Pick a Day

Music History Events: Debut Albums

July 11, 1989 Miami Sound Machine lead singer Gloria Estefan releases her first solo album, Cuts Both Ways, with the hits "Don't Wanna Lose You" and "Get on Your Feet."

October 7, 1988 The documentary Imagine: John Lennon, commissioned by Yoko Ono and directed by Andrew Solt, opens in theaters.

May 2, 1988 Melissa Etheridge releases her self-titled debut album, adding a much-welcome new female voice to rock radio with the singles "Bring Me Some Water" and "Like the Way I Do."

April 5, 1988 Tracy Chapman's eponymous debut album is released.

March 14, 1988 Six months after the breakup of his group The Smiths, Morrissey issues his first solo album, Viva Hate. It goes to #1 in the UK and has two hit singles: "Suedehead" and "Everyday Is Like Sunday." It's the start of a very successful solo career for Morrissey, who rejects all offers of a Smiths reunion.

November 4, 1987 Sinead O'Connor, 20, releases her debut album, The Lion And The Cobra. It earns her a tour with INXS and a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female. Her next album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, is a global sensation.

February 23, 1987 Jody Watley releases her self-titled debut album, which earns her the Grammy award for Best New Artist thanks to hits like "Don't You Want Me" and "Looking For A New Love."

April 9, 1986 The musical Time premieres at the Dominion Theatre in London. Produced by Dave Clark, the show stars Cliff Richard in the lead role.

April 25, 1985 The musical Big River, based on Mark Twain's work and featuring a score by Roger Miller, opens on Broadway. Miller would go on to win a Tony Award for the music.

April 8, 1985 The musical Leader Of The Pack: The Songs Of Ellie Greenwich opens on Broadway (running for 120 performances).

January 21, 1984 Bon Jovi release their self-titled debut album. The first track is "Runaway," the group's debut single and first to get airplay. It was written by frontman Jon Bon Jovi, who recorded it with session musicians before the band formed.

October 8, 1982 Culture Club release their debut album, Kissing To Be Clever, in their native UK. Issued in America a few months later, it kicks out three Top 10 hits in that country ("Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?," "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" and "Time (Clock of the Heart)"), leading a wave of MTV-friendly UK acts that includes Duran Duran and Eurythmics.

July 19, 1980 David Bowie begins his run as The Elephant Man in Denver. The show does well, and Bowie takes the lead in the Broadway production later that year.

May 16, 1980 Alabama release their first RCA Nashville single, "Tennessee River," which becomes their first #1 hit on the Country chart.

June 15, 1979 Unknown Pleasures, the debut long-player from British post-punk band Joy Division, is released. Although it does not chart, it becomes hugely influential and is widely critically acclaimed as one of the defining albums of the post-punk era.More

June 9, 1978 Dire Straits release their self-titled debut album in the UK. The single "Sultans Of Swing" takes off, and the album ends up going Platinum in several territories, including America.

March 10, 1978 The Buzzcocks release their debut full-length album, Another Music in a Different Kitchen. Filled with cerebral songs about freedom, relationships, and making sense of the world, it takes UK punk in a more melodic and thoughtful direction.

November 28, 1977 Elvis: the Musical, starring Shakin' Stevens, opens in London.

August 19, 1977 A year after her group Labelle call it quits, Patti LaBelle releases her self-titled debut album, introducing one of her signature songs, "You Are My Friend."

June 17, 1977 Steve Winwood releases his debut solo album, Steve Winwood.

May 20, 1977 The stage show "Beatlemania" opens at the Winter Garden Theater, New York.

December 10, 1976 Billy Idol's Generation X play their first live performance, at London's Central College of Art.

April 1, 1975 Journey release their self-titled debut album, a mix of progressive rock and jazz with little emphasis on the vocals. It finds just a niche audience, as do their next two albums, but after adding lead singer Steve Perry to the band in 1977 they switch to a pop sound and become consistent hitmakers.

February 26, 1975 Harry Chapin's Broadway revue featuring his songs, The Night That Made America Famous, opens at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. It closes in April.

October 12, 1974 "Rollermania" takes hold as the Bay City Rollers' debut album, Rollin', hits #1 in the UK.

May 3, 1974 Led Zeppelin launches its Swan Song label.

January 15, 1974 With '50s nostalgia trending, Happy Days premieres on ABC with "Rock Around The Clock" as its theme song.

February 18, 1973 The nationally syndicated radio concert series The King Biscuit Flower Hour premieres, featuring Blood, Sweat & Tears, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

June 16, 1972 Roxy Music release their self-titled debut album. With obtuse lyrics from Bryan Ferry and futuristic synth soundscapes by Brian Eno, it's a tough nut to crack for many listeners but is later hailed as a triumph.

September 21, 1971 The musical variety show The Old Grey Whistle Test premieres on BBC-TV, featuring America as well as clips of Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan.