Music History Today: September 23, 2020

September 23, 1977: David Bowie released 'Heroes' as a single. 

Although David Bowie’s Berlin-period anthem Heroes was initially something of a commercial failure, it became his most life-changing single. 

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It was released as a single in September 1977. It only reached No.24 in the UK, and didn’t chart at all in the US. But it became one of Bowie’s theme songs, along with the likes of Space Oddity and Changes. 

Read more: Louder Sound

September 23, 1967: The Doors' "People Are Strange" is released in the US, where it will reach Number 12.

Jim Morrison penned one of the Doors most successful song in about 10 minutes. John Densmore explains: 

Cellphone Wallpaper

"Jim went to Robby Krieger’s house, and went to Laurel Canyon to watch the sunset. He realized he was depressed because 'if you’re strange, people are strange.' He then wrote the rest of the lyrics, which were about feeling alienated." 

Read more: Society of Rock

September 21, 1970: Santana released the album Abraxas.

What comes to mind when you think of Santana’s Abraxas album -- the cover or the music? The 1970 release contains the classic-rock mainstays "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va." 

Abraxas was hailed as a rock-fusion masterpiece that blended the sounds of Latin America with blues and jazz. And there was no missing that Abraxas cover art was a major head trip.  

Read more: Groovy History

September 23,  1974: John Lennon released the single "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" in the United States on Apple Records.  

“Whatever Gets You Thru The Night,” like a lot of other Lennon singles, is full of nonsense. It’s a structure-free vamp, a string of non-sequitur lyrics. Lennon got the title from the black televangelist Reverend Ike, Lennon had heard him use the phrase while channel-surfing one night.

Read more: Stereogum

September 23, 1977: Steely Dan released their masterpiece: the album Aja.

Steely Dan's sixth studio album arrived in September 1977 as the artistic pinnacle of the '70s jazz-rock movement.  Aja became Steely Dan's highest-selling album, reaching No. 3 on the American charts. More importantly, it remains their most fully realized collection of songs.  

Read more: Ultimate Classic Rock

Deacon Blues
Steely Dan 

Heroes
David Bowie