Rock ‘n’ roll fans have a new reason to party; May 30 marks the birthday of some notable rock musicians, including Armando Peraza of Santana, Marie Fredriksson of Roxette, and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine. Fans can read on to find out which hit songs, band milestones, events, recordings, and more made waves on May 30.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
These May 30 breakthrough hits and milestones launched the careers of some well-known artists:
- 1970: Topping both the Easy Listening and Billboard Hot 100 charts, Ray Stevens was on top with “Everything Is Beautiful.” This was the artist’s first hit song, and it earned him the GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary Male Vocal Performance.
- 1992: The Black Crowes debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with their second album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. Four singles from the album were No. 1 hits, which helped the album reach the top spot.
Cultural Milestones
Cultural milestones from May 30 that made rock ‘n’ roll history include:
- 1963: Singer/songwriter Leslie Gore performed her hit song “It’s My Party” on the popular TV show American Bandstand. This was her debut live performance on the TV show and was a significant moment in her career.
- 1992: At a small, intimate ceremony on Long Island in New York, Paul Simon married Edie Brickell. The two met in 1988 when Edie Brickell & New Bohemians performed on Saturday Night Live.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Rock artists gave the world these recordings and performances on May 30 that will live on in history:
- 1968: Recording sessions for what’s known as the White Album by The Beatles started at EMI Recording Studios in London. Officially called “The Beatles,” the album was released in November of that year, and the studio was later renamed Abbey Road Studios.
- 1987: In support of his album Never Let Me Down, David Bowie started his Glass Spider Tour. It featured elaborate theatrical elements and was, at the time, the largest touring set ever.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The rock industry has had its share of obstacles to overcome, and these are a few examples of the genre’s resilience from May 30:
- 1997: Yanni became the first Western artist to perform at Beijing’s Forbidden City in China. The performance was broadcast to a live audience and is estimated to have been seen by 100 million people worldwide.
- 2005: One week before its official release, Coldplay’s X&Y album was leaked online to P2P file trading sites despite extra safeguards the band and record label took to prevent just such an occurrence.
May 30 has seen its share of historic songs topping the charts, bands recording beloved albums, and other memorable moments, making it an exciting day for fans to learn about.
