After a string of moderately successful solo albums, all titled Peter Gabriel, the solo artist released his fifth studio album, So, on May 31, 1985 to immediate success.
The album debuted at number 1 on the UK chart, and would spend an additional 18 months on the charts. In America, it would peak at number 3. Part of the success of the album was the smash hit single, Sledgehammer, which was included on the album.
Many speculate if Gabriel had released a fifth self titled album, it would not have been nearly as successful.
Other notable events for May 31:
-Chuck Berry opened Berry Park on May 31, 1961, an amusement complex near St. Louis
-Plastic Ono Band recorded Give Peace a Chance on May 31, 1969 in a hotel room in Canada
It was a sad day for Derek and the Dominos, when former bass player Carl Radle passed away from kidney failure said to have been caused by his heavy drug use in the early 70's. Radle died on May 30, 1980, less than a month before his 35th birthday.
The death of Radle was not the only dark cloud to form over the group unfortunately. Duane Allman, who had guest starred on the title track of the groups' album Layla- and Other Assorted Love Songs was killed in a motorcycle accident in October 1971. Five years after Radle's death Dominos drummer Jim Gordon beat his 72-year-old mother to death and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Gordon was later diagnosed as an acute paranoid schizophrenic and claimed voices in his head told him to carry out the act.
Regardless of these sad histories Derek and the Dominos, and especially their mega-hit Layla will forever be remembered as a high point in rock and roll history.
Other notable events for May 30:
-Dolly Parton married Carl Dean on May 30, 1966 in Catoosa County, Georgia
-Roxy Music made their first major live appearance at the Great Western Express Festival on May 30, 1972 in Lincolnshire, England
-Adam Horowitz (King Ad-Rock) for the Beastie Boys was arrested in Liverpool on May 30, 1987 after allegedly hitting a girl fan during a riot at a local theater after the group's performance
After a five year absence Bruce Springsteen returned to Britain on May 29, 1981 in support of his latest album The River, which included hits such as Hungry Heart and the title track, the River.
Springsteen had previously been across the pond in late 1975 where his British record label embarrassed him by proclaiming; 'At last London is ready for Bruce Springsteen'. The disastrous tour soon led to other issues between Springsteen and his manager Mike Appel, most significantly the fact that Appel was getting 80 percent of royalties on record sales of Springsteen's first two albums, and Appel refusing to allow Springsteen to use Jon Landau as co-producer on his next album.
Once all the legal issues were resolved, and Springsteen was released from his contract with Appel, he returned to London and his 1981 tour was a success.
Other notable events for May 29:
-Stand by Me by Ben E. King topped the US R&B chart on May 29, 1961. Twenty-six years later, it topped the UK pop chart after it was featured in a TV commercial for Levi's jeans
-Fans rioted when the Osmonds appeared at London's Wembley Pool on May 29, 1975
After ten years of hard work, Creedence Clearwater Revival finally had two things to celebrate in the UK. The first was the 24th birthday of founding member John Fogerty, the second was that their hit Proud Mary made its first appearance on the UK charts, soon to be followed by nine others in just a two year tie frame.
Fogerty first formed the group in 1959 with friends of his Stu Cook and Doug Clifford, by the early 1960's the band added another member, Fogerty's brother, Tom. They first recorded under the name the Golliwogs, but had no success.
It looked like the end of the band when Clifford and John Fogerty were both drafted in 1966/67 but instead the two returned and the band became Creedence. The name supposedly came from three different places. Creedence, from the name of a friend, Clearwater, from a beer advertisement, and Revival, from a statement about their musical goals.
Whatever the reason behind the name, the group hit it big this time, they released both successful covers, Susie-Q, and I Put a Spell on You, and originals, Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Lookin' Out My Back Door, and more.
Other notable events for May 28:
-Ronnie Lane left the Faces on May 28, 1973
-The Allman Brothers disbanded on May 28, 1976
-David Bowie had four albums, three of which were reissues, in the UK chart on May 28, 1983
May 27, 1989 was a momentous day of Cliff Richard, Britain's ultimate pop star. He released his 100th single, The Best of Me on this day. The single would go on to become his 26th UK top 3.
Richard has had one of the longest careers in the history of music, he started releasing hits in the 1950's with Move It, and his career rivaled that of Elvis Presley for a time. Richard would go on to have at least a few hits in each of the coming decades.
Other notable events for May 27:
-The Chas McDevitt Skiffle Group achieved the rare feat of reaching the US top 40 on May 27, 1957 with Freight Train
-The Sex Pistols released God Save the Queen on May 27, 1977
-The Smiths debut single Hand in Glove topped the UK independent chart on May 27, 1983 but failed to reach the 'real' chart until covered by Sandie Shaw
David Cassidy was scheduled to perform an open-air concert on May 26, 1974 in London's White City stadium. Everything was going well, until first aid workers had to rescue over 1,000 people from the frenzied excitement of seeing the teen idol in person. Most were treated and quickly released, but one fan, Bernadette Whelan was not so lucky, she died of heart failure four days later. Cassidy was shaken when he heard the news.
Most well known for being a part of the TV series the Partridge Family, Cassidy released nine singles onto the UK charts between 1972 and 1975. The biggest hits were How Can I Be Sure, and Daydreamer. Of course his biggest hit of all came with the Partridge Family, I Think I Love You.
Other notable events for May 26:
-Elvis Presley was placed second in a talent contest on May 26, 1953 held at a Jimmie Rodgers memorial show
-The estate of Roy Orbison, who died in December of 1988, was sued by the music publishing company to which he had been signed on May 26, 1989 because he had failed to complete his commitments under a contract he signed in 1985
-David Bowie was sued on May 26, 1990, by his ex-wife Angela for $56 million
UK group Dire Straits was at the top of their game and enjoying every minute of their success on May 25, 1985 when their album Brothers in Arms was released. The album shot straight to number 1 on the UK charts and produced two hits for the group, So Far Away and Money for Nothing, their only American chart-topping hit.
The album fell from the top after just a few weeks, but would rise again in August when Money for Nothing was released as a single. This time it would stay on the charts for another few weeks. It once again claimed the top position in early 1986 where it remained for a further ten weeks.
Other notable events for May 25:
-Procol Harum's classic A Whiter Shade of Pale entered the UK singles chart on May 25, 1967
-Simon and Garfunkel replaced themselves at the top of the US album chart on May 25, 1968 when Bookends took over the number 1 slot from their soundtrack album to the Graduate
-Carole King's Sunset Concert in New York's Central Park on May 25, 1973 attracted an audience of 100,000 people, the biggest ever crowed for a rock concert in the Park at that time, although her record was beaten several times during the next ten years
