Music History Today: May 1, 2020

May 1, 1980: The South African government banned Pink Floyd's single "Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)."  

Music History Today: April 30, 2020

April 30, 1983: Michael Jackson's collaboration with Van Halen, the song "Beat It," hit Number 1 in America for the first of three weeks.

In 1982, Michael Jackson wasn’t yet Michael Jackson, megastar. Before Thriller, the then–24-year-old had released five solo albums but was still defining his own sound separate from the success of the Jackson 5. 

Music History Today: April 29, 2020

April 29, 1989: Madonna had the Number 1 song with "Like A Prayer."

From a musical standpoint, “Like a Prayer was a fascinating departure, blending gospel with Madonna’s more typical dance-pop stylings. 

Music History Today: April 28, 2020

April 28, 1982: The California State Assembly consumer-protection committee heard testimony from "experts" about playing the Led Zeppelin song, 'Stairway To Heaven" backward. 

In 1982, a California State Assembly consumer-protection-committee hearing featured testimony from “experts” who claimed that “Stairway,” when played backward, contained the words:   

Music History Today: April 27, 2020

April 27, 1980: Three years and a day after opening its doors, New York's legendary Studio 54 was closed for liquor license violations. 

Studio 54 is the one nightclub from the '70s everyone remembers. For most of his life, though, co-founder Ian Schrager has wanted to forget it.

Music History Today: April 26, 2020

April 26, 1969: Canada's Guess Who's latest single,  "These Eyes," entered the Billboard Top 40. 

 Guess Who 1975

Music History Today: April 24, 2020

April 24, 1974: David Bowie released Diamond Dogs. The cover is created by the Dutch artist Guy Peellaert. 

Guy Peellaert was a Belgian artist, painter, illustrator, comic artist and photographer. In 1974, a collection of his works produced between 1970-1973 were published under the title “Rock Dreams." 

Music History Today: April 23, 2020

April 23, 1971: The Rolling Stones released their classic album Sticky Fingers in the UK. 

Some album covers are memorable because they perfectly express an artist’s image (or brand, if you will), as well as music. 

Music History Today: April 22, 2020

April 22, 1978: Bob Marley and the Wailers performed at Jamaica's 'One Love Peace Concert.' 

The One Love Peace Concert was held on April 22, 1978 at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. 

Music History Today: April 21, 2020

April 21, 1990: Sinead O'Connor started a four-week run at Number 1 on the US singles chart with her version of the Prince song "Nothing Compares To You."

On April 21, 1990, Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for four weeks. 

Music History Today: April 20, 2020

April 20, 1971: Five friends at San Rafael High School in California coin the term "4:20" as a euphemism for smoking pot. April 20th becomes a popular day to spark one up. 

The most credible story traces 4/20 to Marin County, California. In 1971, five students at San Rafael High School would meet at 4:20 p.m. by the campus’ statue of chemist Louis Pasteur to partake. They chose that specific time because extracurricular activities had usually ended by then. 

Read more:  Time Magazine

Shaggy and Scooby desktop wallpaper

Music History Today: April 17, 2020

April 17, 1971: The Doors' "Love Her Madly" moved up the Hot 100 chart 29 spots, from its debut at Number 74 to 45. 

Boredom drove the Doors' guitarist Robbie Krieger to write would become the final hit of the band's time together. 'Love Her Madly' was penned in response to his girlfriend at the time. 

Music History Today: April 16, 2020

April 16, 1972: Pink Floyd appeared at the Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, on their Dark Side of The Moon tour.

The Dark Side of the Moon Tour was a concert tour by British rock band Pink Floyd in 1972 and 1973 in support of their album The Dark Side of the Moon. 

Music History Today: April 15, 2020

April 15, 1972: Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen entered the Billboard Top 40 for the first and only time with "Hot Rod Lincoln," which climbed to Number 9.

"Hot Rod Lincoln" is a song by American singer-songwriter Charlie Ryan, first released in 1955. 

Music History Today: April 14, 2020

April 14, 2016: Prince’s performance at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta would also be his last. 

The perfect send-off. Prince’s performance at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on Thursday, April 14, was an epic one — and unbeknownst to the music legend or his fans, it would also be his last. 

Music History Today: April 13, 2020

April 13, 1971: The Rolling Stones released 'Brown Sugar' from their latest album, Sticky Fingers.*

April 6, 1971: The Rolling Stones unveiled their new record label, Rolling Stones Records.