1979: On the strength of their hit, "Sultans Of Swing", England's Dire Straits kick off their first US tour, selling out every one of their 51 scheduled shows.
Courtesy of classicbands.com, YouTube, and SoR Radio!
1989: A category for Heavy Metal is included at the Grammys Awards for the first time. Metallica performs on stage, but the award went to Jethro Tull. Many audience members booed. Meanwhile, Bobby McFerrin won Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year for "Don't Worry, Be Happy", Tracy Chapman is named Best New Artist and Tina Turner won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for "Tina Live in Europe".
Courtesy of classicbands.com, YouTube, and SoR Radio!
1970: The Jackson 5 make their TV debut on American Bandstand where they sing "I Want You Back".
Courtesy of classicbands.com, YouTube, and SoR Radio!
1976: At the 19th annual Grammy Awards, statues were presented to Stevie Wonder for Album Of The Year for "Songs In The Key Of Life", and Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "I Wish". Best New Artist went to The Starland Vocal Band. Chicago was cited for Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group for "If You Leave Me Now" and Linda Ronstadt won Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female for "Hasten Down The Wind".
Courtesy of classicbands.com, YouTube, and SoR Radio!
1966: Lou Christie enjoys his only US number one record with "Lightnin' Strikes", a song that his record company, MGM, hated so much, they initially refused to release. Label head Lenny Shear actually threw the tape in the wastebasket and said it was "a piece of crap." After Christie's management team promoted the record themselves, it started to gain attention and three months later, Billboard magazine featured a picture of Shear presenting Christie with a Gold record. It became a #11 hit in the UK.
Courtesy of classicbands.com, YouTube, and SoR Radio!