Historic events this week from Nirvana, Eric Clapton, Oasis and The Rolling Stones
AUGUST 17, 1991: NIRVANA’S “SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT” MUSIC VIDEO
Nirvana handed out casting call fliers for the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video, which is designed to look like a pep rally. Filled with teen angst and anarchy, the video proved to be a smash and helped propel the single to the top of the charts. The iconic video has been viewed over 2 billion times on YouTube.
AUGUST 21, 1997: OASIS’ BE HERE NOW
Oasis‘ Be Here Now arrived with unprecedented hype, becoming the fastest-selling album in UK chart history and reaching #1 in fifteen countries. Despite its initial massive commercial success, including a #2 peak on the Billboard 200, the album was later criticized for its bloated sound and excessive length, with Noel Gallagher himself expressing dissatisfaction. Notably, it features a guest appearance from Johnny Depp on the track “Fade In-Out,” and includes ambitious nine-minute epics like “All Around The World.”
AUGUST 22, 1970: LAYLA RECORDING SESSIONS BEGIN
The Derek and the Dominos collaboration between Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock and Duane Allman stands as one of the greatest one-off supergroups of all time. Duane Allman would contribute lead guitar to 11 of the album’s 14 tracks. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000, and the reissue won the Grammy for Best Surround Sound Album in 2012.
AUGUST 23, 1981: THE ROLLING STONES RELEASE TATTOO YOU
The Rolling Stones‘ Tattoo You is largely composed of outtakes from earlier recording sessions, with fresh vocals and instrumentation added. It was a massive success, reaching #1 in the US, and is celebrated for hits like “Waiting on a Friend” and “Start Me Up.”
