Today in rock history: On this date in 1976, two rock and roll legends released albums that shared similar titles. Detroit native Bob Seger released his multi-platinum selling, ninth album, Night Moves. The record featured the singles "Rock and Roll Never Forgets," "Mainstreet" and the epic title track. British-born superstar Elton John's Blue Moves was his eleventh studio album and the second double-album of this career. Although it received less that rave reviews when released, the record was still a big hit mostly due to the success of its lead single, one of Elton's best ballads, "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word." John is set to play Tampa's Amalie Arena in November.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1966, leading Motown singing group The Supremes became the very first all-female group to score a No. 1 album on Billboard's pop albums chart with Supremes A Go-Go. The group's ninth album featured the singles "You Can't Hurry Love" and "Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart," went on to be a platinum seller and remained on sales charts for more than a year. It knocked out The Beatles's Revolver to overtake the top spot on U.S. charts on the way to achieving this historic landmark.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1969, hard rock giant Led Zeppelin released its second album, the aptly titled Led Zeppelin II. Released the same year as its landmark debut album, the band continued its unique pairing of blues with hard rock to create another legendary album. Containing the Led Zep staple "Whole Lotta Love," and a smoking cover of blues legend Willie Dixon's "Bring It On Home," this is certainly one of the very best albums the band ever released. Another platinum-selling success, the record topped album charts all around the world and has sold more than 12 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Today in rock history: On this date in 1991, Matthew Sweet released his third studio album, Girlfriend. The infectious, perfect pop record was Sweet's breakthrough after two albums that had received positive reviews but sold poorly. A staple on college rock radio stations, the record sold respectably and received lots of positive accolades. The record's pure pop title track was originally titled "Good Friend" but was later changed when a record company exec misheard the lyric and suggested it be changed. Pictured on the cover of the record is a vintage, 1950s-era photo of actress Tuesday Weld.
This article appears in Oct 18-25, 2018.