11.10: This day in 1979 saw the last #1 hit ("Heartache Tonight") for the Eagles, who would break up shortly thereafter, ending the run that saw five #1 singles and three #1 albums (though they've since had two more #1 albums with Hell Freezes Over from 1994 and Long Road Out Of Eden from 2007). Not bad, we say. Not bad. From "Desperado" to "Hotel California," the Eagles proved to be one of the biggest bands of the '70s. Two of their albums are ranked in the top ten all time bestsellers of all time in the bestsellingest records of all time chart thingy. Of course, they've gotten back together since that breakup at the end of the '70s because, ya know, the money's pretty good for that old time rock and roll.
11.11: On this day in 1969, Jim Morrison’s boisterous and drunken behavior on a flight from Los Angeles to Phoenix landed him in jail. Apparently, he was taking a break from his indecent exposure trial in Miami to attend a Rolling Stones concert in Phoenix, after stopping off in LA. The man just wanted to see The Stones, for goodness sake! Can't a man have some drinks and fun on his way to a Stones show? Guess not, as he was arrested, like so many other times, for being drunk and disorderly. We miss ya, Jimbo.
11.12: On this day waaaaaay back in 1955, Billboard magazine ushers in "The Top 100." That's right, another music chart. More charts than you can shake a stick at! Go ahead, just try to shake that stick. You can't. The Top 100, based on sales and radio play, eventually replaced the three charts that'd preceded it, those based on airplay, jukebox play, and disc jockey play. The Top 100 eventually became The Hot 100, which remains, to this day, an all-inclusive, genre-bending barometer for, well, a song's hotness. What was the first #1 song on that Top 100 chart way back in 1955? You get a lollipop if you remember, or even know, "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" by The Four Aces.
11.13: On this day in 1967, Yellow Submarine opened in theaters. A psychedelic tour of an undersea kingdom (called Pepperland, of course) that's been occupied by the "Blue Meanies," who have taken the kingdom's protectors (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, naturally) hostage, turned all the citizens into statuary, and drained the countryside of color, the movie makes no sense and people loved it. Somehow, John, Paul, George, and Pete Best, er, we meant Ringo, help drive the Meanies from Pepperland and…..does it really matter what the plot was? This movie came out in 1967, was chock full of groovy and colorful animation, and blared Beatles' songs practically nonstop. Of course it became a hit. How could it not?
11.14: On this day in 1990, Pete Townshend talked about his bisexuality in Newsweek. "I know how it feels to be a woman because I am a woman," he said. "And I won't be classified as just a man." He later told Rolling Stone that while he briefly explored bisexuality, he never fully embraced it and considers himself hetero. Does it really matter, though? Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. Maybe he was just stating how he's in touch with his feminine side. Whatever. Pete, you are awesome.
11.15: Bruce Dickinson officially took over lead singing duties in Iron Maiden on this fine day in 1981, when he appeared live with the band for the very first time. Maiden's first lead singer, Paul Di'Anno, had left to pursue other opportunities. How's that working out for you, Paul? Don't get us wrong, we dig Paul's work with Maiden. His strong rock voice bridged punk growl with '70s hard rock. Just listen to "Wrathchild" from Killers and you'll see what we mean. He helped lay the groundwork for the beast that would emerge after his departure. Bruce, however, led the band into the netherworlds of heavy metal knights, dark magic, Greek myth, dying with your boots on, and international stardom. Bruce is the man, and our undying love for his soaring, near-operatic vocals and evocative lyrics is forever imprinted on our brain and in our heart. Maiden rules!