On April 2, 1939, Marvin Gaye was born in Washington, D.C. A well-known and influential musician, Gaye had quite an impact on the music industry, and although he was primarily an R&B artist, his sound was revolutionary, spreading into other genres, including rock ‘n’ roll. Many hit songs, cultural events, memorable performances, and struggles in the rock industry occurred on April 2. If you want to learn more about this day in rock history, you can get the facts right here.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
You can’t go wrong adding these memorable rock hits to your playlist:
- 1964: The Beach Boys finished recording what would become their first No. 1 hit single, “I Get Around.” The single was released in May, and by July, it was at the top of the Billboard chart.
- 1967: During a Rolling Stones concert in Vienna, Austria, someone from the audience threw a smoke bomb on stage. The disruption led to a riot and the arrest of more than 150 fans.
- 1977: ABBA achieved their fifth No. 1 hit in the U.K. with “Knowing Me Knowing You.” The song was a global hit and is one of the band’s most loved.
Cultural Milestones
Without these April 2 events, your favorite rock music might not have that beat you love:
- 1967: Greg Camp, songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of Smash Mouth, was born on April 2 in Covina, California. He’s credited with writing some of Smash Mouth’s most memorable songs.
- 2006: On what would have been the artist’s 67th birthday, a 1.6-mile-long park in Washington, D.C., formerly known as Watts Branch Park, was renamed Marvin Gaye Park. The respected musician grew up in the area, and the municipal park is Washington’s longest.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Some significant changes and challenges in the rock industry that occurred on April 2 include:
- 1990: Eric Clapton’s love of driving fast caught up with him when he was fined by Walton-on-Thames Magistrates court for speeding at 105 mph and banned from driving for three months.
- 2021: Bassist and co-founder of War, Morris “B.B.” Dickerson, died aged 71 at a hospital in Long Beach, California, after a long battle with an undisclosed illness. He’s probably best known for his work on hit songs such as “Low Rider” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”