Today in Music History: Devo release debut album
August 28, 2015
History Highlight:
Today in 1978, Devo's Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo was released. Produced by Brian Eno, the band's debut album was met with mixed reviews at the time, but today is viewed as one of the most significant albums of the Post-Punk and New Wave genres. In fact, a number of musical luminaries were interested in producing the band's debut, including Iggy Pop and even David Bowie (who at the time described them as "the band of the future"). Are We Not Men? introduced the world to Devo's unique brand of humorous cynicism, summed up by their belief that mankind is devolving into bestial idiots rather than evolving towards perfection.
Also, Today In:
1961 - Joe Dowell went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with his version of "Wooden Heart."
1961 - Tamla Records released the Marvelettes first single, "Please Mr. Postman." The song went on to sell more than a million copies and become the group's biggest hit, reaching the top of both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. The song is notable as the first Motown song to reach the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart.
1963 - Civil Rights marchers gathered in Washington, D.C., to hear Martin Luther King, Jr. speak. He delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. Peter, Paul & Mary were present and sang "Blowin' In the Wind."
1964 - The Beatles were affectionately pelted by countless jellybeans (their favorite candy) by screaming, hysterical fans at a concert at New York's Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. The lads hung out with a young Bob Dylan after the show.
1968 - Tammy Wynette recorded "Stand By Your Man" at Epic studios after an idea that came from producer Billy Sherrill. Wynette and Sherril completed the song in 15 minutes. It proved to be the most successful record of Wynette's career and is one of the most covered songs in the history of country music. The song has also appeared in various films, including: Five Easy Pieces, The Blues Brothers, The Crying Game, Sleepless in Seattle, Four Weddings and a Funeral and GoldenEye.
1984 - The Jacksons' Victory Tour broke the record for concert ticket sales after surpassing the 1.1 million mark in two months.
1993 - Billy Joel started a three-week run at No. 1 on the US album chart with River Of Dreams.
1996 - Issac Hayes, who co-wrote the Sam and Dave's classic "Soul Man," sent a protest letter to presidential candidate Bob Dole, requesting Dole to stop using his song, which supporters had changed to "I'm A Dole Man."
2005 - Green Day cleaned up at the MTV Awards, winning seven awards including Video of the Year for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and the Viewer's Choice Award.
2009 - Noel Gallagher quit Oasis, saying he could no longer work with his brother Liam.
Birthdays:
Sterling Morrison, the late guitarist of the Velvet Underground, was born today in 1942.
Shania Twain is 50.
Jack Black is 46.
LeAnn Rimes is 33.
Florence Welch, of Florence and the Machine, is 29.