Historic events this week from Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young and more
AUGUST 10, 1993: BILLY JOEL’S RIVER OF DREAMS
Billy Joel‘s 12th album went 5x Platinum and became his fourth and final US #1 album. River of Dreams earned Joel Grammy nominations for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male. He released an album of classical compositions in 2001, but 1993’s River of Dreams remains his most recent rock album.
AUGUST 11, 1964: THE BEATLES STAR IN A HARD DAY’S NIGHT
With its soundtrack already enjoying its third week at #1, The Beatles released their first movie, A Hard Day’s Night. Released amidst Beatlemania, the comedy-musical did extremely well at the box office. With a budget of £189,000, it grossed $1,664,617; which is equal to $17,264,000 in 2025.
AUGUST 12, 1991: METALLICA’S “BLACK ALBUM”
Each single from Metallica‘s self-titled fifth album is a hard rock classic: “Enter Sandman”, “The Unforgiven”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Sad but True” and “Wherever I May Roam.” The album sold 3 million copies in less than 3 months. It remains their biggest album with 17 million sold in the US.
AUGUST 13, 1973: (PRONOUNCED ‘LĔH-‘NÉRD ‘SKIN-‘NÉRD)
Lynyrd Skynrd‘s classic southern rock debut, (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), is a cut above the rest. Although “Free Bird” was the only single to chart (#19), “Tuesday’s Gone”, “Gimme Three Steps” and “Simple Man” are also celebrated classic rock radio staples.
AUGUST 15, 1978: DON’T LOOK BACK BY BOSTON
Boston‘s sophomore album, Don’t Look Back, is their second biggest album after their eponymous debut. Don’t Look Back has sold over 7 million copies and contains the Top 5 charting title track. The album spent two non-consecutive weeks at #1.
AUGUST 15, 1979: LED ZEPPELIN’S IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR
Led Zeppelin‘s In Through the Out Door divided fans and critics alike due to the softer, synthesizer-driven direction. The album still managed to quickly go #1 and spent 7 straight weeks at the top spot; eventually selling 6 million copies in the US. It proved to be their final album, as they disbanded after the Sept. ’80 death of drummer John Bonham.
AUGUST 16, 1994: NEIL YOUNG’S SLEEPS WITH ANGELS
Neil Young‘s 20th album, and 7th with Crazy Horse, is a dark affair. The dark, grunge inflected rock of Sleeps With Angels stands in sharp contrast to the country/folk rock of his previous album, Harvest Moon. Having Kurt Cobain quote his “It’s better to burn out than to fade away” in his suicide letter, inspired Young to write the album’s title track.
