Music History Today: June 16, 2020

June 16,1972: David Bowie unveiled his landmark album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. 

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Upon the release of David Bowie’s most thematically ambitious, musically coherent album to date, the record in which he unites the major strengths of his previous work and comfortably reconciles himself to some apparently inevitable problems, we should all say a brief prayer that his fortunes are not made to rise and fall with the fate of the “drag-rock” syndrome.   

Read more:  Rolling Stones (album review; June 20, 1972)

June 16, 1967: The first Monterey Pop Festival started in 1967.  John Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas would later write "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)" about the festival, which became a big hit for Scott McKenzie later in the year.

The impetus behind the staging of the Monterey International Pop Festival evolved one night in 1967, at Mama Cass Elliot’s house. Paul McCartney, John and Michelle Phillips, Cass and Lou Adler were discussing, along with other highly inspired issues, the general perception of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Although jazz was considered an art form, Rock ‘n’ Roll was viewed as a fad.  

Read more: Monterey International Pop Festival

June 16, 1969: Zager & Evans released "In The Year 2525."  

It was, to be sure, one of the bleakest songs ever to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Zager and Evans’ “In the Year 2525” began by wondering if humankind would still exist in the year in question. Then, failing to venture a definitive answer, the singer-songwriters postulated that even if we do make it that far, it won’t matter much, because in future millennia something or other will surely do us in.  

Read more: Best Classic Songs

June 16, 1975:  James Taylor released the single "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)."

James Taylor released his version of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" as the lead single from his album Gorilla (1975). Taylor's 1975 single has been the most successful remake of the song to date, hitting number one on the Easy Listening chart and number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

Read more: Wikipedia

June 16, 1978:  The movie Grease (adapted from the famous Broadway play) premiered in New York City.

Grease, released on June 16, 1978, is now celebrating its (42nd) anniversary this month. Its mark on U.S. culture however, feels just as fresh today as it did the day it was released. 

 

Depicting the love story of Danny and Sandy though 1950s — complete with doo-wop’s and hand jives — Grease became an immediate box office success and fan favorite. Making more than $394 million worldwide, it remains the fourth highest-grossing live-action musical of all time.  

Read more:  The Hollywood Reporter

Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie