Historic events this week from Counting Crows, The Jayhawks, The Replacements, Talking Heads, Pearl Jam, The Clash, Ozzy Osbourne and more.
SEPTEMBER 14, 1993: COUNTING CROWS’ DEBUT ALBUM
Counting Crows‘ debut album, August and Everything After, became a massive success, reaching #4 on the Billboard 200 and eventually selling over seven million copies in the US. Its introspective lyrics and rich, roots-rock sound, led by the hit single “Mr. Jones,” captivated audiences and established the band as a major force in the alternative rock scene.
SEPTEMBER 15,1983: SPORTS BY HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS
Approaching 10 million records sold, Sports remains Huey Lewis and the News‘ biggest album.
Sports, the band’s third album, was their first of two #1 albums, and contained the hits “Heart and Soul”, “I Want a New Drug”, “The Heart of Rock & Roll”, “If This Is It” and “Walking on a Thin Line.”
SEPTEMBER 15, 1992: THE JAYHAWKS’ HOLLYWOOD TOWN HALL
The Jayhawks‘ Hollywood Town Hall is a landmark album that is often cited as a cornerstone of the burgeoning alternative-country movement. Featuring “Waiting for the Sun”, it was the band’s major-label debut and successfully introduced their signature blend of country-rock, folk, and melodic pop to a wider audience.
SEPTEMBER 16, 1977: TALKING HEADS RELEASE TALKING HEADS: 77
Honing their unique sound in the legendary New York City venue CBGB’s, Talking Heads translated their eccentric live performances into the critically acclaimed album Talking Heads: 77. The record’s fusion of punk and funk, anchored by the iconic single “Psycho Killer,” would become a blueprint for countless new wave artists.
SEPTEMBER 17, 1978: QUEEN’S “BICYCLE RACE” VIDEO SHOOT
The final video for Queen‘s “Bicycle Race” was banned in some countries, and heavily edited in others. Queen hired 65 nude, professional models to ride bicycles around the race track at Wimbledon Stadium.
The video shoot also provided the images for promotional posters and the cover of the Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls single.
SEPTEMBER 18, 1985: THE REPLACEMENTS’ TIM
Tim, The Replacements‘ fourth album, is a critical milestone that captured the band’s transition from raucous punk rock to a more polished, yet still emotionally raw, power-pop sound. Featuring staples like “Bastards of Young” and “Kiss Me on the Bus,” the album solidified the band’s reputation as one of the most important voices of the 1980s alternative scene.
SEPTEMBER 19, 1970: AFTER THE GOLDRUSH BY NEIL YOUNG
Neil Young‘s third solo album, After the Goldrush, was inspired by a film script written by actor Dean Stockwell. Having been suffering writer’s block, Young became inspired and envisioned his new songs fitting in well with the movie.
The film was never made, but it resulted in After the Gold Rush; Neil Young‘s first masterpiece.
SEPTEMBER 19, 1981: THE ROLLING STONES’ TATTOO YOU IS #1
Tattoo You was the Rolling Stones‘ 9th straight US #1 album. The album sold over 4 million copies thanks to the massive single, “Start Me Up.” Their final album to go #1 in the US, Tattoo You would remain at the top for 9 straight weeks.
SEPTEMBER 20, 1979: THE CLASH’S LONDON CALLING ALBUM COVER
Bassist Paul Simonon of The Clash grew angry at NYC’s Palladium upon realizing bouncers weren’t allowing the audience to stand up during their performance. Photographer Pennie Smith captured the moment he smashed his bass guitar out of frustration.
The shot would end up becoming an iconic image, gracing the cover of The Clash‘s classic London Calling album.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2009: PEARL JAM RELEASE BACKSPACER
Pearl Jam‘s Backspacer featured a more direct, melodic collection of songs that moved away from the more political and experimental tone of their previous work. With songs like the driving “The Fixer” and the tender ballad “Just Breathe,” the album was praised for its positive lyrical outlook and cohesive, no-frills approach.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2022: PATIENT NUMBER 9 IS OZZY’S HIGHEST-CHARTING UK ALBUM
With the release of his 13th solo album, Patient Number 9, Ozzy Osbourne scored his highest charting album in the UK when it peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the UK Official Vinyl Albums Chart.
Patient Number 9 reached a peak position of #3 on the US Billboard 200, tying with Black Rain (2007) and Ordinary Man (2020) for Ozzy’s highest-charting album in the United States.
