Music History Today: June 2, 2023

June 2, 1975: The Bee Gees released their first disco album, "Main Course."

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The Bee Gees' early LPs were steeped in a dense romantic balladry. Main Course had a few ballads, but the rest were catchy dance tunes. Driven by the singles "Jive Talkin'," "Nights on Broadway," and "Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)," the band attracted millions of new listeners. 

Read more: Allmusic

June 2, 1967: The Beatles released Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in the US, one day later than in the UK and worldwide.

Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was released in the United Kingdom on June 1, 1967, to coincide with the Bank Holiday weekend. The United States release of the album followed a day later. The delay was a marketing strategy meant to generate anticipation and maximize the impact of the album's release. 

Read more: Beatles Bible

June 2, 1969: Tommy James & the Shondells released the classic single "Crystal Blue Persuasion." 

When he wrote "Crystal Blue Persuasion," Tommy James was with an Alive 'N Kickin' group. According to their keyboard player, Bruce Sudano (who later married Donna Summer), James wanted them to record "Crystal Blue Persuasion," but the head of James' label wouldn't let him give up the song. James ended up writing another song for Alive 'N Kickin' called "Tighter, Tighter," which ended up being a big hit for the group. 

Read more: Songfacts

June 2, 1979: Donna Summer started a three-week run atop the US singles chart with "Hot Stuff." 

When the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance category was added at the Grammy Awards in 1980, Donna Summer won for "Hot Stuff."

 

Classifying the song as rock is a stretch, but Summer's vocals could hold up in any genre. She beat out Rickie Lee Jones, Tanya Tucker, Carly Simon, and Bonnie Raitt for the award. 

Read more: Songfacts

 

June 2, 1990: Slaughter moved into the top 40 section of Billboard's Hot 100 with their first single, "Up All Night." The music video was placed on the New York Times list of the 15 Essential Hair-Metal Videos.

Jive Talkin'
The Bee Gees