This Day in Music
In 1964, The Animals began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with their breakthrough hit, “House Of The Rising Sun.” The traditional folk song was transformed by the British band, who created a haunting, electric rock track. Initially, the Animals chose to cover the tune as a closer for their live act, to help them stand out from other bands in the scene. The song quickly became a favorite – so much so that producer Mickie Most decided that it had the potential to be a hit, despite its unusual sound for the era. Considered to be the first folk-rock hit, the song was unlike anything anyone had heard before on the US or UK airwaves. The song would influence a range of artists, even inspiring the likes of Bob Dylan to go electric.
In 1967, The Beatles began recording John Lennon’s enigmatic new song, “I Am The Walrus,” at Abbey Road Studios. The psychedelic track, which was featured in the film and album Magical Mystery Tour, featured a series of nonsensical lyrics. According to Beatles lore, Lennon purposefully wanted to confuse listeners, who often tried to interpret and analyze the band’s songs.
In 1981, Stevie Nicks’s solo debut, Bella Donna, topped the US album chart. The multi-platinum record, which remained on the Billboard 200 for nearly three years, featured such hits as “Edge of Seventeen,” “Leather and Lace” with Don Henley, and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
In 1965, Sonny & Cher made their first live UK appearance at the 100 Club in London. The pair achieved fame earlier that year with two hit songs: “Baby Don’t Go” and “I Got You Babe.”
In 1994, Oasis appeared at The Hacienda in Manchester to celebrate the launch of their debut, Definitely Maybe. The LP went on to become the fastest-selling debut of all time in the UK and marked the beginning of Oasis’ success in America, where they sold over one million copies.
In 1966, John Lennon began filming his role as Private Gripweed in Richard Lestor’s black comedy, How I Won the War. The movie, which was filmed in Spain, marked Lennon’s first role in a non-Beatles feature.
BORN ON SEPTEMBER 5
1941: Elliot Mazer (Producer)
1946: Loudon Wainwright III
1946: Freddie Mercury
1956: Roine Stolt (Swedish guitarist, vocalist, and composer)
1968: Brad Wilk (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave)
