May 21: Remembering Boston’s ROCK 92.9 in Rock History
May 21 in rock ‘n’ roll history is a day filled with significant hit songs, band milestones, cultural events, and challenges that have left a lasting impact on the genre. Let’s take a look at some of these noteworthy moments that every rock fan should know about.
One of the standout events on May 21 occurred in 1971 when Marvin Gaye released his groundbreaking album “What’s Going On.” This album, which focused on themes of war, inequality, and social injustice, is regarded as one of the most important and influential albums in music history. In 1983, David Bowie reached the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the second time with his hit song “Let’s Dance,” which also topped the U.K. charts. Fast forward to 2011, where Adele’s chart-topping song “Rolling in the Deep” spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking a significant milestone in the artist’s career.
Moving on to cultural milestones, in 1979, Elton John made history as the first solo rock artist to perform in Russia, playing four shows in Leningrad and four shows in Moscow. A notable event from 2008 was when record producer Lou Pearlman was sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding his clients, including popular bands like Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC. In 2015, Black Sabbath received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ivor Novello Awards, with band member Tony Iommi accepting the award on behalf of the group.
When it comes to notable recordings and performances, Chuck Berry recorded his influential hit song “Maybellene” in 1955, a track that broke genre boundaries and is often credited as the first rock ‘n’ roll song. In 1976, The Rolling Stones kicked off a series of six shows at the Earl’s Court Theatre in London, where they performed iconic tracks like “Sympathy For The Devil.”
These events, songs, and albums from May 21 have played a significant role in shaping the rock ‘n’ roll landscape. They have left a lasting impact on the genre and continue to be celebrated by music fans worldwide. As we reflect on these milestones, let’s continue to “Rock in the Free World” and appreciate the rich history of rock ‘n’ roll.