This Day in Music May 21
On this day in music, May 21, 1971, Marvin Gaye released his celebrated 11th studio album, What’s Going On. The concept album, which revolved around the bittersweet homecoming of a Vietnam vet, delivered pointed social commentary about inequality in America. A landmark title, What’s Going On marked a turning point in Gaye’s career, finding the “Prince of Motown” swapping upbeat singles for honest and introspective lyricism. Considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time, the LP was met with broad critical acclaim and commercial success, remaining on the Billboard 200 for more than a year and spawning several hit singles, including the title track, “Mercy Mercy Me,” and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler).”
In 1955, Chuck Berry recorded “Maybellene” – his debut single, and one of the world’s first rock‘n’roll songs – at Chicago’s Universal Recording Studio. The tune, which was based around the 1938 Western Swing song, “Ida Red,” by Bob Willis and his Texas Playboys, instantly appealed to young music fans around the country, breaking through the segregated radio waves. Released via the legendary blues imprint Chess Records, “Maybellene” topped Billboard’s R&B chart and landed in the Hot 100’s Top 5, effectively launching Berry’s career and forever altering the course of popular music.
In 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released their protest anthem, “Ohio.” The poignant track was written by Young in response to the Kent State massacre, during which National Guardsmen killed and injured multiple unarmed student protesters, who were peacefully opposing the Vietnam War.
In 2011, Adele scored her first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Rolling in the Deep.” The Grammy-winning song, which led her sophomore album, 21, held the top spot for seven weeks, eventually becoming the best-selling digital song ever by a female artist in the US. Elsewhere, “Rolling in the Deep” topped the charts in more than 20 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Germany, and South Korea.
In 1982, Factory Records opened the Hacienda Club in Manchester, England. The storied venue would soon become ground zero for the “Madchester” rave and acid house scene, as well as an incubator for bands like New Order and Happy Mondays.
BORN ON MAY 21
1904: Fats Waller
1941: Ronald Isley (The Isley Brothers)
1948: Leo Sayer
1955: Stan Lynch (Producer, Songwriter)
1972: The Notorious B.I.G.
1978: Adam Gontier (Three Days Grace)
1980: Gotye
1985: Mutya Buena (Sugababes)
