Historic events this week from Toto, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Van Halen, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and U2
FEBRUARY 23, 1983: TOTO WINS BIG AT THE GRAMMYS
Toto‘s fourth album, Toto IV, was a big one for the Los Angeles band.
In addition to selling 4 million copies and scoring major platinum hits with “Rosanna” and “Africa”; Toto won five Grammys.
Best Engineered Recording, Album of the Year and three for “Rosanna”, including Record of the Year.
FEBRUARY 24, 1975: LED ZEPPELIN RELEASE PHYSICAL GRAFFITI
Led Zeppelin‘s Physical Graffiti was a big one. It’s their second biggest selling album behind their untitled fourth album (aka Led Zeppelin IV).
Despite only releasing “Trampled Under Foot” as a single, “Houses of the Holy”, “Kashmir” and “The Wanton Song” have all received significant radio air play.
The album has sold over 16 Million copies in the US alone.
FEBRUARY 24, 1993: ERIC CLAPTON’S UNPLUGGED WINS BIG AT THE GRAMMYS
Eric Clapton‘s Unplugged won six of its nine Grammy nominations.
Taking the prize for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal (Male), Best Rock Vocal (Male) and Best Rock Song.
FEBRUARY 25, 1984: VAN HALEN’S “JUMP” IS #1
“Jump” was the first single from Van Halen’s classic sixth album, 1984. The track spent 5 straight weeks at #1.
“Jump” was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal, but ultimately lost to Prince & the Revolution’s “Purple Rain”.
FEBRUARY 25, 1998: BOB DYLAN IS SOY BOMBED
During the Grammy Awards, performance artist Michael Portnoy rushed the stage shirtless with the words “Soy Bomb” painted on his chest while Bob Dylan performed “Love Sick.” Despite the bizarre, rhythmic dancing of the intruder just inches away, Bob Dylan maintained his composure and finished the song without missing a beat, creating one of the most surreal moments in live television history.
FEBRUARY 27, 1971: JANIS JOPLIN’S PEARL IS #1
Janis Joplin‘s final album, Pearl, was released 3 months after her death. The album spent nine consecutive weeks at #1. Containing “Me and Bobby McGee” & “Mercedes Benz”, Pearl has sold over 4 Million copies in the US alone.
FEBRUARY 28, 1983: U2’s WAR
U2‘s third album, War, was their first multi-Platinum album. Containing the well-known singles “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “New Year’s Day,” the album has gone on to sell over 11,000,000 copies worldwide.
