When Virgin Radio hit the UK airwaves on April 30, 1993, at exactly 12:15 PM, Richard Branson knew he needed something special for the station's debut. The billionaire entrepreneur chose INXS's cover of "Born to Be Wild" — and not just any version, but one specially recorded by the Australian rock band specifically for Virgin Radio's launch.

Branson introduced the historic moment from Virgin Megastore in Manchester while DJ Richard Skinner played the track back in the London studio. The choice wasn't random — it was a statement of intent. Virgin Radio was positioning itself as rebellious, energetic, and ready to shake up British commercial radio.

Why This Song Mattered

"Born to Be Wild" carries serious rock pedigree. Steppenwolf's original 1968 version became one of the defining anthems of the counterculture movement, especially after featuring in the 1969 film Easy Rider. The song hit #2 on the Billboard charts and is often credited with coining the term "heavy metal" through its lyrics about "heavy metal thunder" (though songwriter Mars Bonfire was actually referring to a motorcycle, not a music genre).

Here's the kicker: Bonfire wrote the song about his beat-up Ford Falcon — he'd never even been on a motorcycle at the time. Yet it became the ultimate biker anthem.

INXS's Special Recording

INXS didn't just phone in a quick cover. The band, already massive in the early '90s following their Kick album success, created a unique version that honored the original while adding their signature rock edge. The recording was later released as a B-side to their single "The Gift."

The timing was perfect. Virgin Radio's launch coincided with the UK government finally allowing new commercial radio licenses after decades of BBC dominance. Branson's station needed to make noise — literally and figuratively. Starting with a song about being "born to be wild" sent a clear message: this wasn't going to be your typical radio station.

The Legacy

Virgin Radio went on to become one of the UK's most successful commercial stations before being sold and rebranded as Absolute Radio in 2008. But that first moment — Branson's voice, INXS's guitars, and the promise of rebellion — remains a legendary moment in British broadcasting history.

The station's launch proved so successful that it spawned multiple sister stations and digital offshoots. And it all started with three words: "Get your motor runnin'."

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