Whether you love rock ‘n’ roll or are just starting to explore it, knowing its history can help you appreciate the changes in the music industry. May 2 has been a significant date for music, featuring chart-topping hits, memorable concerts, and major album releases.
1964: The Beatles’ Second Album soared to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart just two weeks after its release, taking the spot from their previous album, Meet the Beatles! This marked the first time an artist replaced their own No. 1 album in the U.S.
1970: Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky” hit No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart. This was his only hit, and it stayed at the top for two weeks.
Culturally, May 2 has seen important events in rock history. 1929: Link Wray, a pioneer of the electric guitar, was born. His song “Rumble” introduced distortion and tremolo, influencing guitar legends like Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend.
1950: Lou Gramm, co-founder and original frontman of Foreigner, was born. He helped the band sell over 80 million records and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.
1972: Bruce Springsteen met with producer John Hammond, leading to his signing with Columbia Records.
1980: Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” became an anthem for South African students resisting apartheid education, leading to its ban by the government.
2024: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors was named the best-selling album of the 21st century, with over 40 million copies sold.
Notable performances include 1977: Eric Clapton recorded “Wonderful Tonight,” his most-downloaded song today. 1979: The Who performed their first show after losing Keith Moon, marking a poignant moment in rock history.
