Music History Today: May 16, 2023

May 16, 1984: Prince released "When Doves Cry," written for his semi-autobiographical film Purple Rain. 

In the film Purple Rain, "When Doves Cry" plays under a montage after Prince's character loses his girl to his rival.

 

Music History Today: April 21, 2023

April 21, 2016: Prince died at age 57 after overdosing on fentanyl, a highly addictive opioid. 

Music History Today: March 25, 2023

March 25, 1985: Prince won an Oscar for Best Original Score for the soundtrack to Purple Rain. In addition to the Number two title track, the record featured two US chart-topping singles, "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy."

Music History Today: February 9, 2023

February 9, 2009: Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant took home five prizes for his collaboration with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss at this year's Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. 

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Music History Today: February 4, 2023

February 4, 2007: Prince wowed at the Super Bowl halftime show, closing with an otherworldly rendition of "Purple Rain" in the rain.

Music History Today: November 9, 2022

November 9, 1991: Prince and the New Power Generation started a two week run at Number 1 on the US singles chart with "Cream."

"Cream" by Prince and his backing band the New Power Generation was Prince's fifth and last number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, staying at the top for two weeks.

Prince 1991

Music History Today: September 24, 2022

September 24, 1982: Prince's "1999" single was released. 

The 1999 album, which came out in 1982, was when the world caught onto Prince.

Prince

Music History Today: August 24, 2022

August 24, 1979: "I Wanna Be Your Lover" by Prince was released. It became his first U.S. hit.

Prince 1979

Music History Today: June 25, 2022

June 25, 1988: Prince peaked at Number 8 on the US music chart with "Alphabet Street" from his Lovesexy album. 

"Alphabet Steet," the first single from Prince's 1988 album, was the LP's only top 10 single.

Prince Lovesexy cover

Music History Today: April 30, 2022

April 30, 2005:  A live cover of "Under Pressure" by The Used & My Chemical Romance, from a benefit concert for victims of the 2004 Tsunami, debuted at Number 54 on Billboard's Hot 100.

Music History Today: April 25, 2022

April 25, 1987: U2's fifth album, The Joshua Tree, hits Number 1 in America.

Rarely do bands touted as the Next Big Thing go on to become the next big thing, but from the start U2 had all the ingredients: an distinctive sound and an inexorable appetite for theatrics and experimentation.

Music History Today: March 8, 2022

March 8, 1986: Prince & The Revolution enter the US Top 40 with "Kiss." 

Originally, “Kiss” wasn’t supposed to be a Prince song.

Prince

Music History Today: February 4, 2022

February 4, 2007: Prince wows at the Super Bowl halftime show, closing with an otherworldly rendition of "Purple Rain" in the rain.

Prince Super Bowl halftime show 2007

Music History Today: December 14, 2021

December 14, 1996: The film Evita, starring Madonna, opened in Los Angeles. 

Evita was beloved by Argentinians throughout her life, and Madonna was thrilled to be able to play her.

Music History Today: October 22, 2021

October 22, 1983: "Delirious" by Prince peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 single's chart.

"Delirious" was more than Prince's second-ever Top 10 single, and more than a hat tip to early heroes like Elvis Presley. It was another signal of his intention to take back rock for black musicians. 

Music History Today: July 7, 2021

July 7, 1984: "When Doves Cry" went to Number  1 on the Hot 100, giving Prince his first chart-topper. 

“When Doves Cry” was released on May 16, 1984, as the first single off of the “Purple Rain” album, giving momentum to the film’s July 1984 release.

Prince

Music History Today: April 19, 2021

April 19, 1946: Timothy James Curry was born in Grappenhall, Cheshire, England. 

Tim Curry is known for working in a diverse range of theatre, film, and television, most often portraying villainous characters. Curry rose to prominence with his portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Music History Today: March 1, 2021

 March 1, 1973: Pink Floyd released Dark Side Of The Moon.

There are hit albums, and then there’s Dark Side of the Moon. Pink Floyd‘s eternally popular song cycle has sold more than 15 million copies in the U.S. since its release on March 1st, 1973, and more than 45 million units worldwide. 

Music History Today: October 27, 2020

October 27, 1982: Prince releases his fifth album, 1999. It's a breakthrough thanks to "Little Red Corvette" and the title track.

Get ready to party like it's 1982 on Nov. 29 when Warner Records reissues Prince's classic album 1999 with no fewer than 35 previously unreleased tracks and a complete live concert performance on DVD.

Music History Today: October 19, 2020

October 19, 1979: Music History Today: October 18, 2020 releases his sophomore album, Prince, containing the Number 1 R&B hit "I Wanna Be Your Lover." 

Prince's self-titled second album found him expanding his sound in search of the mainstream success that his debut, For You, failed to secure.