Today in rock history: on this date in 1988, after many years on the roster of independent record label I.R.S. Records, Athens, Georgia college radio favorite R.E.M. released its first album for a major label. Green, the band’s sixth album came after its contract with its previous label came to an end. The quartet signed with Warner Brothers Records after being promised complete creative control of its music and R.E.M. started its tenure with the large label with a bang. The album was a huge success, selling several million copies in the U.S. alone. Singles from the album included “Orange Crush," "Stand," "Pop Song 89" and "Get Up." The album’s appeal also paved the way for the band’s largest and most ambitious world tour until that point which brought them international success.
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Today in Rock History: Bob Dylan walks off Ed Sullivan
Today in rock history: on this date in 1985, Bob Dylan’s career-spanning anthology Biograph was released. A treasure trove of hits and rarities including some previously unreleased Dylan songs, the box came packaged as either a 3-CD set or a 5-LP set, and it helped blow dust off of forgotten gems from the singer/songwriter's long and illustrious career while delighting longtime fans in the process. The 53 selections included were presented out of chronological order, and the box contained thorough liner notes and insights into the included songs and their lyrics. One of the more successful box sets of all time, the collection peaked at No. 33 on Billboard’s album sales charts and eventually achieved platinum sales status, signaling more than a million copies sold.
Today in rock history: on this date in in 1943, Roberta Joan Anderson was born in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada. After marrying and adopting the stage name she’s still known by to this date, Joni Mitchell, one of the most important and significant female recording artists of the rock era, became known as an exceptional singer and songwriter. Starting as more of a traditional folk artist, Mitchell soon ventured into different styles and genres while retaining her unique brand of songwriting and the delivery of her songs in her distinctive vocal style. Her mark on music was indelibly branded with the release of her 1971 landmark album, Blue, one of the greatest albums of all time. Mitchell has dabbled with jazz, pop and rock and roll and has assembled one of the most impressive and astounding catalogs of music of all time.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1983, U2 released its live EP, Under A Blood Red Sky. Captured while the band was on tour supporting its War album, the live recording was captured during the band’s breakthrough performance at Colorado’s historic and picturesque outdoor venue, Red Rocks. Although, as film footage from the concert reveals, the cold, rainy weather on that particular night was no deterrent for the young, upstart band. The performance won over the crowd and set the tone for the dynamic, exciting concert experience the band was already capable of making happen so early in its existence. Containing songs spanning the band’s as of then released studio albums, the record also introduced a rare single B-side than many may have not been familiar with at this time: “Party Girl.” A home video companion of the show was released later but, at the time of this album’s release, this served as the only document of the power and the depth of the live U2 concert experience for those who hadn’t witnessed it in person yet. Read our review of the band's latest Tampa show here.
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Review: Yes conjures up its own 'Drama' at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg (w/ photos + setlist)
Today in rock history: on this date in 1983, in one of the most impressive career reinventions of all time, a newly revamped and re-inspired version of legendary British prog rock band Yes released its pivotal album, 90125. Titled to coincide with the catalog number assigned to it, the record took the band to new heights and redefined its place in the pop pantheon. After the departure of some of the band’s members following Yes’s 1980 album, Drama, the band's future was unclear. Lead singer Jon Anderson was long gone and existing members Chris Squire and Alan White teamed up with South African guitar wiz Trevor Rabin to form a brand new band, Cinema. The plan was for the multi-talented guitarist to handle lead vocals with the new outfit but when Jon Anderson was invited to try his hand at the vocal duties, it was determined that he’d become a permanent member of the band and that the Yes name would be reused. The record was a massive hit; its lead single “Owner of a Lonely Heart” was a No. 1 Billboard Pop hit and unexpectedly charted well on Billboard’s R&B singles chart as well. The music video for the single, as well as for follow up singles “Leave It” and “It Can Happen” were added into heavy rotation on MTV and introduced the long-standing band to a whole new generation of listeners. While some diehard Yes fans were torn by the new direction that band had taken, the record became one of the group’s best-selling albums of all time and topped sales of over three million copies sold in the United States alone.
