Today in rock history: on this date in 1987, British hard rock band Def Leppard released its fourth album, Hysteria. The album took a long, laborious three years to record and mix and was plagued with delays and strokes of bad luck; most notably, the 1984 car accident that cost drummer Rick Allen one of his arms. The record was a massive success, topping album sales charts in just about every country in which it was released. Worldwide sales of the album exceed over 25 million copies with half that total being sold in the U.S. alone. The highly successful record produced a whopping seven hit singles and the world tour to support the record lasted 16 months and saw the band play over 200 shows.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1979, New York art-rock new wave band Talking Heads released its third album, Fear of Music. Produced by musical innovator and electronic music pioneer Brian Eno, the album took the beloved four-piece band to new musical places where it hadn’t yet traveled. A mixture of sounds and textures, the record boasted the group’s first forays into world music, funk, electronica and hints of disco. Featuring the classic singles “Life During Wartime,” “Cities” and “I Zimbra”, this is undoubtedly one of the very best and most groundbreaking albums the band ever released.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1969, American rock and roll band Creedence Clearwater Revival released its third album, Green River. The record was the second album the band would release that year (Bayou Country, CCR's second album was released in January 1969) and was another huge success for the swamp rock band. Featuring the singles “Bad Moon Rising” and the title track which both peaked at no. 2 on Billboard’s singles charts, the album was another no. 1 record for the band who dominated radio airwaves during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1973, musical genius Stevie Wonder released his sixteenth studio album, Innervisions. Known for his socially relevant lyrical content, his uncanny ability to write hit songs, his fantastic voice, his recognizable harmonica playing and his steady piano and keyboard work, this is Wonder at his absolute peak while in the midst of a hot streak of brilliant albums. Standouts on this superb album include the catchy funk of “Higher Ground” (a song the Red Hot Chili Peppers would record and have a hit of their own with in 1989), the smooth jazz of “Don’t You Worry ‘bout A Thing,” and the biting, social relevance of “Living For The City.” The record peaked at no. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and made it to no. 4 on the pop chart. Widely regarded as one of Stevie’s very best releases, this sonic masterpiece is every bit as powerful and significant in its music and its messages as it was when released more than 40 years ago.
