hollywood Dream, released in 1970.

Though the band disbanded by 1971, their legacy lives on through fan communities and revived performances. Andy Newman, who passed away in 2016, was coaxed out of retirement in 2002 to form a new Thunderclap Newman Band, which performed Hollywood Dream in its entirety for the first time. A 2010 lineup, including Josh Townshend (Pete’s nephew), released a live album, Beyond Hollywood, and played shows until 2012. Fans can connect with the band’s history on their official website. Social media presence is limited, but posts on X, like @EdwynCollins’ 2023 tribute to the song’s greatness, keep the spirit alive. While no official Facebook or Instagram accounts exist for the band, fans share memories on platforms like Last.fm, where listeners can explore the band’s discography. Dedicated fan groups are scarce, but the The Who’s official site occasionally highlights Thunderclap Newman’s story, especially with Wilkerson’s book release. For Zoo Freaks craving more, diving into these corners of the web will keep the Something in the Air magic spinning.