JULY 31
ON THIS DAY IN 1976, BLUE OYSTER CULT RELEASED THE BIGGEST HIT OF THEIR CAREER. “DON’T FEAR THE REAPER” ULTIMATELY CLIMBED TO #12 ON THE POP CHART, PRETTY GOOD FOR A BAND KNOWN PRIMARILY FOR ITS LIVE SHOWS. AND IT LOOKED LIKE THEY WOULD BE ONE-HIT WONDERS UNTIL 1981, WHEN THEY BECAME TWO-HIT-WONDERS. “BURNIN’ FOR YOU” JUST NUDGED IT’S WAY INTO THE TOP 40 THAT YEAR, A FEAT THAT THE CULT WOULD NEVER REPEAT.
OTHER RECORD RELEASES ON THIS DAY IN ROCK INCLUDE THE YARDBIRDS’ “HEARTFUL OF SOUL” IN 1965, AND LEE MICHAELS’ “DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN” IN 1971.
AND, EARLY ROLLING STONES CONCERTS WERE NEVER KNOWN FOR THEIR QUIET, WELL BEHAVED AUDIENCES. BUT THINGS GOT WAY OUT OF HAND ON THIS DAY IN 1964, WHEN POLICE HAD TO STOP A SHOW IN DUBLIN AFTER JUST TWELVE MINUTES, DUE TO RIOTING FANS.