Historic events this week from R.E.M., Peter Gabriel, Van Halen, ZZ Top, The Wallflowers, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bad Company and David Bowie

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MAY 18, 1991: R.E.M.’s OUT OF TIME IS #1

R.E.M.’s first #1 album, Out of Time, spent two non-consecutive weeks at the top and contained the massive Platinum selling #1 single, “Losing My Religion.”

Out of 7 Grammy nominations, R.E.M. won two for “Losing My Religion”, and one for Best Alternative Music Album.

Out of Time has sold more than 18 million copies worldwide.

MAY 19, 1986: PETER GABRIEL’S 5th ALBUM

So is far and away Peter Gabriel’s biggest album with over 5,000,000 copies sold in the US, thanks to four Top 5 singles:

“Red Rain” (#3), “Big Time” (#3), “Sledgehammer” (#1) and “In Your Eyes” (#1).

So peaked at #2. It was held off of the top spot by massive albums from Whitney Houston and Madonna.

MAY 20, 1988: VAN HALEN’S OU812

A month after its release, Van Halen’s OU812 began a four week run at #1.

Containing the hits “Black and Blue” (#1), “When It’s Love” (#1) and “Finish What Ya Started” (#2), OU812 became Van Halen’s second #1 album after 1986’s 5150.

MAY 21, 1983: ZZ TOP’S GIMME ALL YOUR LOVIN’ VIDEO

ZZ Top’s expanded synth sound on Eliminator allowed them to reach a wider audience.

“Gimme All Your Lovin’” went to #2 on the US Mainstream Rock charts with help from the music video; the first of 4 to feature Billy Gibbons’ custom Eliminator Coupe.

MAY 21, 1996: WALLFLOWERS RELEASE BRINGING DOWN THE HORSE

The Wallflowers’ second album, Bringing Down the Horse, remains their biggest. The #1 album has sold 4 million copies and earned them two Grammy wins out of five nominations.

“One Headlight” took home the prize for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Rock Song.

MAY 22, 1971: ROLLING STONES’ STICKY FINGERS IS #1

The Rolling Stones’ 9th album, Sticky Fingers, was only their second to go to #1 in the US.

Featuring “Brown Sugar” and “Wild Horses”, Sticky Fingers immediately went Gold and spent four straight weeks at #1.

The landmark album started a streak of eight straight Stones albums to reach #1 in the US.

MAY 23, 1969: THE WHO RELEASE TOMMY

When you think “rock opera”, The Who’s Tommy likely comes to mind.

One of the first “rock operas”, Tommy is about a “deaf, dumb and blind kid” who “sure plays a mean pinball.”

Peaking at #4 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, Tommy is one of The Who’s biggest albums with over 20 million sold worldwide.

MAY 24, 1974: DAVID BOWIE RELEASES DIAMOND DOGS

At the time of its release, David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs was his highest charting album, peaking at #5 in the US.

Diamond Dogs, featuring Bowie’s new character “Halloween Jack”, has sold over 500,000 copies in the US and contains the hit single “Rebel Rebel.”