This Day in Rock History: March 7
The Beatles donned their infamous Beno Dorn suits for the first time on March 7, 1962, when they recorded their first radio appearance on a show called Teenager’s Turn. They did…
The Beatles donned their infamous Beno Dorn suits for the first time on March 7, 1962, when they recorded their first radio appearance on a show called Teenager's Turn. They did the recording at the Playhouse Theatre in Hulme, Manchester, in front of a live teenage audience. Want more facts about this day in rock music history? Discover breakthrough hits, cultural milestones, notable recordings, top-notch performances, and changes and challenges in rock on March 7.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
March 7 was the day these breakthrough hits and milestones made waves in the rock music industry:
- 1970: Simon & Garfunkel's album Bridge Over Troubled Water made it to the top of the Billboard 200 chart and stayed there for 10 weeks. It was the top-selling album that year.
- 1983: Tears for Fears released their debut album, The Hurting, which would make it to No. 1 in the U.K. after just two weeks. It featured the song "Mad World" and was certified Gold in the U.K. three weeks after its release.
- 1987: The Beatles' first four albums were reissued on CD, resulting in all of them re-entering the UK charts. A Hard Day's Night was at No. 30, Please Please Me at 32, With The Beatles at 40, and Beatles For Sale at 45.
Cultural Milestones
Your favorite rock songs wouldn't be the same if these cultural milestones hadn't happened on March 7:
- 1976: At Madame Tussauds wax museum in London, a figure of Elton John was unveiled. This was the only rock musician other than The Beatles to have a statue at the famous museum.
- 1983: The Songwriter's Hall of Fame inducted Stevie Wonder and Neil Sadaka. The two musicians had many popular songs to their credit and managed to blend genres and bring talent together.
Notable Recordings and Performances
The most notable rock recordings and performances on March 7 in the past include:
- 1966: Tina Turner laid down the vocal tracks for "River Deep – Mountain High" at the Gold Star Studios in Hollywood. Phil Spector was the producer, and he reportedly had Tina repeat the song for hours until he got the exact sound he was looking for.
- 1966: "Caroline, No" by Brian Wilson was released — it was the first solo recording from a Beach Boy. The song featured on the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album as the closing track.
- 1968: Elvis Presley recorded "A Little Less Conversation" at Western Recorders in Hollywood. The song was a minor hit at the time but gained worldwide popularity years later, in 2002, when a remix became a worldwide hit.
- 1969: Before they were the big-name band they would become, Led Zeppelin played a show at the Bluesville 69 Club at the Hornsey Wood Tavern in Finsbury Park, London, England. They played in the back room, where the stage was so small that only the drummer could fit.
- 1983: New Order released their song, "Blue Monday," as a 12-inch single. It made the top 10 on the singles charts in several countries and is the best-selling 12-inch single in history.
Industry Changes and Challenges
These industry changes and challenges helped shape the rock music landscape we know today:
- 1975: With the release of his ninth studio album, Young Americans, David Bowie strayed from his glam rock style, blending the sounds of soul and R&B in his new album. The album gave Bowie his first hit single, "Fame."
- 2009: Famous for his recording of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," Jimmy Boyd died aged 70 from cancer-related complications. He recorded the Christmas tune when he was only 13, and the song became an instant success that helped launch his music and acting career.
As rock music continues to evolve, you can be sure these March 7 moments will forever be a part of the formation of this iconic genre.
