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Today in rock history: On this date in 1996, 2Pac released his fourth album, the double-disc set, All Eyez on Me. It was the first hip-hop double album to be released by a solo artist, a massive seller, and also the last album he’d release before being shot dead later that year. The record boasted five singles, and “California Love” — which featured another hip hop giant, Dr. Dre — became the most successful of them all. All Eyez on Me went all the way to No. 1 on Billboard’s pop albums chart by selling over 500,000 copies after just one week on shelves, and the album went on to sell more than 10 million copies.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1950, original Genesis singer Peter Gabriel was born in Chobham, Surrey, England. As visually captivating as he was vocally unique, Gabriel often wore outlandish costumes and masks onstage, which earned him a reputation as one of the most noticeable artists to emerge in the 1970s. After breaking away from Genesis to pursue a solo career, Gabriel remains a musical icon and has been credited with incorporating world music into hits like “Sledgehammer,” “Big Time” and “Don’t Give Up (feat. Kate Bush).” Gabriel celebrates his 69th birthday today.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1993, RuPaul made gender-bending history when “Supermodel (You Better Work)” made him the first drag queen to notch a hit song on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart. The record climbed as high as No. 45 on the chart, but its significance was felt on a much broader scale since it found RuPaul bringing drag culture to the masses via a hit record.
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Today in rock history: On this date in 1967, Dolly Parton released Hello, I’m Dolly. The country legend’s debut album consisted almost entirely of songs she’d written herself and climbed as high as no. 11 on Billboard’s country charts. It also produced three singles, including “Dumb Blonde” which became Parton’s first Top 40 hit. A follow up single, “Something Fishy,” broke the Top 20 single on Billboard’s country music singles chart.
