Today in rock history: on this date in 1987, Irish rock band U2 released its fifth album, the landmark The Joshua Tree. A worldwide smash, the album increased the band’s popularity dramatically and elevated it to being recognized as one of the most successful bands on the globe. Inspired by American themes and imagery, the record featured several hit singles and reached the No. 1 spot on sales charts in over 20 countries around the world. U2 classics like “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” were both released as singles from the album and both reached No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart in America. Additionally, “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “In God’s Country” were also single releases in the U.S. and performed respectably on sales charts as well. The Joshua Tree” became U2’s best-selling and most popular album of their career and has joined the ranks of the best-selling albums of all time with sales exceeding 25 million copies sold worldwide.
IN GOD'S COUNTRY
Review: 30 years later, U2's The Joshua Tree looms larger than ever at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium (w/photos+setlist)
Today in rock history: on this date in 1997, New York City rap star Notorious B.I.G. (also known as stage name Biggie Smalls and by his birth name, Christopher Wallace) was shot to death while in Los Angeles to promote his upcoming release, the two-disc prophetically titled Life After Death. Following the death of west coast rap icon 2Pac six months earlier, tensions ran high and heightened the bi-coastal feud that existed among current-day hip-hop artists. Following his attendance at the annual Soul Train Awards event and an after-show party, Biggie was shot four times while riding in the front seat of a vehicle. No suspect was ever apprehended or charged in the murder, and details surrounding the unfortunate event have always been hard to come by. Notorious B.I.G. was only 24 years old at the time of his shooting death and left behind his wife, R&B singer Faith Evans and their two children.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1993, rock and roll singer/songwriter Lenny Kravitz released his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way. The album was Lenny’s first album to crack the top 20 on Billboard’s pop albums chart in America and rose all the way to No. 1 in both England and Australia. The album touched on several styles and genres including blues, reggae, revved-up rock and roll and soul. Fueled by its hard rocking title track and its popular accompanying music video, the album also included the soulful ballads “Believe” and “Heaven Help” which were also released as singles. The album brought Kravitz two Grammy award nominations and sold over 2 million copies in the U.S. alone making it the artist’s best-selling album up until that point and one that introduced him to a worldwide audience.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1942, experimental singer/songwriter/musician John Cale was born in Garnant, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Moving to New York City in the mid-1960s, Cale met singer/songwriter Lou Reed and the two founded the band that’s constantly referred to as one of the most influential bands of all time, The Velvet Underground. While Cale only appeared on the band’s first two albums, his presence and mark on the band is undeniable. Releasing a wealth of solo albums throughout his musical career, Cale has dabbled in a variety of genres including electronic, classical, avant-garde and rock and roll. Cale has also contributed to several film soundtracks and scores and has remained a powerful and significant force in rock music since the 1960’s. Additionally, Cale has earned a reputation as a record producer and has handled production duties for artists like Patti Smith, Squeeze, Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Stooges
This article appears in Mar 8-15, 2018.