Music Through Six Decades

Today in Music History: May 3

The music history of the United States includes many styles of music that have evolved Through the Centuries. It is difficult to classify each different style because there are so many genres, subgenres and ways of categorizing music. So many cultures, so many time periods make that task virtually impossible. At some point in time, we have probably found ourselves Stuck in the 70s, reliving the Spirit of the 60s, and enjoying Contemporary and Classical, just to name a few. Some of the best-known genres of American music stem from Wine, Whiskey and Women, Rockin' 'n' Rollin', and Generations of Country. 

Today's spotlight focuses on different genres released on May 3rd spanning six decades. Enjoy the memories...

1974 publicity shot of Kitty Wells

1952, Kitty Wells recorded 'It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels'. Wells was disenchanted with her career prospects and was considering retirement, but agreed to the session at Owen Bradley’s studio because of the $125 union scale recording payment. 'It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels' was an answer song to Hank Thompson's 'The Wild Side of Life', and its lyrical treatment of seductive, wayward women. It became the first No.1 Billboard country hit for a solo female artist.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience performing for Dutch television in 1967.
From left to right: Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell.

1968, The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded 'Voodoo Chile'. It was featured on the 'Electric Ladyland' double album and became a UK No.1 single on 21st November 1970 two months after the guitarist's death. Hendrix's solo on the track was named the 11th greatest solo of all-time in Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.

Telma Hopkins, Tony Orlando and Joyce Vincent Wilson
at the premiere of their television show, 1974.

1975, Tony Orlando and Dawn started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'He Don't Love You, (Like I Love You)', the group's third US No.1.

Bay City Rollers

1975, The Bay City Rollers started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with their second album 'Once Upon A Star'.

Craig Frost, Chris Campbell, Bob Seger, Alto Reed

1980, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band started a six week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Against The Wind'.

Robert Palmer

1986, Robert Palmer went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Addicted To Love', it made No.5 in the UK. Palmer originally recorded the song as a duet with Chaka Khan but due to contractual problems her voice was removed. 

Michael Jackson performing in 1988

1997, Michael Jackson went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Blood On The Dance Floor'. The singers 7th UK No.1 peaked at No.42 on the US charts. 

Carey at the SAG Awards in 2014.

2008, Mariah Carey was at No.1 on the US album chart with her eleventh studio album 'E=MC?'  

Dylan onstage at Azkena Rock Festival,
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, June 26, 2010

2009, Bob Dylan went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Together Through Life’ his seventh UK No.1 album. It was the singer, songwriter’s 33rd studio album, he last topped the UK chart with ‘New Morning’ in 1970. His first No.1 in 1964, was ‘The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan'. Dylan now held the record, (previously held by Tom Jones), for the longest gap between solo number one albums.

  

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...