FEB 16-22: Historic events this week from Bob Dylan, Eagles, KISS, AC/DC and REO Speedwagon
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FEBRUARY 16, 1974: BOB DYLAN’S FIRST US #1 ALBUM
Twelve years after releasing his self-titled debut album, Bob Dylan finally had a #1 album in the US. Planet Waves, Dylan’s first album with The Band, spent 3 weeks at #1. Planet Waves contained 2 versions (one fast, one slow) of the classic “Forever Young.”
FEBRUARY 17, 1976: EAGLES RELEASE THEIR GREATEST HITS (1971-1975)
Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) from the Eagles is one of the biggest selling albums of all-time. It features the #1 hits “Best of My Love” and “One of These Nights” as well as “Lyin’ Eyes” and “Take It Easy.” The collection has gone Platinum 38 times, and has sold over 45 million copies worldwide.
FEBRUARY 18, 1974: KISS RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM
KISS’s self-titled debut was the first of two albums they released in 1974. The debut features such classics as “Deuce”, “Strutter” and Ace Frehley’s “Cold Gin.” During a 2018 appearance on Good Morning America, Gene Simmons called it his favorite KISS album.
FEBRUARY 19, 1980: AC/DC’s BON SCOTT DIES
The cause of death for AC/DC’s Bon Scott has been debated for over 40 years. Whether it was “pulmonary aspiration” or “acute alcohol poisoning”, the 33 year old singer’s cause of death is classified as “death by misadventure.” Bon Scott’s family encouraged AC/DC to continue on. Five months later, they released the classic Back In Black, with Brian Johnson on lead vocals.
FEBRUARY 21, 1981: REO SPEEDWAGON’S HI INFIDELITY IS #1
REO Speedwagon’s 9th album, Hi Infidelity, ended the 8-week reign of John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy at #1. Hi Infidelity would go on to spend 15 non-consecutive weeks at #1 in 1981, trading places twice with Styx’s Paradise Theater.
