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Today in rock history: On this date in 2015, Steve Strange died at the age of 55 after suffering a heart attack. Strange (born Stephen Harrington) single-handedly began and popularized the new romantic movement and was a major catalyst in the rise of smart, sophisticated U.K. new wave and dance music during the early ‘80s. As a host and doorperson, Strange also influenced fashion by making it a point to allow those who dressed as outrageously as possible into London’s trendy and influential Blitz nightclub. Boy George, Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet all blossomed under Strange, who also fronted new wave group Visage which recorded the quintessential New Romantic song, “Fade to Grey.” As the ‘80s were unfolding and a new scene took over, Strange was embraced and praised by another groundbreaker, David Bowie, who invited him to appear in the cutting edge music video for “Ashes to Ashes."
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1961, The Miracles’ “Shop Around” became Motown Records’ first million-selling single. Co-written by Smokey Robinson, the record climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart and went to No. 2 on the pop chart. Released on Motown subsidiary label, Tamla Records, “Shop Around” was the first of six, million-selling singles The Miracles would enjoy throughout the 1960s.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1977, The Police began recording their first single, “Fall Out,” on a shoestring budget and without the support of a major label. Written by drummer Stewart Copeland and released via the independent Illegal Records, the breakneck single (with “Nothing Achieving” as a b-side) is the only Police recording to feature original guitarist Henry Padovani. While it sold poorly upon release, positive reviews eventually led to a sell out of the first pressing. The 1979 re-release fared even better and broke the Top 40 on U.K. sales charts.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1974, the renowned, 400-capacity Greenwich Village nightclub The Bottom Line opened and became one of the first non-smoking bars in New York City. Stevie Wonder, Johnny Winter, Mick Jagger, Carly Simon and James Taylor all performed that night, and Bottom Line would also become known as one of the first venues to showcase a still burgeoning Bruce Springsteen. Other milestones include the recording of Lou Reed’s notorious 1978 live album, Take No Prisoners, but back rent eventually led owners to close doors in 2004. The building now functions as classroom space for New York University.
This article appears in Feb 7-14, 2019.
