Flake - This Wheel’s On Fire (1970)

(Bob Dylan - Rick Danko)
Australia
#4 Sydney #12 Melbourne #7 Adelaide

Sydney band formed in 1968 that went through several personnel changes and genres, from hard rock to psychedelia to Top 40 pop.

For recent news on Flake’s flautist and saxophonist Dave Allen see his blog Burning Mountain Studio, which links to his pages on Flake history.

Feature suggested by Mike Robbins.

(Bob Dylan - Rick Danko)
UK
Original version
#5 UK #40 Melbourne #31 Brisbane #29 Perth

This seems to be the first released recording of the song, appearing a few months before The Band’s version on Songs From The Big Pink.

(Bob Dylan - Rick Danko)
USA

On the 1968 album Music From Big Pink.

See the comprehensive This Wheel's On Fire page by Peter Viney (at Jan Hoiberg's The Band website) which lists many other versions of the song.

(Bob Dylan - Rick Danko)
USA

Original unreleased recording.

Recorded in 1967, released in 1975 on the album The Basement Tapes.

(Bob Dylan - Rick Danko)
UK
Later version

Recorded as the theme to the British comedy TV series Absolutely Fabulous.

During the course of the series, various other guests in various combinations performed the song, including P.P. Arnold, Marianne Faithful and Debbie Harry.