Historic events this week from U2, David Bowie, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Police, Coldplay and Fleetwood Mac
JULY 5, 1993: U2’s ZOOROPA
Zooropa was an experimental departure that continued U2‘s exploration of alternative rock and electronic music, highlighted by singles like the Edge-led “Numb,” the sprawling “Lemon,” and the emotive ballad “Stay (Faraway, So Close!).”
The album notably featured a guest vocal performance from country music legend Johnny Cash on the closing track, “The Wanderer,” as well as significant creative input from longtime collaborator Brian Eno, who contributed synthesizers, piano, backing vocals, and loops.
JULY 6, 1972: DAVID BOWIE DEBUTS ‘ZIGGY’ ON TOP OF THE POPS
Three weeks after the release of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the titular character made his TV debut on UK’s Top of the Pops.
David Bowie’s performance of “Starman” propelled sales of the single and the album, which peaked at #10 and #5, respectively.
JULY 6, 1987: ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN’S SELF-TITLED 5TH LP
Echo & the Bunnymen‘s self-titled fifth album marked a more polished and commercial sound for the band, featuring their well-known track “Lips Like Sugar.” During the album’s sessions, the band notably recorded their cover of The Doors‘ “People Are Strange,” with Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek, for The Lost Boys soundtrack.
JULY 9, 1983: “EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE” BY THE POLICE IS #1
The Police had their only #1 single in the US with the release of “Every Breath You Take”.
The best-selling single of 1983 would spend 8 straight weeks at #1.
The single helped their final album, Synchronicity, sell over 8 million copies in the US.
JULY 10, 2000: PARACHUTES BY COLDPLAY
Coldplay‘s debut LP, Parachutes, blends acoustic folk elements with bittersweet balladry and features the beloved hits “Yellow” and “Trouble.” The album has sold over 13 million copies worldwide, and won the 2002 Grammy for Best Alternative Music album.
JULY 11, 1975: FLEETWOOD MAC’S EPONYMOUS 10TH ALBUM
Fleetwood Mac’s first album with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks was a big one.
Loaded with great songs like “Monday Morning,” “Landslide” and “Rhiannon,” the album sold 500,000 copies within five months of its release.
It remains their second biggest album, behind Rumours, with 7 million sold in the US.
