1978 - The Fleetwood Mac album Rumours went No. 1. It's the kind of album that transcends its origins and reputation, entering the realm of legend -- it's an album that simply exists outside of criticism and outside of its time, even if it thoroughly captures its era. Fleetwood Mac in the mid-'70s were professionally and romantically intertwined, with no less than two couples in the band, but as their professional career took off, the personal side unraveled. But that's what makes Rumours such an enduring achievement -- it turns private pain into something universal and has since transcended its era to be one of the greatest, most compelling pop albums of all time. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
1984 - Here's an odd bit of trivia. Thanks to a ban by the BBC, "Relax," the debut single from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, hits #1 in the UK. In America, the #1 song is "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" by Yes. Both songs are produced by Trevor Horn (then a member of Yes), making him the first producer with #1s simultaneously in both territories with different acts.
1985 - With the stars in town for the American Music Awards, "We Are The World" was recorded in Los Angeles, with cameras rolling for the video. Among those taking part: Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Hall & Oates, The Jacksons, Billy Joel, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, The Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and Stevie Wonder.
The session bogged down in the wee hours when Michael Jackson suggested they add some African-sounding vocals after each chorus line. Stevie Wonder chimed in with the idea that they add some lines in Swahili. Ray Charles - the only guy who could pull rank on Jackson and Wonder - put a stop to it, telling Quincy Jones to "ring the bell," meaning to move on.
Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote this song, and Quincy Jones produced it. This was a benefit single for victims of famine in Africa. It raised over $60 Million, which was distributed to Ethiopia, Sudan, and other impoverished countries.
Birthdays:
Jamaican electronics musician King Tubby was born today in 1941.
Robert Wyatt of Soft Machine is 77.
William Nelson of Funkadelic is 71.
Sarah McLachlan is 54.
Lawrence Muggerud, aka DJ Muggs with Cypress Hill, is 54.
On This Day In Music History is sourced from Allmusic, This Day in Music, Song Facts and Wikipedia.