The Wurzels' iconic song 'Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)' has reached a significant milestone as it celebrates 50 years since topping the UK charts. Released in 1976, the parody song beat notable artists such as Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart to reach Number One.
Band member Pete Budd said that the sound engineers predicted the song's success when they recorded it due to its 'everyman's' nature. The song stayed at the top spot for two weeks and was a testament to the band's dedication and hard work.
The Wurzels' journey to success was not without challenges, as lead singer Adge Cutler tragically passed away in 1974 after crashing his sports car on a roundabout. Despite this devastating loss, the band members persevered and continued to perform under the guidance of their manager John Miles.
Miles remembered how he promised the band that they would achieve a Number One hit if they carried on performing. He played a crucial role in securing a record deal with EMI and produced the music video for 'Drink Up Thy Zider'.