Historic events this week from Dire Straits, R.E.M., Peter Gabriel, ZZ Top, The Wallflowers, The Rolling Stones and The Who
MAY 17, 1985: BROTHERS IN ARMS BY DIRE STRAITS
Dire Straits‘ penultimate album, Brothers in Arms, was a huge one.
Containing the singles “So Far Away”, “Walk of Life” and “Money for Nothing”, the album went to #1 all over the world on its way to selling 30 million copies worldwide.
MAY 18, 1991: R.E.M.’S OUT OF TIME IS #1
R.E.M.’s first #1 album, Out of Time, spent two non-consecutive weeks at the top and contained the massive platinum selling #1 single, “Losing My Religion”.
Out of 7 Grammy nominations, R.E.M. won two for “Losing My Religion”, and one for Best Alternative Music Album.
Out of Time has sold more than 18 million copies worldwide.
MAY 19, 1986: PETER GABRIEL’S 5TH SOLO ALBUM, SO
So is far and away Peter Gabriel’s biggest album with over 5,000,000 copies sold in the US, thanks to four Top 5 singles:
“Red Rain” (#3), “Big Time” (#3), “Sledgehammer” (#1) and “In Your Eyes” (#1)
So peaked at #2. It was held off of the top spot by massive albums from Whitney Houston and Madonna.
MAY 21, 1983: ZZ TOP’S “GIMME ALL YOUR LOVIN’” VIDEO
ZZ Top‘s expanded synth sound on Eliminator allowed them to reach a wider audience.
“Gimme All Your Lovin’” went to #2 on the US Mainstream Rock charts with help from the music video; the first of 4 to feature Billy Gibbons‘ custom Eliminator Coupe.
MAY 21, 1996: THE WALLFLOWERS’ BRINGING DOWN THE HORSE
The Wallflowers’ second album, Bringing Down the Horse, remains their biggest.
The #1 album has sold 4 million copies and earned them two Grammy wins out of five nominations.
“One Headlight” took home the prize for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Rock Song.
MAY 22, 1971: STICKY FINGERS IS #1
The Rolling Stones’ 9th album was only their second to go to #1 in the US.
Featuring “Brown Sugar” and “Wild Horses”, Sticky Fingers immediately went Gold and spent four straight weeks at #1.
The landmark album started a streak of eight straight Stones albums to reach #1 in the US.
MAY 23, 1969: THE WHO RELEASE TOMMY
When you think “rock opera,” The Who’s Tommy likely comes to mind.
One of the first “rock operas”, Tommy is about a “deaf, dumb and blind kid” who “sure plays a mean pinball” (lyrics: “Pinball Wizard”).
Peaking at #4 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, Tommy is one of The Who’s biggest albums with over 20 million sold worldwide.
