This Week in Music History: May 5–11
🎶 This Week in Music History
Welcome to the very first 'This Month is Music History' post. Each week, we'll journey through the archives to spotlight major moments in music history that happened during this week over the years. From iconic album releases to unforgettable performances and game-changing events, here’s what made music history between May 5 – May 11.
📅 May 5
- 1956 – Elvis Presley Tops the Charts
🎵 Elvis Presley became the first artist to simultaneously top the U.S. singles and albums charts with "Heartbreak Hotel" and his debut album.
- 1984 – Duran Duran’s “The Reflex” Hits No. 1 in the UK
🎵 "The Reflex" topped the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band’s second and final UK No. 1.
- 1986 – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Site Chosen
🎵 Cleveland, Ohio, was selected as the official home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
📅 May 6
- 1965 – Alan Price Leaves The Animals
🎵 Keyboardist Alan Price departed the band due to personal and musical differences, changing the group’s dynamic.
📅 May 7
- 1977 – The Eagles' "Hotel California" Reaches No. 1
🎵 The Eagles' iconic album "Hotel California" hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
📅 May 8
- 1965 – British Invasion Dominates U.S. Charts
🎵 British bands nearly swept the U.S. Top 10, showcasing the global reach of UK rock in the 60s.
📅 May 9
- 1974 – Bruce Springsteen Rocks Harvard Square Theatre
🎵 Springsteen and the E Street Band gave a legendary live show that solidified his status as a must-see act.
May 9
- 1989 – Keith Whitley Dies at 34
Country singer Keith Whitley passed away from alcohol poisoning at just 34 years old. His emotional, heartfelt style left a lasting mark on country music and influenced a new generation of artists.
📅 May 10
- 1969 – Led Zeppelin’s U.S. Tour Success
🎵 The band’s U.S. tour gained momentum, rapidly building their fame in North America.
📅 May 11
- 1981 – Bob Marley Passes Away
🎵 The reggae icon died at age 36, leaving behind a revolutionary legacy of music and activism.
So there you have it, there are the first two weeks of May in 'This Week in Music History.' See ya next week...Thanks for reading!
And Keith Whitley died at 34 on May 9, 1989. Not sure why, but I had an idea that it might have been this week... I guess 'cause I remember it was near the end of the school year, when I was in college.
It's funny. I remember exactly where I was seated in a little dive bar in Conshohocken when I heard the news that afternoon. I used to go there a lot, and I can picture the room, but for the life of me I can't remember the name of the bar.
You've got a pretty good memory to remember that one. I added a news report about Whitley's death. Apparently, there is a section of folks that think maybe it wasn't by his doing or alcoholism.
Interesting. I had never heard this:
I guess anything's possible, but it seemed pretty straightforward, from what I remember.