As you say goodbye to May, turn up the rock to celebrate the memorable moments this day has brought to the genre. May 31 has been significant for rock and roll, filled with hit songs, notable performances, and cultural milestones. Here are some key highlights from this day in rock history.
1980: The disco-funk group Lipps Inc. topped the Billboard Hot 100 with their hit “Funkytown,” marking their only song to reach the top spot.
1986: Genesis debuted “Invisible Touch” on the Billboard Hot 100, which climbed to No. 1 by summer, becoming their only hit. On the same day, Peter Gabriel’s fifth solo album, So, reached No. 1 on the UK album chart, featuring hits like “Sledgehammer” and “Don’t Give Up” with Kate Bush.
Cultural milestones also shaped rock on May 31. 1948: Legendary drummer John Bonham of Led Zeppelin was born, influencing generations of drummers and earning the title of greatest drummer of all time by Rolling Stone in 2016.
1961: Jimi Hendrix enlisted in the U.S. Army but was discharged the following year.
1976: The Who set a Guinness World Record for being the loudest band after a concert in London, measuring 126 decibels.
1993: Alan McGee, founder of Creation Records, discovered Oasis at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow, leading to their record deal.
2014: Michael Jackson was recognized for having Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 across five consecutive decades, achieving this from the ’70s to the 2010s and again in the 2020s.
These performances and recordings have left a lasting impact on rock music. 1974: Canadian musician Gordon Lightfoot made a significant mark with his straightforward style.
