May 15 has delivered no shortage of memorable moments across rock, pop, and entertainment history, spanning groundbreaking albums, major career milestones, and iconic honors.
Back in 1963, The Hollies entered the studio to begin recording sessions for what would become their debut album, Stay with The Hollies. The project arrived the following January and helped establish the group as one of the standout acts of the British Invasion movement that reshaped popular music throughout the decade.
The intersection of music and film took center stage in 1971 when John Lennon screened two short films at the Cannes Film Festival in France. The appearance reflected Lennon’s growing interest in avant-garde art and visual storytelling during his post-Beatles creative evolution.
Three years later, Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman stepped into new territory with the release of Monkey Grip. The album marked the first solo project from any member of the Rolling Stones, proving that even one of rock’s tightest bands had room for individual exploration.
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen’s legendary E Street Band welcomed guitarist Nils Lofgren into the lineup after the departure of Steven Van Zandt. Lofgren’s musicianship quickly became an essential part of the band’s powerful live performances and enduring sound.
The following year brought one of Prince’s most recognizable releases when “Raspberry Beret” hit the airwaves in 1985. The colorful and infectious single became a major success and remains one of the defining songs of Prince’s extraordinary catalog.
Music education and recognition shared the spotlight in 1994 as Sting and Heart vocalist Nancy Wilson received honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music in Boston. The honor celebrated their influence on modern music and songwriting across multiple genres.
Not every headline from May 15 carried a celebratory tone. In 1995, Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland was arrested in Pasadena, California, during an attempted drug purchase. The incident became part of the larger public struggle with addiction that followed the singer throughout much of his career.
Closing out the day’s milestones, Sonny and Cher received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998. The honor recognized the duo’s lasting impact on music, television, and pop culture, decades after they first became household names.
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