On August 29, 1991, Boston rock station WFNX premiered Nirvana’s sophomore album, Nevermind, playing the soon-to-be classic from start to finish. Featuring the grunge-era anthem “Smells Like Teen Sprit,” plus “Come as You Are,” “Lithium,” and “In Bloom,” the album served as the Seattle band’s commercial breakthrough and would transform the era’s musical landscape. Eight years after its release, it was certified Diamond by the RIAA, while in 2004, it was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.
On this day in 1966, The Beatles played their final concert before a paying audience at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were aware that the show would be their last and brought cameras on stage to commemorate the night.
In 1994, Oasis released their debut album, Definitely Maybe, which soon became the fastest-selling debut album of all time in the UK. Featuring hits like “Live Forever,” “Supersonic,” and “Cigarettes & Alcohol,” the album spent 177 weeks on the UK chart and sold more than 8 million copies worldwide.
In 1964, Roy Orbison released his No.1 hit, “Oh, Pretty Woman.” The enduring track would be certified Gold by the RIAA in October, and was later named the fourth biggest song of the year. More than 25 years later, it inspired the title of the 1990 film, Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, as well as the subsequent Broadway musical.
In 1987, Los Lobos’ version of the Mexican folk song, “La Bamba,” began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The track was recorded for the film La Bamba, a biopic about the life of Ritchie Valens, who made the song a US hit in 1958.
That same year, Rick Astley’s debut single, “Never Gonna Give You Up,” landed at the top of the UK singles chart, where it remained for five weeks. The R&B-inspired track (which would later inspire the “Rick-Roll”) was named the best-selling single of 1987 and topped the charts in 25 countries. It was later recognized as the Best British Single at the 1988 Brit Awards.
In 1976, The Clash, The Buzzcocks, and the Sex Pistols appeared at a showcase event at London’s The Screen On The Green. It was the earliest-known recorded performance of The Sex Pistols with Glen Matlock, aside from the Manchester Free Trade Hall concert from April 1976.
In 2021, Jamaican producer and singer Lee “Scratch” Perry died at age 85. Known for his innovative studio techniques and unique production style, he helped revolutionize the 1970s development of dub music by integrating remixed and studio effects into existing reggae tracks. During his career, he worked with numerous acts, including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Beastie Boys, and The Clash.
In 2003, The MTV Video Music Awards were held at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, with host Chris Rock. Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Justin Timberlake each left with three awards each, while Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera opened the show with a performance of “Like A Virgin” (and shared a much-talked-about kiss).
BORN ON AUGUST 29
1924: Dinah Washington
1943: Dick Halligan (Blood, Sweat & Tears)
1958: Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins)
1958: Michael Jackson
1975: Kyle Cook (Matchbox Twenty)
1993: Liam Payne (One Direction)
The Chamber Serving the Meeker County Area is hosting the Fallin’ Into Fun Fest on September 20th. The event each year coincides with the beginning of Autumn and there will be lots of fun events in downtown Litchfield that Saturday from 10-to-3.
Deana Wheeler says there will be something for everyone with a craft and vendor fair in Central Park, along with food trucks, and 2nd Street West will be closed from Sibley to Ramsey Avenues with a business fair and a kid’s corner. She says there are spaces available for businesses and they don’t have to be Chamber members – just call the Chamber office at 693-8184 or go to litch.com to register; and for potential craft vendors in Central Park, call Sunrise Events and Craft Shows at 763-269-2166 or visit their website.
Wheeler says the kid’s corner will have bounce houses, chalk art, free caricatures and novelty sales, and a ten-dollar 50/50 raffle is underway to help fund the children’s activities. She says the Fallin’ Into Fun Fest is being made possible with lots of great sponsors.
Wheeler says there’s also a pumpkin shelf hunt and participants can get a passport to fill out a passbook at participating businesses. She says they could use some volunteers to help during the event, so again – call the Chamber office at 693-8184.
Dassel’s Red Rooster Days celebration is underway – from today through Labor Day. Most of the events are Saturday, Sunday and Monday – with the big chicken BBQ on September 1st from 10:30-to-2:30 at the ball park.
There are two bike rides on Saturday – with an 18-mile bike ride starting at Breed’s Park at 9 a.m., and a 7-mile ride at 9:30. There’s a petting zoo tomorrow from 1:30-to-4:30 at Breed’s Park. The Grande Day parade begins at 2 p.m. from 5th Street to William Avenue to Willis Street and Lake Avenue. A pie social will be held after the parade on Saturday at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. The waterball tournament is at 5 p.m. tomorrow, and the Ambassador coronation will be at Saints Field at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, there’s a community worship service at Gethsemane Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. followed by lunch. The Quilt Show is at the Covenant Church from 1-to-4 p.m. Sunday. The brat feed begins at Spring Lake Park at 3 p.m. and the fireworks show is at 9:30 p.m.
On Monday, the run/walk begins at 7:30 a.m. outside of Saints Field, the Dassel History Center will be open from 9-to-3, the chicken dinner is from 10:30-to-2:30, the quilt show continues at the Covenant Church from 10-to-4, and there’s a car show in the Covenant Church parking lot Monday afternoon. There will also be vendors, concessions, a beer garden, exhibits and a dunk tank at the ball park on Monday in Dassel during Red Rooster Days.
