Music History Today: March 9, 2023

March 9, 1987: U2 released their fifth studio album, The Joshua Tree.

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U2's album The Joshua Tree, featuring the singles "Where The Streets Have No Name" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," became the fastest-selling in UK history and the first to sell over a million CDs, spending 201 weeks on the UK chart. It topped the charts in over 20 countries and became U2's first US Number 1 album. 

Read more: Wikipedia

March 9, 1963: The Cascades peaked at Number 3 in the US with "Rhythm of the Rain." 

"Rhythm Of The Rain" was written by The Cascades' lead singer John Gummoe. Hundreds of artists have covered this song, including Lawrence Welk, Bobby Darin, Dan Fogelberg, Jan & Dean, Neil Sedaka, and Jerry Jeff Walker. The Cascades' next singles, "Shy Girl" and "Last Leaf," failed to chart. 

Read more: Songfacts

March 9, 1971: Alice Cooper released their breakthrough album, Love It to Death.

One of Alice Cooper's most instantly identifiable anthems, "I'm Eighteen," made the Love It to Death album a hit. It reached number 35 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and sold one million copies in the U.S. 

Bob Ezrin was on board for the first time and helped the Coopers focus their songwriting and sound. At the same time, they also perfected their trashy, violent, and theatrical stage show. 

Read more: Mark Prindle

March 9, 1991: "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" gave The Clash their only UK Number 1 single after the track was used for Levi's TV advertisement. The track was first released in 1982 from their album Combat Rock. 

The Clash

March 9, 1996: The Gin Blossoms peaked at Number 9 with the double-side hit "Til I Hear It From You."

The Gin Blossoms' hit "Til I Hear It From You" has an "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" theme where the guy hears secondhand that his girl is about to leave him. This song first appeared in the 1995 movie Empire Records and was featured on the soundtrack. The film, starring Liv Tyler and Renée Zellweger, is set in an independent record store impending a takeover from a national chain. 

Read more: Songfacts

Where the Streets Have No Name
U2