Music History Today: March 20, 2021

March 20, 1982: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts brought rock & roll back when "I Love Rock 'N Roll" reached number 1.

The level of swagger on “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” is out of control. The song is so thuddingly simple, so elemental, that it could easily turn hokey and ridiculous. Instead, the opposite happens.

Joan Jett

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The song already sounds totemic by the time it hits the first chorus. Joan Jett uses the song to put the full force of her tough-kid charisma on display. She makes a simple statement of musical preference sound like a rallying cry, a statement of religious truth, a come-on. She makes rock ‘n’ roll sound like something worth loving. 

Read more: Stereogum

March 20, 1961: Ricky Nelson began recording "Hello Mary Lou."

"Hello Mary Lou" was written by Gene Pitney, was the B-side to Nelson's Number One hit "Travelin' Man," and was a substantial hit in its own right, peaking at Number Nine on the charts.

Ricky Nelson

Nelson's 14th Top Ten hit in four years, it gained major national exposure when performed on his family's sitcom, The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriet Show. Over the years, "Hello Mary Lou" has gone on to become one of Nelson's most covered songs.  

Read more: Nights with Alice Cooper

March 20, 1982:  Journey's "Open Arms" spent a fourth week at number 2. It never got higher on the charts.

The song "Open Arms" by rock legends Journey was written by Jonathon Cain and Steve Perry who were both members of the band. 

Journey

Caine originally suggested the tune to the Tthe Baby's, but they thought it too sappy. When he first joined Journey he played the song for Perry on his keyboard. Perry liked it but the rest of the band wasn't convinced. They recorded it anyway and the song went on to be highest charted single for Journey. 

Read more: Music Banter

 

March 20, 1982: Bertie Higgins was number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Key Largo."

Key Largo is an island off the coast of Florida that was the setting for the 1948 movie of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, who were married in real life and one of the most glamorous couples in Hollywood.

Bertie Higgins grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida and spent a lot of time in the Florida keys. He based this song on the movie, with a failed romance also serving as inspiration. 

Read more: All About Vinyl Records

 

I Love Rock 'n Roll

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts