Historic events this week from The Beatles, Pearl Jam, Van Halen, David Bowie, Depeche Mode and Bruce Springsteen
MARCH 15, 1969: “THE BALLAD OF JOHN & YOKO”
The Beatles‘ “The Ballad of John & Yoko” is the true story of passport problems, a wedding, and protests.
It was very romantic. It’s all in the song, if you want to know how it happened, it’s in there. Gibraltar was like a little sunny dream. I couldn’t find a white suit. I had sort of off-white corduroy trousers and a white jacket. Yoko had all white on. – John Lennon, Rolling Stone 1970
Lennon wrote “The Ballad of John & Yoko” while honeymooning in Paris. With Paul McCartney’s assistance the song was recorded in one day as a duo. Despite being banned by some radio stations, the song went to #1 all over Europe and peaked at #8 in the US.
MARCH 16, 1999: PEARL JAM’S TEN CERTIFIED DIAMOND
Pearl Jam‘s 1991 debut, Ten, remains their biggest album, followed by Vs. in 1993.
Thanks to the hits “Alive”, “Jeremy” and “Even Flow”, Ten has sold over 13 million copies in the US alone, and was certified Diamond (10 million sold) on this date in 1999.
MARCH 17, 1984: VAN HALEN’S 1984 PEAKS AT #2
Propelled by the singles “Jump,” “I’ll Wait,” “Panama” and “Hot for Teacher,” Van Halen‘s 1984 spent 5 weeks at #2. It was kept from going #1 by Michael Jackson‘s Thriller.
MARCH 18, 1976: MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH PREMIERES IN LONDON
David Bowie appeared in more than 20 feature films, but his first leading role was in 1976’s The Man Who Fell to Earth. Upon its release, critics were divided. However, it has since become a cult classic.
Bowie‘s role earned him the Saturn Award for Best Actor from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films.
MARCH 19, 1990: DEPEHCE MODE’S VIOLATOR
Depeche Mode reached a creative and commercial zenith with Violator, an album that seamlessly blended dark synth-pop with bluesy guitar textures to create a sleek, cinematic sound. The record became a global phenomenon on the strength of the brooding hit “Personal Jesus” and the atmospheric anthem “Enjoy the Silence,” cementing the band’s status as stadium-filling icons.
MARCH 21, 1994: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WINS AN OSCAR
Two months after winning a Golden Globe, Bruce Springsteen won the big one. He took home the Oscar for “Streets of Philadelphia” which was written for the Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington drama, Philadelphia.
The song would also win 4 Grammys for Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Vocal Performance and Best Song Written for a Motion Picture.
