Historic events this week from George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, Fleetwood Mac, CSN&Y, Joe Walsh and Dire Straits

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MAY 11, 1981: HARRISON RELEASES “ALL THOSE YEARS AGO”

Although George Harrison’s “All Those Years Ago” was written for and recorded by Ringo Starr, he wrote new lyrics and re-recorded the song after John Lennon’s murder.

Harrison retained Ringo’s original drum track and brought in Paul McCartney for backing vocals.

“All Those Years Ago” was the first post-Beatles song to feature 3 ex-Beatles, and went to #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts.

MAY 12, 1967: JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE’S DEBUT ALBUM

One of the greatest debut albums of all time, Are You Experienced? sold a million copies within months of its release due to instant classics such as “Purple Haze”, “The Wind Cries Mary”, “Fire”, and “Foxey Lady.”

Shortly after the album’s release, the Experience were back in the studio to record Axis: Bold as Love, which was released in December of the same year.

MAY 12, 1972: ROLLING STONES RELEASE EXILE ON MAIN ST.

One of the best rock and blues-based albums of the 70s was panned by critics upon its release.

…IT DIDN’T SELL PARTICULARLY WELL AT THE BEGINNING, AND IT WAS ALSO PRETTY MUCH UNIVERSALLY PANNED. BUT WITHIN A FEW YEARS THE PEOPLE WHO HAD WRITTEN THE REVIEWS SAYING IT WAS A PIECE OF CRAP WERE EXTOLLING IT AS THE BEST FRIGGING ALBUM IN THE WORLD.

KEITH RICHARDS FROM THE BOOK ACCORDING TO THE ROLLING STONES

Featuring “Tumbling Dice”, the album sold 500,000 copies in its first 18 days.

MAY 12, 1973: HOUSES OF THE HOLY IS #1

Led Zeppelin’s fifth album wasted no time going Gold, having sold 500,000 copies in less than two weeks.

A month later, it would begin a two week reign at #1 on the charts, before being unseated by a Beatles compilation (1967-1970, “The Blue Album”).

Houses of the Holy contains the classic rock radio staples, “Dancing Days”, “Over the Hills and Far Away” and “D’Yer Mak’er.”

MAY 13, 1994: SOUNDGARDEN RELEASE “BLACK HOLE SUN”

Soundgarden scored their first of six #1 singles with the release of “Black Hole Sun.”

“Black Hole Sun” would spend 7 total weeks at #1 and earn the band a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.

After Chris Cornell’s passing, the song’s lyrics “No one sings like you anymore”, have become a lasting tribute to the vocalist.

MAY 15, 1975: FLEETWOOD MAC’S FIRST SHOW WITH LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM & STEVIE NICKS

Sixteen months after releasing their Buckingham Nicks album, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks officially joined Fleetwood Mac.

They made their live debut in El Paso, TX to kick off the 1975-76 Fleetwood Mac Tour.

The 18-song set included most of the then-upcoming Fleetwood Mac (“white album”) and three songs from the Buckingham Nicks album.

MAY 16, 1970: CSN&Y’S DÉJÀ VU IS #1

Recorded separately from one another while Crosby, Stills and Nash all dealt with (in one case, extreme) heartbreak, Déjà Vu spent a week at #1 thanks to strong songwriting from each member, and a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock”.

With over 14 million sold worldwide, it is by far the biggest selling album in the Crosby, Stills & Nash oeuvre.

MAY 16, 1978: JOE WALSH RELEASES BUT SERIOUSLY, FOLKS…

Joe Walsh’s fourth solo album, But Seriously, Folks… is his highest charting solo album (#8).

Best known for the single “Life’s Been Good”, the album was certified Platinum in August 1978.

The album features contributions from Eagles bandmates Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Timothy B. Schmit and Don Felder.

MAY 17, 1985: DIRE STRAITS’ BROTHERS IN ARMS

Dire Straits’ penultimate album, Brothers in Arms, was a huge one.

Containing the singles “So Far Away”, “Walk of Life” and “Money for Nothing”, the album went to #1 all over the world on its way to selling 30 million copies worldwide.

Historic events this week from Tom Petty, Weezer, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger.

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MAY 5, 1978: BOB SEGER’S STRANGER IN TOWN LP

Bob Seger’s second album with the Silver Bullet Band contained the big singles “Still the Same”, “Hollywood Nights”, “We’ve Got Tonite” and the 2x Platinum “Old Time Rock and Roll.” Stranger In Town went top 5 on its way to selling over 6 million copies.

MAY 5, 1981: TOM PETTY RELEASES HARD PROMISES

Hard Promises was the last Heartbreakers album to go Top 5 until Mojo (#2) in 2010 and Hypnotic Eye (#1) in 2014.

Featuring Stevie Nicks on “Insider” and “You Can Still Change Your Mind”, the Platinum-selling album is notable for containing Tom Petty’s first #1 song, “The Waiting.”

MAY 6, 1965: KEITH RICHARDS DREAMS UP “SATISFACTION”

According to legend, Keith Richards wrote “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in his sleep.

Richards went to bed with his acoustic guitar, and a tape player rolling.

The next morning, without any recollection, he discovered that he’d been playing the iconic riff as he drifted off to sleep.

MAY 9, 1992: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ON SNL

Nearly 20 years after the release of his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., Bruce Springsteen made his US network TV debut.

Springsteen released two solo albums a couple of months before his Saturday Night Live appearance, and performed one song from each album.

“57 Channels (And Nothin’ On)” from Human Touch and “Living Proof” from Lucky Town.

MAY 10, 1994: WEEZER’S “BLUE ALBUM”

Weezer’s self-titled power pop debut album has become a classic of the genre.

Produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars, the 5x Platinum Weezer (or “Blue Album”) features the hit singles “Say It Ain’t So”, “Buddy Holly” and “Undone-The Sweater Song.”

In 2002, Rolling Stone ranked “The Blue Album” #82 on a list of the 100 Best Debut Albums of All Time.

Historic events this week from Bruce Springsteen, Paul Westerberg, Led Zeppelin, The Cure and more

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APRIL 29, 1976: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN INVADES GRACELAND

After performing a show in Memphis, Springsteen decides to take a cab to Graceland to meet Elvis Presley.

He climbed over the fence and ran to the front door, but was intercepted by security before he could knock on the door.

Riding high on fame and confidence, Bruce pleads to meet Elvis and points out his own recent appearances on the covers of Newsweek and Time.

The Boss is escorted off the premises after being informed The King was out of town.

APRIL 29, 1993: MICK RONSON DIES

Mick Ronson is best known as Bowie’s guitarist for The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Aladdin Sane and Pin Ups.

A sought after session/touring guitarist, Ronson contributed production, guitar and string arrangements to Lou Reed’s Transformer, as well as guitar/vocals on John Mellencamp’s #1 hit, “Jack & Diane”.

After his health began failing in the late 80s, he was diagnosed with liver cancer. He died in April 1993 at age 46.

APRIL 30, 1996: PAUL WESTERBERG RELEASES EVENTUALLY

Arriving 3 years after his solo debut album (14 Songs) The Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg released his sophomore solo offering, Eventually.

Lead single “Love Untold” became Paul Westerberg’s third solo hit after “Dyslexic Heart” in 1992 and “World Class Fad” in 1993.

MAY 1, 1976: LED ZEPPELIN’S PRESENCE IS #1

Led Zeppelin’s penultimate album, Presence, spent two weeks at #1 despite not having a charting single in the US.

They were unable to tour for the album because singer Robert Plant was recovering from a car accident.

Plant recorded all of his vocals for Presence while seated in a wheelchair.

MAY 2, 1989: THE CURE’S DISINTERGRATION

The Cure’s eighth studio album, Disintegration, remains their biggest album with 4,000,000 sold worldwide.
The Gothic rock/dream pop classic featured hits and fan favorites “Lovesong”, “Pictures of You” and “Fascination Street.”

MAY 3, 1988: POISON’S OPEN UP AND SAY… AHH!

Poison’s sophomore album, Open Up and Say…Ahh!, remains the glam metal band’s biggest album.

The album went 5x Platinum thanks to the hits “Your Mama Don’t Dance”, “Nothin’ But a Good Time” and the #1 single “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”.

Historic events this week from Queen, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, U2 and Van Halen

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APRIL 20, 1992: QUEEN’S STAR-STUDDED TRIBUTE TO FREDDIE

On Easter Sunday, 5 months after the passing of frontman Freddie Mercury, the members of Queen performed a star-studded out concert for AIDS awareness.

The incredible lineup of guests featured performances from Slash, Robert Plant, David Bowie,
Axl Rose, George Michael, Elton John and many more.

APRIL 20, 1993: AEROSMITH RELEASE GET A GRIP

With Get a Grip, Aerosmith had their first ever #1 album.

Boasting six Top 10 singles, with five in the Top 5, Get a Grip would sell 7 million copies within 2½ years of its release.

They took home the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in ’93 & ’94 for “Livin’ on the Edge” and “Crazy”, respectively.

APRIL 23, 1971: ROLLING STONES RELEASE STICKY FINGERS

Sticky Fingers was the Stones’ first US #1 album since 1965’s Out Of Our Heads.

The classic album features “Brown Sugar”, “Wild Horses” and “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking”.

Sticky Fingers was the first of 8 straight US #1 albums for the band.

APRIL 24, 1989: TOM PETTY’S SOLO DEBUT

After 7 LPs with The Heartbreakers, Tom Petty decided it was time for a solo project.

Retaining Mike Campbell on lead guitar and enlisting Jeff Lynne as producer/co-writer, Full Moon Fever was arguably his best album since Hard Promises.

“Runnin’ Down a Dream”, “I Won’t Back Down” and “Free Fallin’” all went to #1

APRIL 25, 1987: U2’s THE JOSHUA TREE IS #1

The Joshua Tree was U2’s first of eight straight #1 albums in their native Ireland.

On the strength of US #1 singles “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, The Joshua Tree spent nine-straight weeks at #1, on its way to eventually selling 25 million copies worldwide.

APRIL 26, 1986: VAN HALEN’S 5150 IS #1

There were several firsts for Van Halen with the release of their seventh album, 5150.

5150 was the first album with new lead singer, Sammy Hagar.

One month after its release, 5150 was the first Van Halen album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200.

Every studio album Van Halen did with Sammy Hagar went to #1, making 5150 the first of four straight #1 albums for the band.

Historic events this week from Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cheap Trick, Eagles and more

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APRIL 13, 1987: FLEETWOOD MAC’S TANGO IN THE NIGHT

Fleetwood Mac’s Tango in the Night was originally conceived as Lindsey Buckingham’s third solo album. The 3x Platinum album featured the #1 singles “Little Lies” and “Everywhere”; the latter going double Platinum on its own.

It’s the band’s last to feature the classic lineup of John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.

APRIL 14, 1979: “WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES” IS #1

A few months after releasing Minute by Minute, the Doobie Brothers had their second #1 single since 1975’s “Black Water”.

Co-written with Kenny Loggins, the song would go on to win Grammys for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

APRIL 14, 1983: DAVID BOWIE’S LET’S DANCE

David Bowie’s 15th LP, Let’s Dance, remains his biggest selling album worldwide.

Featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan on lead guitar, the album contains “China Girl”, “Modern Love” and the #1 single “Let’s Dance”.

The album has sold nearly 11 million copies worldwide.

APRIL 15, 1974: LYNYRD SKYNYRD’S SECOND HELPING

Second Helping was Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second straight set of essential classic and southern rock. Selling over 2 million copies, the band’s sophomore album contains “Call Me the Breeze”, “Don’t Ask Me No Questions”, “The Ballard of Curtis Loew” and the iconic “Sweet Home Alabama.”

APRIL 16, 1991: TEMPLE OF THE DOG’S ONLY ALBUM

After the death of Mother Love Bone singer, Andrew Wood, Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell wrote songs in response to his friend’s passing.

The resulting album, Temple of the Dog, featured Eddie Vedder and members of Mother Love Bone, who would form Pearl Jam shortly after.

Temple of the Dog’s only album went Platinum, peaking at #5. Lead single “Hunger Strike” went to #4 and still receives considerable radio airplay after 30 years.

APRIL 17, 1971: EACH BEATLE HAS SOLO SINGLE ON BILLBOARD HOT 100

Before the Beatles officially broke up, they’d all released solo albums.

With Ringo releasing “It Don’t Come Easy”, all four ex-Beatles had singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

• George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” (peaking at #1)
• Ringo Starr’s “It Don’t Come Easy” (peaking at #4)
• Paul McCartney’s “Another Day” (peaking at #5)
• John Lennon’s “Power to the People” (peaking at #11)

APRIL 19, 2021: CHEAP TRICK’S FIRST #1 ALBUM

Forty four years after their debut album, Cheap Trick’s 20th studio album, In Another World, became their first #1 album when it debuted at the top spot of Billboard‘s “Record Label Independent Current Albums” chart.

Historic events this week from Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, Peter Frampton and Bob Seger

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APRIL 7, 1988: ALICE COOPER NEARLY HANGS HIMSELF

Alice Cooper’s stage show has always involved mock executions. However, one night, Alice nearly hanged himself for real.

The piano wire that keeps Alice’s noose from fatally hanging him snapped.

THE WIRE SNAPS… AND IN AN INSTANT I FLIPPED MY HEAD BACK. THAT MUST’VE BEEN A FRACTION OF A SECOND…IF IT CAUGHT MY CHIN, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT RESULT. IT WENT OVER MY NECK AND GAVE ME A PRETTY GOOD BURN. I WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND PRETTY MUCH BLACKED OUT – ALICE COOPER, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY (2018)

APRIL 7, 2008: BOB DYLAN WINS PULITZER PRIZE

Having won Grammys, a Golden Globe, an Oscar & a Dove award; Bob Dylan became the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 2008.

FOR HIS PROFOUND IMPACT ON POPULAR MUSIC AND AMERICAN CULTURE, MARKED BY LYRICAL COMPOSITIONS OF EXTRAORDINARY POETIC POWER. – PULITZER.ORG

APRIL 8, 1975: AEROSMITH’S TOYS IN THE ATTIC

Aerosmith’s third album, Toys in the Attic, may not be their highest-charting album, but it remains their biggest. The 9x Platinum album contains the multi-Platinum singles “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion”.

APRIL 8, 2016: GUNS N’ ROSES REUNION TOUR BEGINS

After a warm-up gig at The Troubadour in West Hollywood for a sold out crowd of only 500 (!), …the Not In This Lifetime…Tour finally got underway with two shows in Las Vegas. However, at the Troubadour show, Axl Rose fell and broke his foot.

He had to resort to singing from Foo Fighters’ “rock throne.” The very one Dave Grohl used in 2015 when he broke his leg.

APRIL 9, 2020: DYLAN’S FIRST US #1 SINGLE

Remarkably, Bob Dylan had never had a #1 single in the US until 2020. “Murder Most Foul”, a 17-minute epic about John F. Kennedy, Jr.’s assassination went to #1 on Billboard’s Rock Digital Song Sales chart with over 10,000 sold in its first week.

APRIL 10, 1976: FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE! IS #1
Two days after being certified Platinum, Frampton Comes Alive! was #1 on the charts.

The live album would spend 10 non-consecutive weeks at #1.

The only album to spend more time at #1 in 1976 was Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life.

APRIL 12, 1976: BOB SEGER RELEASES LIVE BULLET
For years, Bob Seger and his live show were scarcely known outside of Detroit.

The incendiary performances on Live Bullet, which featured “Travelin’ Man/Beautiful Loser”, “Turn the Page” and “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man”, finally made Bob Seger a household name.

Live Bullet would pave the way for the multi-Platinum success of Night Moves, which was released 6 months later.

Historic events this week from The Beatles, Faces, Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Traffic and Nirvana

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MARCH 30, 1967: SGT. PEPPER’S COVER SHOOT

The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover had a very simple concept.

I offered the idea that if they had just played a concert in the park, the cover could be a photograph of [them] just after the concert with the crowd who had just watched the concert… it could be a magical crowd of whomever they wanted.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Photographer, Peter Blake

Among the Beatles’ “invited guests” were Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan, Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe

MARCH 31, 1973: FACES’ OOH LA LA

After his 3rd & 4th solo albums went to #1 & #2, respectively, Rod Stewart returned to Faces for the band’s fourth and final LP, Ooh La La. The album contains “Cindy Incidentally” and the popular, Ronnie Wood-sung “Ooh La La.”

The track “Glad and Sorry” was later recorded by Golden Smog on their 1995 debut, Down By the Old Mainstream.

MARCH 31, 2000: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’S FEATURE FILM DEBUT

John Cusack’s character of “Rob Gordon” in High Fidelity is a music obsessive and relates everything in his life to music. (He even owns a record store).

Bruce Springsteen makes his feature film debut as Rob’s musical guide through his Top 5 failed relationships.

YOU CALL, YOU ASK THEM HOW THEY ARE AND SEE IF THEY’VE FORGIVEN YOU…THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR, YOU KNOW, GET READY TO START AGAIN.

IT’D BE GOOD FOR YOU. GIVE THAT BIG FINAL GOOD LUCK AND GOODBYE TO YOUR ALL TIME TOP-FIVE AND JUST MOVE ON DOWN THE ROAD. – BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: HIGH FIDELITY

APRIL 1, 1980: BRIAN JOHNSON JOINS AC/DC

A month after the passing of singer Bon Scott, AC/DC brought in Geordie’s Brian Johnson for an audition. Johnson audition with “Whole Lotta Rosie” and “Nutbush City Limits.”

On April 1, he was publicly announced as the new lead singer for one of the greatest rock bands in history.

APRIL 2, 1967: STEVE WINWOOD FORMS TRAFFIC

After three LPs as lead singer of The Spencer Davis Group, Steve Winwood formed Traffic at age 19. Along with Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and guitarist Dave Mason, they immediately began recording their debut album.

Despite intermittent lineup changes, Traffic would release 7 albums from 1967-1974 including the classics Traffic (1968) and The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (1971).

APRIL 5, 2005: ABERDEEN, WA ADOPTS NEW CITY MOTTO

After the original Welcome to Aberdeen sign had fallen into disrepair, the Kurt Cobain Memorial Committee led a campaign, funded by fan donations, to replace the sign.

On the 11th anniversary of Cobain’s death, his hometown’s city unveiled the new sign. The sign included the new city motto honoring Nirvana’s frontman: Come As You Are

Historic events this week from John Fogerty, The Beatles, Deep Purple, Bob Seger, Bob Dylan, Soundgarden, Alice Cooper and Led Zeppelin

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MARCH 23, 1985: JOHN FOGERTY’S CENTERFIELD IS #1

John Fogerty’s Centerfield was his first solo album of all-original songs. Arriving 10 years after John Fogerty, his second solo album, Centerfield would spend a week at #1.

Containing “Rock and Roll Girls” (#5), “Centerfield” (#4) and “The Old Man Down the Road” (#1), Centerfield went on to sell over 2 million copies in the US.

MARCH 25, 1966: THE BEATLES’ “BUTCHER COVER” PHOTO SHOOT

The Yesterday and Today compilation was controversial due to the Beatles being draped in meat and doll parts on the cover.

The album was recalled when stores refused to sell it due to the offensive cover art.

The cover was replaced with a photo of the Beatles and a steamer trunk

MARCH 25, 1972: DEEP PURPLE’S MACHINE HEAD

Deep Purple’s sixth album, Machine Head, remains their biggest selling album with over 2 million sold.

Their highest charting album in the US (#7) contains Space Truckin’, Highway Star and the classic rock radio staple Smoke on the Water

MARCH 25, 1977: BOB SEGER’S NIGHT MOVES GOES PLATINUM

Bob Seger’s 9th LP was his first studio album to be credited to Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band.

Night Moves was propelled to Platinum status thanks to classic Seger standards such as “Rock & Roll Never Forgets”, “The Fire Down Below”, “Mainstreet” and the album’s title track.

MARCH 25, 2001: BOB DYLAN WINS AN OSCAR

Two months after winning his first Best Original Song Golden Globe for “Things Have Changed” from Wonder Boys starring Michael Douglas, Dylan became an Academy Award winner in the same category.

He accepted the award in Sydney via satellite.

“I want to thank the members of the Academy who were bold enough to give me this award for this song, which obviously is a song that doesn’t pussyfoot around nor turn a blind eye to human nature”

Bob Dylan

MARCH 26, 1994: SOUNDGARDEN’S SUPERUNKNOWN IS #1

Soundgarden’s fourth album, Superunknown, debuted at #1 ahead of Nine Inch Nails’ The Downward Sprial.

The band finally became Grammy winners when the album won two Grammys:

Best Metal Performance (“Spoonman”) and Best Hard Rock Performance (“Black Hole Sun”).

MARCH 28, 1978: ALICE COOPER ON THE MUPPET SHOW

Hesitant to appear on The Muppet Show, because he didn’t want to soften the “Alice Cooper” character, he agreed after being told recent guests had included Christopher Lee and Vincent Price.

Acting as an agent of the Devil, he offers The Muppets fame & fortune if they’ll just sell their souls to him.

MARCH 28, 1973: LED ZEPPELIN’S HOUSES OF THE HOLY

Led Zeppelin’s fifth album, Houses of the Holy, contained the singles “Over the Hills and Far Away” and “D’yer Mak’er.” Houses of the Holy topped the Billboard 200 for two weeks and has sold over 11 million albums in the U.S.

MARCH 29, 1975: 6 ALBUMS ON BILLBOARD CHARTS AT ONE TIME

Led Zeppelin became the first band in history to have six albums at once on the Billboard Albums chart.

The albums and their chart position were:

124: Led Zeppelin III
116: Led Zeppelin
104: Led Zeppelin II
92: Houses of the Holy
83: “Led Zeppelin IV”
1: Physical Graffiti

Historic events this week from Pearl Jam, Van Halen, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen and Iron Maiden

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MARCH 16, 1999: PEARL JAM’S DEBUT CERTIFIED DIAMOND

Pearl Jam’s 1991 debut, Ten, remains their biggest album, followed by Vs. in 1993.

Thanks to the hits “Alive”, “Jeremy” and “Even Flow”, Ten has sold over 13 million copies in the US alone, and was certified Diamond (10 million sold) on this date in 1999.

MARCH 17, 2010: ALEX CHILTON DIES

With a voice well-beyond his years, Alex Chilton was only 16 when he and The Box Tops had a hit single with “The Letter.” After leaving The Box Tops, he joined a band who’d become the influential, yet still little-known, Big Star.

Days before Big Star were to play SXSW in Austin, Chilton suffered a fatal heart attack at age 59. Big Star would play SXSW in tribute to Chilton with guest vocals from Mike Mills of R.E.M., John Doe of X, Evan Dando of The Lemonheads and more.

MARCH 18, 1976: MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH PREMIERES IN LONDON

David Bowie appeared in more than 20 feature films, but his first leading role was in 1976’s The Man Who Fell to Earth. Upon its release, critics were divided. However, it has since become a cult classic.

Bowie’s role earned him the Saturn Award for Best Actor from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films.

MARCH 21, 1994: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WINS AN OSCAR

Two months after winning a Golden Globe, Bruce Springsteen won the big one. He took home the Oscar for “Streets of Philadelphia” which was written for the Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington drama, Philadelphia.

The song would also win 4 Grammys for Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Vocal Performance and Best Song Written for a Motion Picture.

MARCH 22, 1982: IRON MAIDEN’S THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST

Influential English heavy metal band, Iron Maiden, released a classic with their third album. The Number of the Beast was the first to feature the now-iconic Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals.

Containing one of their most well-known songs (“Run to the Hills”) the controversial album has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

Historic events this week from U2, Lenny Kravitz, Quiet Riot, R.E.M. and more

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MARCH 9, 1987: U2 RELEASES THE JOSHUA TREE

Containing the US #1 singles “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, U2’s fifth album has sold over 25,000,000 worldwide.

The Joshua Tree was U2’s first of eight straight #1 albums in the US. A year after its release, The Joshua Tree would win four Grammys including Album of the Year.

MARCH 9, 1993: LENNY KRAVITZ RELEASES ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY

Lenny Kravitz’s third album, Are You Gonna Go My Way, was his first to go Platinum. Selling over 2 million copies in the US, it is his second biggest studio album behind the triple Platinum 5. The album’s title track was his first #1 single, which sold over a million copies on its own.

MARCH 11, 1983: QUIET RIOT RELEASES METAL HEALTH

Quiet Riot’s third album, Metal Health, remains their biggest album. The album went to #1 in the US with help from “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” and the Gold-selling Top 5 hit “Cum On Feel the Noize”.

MARCH 12, 1971: NIGHT #1 OF ALLMAN BROS AT FILLMORE EAST

Allman Brothers Band’s classic live album, At Fillmore East, was recorded over 2 nights at the titular legendary theater in New York. The live collection features 7 songs and 78 minutes worth of astounding southern rock.

MARCH 12, 1991: R.E.M. RELEASES OUT OF TIME

R.E.M.’s seventh album, Out of Time, was a big one for the band. It was their first #1 album and contained the massive platinum selling #1 single, “Losing My Religion.” Out of 7 Grammy nominations, R.E.M. won two for “Losing My Religion”, and one for Best Alternative Music Album.

MARCH 14, 1995: SUPERGROUP MAD SEASON RELEASE THEIR ONLY ALBUM

Mad Season were a supergroup consisting of members of Alice In Chains and Pearl Jam. The busy schedules of each members’ main bands, and the deteriorating health of singer Layne Staley, resulted in the band only releasing one studio album.

Above quickly went Gold based on the strength of their hit song, “River of Deceit.”

MARCH 15-20, 1969: THE BALLAD OF JOHN & YOKO

The Beatles’ “The Ballad of John & Yoko” is the true story of passport problems, a wedding, and protests.

It was very romantic. It’s all in the song, if you want to know how it happened, it’s in there. Gibraltar was like a little sunny dream. I couldn’t find a white suit. I had sort of off-white corduroy trousers and a white jacket. Yoko had all white on. – John Lennon, Rolling Stone 1970

John wrote “The Ballad of John & Yoko” while honeymooning in Paris. With McCartney’s assistance the song was recorded in one day as a duo. Despite being banned by some radio stations, the song went to #1 all over Europe and peaked at #8 in the US.

MAR 2-8: Historic events this week from U2, Eric Clapton, David Bowie and more

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MARCH 2, 1988: U2 WIN THEIR FIRST GRAMMYS

U2’s The Joshua Tree received 4 Grammy nominations in 1988. In addition to winning Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, they won Album of the Year by beating out Whitney by Whitney Houston, Bad by Michael Jackson and Sign o’ the Times by Prince.

MARCH 3, 1972: NILSSON SCHMILSSON CERTIFIED GOLD

Harry Nilsson’s Nilsson Schmilsson has sold over 500,000 copies thanks to hit singles “Coconut”, “Jump Into the Fire”, and his Grammy-winning Badfinger cover, “Without You”. It received the Album of the Year nod but lost to his friend George Harrison’s The Concert for Bangladesh.

MARCH 6, 2000: ERIC CLAPTON INDUCTED INTO ROCK HALL AS SOLO ARTIST

In 2000, Eric Clapton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for a third time! This time, it was as a solo artist. He was previously inducted with the Yardbirds in 1992 and with Cream in 1993.

MARCH 7, 1975: DAVID BOWIE RELEASES YOUNG AMERICANS

After the glam rock of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Aladdin Sane and Diamond Dogs, Bowie took an unexpected left turn into Blue-eyed soul.

Young Americans included contributions from soul singer Luther Vandross, John Lennon, and featured a cover of The Beatles’ “Across the Universe.”

MARCH 8, 1974: FREE/MOTT THE HOOPLE MEMBERS PERFORM AS BAD COMPANY

One of the greatest & most successful supergroups in rock history features members of Free and Mott the Hoople. The majority of the songs from their first live gig would later appear on their debut album.

The set included “Bad Company”, “Can’t Get Enough” and the Mott the Hoople holdover, “Ready for Love.”

FEB 23-MAR 1: Historic events this week from Toto, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, U2, Pink Floyd and more

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FEBRUARY 23, 1983: TOTO WINS BIG AT GRAMMYS

Toto’s fourth album, Toto IV, was a big one for the Los Angeles band. In addition to selling 4 million copies and scoring major platinum hits with “Rosanna” and “Africa”, Toto won five Grammys: Best Engineered Recording, Album of the Year and three for “Rosanna”, including Record of the Year.

FEBRUARY 24, 1975: LED ZEPPELIN RELEASE PHYSICAL GRAFFITI

Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti is their second biggest selling album behind their untitled fourth album (aka Led Zeppelin IV).

Despite only releasing “Trampled Under Foot” as a single, “Houses of the Holy”, “Kashmir” and “The Wanton Song” have all received significant radio air play. The album has sold over 16 Million copies in the US alone.

FEBRUARY 25, 1984: VAN HALEN’S “JUMP” IS #1

“Jump” was the first single from Van Halen’s classic sixth album, 1984. The track spent 5 straight weeks at #1. “Jump” was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal, but ultimately lost to Prince & the Revolution’s “Purple Rain”.

FEBRUARY 27, 1971: JANIS JOPLIN’S PEARL IS #1

Janis Joplin’s final album, Pearl, was released 3 months after her death. The album spent nine consecutive weeks at #1.

Containing “Me and Bobby McGee” & “Mercedes Benz”, Pearl has sold over 4 Million copies in the US alone.

FEBRUARY 28, 1983: U2’s WAR

U2’s third album, War, was their first multi-Platinum album. Containing the well-known singles “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “New Year’s Day”, the album has gone on to sell over 11,000,000 copies worldwide.

MARCH 1, 1973: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON RELEASED IN AMERICA

Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon gave the band international recognition. With over 45 million sold, it’s their best selling album.

With each new generation discovering the album, it has spent 900 non-consecutive weeks on the charts.

MARCH 1, 1995: SOUNDGARDEN WIN THEIR ONLY GRAMMYS

Soundgarden were previously nominated for Best Metal Performance for the albums Ultramega OK and Badmotorfinger, as well as the song “Into the Void (Sealth)”.

They finally became Grammy winners when their album, Superunknown, brought them four more nominations.

Soundgarden won their only Grammys for “Spoonman” (Best Metal Performance) and “Black Hole Sun” (Best Hard Rock Performance).

FEB 16-22: Historic events this week from Bob Dylan, Eagles, KISS, AC/DC and REO Speedwagon

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FEBRUARY 16, 1974: BOB DYLAN’S FIRST US #1 ALBUM

Twelve years after releasing his self-titled debut album, Bob Dylan finally had a #1 album in the US. Planet Waves, Dylan’s first album with The Band, spent 3 weeks at #1. Planet Waves contained 2 versions (one fast, one slow) of the classic “Forever Young.”

FEBRUARY 17, 1976: EAGLES RELEASE THEIR GREATEST HITS (1971-1975)

Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) from the Eagles is one of the biggest selling albums of all-time. It features the #1 hits “Best of My Love” and “One of These Nights” as well as “Lyin’ Eyes” and “Take It Easy.” The collection has gone Platinum 38 times, and has sold over 45 million copies worldwide.

FEBRUARY 18, 1974: KISS RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM

KISS’s self-titled debut was the first of two albums they released in 1974. The debut features such classics as “Deuce”, “Strutter” and Ace Frehley’s “Cold Gin.” During a 2018 appearance on Good Morning America, Gene Simmons called it his favorite KISS album.

FEBRUARY 19, 1980: AC/DC’s BON SCOTT DIES

The cause of death for AC/DC’s Bon Scott has been debated for over 40 years. Whether it was “pulmonary aspiration” or “acute alcohol poisoning”, the 33 year old singer’s cause of death is classified as “death by misadventure.” Bon Scott’s family encouraged AC/DC to continue on. Five months later, they released the classic Back In Black, with Brian Johnson on lead vocals.

FEBRUARY 21, 1981: REO SPEEDWAGON’S HI INFIDELITY IS #1

REO Speedwagon’s 9th album, Hi Infidelity, ended the 8-week reign of John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy at #1. Hi Infidelity would go on to spend 15 non-consecutive weeks at #1 in 1981, trading places twice with Styx’s

FEB 16-22: Historic events this week from Bob Dylan, Eagles, KISS, AC/DC and REO Speedwagon

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FEBRUARY 16, 1974: BOB DYLAN’S FIRST US #1 ALBUM

Twelve years after releasing his self-titled debut album, Bob Dylan finally had a #1 album in the US. Planet Waves, Dylan’s first album with The Band, spent 3 weeks at #1. Planet Waves contained 2 versions (one fast, one slow) of the classic “Forever Young.”

FEBRUARY 17, 1976: EAGLES RELEASE THEIR GREATEST HITS (1971-1975)

Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) from the Eagles is one of the biggest selling albums of all-time. It features the #1 hits “Best of My Love” and “One of These Nights” as well as “Lyin’ Eyes” and “Take It Easy.” The collection has gone Platinum 38 times, and has sold over 45 million copies worldwide.

FEBRUARY 18, 1974: KISS RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM

KISS’s self-titled debut was the first of two albums they released in 1974. The debut features such classics as “Deuce”, “Strutter” and Ace Frehley’s “Cold Gin.” During a 2018 appearance on Good Morning America, Gene Simmons called it his favorite KISS album.

FEBRUARY 19, 1980: AC/DC’s BON SCOTT DIES

The cause of death for AC/DC’s Bon Scott has been debated for over 40 years. Whether it was “pulmonary aspiration” or “acute alcohol poisoning”, the 33 year old singer’s cause of death is classified as “death by misadventure.” Bon Scott’s family encouraged AC/DC to continue on. Five months later, they released the classic Back In Black, with Brian Johnson on lead vocals.

FEBRUARY 21, 1981: REO SPEEDWAGON’S HI INFIDELITY IS #1

REO Speedwagon’s 9th album, Hi Infidelity, ended the 8-week reign of John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy at #1. Hi Infidelity would go on to spend 15 non-consecutive weeks at #1 in 1981, trading places twice with Styx’s