Today in rock history: on this date in 1991, rocker Lenny Kravitz released his second album, Mama Said. Kravitz got noticed and received strong accolades for his 1989 debut album, the retro-tinged Let Love Rule. Lenny delved more into raucous rock and roll for his sophomore release and showed off his chops, especially on the album’s title track which featured an appearance by Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist, Slash. Several singles were released from this fine album but none charted higher than “It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over,” the soulful, Curtis Mayfield-inspired song that became Lenny’s first bona fide pop radio hit single. Mama Said charted well in America and in England and was a platinum-selling success here in the U.S.
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Today in rock history: on this date in 1973, long after the band's breakup, two different compilations of the work of The Beatles were released. Divided into two distinct eras, the first of the pair was titled 1962-1966 and focused on the band’s earlier pop work; the companion piece, 1967-1970 covered the band’s heavier and more experimental period and showed the distinct differences in the band’s styles and approaches throughout the lifespan of its short but fruitful tenure. Although not designed necessarily as greatest hits compilations, these two popular 2-LP sets were the closest thing to an overview of the band’s work and performed extremely well on sales charts as a result. The earlier collection made it all the way to No. 3 on American sales charts upon its release and the set featuring the band’s latter works made it all the way to the top spot.
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Today in rock history: on this date in 1939, arguably the greatest and most influential soul singer of all time, Marvin Gaye, was born in Washington, D.C. Starting out as more of a crooner when signed to a recording contract with Motown Records, it would take several releases before Marvin would carve out his own distinctive vocal style and would find his true musical groove. After several hit singles throughout the 1960s, Gaye hit his stride in 1971 with his game-changing, legendary album, What’s Going On which expressed plenty of social commentary in a thoughtful, realistic manner; an idea that went against the wishes of his record label. Nonetheless, he created one of the most important and vital albums of all time and was forever regarded as one of the most integral artists of his era from that moment on. Gaye had a resurgence in the mid-1980s when his seductive ballad “Sexual Healing” became a major hit single and topped charts in several countries around the world. Sadly, Gaye was shot to death by his own father in 1984, a day before his 45th birthday.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1947, renowned singer/songwriter Emmylou Harris was born in Birmingham, Alabama. Beginning her recording career by accompanying former Byrds member and Flying Burrito Bros. founder Gram Parsons on his first solo album in the early 1970s, it wasn’t long before Harris was given a recording contract of her own and began to release her own solo records. Harris’s first major label release, 1975’s Pieces of the Sky won her rave reviews and signaled a new era in country music. Harris has since released several albums, delved into different genres and sounds, and has remained one of the most celebrated and admired musical artists of the last forty years. A multi-Grammy award winner and the recipient of many gold and platinum record awards, Harris has worked with artists like Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Rodney Crowell, Bright Eyes and Elvis Costello throughout her long career.
This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 5, 2018.