My Sharona
My Sharona: The Power Pop Anthem Masters
The Knack was an American power pop band that achieved meteoric success in the late 1970s with their debut single. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, the band's signature song "My Sharona" became a global phenomenon, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and driving their album Get the Knack to multi-platinum status.
Early career
The Knack formed in Los Angeles in 1978, built around the songwriting partnership of guitarist/vocalist Doug Fieger and guitarist Berton Averre. The band, which also included Prescott Niles on bass and Bruce Gary on drums, cultivated a sharp, clean image and a sound heavily influenced by 1960s British Invasion groups. They quickly became a major draw on the competitive LA club circuit, leading to a fierce bidding war among record labels.
Breakthrough
The band's breakthrough was immediate and massive upon signing with Capitol Records in 1979. Their debut album, Get the Knack, was recorded in just 11 days on a modest budget but exploded onto the charts. Propelled by the irresistible single "My Sharona," the album sold over two million copies in the United States alone, earning double platinum certification and holding the number one spot on the Billboard 200 for five consecutive weeks.
Key tracks
My Sharona — The band's defining smash, this song combined a driving guitar riff with a famously suggestive lyric to create a timeless rock radio staple.
Good Girls Don't — The follow-up single that also became a major hit, reaching number 11 on the Billboard chart and further cementing the band's provocative, hook-laden style.
Frustrated — A key album track from Get the Knack that showcased the band's tight musicianship and power pop craftsmanship beyond the hit singles.
The intense spotlight and backlash to their perceived hype, often called "Knackmania," impacted subsequent releases. Their sophomore album, ...But the Little Girls Understand (1980), failed to match the commercial heights of their debut despite a top 40 single. The band initially disbanded in 1982 after their third album, though they reunited for periods in the 1990s and 2000s, releasing new material including Serious Fun (1991) on Charisma Records.
The raw energy of The Knack's power pop finds clear echoes in the work of Cheap Trick, another band that masterfully blended melody with rock power. Their concise, riff-driven approach also influenced later acts like Weezer, who channel a similar geek-chic sensibility into guitar pop. The jangle and punch of The Romantics share a direct lineage with The Knack's brand of new wave-tinged rock. For the sharp songcraft and vocal harmonies, listeners often connect them to Squeeze, though with a distinctly American garage rock edge.The Knack's music, particularly their iconic late-70s output, maintains a strong presence on radio formats dedicated to classic rock and retro hits. Their songs are staples on FM stations that celebrate the era's defining guitar-driven pop, ensuring their hooks reach new generations of listeners. Independent music radio stations and online rock streams frequently feature their tracks in rotations focused on power pop and new wave essentials.
You can hear the enduring hits of The Knack on the classic rock and retro radio stations featured right here on our website. Explore the stations available on onairium.com to discover their music and other defining artists from the era of guitar-powered pop.
