The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com.
OCT 27: Today in 2013, Lou Reed passed away due to liver disease. 😢 The singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the Velvet Underground was a ground-breaking performer who should have been more appreciated during his lifetime. His five decade career included his time with the Velvet Underground and solo work. He released an astounding 20 solo albums after the band broke up in 1970. In 2015, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Fun Fact: A spider recently discovered in Spain was named Loureedia because of its velvet body and that it lives underground!
OCT 28: Today in 1978, Nick Gilder was at the top of the charts with "Hot Child In The City". The song went to #1 in the U.S. and Canada, Gilder's home country. Gilder was also the lead singer of the Canadian band Sweeney Todd.
OCT 29: Today in 1983, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon breaks the record for most weeks on the Billboard albums chart - 491 weeks! The previous record holder was Johnny Mathias' Johnny's Greatest Hits. Dark Side of the Moon would remain on the chart until 1988 - 724 weeks! Reissues and releases have caused the album to occasionally dip back into the charts for an astounding 880 weeks total during the album's lifetime. WOW!
OCT 30: Happy birthday to Timothy B. Schmit, born today in 1947!🎂🎸🎤 The musician, singer, and songwriter is best known for his membership in the Eagles and Poco. He has also been a successful session musician and solo artist. Schmit started out playing folk music before turning to rock. In 1968, Schmit tried out for Poco but lost the job to Randy Meisner. One year later Meisner would leave and Schmit replaced him. During his time with Poco, he recorded nine studio albums and two live albums. In 1977, Schmit would join the Eagles. Schmit would go on to sing lead on the Eagles hits "I Can't Tell You Why" and "Love Will Keep Us Alive". Fun Fact: Schmit replaced Randy Meisner in both Poco and the Eagles. In 1998, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Eagles.
OCT 31: Today in 1978, Anne Murray was at #1 with "You Needed Me". Not only would it go to the top of the charts, but it would win Murray a Grammy for Best Female Vocal Pop Performance. The first ever awarded to a Canadian artist.
NOV 1: Happy birthday to Rick Allen (The Thunder God) of Def Leppard, born today in 1963! 🎂🥁 He has been their drummer since 1978, basically the only job he has ever had - wow! He was just 14 when his mom replied to an ad looking for a drummer and he would join them on his 15th birthday. On New Year's Eve day 1984, Allen would have a catastrophic accident that would require amputation of left arm. His girlfriend was also injured, but recovered fully. Def Leppard stood by Allen during his recovery and the time it took Allen to modify his drum kit. Allen and his wife created The Raven Drum Foundation a charity whose mission it is serve, educate, and empower veterans and others in crisis. Fun Fact: Allen has become an accomlished painter and often holds gallery displays of his work!
NOV 2: Today in 1985, Stevie Wonder makes a return to #1 on the Hot 100 with "Part-Time Lover" after a 22 year dry spell at the top! The song also went to #1 on the R&B, dance, and contemporary charts - making Wonder the first artist to hit #1 hit on four different charts! Fun Fact: Check out these backround singers - Luther Vandross, Syreeta Wright, and Philip Bailley.
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