This Day in Music
On August 14, 1971, The Who released their fifth studio album, Who’s Next, considered by many critics to be their best record and one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Featuring songs that were initially intended for Lifehouse, an unreleased rock opera and follow-up to the band’s 1969 album, Tommy, the LP included such hits as “Behind Blue Eyes,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” In addition to appearing on countless “Best Of” lists over the decades, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.
In 1962, The Beatles and their manager, Brian Epstein, made the decision to let go of drummer Pete Best. One day later, John Lennon and Paul McCartney would visit drummer Ringo Starr, who was finishing a three-month stint with Rory Storm & the Hurricanes, asking him to officially join the band.
In 1965, Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe” began its three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Rumor has it that Sonny Bono was inspired by the popularity of the term “babe,” following the release of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe.”
In 1993, less than two years after his death, Freddie Mercury scored his first solo No.1 hit with a remix of his 1985 single, “Living on My Own.”
In 1985, Michael Jackson won a bid over Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono to own ATV Music’s publishing catalog, which boasted the rights to more than 4000 songs – roughly 250 of which were Beatles compositions, penned by Lennon and McCartney.
And in 1976, UK indie label Stiff Records, which would be at the forefront of the punk and new wave scenes, dropped their very first release: a 7-inch single of Nick Lowe’s “So It Goes.”
BORN ON AUGUST 14:
1941: David Crosby
1951: Slim Dunlap (The Replacements)
1961: Sarah Brightman (singer, actress)
1964: Keith Howland (Chicago)
1966: Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses, Breeders, Belly)
1974: Ana Matronic (Scissor Sisters)
1977: Ed Harcourt (singer-songwriter)
