Historic events this week from Pearl Jam, Van Halen, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen and Iron Maiden
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MARCH 16, 1999: PEARL JAM’S DEBUT CERTIFIED DIAMOND
Pearl Jam’s 1991 debut, Ten, remains their biggest album, followed by Vs. in 1993.
Thanks to the hits “Alive”, “Jeremy” and “Even Flow”, Ten has sold over 13 million copies in the US alone, and was certified Diamond (10 million sold) on this date in 1999.
MARCH 17, 2010: ALEX CHILTON DIES
With a voice well-beyond his years, Alex Chilton was only 16 when he and The Box Tops had a hit single with “The Letter.” After leaving The Box Tops, he joined a band who’d become the influential, yet still little-known, Big Star.
Days before Big Star were to play SXSW in Austin, Chilton suffered a fatal heart attack at age 59. Big Star would play SXSW in tribute to Chilton with guest vocals from Mike Mills of R.E.M., John Doe of X, Evan Dando of The Lemonheads and more.
MARCH 18, 1976: MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH PREMIERES IN LONDON
David Bowie appeared in more than 20 feature films, but his first leading role was in 1976’s The Man Who Fell to Earth. Upon its release, critics were divided. However, it has since become a cult classic.
Bowie’s role earned him the Saturn Award for Best Actor from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films.
MARCH 21, 1994: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WINS AN OSCAR
Two months after winning a Golden Globe, Bruce Springsteen won the big one. He took home the Oscar for “Streets of Philadelphia” which was written for the Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington drama, Philadelphia.
The song would also win 4 Grammys for Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Vocal Performance and Best Song Written for a Motion Picture.
MARCH 22, 1982: IRON MAIDEN’S THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST
Influential English heavy metal band, Iron Maiden, released a classic with their third album. The Number of the Beast was the first to feature the now-iconic Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals.
Containing one of their most well-known songs (“Run to the Hills”) the controversial album has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
