This Week In Music History

This week in music history spans significant events, album releases, and performances across the last seven decades, offering a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of popular music.

**1950s:**
In September 1956, Elvis Presley made history when his debut album, *Elvis Presley*, topped the Billboard pop album chart. This was the first rock ‘n’ roll album to do so, solidifying Presley’s title as the “King of Rock and Roll.” His rebellious image, blending rhythm and blues with country, marked a seismic shift in popular music. Around this time, Chuck Berry’s single “Roll Over Beethoven” was also climbing the charts, symbolizing the crossover of African-American artists into mainstream culture and establishing rock and roll as a dominant force in the music industry.

**1960s:**
The Beatles continued their meteoric rise in September 1964 when they performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall during their first U.S. tour. The Beatlemania phenomenon had already swept across Britain, and this performance cemented their legendary status in America. Meanwhile, Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” released in 1965, was revolutionizing songwriting with its six-minute length and poetic lyrics, breaking the traditional format of pop songs. Dylan’s influence on rock, folk, and pop music continued to shape the political and cultural landscape of the decade.

**1970s:**
In 1975, Pink Floyd’s album *Wish You Were Here* was released, paying tribute to former band member Syd Barrett and commenting on the music industry’s dehumanizing nature. This album was a landmark for progressive rock, further pushing the boundaries of studio experimentation and thematic content. Around this time, Queen was also gaining momentum, with their epic anthem “Bohemian Rhapsody” set to release in the upcoming weeks, ushering in a new era of operatic rock. David Bowie, meanwhile, was solidifying his iconic Ziggy Stardust persona, bridging glam rock with theatrical performance.

**1980s:**
The 1980s saw the rise of Michael Jackson as a global icon. In September 1982, Jackson’s *Thriller* had already begun its ascent to becoming the best-selling album of all time. His groundbreaking music videos for songs like “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” were redefining what music videos could achieve artistically and commercially, transforming MTV into a cultural juggernaut. Elsewhere, in 1984, Prince’s *Purple Rain* had also made its mark, blending rock, pop, and funk, pushing boundaries of sexuality, identity, and genre through both music and film.

**1990s:**
The grunge revolution, led by bands like Nirvana, was in full swing in the early 1990s. In September 1991, Nirvana’s iconic album *Nevermind* was released, with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” quickly becoming the anthem of Generation X. Kurt Cobain’s lyrics, raw guitar sound, and disillusioned attitude defined the decade’s alternative rock scene. Simultaneously, hip-hop was rising in prominence, with Tupac Shakur’s socially conscious and introspective lyricism starting to dominate the charts. The year 1996 also marked the release of *Spice*, the debut album from the Spice Girls, who ushered in the era of “Girl Power” and global pop domination.

**2000s:**
In the early 2000s, the music industry was adjusting to the digital revolution. This week in 2008, Kanye West released *808s & Heartbreak*, an album that redefined hip-hop with its heavy use of Auto-Tune and emotional vulnerability. Its impact would be seen in the coming decade as artists like Drake, The Weeknd, and Kid Cudi incorporated these stylistic elements into their own work. In 2003, Beyoncé also released her debut solo album *Dangerously in Love*, establishing herself as a solo force outside of Destiny’s Child and setting the stage for her domination of pop and R&B music throughout the next two decades.

**2010s:**
Taylor Swift continued her transition from country music to full-fledged pop star in September 2014 with the release of her album *1989*. The album’s lead single, “Shake It Off,” became an instant hit, marking a departure from her country roots and embracing the infectious, synth-driven sound of the decade. Meanwhile, in 2016, Beyoncé’s *Lemonade* was still making waves for its bold fusion of music, visual art, and political commentary. The album’s themes of infidelity, race, and female empowerment resonated with audiences worldwide and highlighted her as one of the most influential artists of the decade.

Each decade in this week of music history reflects the evolving landscape of popular music, from rock and roll’s inception to the digital age.

You can listen every Sunday at 6pm to This Week In Music when Brian Dobson looks back across 7 days in 7 decades at the stories behind the songs from the most famous names in composing, performing and recording.