Music History Events: Releases
March 17, 1992 After reuniting at their ex-manager's funeral, Spinal Tap issue their 17th album, Break Like The Wind.More
February 25, 1992 TLC release their debut album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip. Their first single, "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg," hits the Top 10 on both the Hot 100 and R&B charts.
November 4, 1991 Irish alt rockers My Bloody Valentine release Loveless, an album that defines the shoegazing genre and simultaneously drives guitarist Kevin Shields to the brink of insanity.More
September 24, 1991 The Red Hot Chili Peppers release Blood Sugar Sex Magik in the US. Containing the hits "Under the Bridge" and "Give It Away," the album sells over 10 million copies worldwide and makes the group bona-fide headliners.More
September 24, 1991 Nirvana's breakthrough album Nevermind is released.More
September 17, 1991 Instead of releasing a double album, which they decide would be too expensive for fans, Guns N' Roses issue both Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II on the same day.
September 10, 1991 Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is released as a single, forever changing the musical meaning of the word "Alternative."More
August 27, 1991 Pearl Jam release their debut album, Ten, which launches them to stardom and puts them in the forefront of the Seattle grunge movement.More
August 12, 1991 Metallica release their fifth album, which is self-titled but commonly known as The Black Album. It goes to #1 in eight countries, including America, where it sells 16 million copies. Songs include "Enter Sandman," "The Unforgiven" and "Nothing Else Matters."
June 3, 1991 In an effort to pay off his tax debt, Willie Nelson releases Who'll Buy My Memories: The IRS Tapes. Available by mail order at (800) IRS-TAPE, it's part of a deal Nelson made with the IRS to help reconcile his whopping $32 million tax bill.
April 16, 1991 The Temple of the Dog album is released. The one-off project is a tribute to Andrew Wood, the Mother Love Bone lead singer who died in 1990. Temple of the Dog is comprised of Soundgarden members Chris Cornell and Matt Cameron, along with Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.More
April 2, 1991 Lenny Kravitz releases his sophomore album, Mama Said, with the hit "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over," a plea for reconciliation to his soon-to-be ex-wife, actress Lisa Bonet. More
February 14, 1991 Boyz II Men release their debut album, CooleyHighharmony, with Michael Bivins of Bell Biv DeVoe as executive producer. Bivins' former group, New Edition, inspired the Boyz' name with their 1988 track "Boys To Men."
November 6, 1990 Madonna releases "Justify My Love," which stirs controversy when MTV bans the saucy video. The brouhaha piques interest in the song, which becomes her ninth #1 hit in the US.More
August 21, 1990 Jane's Addiction release the alternative rock touchstone Ritual de lo Habitual, which frontman Perry Farrell describes as filled with "sex and violence and joy and happiness."More
August 21, 1990 Alice in Chains release their debut album, Facelift, one of the first grunge albums to gain widespread popularity.More
June 12, 1990 Mariah Carey releases her self-titled debut album. It sells 9 million copies in America, where all four of its singles ("Vision Of Love," "Love Takes Time," "Someday," "I Don't Wanna Cry") hit #1.
February 16, 1990 The day before he turns 18, Billie Joe Armstrong drops out of high school. A week later, he releases the first album with his band Green Day: 39/Smooth.
October 17, 1989 Billy Joel releases the album Storm Front, with his enduring hit "We Didn't Start The Fire."More
September 6, 1989 Just as mainstream pop is about to welcome grunge music with its murky guitars and bleak outlook on society, newcomer Lenny Kravitz challenges the negativity with a simple, funk-styled message: Let Love Rule.More
September 5, 1989 Soundgarden release Louder Than Love, the first grunge album on a major label (A&M).
July 25, 1989 After leaving Def Jam, Beastie Boys release their second album, Paul's Boutique, on Capitol Records.More
April 12, 1989 Garth Brooks releases his debut album, Garth Brooks, featuring the #1 Country hits "If Tomorrow Never Comes" and "The Dance."
November 1, 1988 Slick Rick releases his debut album, The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick, featuring the influential rap hit "Children's Story."More
August 8, 1988 N.W.A., featuring Dr. Dre and Easy-E, release the Gangsta Rap classic Straight Outta Compton, which gets a lot of attention for its song "F--k Tha Police."
June 21, 1988 After a six-month delay while they wait to clear the Star Trek samples used on three tracks (notably Spock's "Pure Energy" on "What's On Your Mind"), Information Society release their self-titled major-label debut album. They quickly become one of the top techno/freestyle acts of the late '80s.
June 20, 1988 MCA Records issues landmark albums by two of their hottest young R&B acts: Bobby Brown's Don't Be Cruel and New Edition's Heart Break.More
April 14, 1988 Public Enemy's sophomore album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, is released. Often cited as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all-time, the album spawns such PE classics as "Don't Believe the Hype," "Night of the Living Baseheads," and "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos," as well as the original version of "Bring the Noise."
October 30, 1987 George Michael releases his first solo album, Faith. Packed with hits ("I Want Your Sex," "Father Figure," the title track), it goes to #1 in both the UK and US, and wins the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
October 12, 1987 Christmas songs get a modern makeover with the all-star compilation A Very Special Christmas, featuring Whitney Houston's "Do You Hear What I Hear?," Madonna's "Santa Baby" and an original song from Run-D.M.C., "Christmas in Hollis." Proceeds from the album go to the Special Olympics.More
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