March 20: John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s marriage
Today in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono got married in Gibraltar. The marriage was narrated in the Beatles’ song “The Ballad Of John And Yoko.” It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with Paul McCartney, on April 14, 1969.
The original plan for the couple was to get married in Paris. They organised everything and flew to France a month before the big day. Unfortunately, since they hadn’t lived in France long enough, the authorities refused them permission. John later said:
“We were calling Peter Brown [who worked for Apple], and said, ‘We want to get married. Where can we go?’ And he called back and said, ‘Gibraltar’s the only place.’ So – ‘OK, let’s go!’ And we went there and it was beautiful. It’s The Pillar Of Hercules, and also symbolically they called it The End Of The World at one period. There’s some name beside Pillar Of Hercules – but they thought the world outside was a mystery from there, so it was like the gateway to the world. So we liked it in the symbolic sense, and the rock foundation of our relationship.”
Within an hour after the wedding, John and Yoko flew back to Paris.
March 21: Madonna’s Like A Prayer
On March 21, 1989, Madonna’s iconic album Like A Prayer dropped. The album never reached the success of previous masterpieces and era icons True Blue and Like A Virgin. However, a fair amount of hits were part of the release. These included “Like A Prayer,” “Express Yourself” and “Cherish.”
The album was generally well received by the public, in love with Madonna’s carisma and her innovative and revolutionary art.
March 22: The Number of the Beast
Today in 1982, British heavy metal band Iron Maiden released the album The Number of the Beast. Seven years and few drops after their first appearance, the band dropped one of their best albums. It includes singles like fans’ favorite “Run To The Hills” and “The Number of the Beast.”
March 23: Van Halen II
On this day in 1979, Van Halen released their album Van Halen II. Including singles like “Dance the Night Away” and “Beautiful Girls,” the album reached #6 on the Billboard 200. Moreover, it has sold over five million copies in the United States.
March 24: Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman knocked unconscious by an electrical shock
On March 24, 1965, during the first date of the Rolling Stones anniversary tour, a not-so-happy memory took place. Ex Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman was knocked unconscious on stage. The accident took place because of a 220-volt electrical shock from a microphone stand. The accident took place during the rehearsals.
As always, the myth surrounds the accident. Apparently, Mick Jagger first received an electric shock that spun him around the stage and into Brian Jones. The guitarist, then backed into Wyman who fell down, unconscious, onstage.
However true this is, we can all agree that Wyman was lucky to survive.
March 25: Prince reigns at the Oscar in 1985
On March 25, 1985, Prince won an Oscar for Best Original Score. The artist won the award for the soundtrack for the movie Purple Rain. Dressed in a unique purple sparkling scarf and heels, the artist gave a shy speech accompanied by two women by his side. Straight forward as always, on that day the artist officially became a legend.
March 26: John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “bed-in” for peace
Once again John Lennon and Yoko Ono: today in 1969 the celebre couple began their “bed-in” for peace in Amsterdam. In fact, five days after their marriage, on March 25, the couple was on a unique honeymoon, staging their famous bed-in at Amsterdam’s Hilton. That was not the plan at first, as the lyrics /Finally made the plane into Paris/Honeymooning down by the Seine/Peter Brown called to say/You can make it OK/You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain/ sings.
