Historic events this week from Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Paul Westerberg, Led Zeppelin, The Cure and the Stone Roses
APRIL 26, 1986: VAN HALEN’S 5150 IS #1
There were several firsts for Van Halen with the release of their seventh album, 5150.
5150 was the first album with new lead singer, Sammy Hagar. One month after its release, 5150 was the first Van Halen album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200.
Every studio album Van Halen did with Sammy Hagar went to #1, making 5150 the first of four straight #1 albums for the band.
APRIL 29, 1976: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN INVADES GRACELAND
After performing a show in Memphis, Bruce Springsteen decides to take a cab to Graceland to meet Elvis Presley.
He climbed over the fence and ran to the front door, but was intercepted by security before he could knock on the door.
Riding high on fame and confidence, Bruce pleads to meet Elvis and points out his own recent appearances on the covers of Newsweek and Time.
The Boss is escorted off the premises after being informed The King was out of town.
APRIL 30, 1973: PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS’ RED ROSE SPEEDWAY
Paul McCartney and Wings released two albums in 1973. Red Rose Speedway arrived 7 months before Band on the Run.
Red Rose Speedway is notable for containing the Gold-selling hit single, “My Love.”
The sophomore album from Wings was the band’s first of 4-straight #1 LPs in the US.
APRIL 30, 1996: PAUL WESTERBERG’S EVENTUALLY LP
Arriving 3 years after his solo debut album (14 Songs) The Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg released his sophomore solo offering, Eventually.
Lead single “Love Untold” became Paul Westerberg‘s third solo hit after “Dyslexic Heart” in 1992 and “World Class Fad” in 1993.
MAY 1, 1976: LED ZEPPELIN’S PRESENCE IS #1
Led Zeppelin’s Presence spent two weeks at #1 despite not having a charting single in the US.
They were unable to tour for the album because singer Robert Plant was recovering from a car accident.
Plant recorded all of his vocals for Presence while seated in a wheelchair.
MAY 2, 1989: THE CURE RELEASE DISINTEGRATION
The Cure‘s eighth studio album, Disintegration, remains their biggest album with 4,000,000 sold worldwide.
The Gothic rock/dream pop classic featured hits and fan favorites “Lovesong”, “Pictures of You” and “Fascination Street.”
MAY 2, 1989: THE STONE ROSES’ SELF-TITLED DEBUT
Anchored by tracks like “I Wanna Be Adored” and “She Bangs the Drums,” the self‑titled debut album from The Stone Roses helped define the Madchester movement and reshaped the future of British alternative rock, paving the way for Oasis, The Verve and others.
