Historic events this week from Judas Priest, Billy Joel, Genesis and Guns N’ Roses
JULY 16, 1990: JUDAS PRIEST’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES LAWSUIT
A lawsuit was brought against the band for an alleged subliminal message, which lead to the (attempted) suicides of two young fans.
Prosecutors claimed “Better by You, Better Than Me” contained the words “do it”, urging fans to end their lives.
The lawsuit was dismissed after the judge concluded the “subliminal message” was an error made while mixing the song in the studio.
• • •
JULY 18, 2008: BILLY JOEL’S “LAST PLAY AT SHEA”
Billy Joel played the final concerts at Shea Stadium on July 16th & 18th, before the stadium was closed on September 28, 2008.
The shows were documented in the 2010 concert film The Last Play at Shea and featured guest appearances from Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, Roger Daltrey, Garth Brooks and Tony Bennett.
The 35-song set ended with Billy Joel & Paul McCartney performing The Beatles’ “Let It Be”.
• • •
JULY 19, 1986: GENESIS HAVE FIRST US #1 SINGLE
After scoring four #1 hits across three solo albums, Phil Collins continues his steak on the 13th album from Genesis.
The title track from Invisible Touch was Genesis’ first single to go #1 in the US.
“Invisible Touch” spent time at #1 on the US Hot 100, US Cashbox and US Mainstream Rock charts.
• • •
JULY 21, 1987: APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION
Guns N’ Roses did very well for themselves with their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, boasting three top 10 singles:
“Welcome to the Jungle” (#7), “Paradise City” (#5) and “Sweet Child o’ Mine” (#1).
Major albums by Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and George Michael, as well as the Dirty Dancing soundtrack kept Appetite for Destruction from going to #1 for over a year.
The debut album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
