History as you’ve never seen it: a journey in time through the albums, concerts and events that made history—this week in music. This week is Selena’s first album commemoration, the first song to top the charts twice, the second-ever episode of Saturday Night Live and more!
October 16: “I Will Always Love You”‘s History is Longer Than You Could Imagine
Did you know that Whitney Houston wasn’t the first artist to sing her #1 single “I Will Always Love You”? In fact, this unforgettable piece of history was already interpreted by none less than Dolly Parton. On this day in 1982, country icon Parton released her cover of “I Will Always Love You.”
And did you know that the single had already hit the top of the charts before the ’90s? The single, however, hadn’t been written by the country singer, but rather was already a #1 country hit in 1974, when it was released along with the movie The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. This makes it the first song to top that chart twice.
October 17: Commemorating Selena’s Music
On this day in 2017, Google Doodle paid tribute to the late singer and performer Selena. The Mexican artist was murdered by her ex-fan club president in 1995 in a tragic homicide that shocked the entire world. To commemorate the 28-year anniversary of Selena’s self-titled debut album, Google Doodle released an animated video about her rise to fame. In the clip, Selena’s hit single “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” played.
October 18: Paul Simon at the Second Episode of Saturday Night Live
There was a time when Saturday Night Live was not as “traditional” and common as it is now, when people were questioning whether the artists on TV were acting or actually being themselves. As we all know, there’s always a first time.
Today marked the day in which the second-ever episode of Saturday Night Live aired. It was 1975, and Paul Simon got most of the airtime during the show. But it was more than that!
The second episode of SNL season one featured a historic reunion, the first TV appearance by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. The famous folk acoustic duo had broken up 5 years before, and never reappeared together on TV before. Moreover, it was the first time in three years that the two artists performed together. The duo performed live “The Boxer.” Emotions flowed all over the room, with the duo sharing an intimate moment, getting back to the time they were once friends and colleagues.
“So, you’ve come crawling back,” Simon began. Garfunkel in response: “It’s very nice of you to invite me on your show.”
October 19: The Talking Heads Concert Movie Stop Making Sense
In 1984, The Talking Heads concert movie, Stop Making Sense, opened in theaters. Coming from a highly unconventional and groundbreaking band, the movie surely couldn’t have been a “normal” one. Taking a step back from crowd shots or backstage footage, the movie became the pioneer in the genre by completely changing the perspective on it and by introducing revolutionary innovations, forever changing how concert movies are made.
October 20: A Tragic Plane Crash Kills an Entire Band
Throughout music history, tragic deaths sadly aren’t news anymore. From the latest members of indie rock band Her’s, who sadly died in a car crash, to the many who passed away due to substance abuse, sudden, young deaths aren’t a surprise anymore. It was on this day in 1977 that Lynyrd Skynyrd members Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines died in a plane crash in Mississippi. Gaines’ sister Cassie, a backup singer with the group, was also killed by the crash. The two pilots and the band’s manager died as well, while the other members of the group were left badly injured.
October 21: Elliott Smith, Today’s Alternative Music Pioneer, Passes Away
It was 20 years ago today when one of the most innovative, genre-defining alternative artists passed away. It was on October 21st, 2003, that Elliott Smith died, leaving his music as the main heritage for his fans and many artists to follow, artists who named him among those who inspired them the most.
Elliott Smith, known for his songs “Miss Misery,” featured in Good Will Hunting, where it earned an Oscar nomination, and “Waltz #2,” died of self-inflicted stab wounds to the chest. He was 34 when he passed away in his home in Los Angeles, California. Smith battled depression and addiction most of his life, leaving scars of his inner melancholy in his words and songs.
October 22: Stage Debut of Another Seattle Band
In 1990, the band Mookie Blaylock made their debut at The Off Ramp in Seattle. Nothing special here, just another band hitting the stage, you might think. However, in the audience, a few people made the event interesting. A few members of Soundgarden and Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson were there to discover this new, curious band. We don’t know if they were looking for it or if it was just luck, but the band would have soon become one of the most successful, not only in Seattle, but in the entire world. They sold millions of records and made history as one of the four leading names of the grunge genre. Mookie Blaylock would soon change their name to the one that made history: Pearl Jam.
Discover more about your favorite artists and stay updated on all the latest and hottest music news here!
