Music History Today: October 2, 2021

October 2:  1981: "Juke Box Hero" by Foreigner is released in the UK.

Foreigner launched a search for the fan who inspired their hit song “Juke Box Hero,” offering a V.I.P. experience for the person ... if he can be found.

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The song appeared on the band's 1981 album 4 and was written by guitarist Mick Jones and singer Lou Gramm after Jones invited a young fan backstage on a previous tour. 

Read more: Ultimate Classic Rock 

October 2, 1965: "Hang On Sloopy" by The McCoys took over the Number 1 spot in the US.  

The McCoys were really Rick And The Raiders, a teenage rock band from Indiana. Rick And The Raiders opened for the Strangeloves one night in Dayton, and they also played as their backing band. They looked like Beatles, and the Strangeloves saw dollar signs. 

The McCoys

So the Strangeloves got Rick And The Raiders to come with them to New York. They renamed the band, so that nobody would get them confused with Paul Revere And The Raiders. And they got singer Rick Derringer to sing over the backing track that the Strangeloves had already recorded. And that’s how we got “Hang On Sloopy.” 

Read more: Stereogum

 

 October 2, 1971: Layng Martine debuted on the US music chart with "Rub It In."

"Rub It In" was written and originally recorded by Layng Martine Jr., and credited as Layng Martine. His version, released on the Barnaby Records label, was produced by Ray Stevens and was a U.S. chart single in the fall of 1971, reaching number 65. Billy "Crash" Craddock recorded the song three years later on the album Rub It In, taking it to Number One on the country music charts and Top 20 on the pop charts in 1974. 

Read more: Wikipedia

October 2, 1972: The Stylistics released the single "I'm Stone In Love With You."

"I'm Stone in Love with You" is about giving everything up for love, and it's a great example of how in the Soul music milieu, the word "stoned" often means "utterly devoted."

The Stylistics

The Stylistics were formed in Philadelphia in 1968 by the members of two groups, The Percussions and The Monarchs. After local success with Sebring Records, they were signed by Avco, teamed initially with Thom Bell and later Van McCoy. 

Read more: Songfacts

 

October 2, 1993: "Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum made it to the Top 5 on the Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.

In 1993, the alternative rock movement was in full swing, encompassing dozens of shiny new microgenres, from the mellow, hippy stonerbuzz of Blind Melon to the arena-rattling supergrunge of Soundgarden; from the wounded moan of Nirvana to the powergrrrl roar of Babes In Toyland.

Dave Pirner, lead singer of Soul Asylum

The Alternative Nation’s heart, however, belonged to Soul Asylum, a scruffy quartet of ex-punks from Minneapolis who, like their former labelmates The Replacements, played an infectious brand of melodic, hook-heavy roots rock that possessed a rugged, touching honesty and often wrapped its rough-hewn jangle in an uplifting message. 

Read more: Louder Sound

 

Juke Box Hero
Foreigner