On This Day in Music History – July 20th

1963, Jan and Dean started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Surf City’, written by The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, with the Beach Boys on backing vocals. The single peaked at No.26 in the UK.

1968, Cream started a four-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Wheels Of Fire’. The double album which consisted of a studio and a live record reached No.3 in the United Kingdom.

1968, Iron Butterfly’s second album, ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’, entered the US album chart for the first time. The album contained the 17-minute title track that filled the second side of the LP which went on sell over four million copies in the US alone.

1971, The Carpenters show ‘Make Your Own Kind Of Music’, started a six week run on NBC-TV.

1975, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played the opening night on their Born To Run Tour at The Palace Theatre, Providence, Rhode Island. This also saw the live debut of Steven Van Zandt, (Miami Steve) as a member of The E Street Band.


Photo Credit:  Gajus / Shutterstock.com