This Day in Music
On August 7, 1997, Garth Brooks set a new record by playing to the largest crowd ever in New York’s Central Park. An estimated one million people attended the live concert with an additional 14.6 million viewing live on HBO.
In 1982, Dexy’s Midnight Runners landed at the top of the UK Pop chart with “Come On Eileen,” a single off their bestselling album, Too-Rye-Ay. The song would go on to be the UK’s best-selling single of the year. The following April, “Come On Eileen” hit No.1 in the US, and won Best British Single at the 1983 Brit Awards.
In 1970, the Goose Lake International Music Festival kicked off in Leoni, MI. During the three-day event, more than 200,000 attendees enjoyed sets by Bob Seger, Jethro Tull, 10 Years After, Mountain, Chicago, Rod Stewart, James Gang, Flying Burrito Brothers, the MC5, and The Stooges with Iggy Pop, among many others.
On this day in 1971, the Bee Gees scored their first US No.1 with “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.” One year later, soul star Al Green would draw critical acclaim for his own rendition of the tune.
In 1957, The Quarrymen (who would soon evolve into The Beatles) played a memorable show at Liverpool’s Cavern Club. While the venue was considered a jazz club, skiffle was tolerated. That evening, however, John Lennon added rock’n’roll songs like “Hound Dog” and “Blue Suede Shoes” to the set list, causing quite the stir with the owner.
And in 1980, John Lennon entered the Hit Factory in New York City to begin recording his final studio album, Double Fantasy.
BORN ON AUGUST 7
1925: Felice Bryant (songwriter, who penned hits for the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly)
1920: Herb Reed (vocalist in The Platters)
1942: BJ Thomas
1950: Rodney Crowelll (Guitarist and songwriter)
1958: Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
1966: Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses, 50FOOTWAVE)
