Historic events this week from Allman Brothers Band, R.E.M., Mad Season, The Beatles, Pearl Jam and Van Halen

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MARCH 12, 1971: NIGHT #1 OF ALLMAN BROS AT FILLMORE EAST

Allman Brothers Band’s classic live album, At Fillmore East, was recorded over 2 nights at the titular legendary theater in New York.

The live collection features 7 songs and 78 minutes worth of astounding southern rock.

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MARCH 12, 1991: R.E.M. RELEASES OUT OF TIME
R.E.M.’s seventh album, Out of Time, was a big one for the band.

It was their first #1 album 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.

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MARCH 14, 1995: SUPERGROUP MAD SEASON RELEASE THEIR ONLY ALBUM

Mad Season were a supergroup consisting of members of Alice In Chains and Pearl Jam.

The busy schedules of each members’ main bands, and the deteriorating health of singer Layne Staley, resulted in the band only releasing one studio album.

Above quickly went Gold based on the strength of their hit song, “River of Deceit”.

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MARCH 15-20, 1969: THE BALLAD OF JOHN & YOKO

It’s the true story of passport problems, a wedding, and protests.

It was very romantic. It’s all in the song, if you want to know how it happened, it’s in there. Gibraltar was like a little sunny dream. I couldn’t find a white suit. I had sort of off-white corduroy trousers and a white jacket. Yoko had all white on.

John Lennon, Rolling Stone 1970

John wrote The Ballad of John & Yoko while honeymooning in Paris.

With McCartney’s assistance the song was recorded in one day as a duo.

Despite being banned by some radio stations, the song went to #1 all over Europe and peaked at #8 in the US.

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MARCH 16, 1999: PEARL JAM’S DEBUT CERTIFIED DIAMOND

Pearl Jam’s debut, Ten, remains their biggest album.

Thanks to the hits “Alive”, “Jeremy” and “Even Flow”, Ten has sold over 13 million copies in the US alone

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MARCH 17, 1984: VAN HALEN’S 1984 PEAKS AT #2
Propelled by the singles “Jump”, “I’ll Wait”, “Panama” and “Hot for Teacher”, Van Halen’s 1984 spent 5 weeks at #2. It was kept from going #1 by Michael Jackson’s Thriller.