Historic events this week from Stevie Nicks, Bryan Adams, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Alice In Chains
JULY 26, 1975: “ONE OF THESE NIGHTS” IS #1
The Eagles‘ fourth studio album, One of These Nights, was their first #1 on the Billboard charts.
The album would remain at #1 for five straight weeks.
“Lyin’ Eyes” earned the band their first Grammy, winning for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
JULY 27, 1981: BELLA DONNA BY STEVIE NICKS
Stevie Nicks‘ solo debut, Bella Donna, became her biggest album outside of Fleetwood Mac, achieving a #1 spot on the charts and selling over 4 million copies.
This multi-platinum success was driven by hit singles such as “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Edge of Seventeen,” and “Leather and Lace” with Don Henley.
JULY 27, 1991: BRYAN ADAMS’ MASSIVE #1 HIT
Bryan Adams had his second US #1 hit (after “Heaven”) with the release of “(Everything I Do) I Do it for You.”
The massive hit appeared on the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves soundtrack, as well as Adams’ sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours.
The single made Bryan Adams a Grammy winner and an Oscar nominee.
JULY 29, 2014: TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS’ FINAL ALBUM
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers‘ Hypnotic Eye marked a career high by becoming their first and only album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. This Grammy-nominated album, celebrated for its return to a more raw, rock sound, achieved its chart-topping success 38 years into their recording career.
Hypnotic Eye holds the bittersweet distinction of being the final studio album released by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers before Petty’s passing in 2017, serving as a poignant capstone to their prolific discography.
JULY 30, 1996: ALICE IN CHAINS RELASE UNPLUGGED
Alice In Chains‘ platinum-certified Unplugged album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. This impactful live acoustic session, one of the band’s last major appearances with Layne Staley, was famously attended by members of Metallica.
Bassist Mike Inez humorously decorated his instrument with “Friends Don’t Let Friends Get Friends Haircuts…” a jab at Metallica‘s recent decision to cut their famously long hair.
AUGUST 1, 1971: THE CONCERT FOR BANGLA DESH
The Concert for Bangla Desh featured George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Badfinger, Leon Russell and more coming together to raise money for the starving and homeless people of Bengal.
“An enormous amount of money was collected and this could never have been achieved without the help of dear George.” – Ravi Shankar (2005)
The concert album won a Grammy for Album of the Year; beating out Don McLean’s American Pie and Harry Nilsson’s Nilsson Schmilsson.
