Music History Today: April 28, 2022

April 28, 1998: Before These Crowded Streets by the Dave Matthews Band debuted at Number 1 on the US albums chart. 

The Dave Matthews Band made their reputation through touring, spending endless nights on the road improvising.

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Often, their records hinted at the eclecticism and adventure inherent in those improvisation, but Before These Crowded Streets is the first album to fully capture that adventurous spirit. Not coincidentally, it's their least accessible record, even if it's more of a consolidation than it is a step forward. 

Read more: Allmusic

April 28, 1973: Albert Hammond made it to Number 100 on Billboard's chart with "The Free Electric Band."

"The Free Electric Band" is not a song about contempt for the system, middle class values, or anything like that, but about knowing what freedom and happiness really mean.

Just give me bread and water, put a guitar in my hand
'Cos all I need is music and the free electric band

The narrator even gives up his girl because although she appears to share his dream, what she really wants is a house with a garden and a white picket fence, in short everything his parents had, want him to have, and for which he has no time at all. 

Read more" Songfacts

April 28, 1979: Van Halen  debuted at Number 68 on Billboard's Hot 100 with "Dance the Night Away." 

"Dance the Night Away" the second song from Van Halen's their 1979 album Van Halen II. 

David Lee Roth

It was inspired by Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way". David Lee Roth originally wanted to call the song "Dance, Lolita, Dance", but Eddie Van Halen convinced him that "Dance the Night Away" was more suitable and the chorus was changed to reflect that. 

Read more: Wikipedia

 April 28, 1984: Laid Back had a Top 40 hit when "White Horse" moved to 37 on the American Music chart.

"White Horse," by the Danish duo Laid Back, was released as the B-side of their single "Sunshine Reggae" which became a major hit in several European countries. In the US, the A-side was mainly ignored and it was the B-side that became most successful. It spent three weeks at number one on the Dance Charts and peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Read more: Wikipedia

April 28, 1990: Motley Crue's "Without You" maxed out at Number 8 on the US Top 10 single chart.

On an album packed with such paeans to sex as "Slice of Your Pie," "Rattlesnake Shake" and "She Goes Down," Motley Crue nonetheless found time to show off their sensitive side on Dr. Feelgood's third single, "Without You." Bassist Nikki Sixx wrote the power ballad's lyrics, taking inspiration from his rhythm section partner Tommy Lee's current relationship. 

Read more: Ultimate Classic Rock

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