This Day in Rock History: March 9
Plenty of cool things happened in the rock world on March 9 throughout the years. U2 released their most popular album, and The Clash had a No. 1 single almost…
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Plenty of cool things happened in the rock world on March 9 throughout the years. U2 released their most popular album, and The Clash had a No. 1 single almost a decade after its release. These are just some of the many interesting events that took place on this day in rock history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
These are the breakthrough moments and milestones we celebrate on March 9:
- 1968: Bob Dylan's eighth studio album, John Wesley Harding, started a 10-week run at the top of the British album charts, where it spent a total of 13 non-consecutive weeks. The album was a return to Dylan's earlier folk-inspired acoustic sound, after experimenting with electric guitars and a bluesier sound.
- 1985: REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling" reached the top spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, where it spent three consecutive weeks. Part of their Wheels Are Turnin' album, the song was the band's second No. 1 after 1980's "Keep On Loving You."
- 1991: The Clash got their first and only UK No.1 single, when "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" topped the charts. The song had been initially released back in 1982 but experienced a surge in popularity after featuring in a jeans commercial.
Notable Recordings and Performances
These are some of the most memorable shows and releases that happened on March 9:
- 1971: Alice Cooper released their third studio album, Love It to Death, via Warner Bros. Records. It featured the iconic hit "I'm Eighteen" and was certified Platinum in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
- 1986: Aerosmith recorded their collaboration with rap group Run-D.M.C on the remake of their 1975 hit "Walk This Way." They laid down the track at Magic Ventures Studios in New York with producer Rick Rubin, with the song featuring on Run-D.M.C's album Raising Hell and helping break down the barriers between rock and hip hop.
- 1987: U2 released their fifth studio album, The Joshua Tree, through Island Records. Pushed by hits like "With or Without You" and "Where the Streets Have No Name," the album was and still is the band's best-selling work, with over 25 million copies sold globally.
With icons like Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, and U2 having reasons to celebrate today, it's fair to say that March 9 is an important day in the rock calendar. Visit us again tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.
Dan TeodorescuWriter
