This Week in Music History | September 14 – 20

September 14, 2020

Posted in: This Week in Music History

This week in music, John Lennon announced his breakup from The Beatles, AC/DC released Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and autotune completely change the future of music. Here’s everything you need to know about what went down this week in music history.

1969 – September 20th, John Lennon announced to The Beatles he was leaving group

  • John had come to the decision a week earlier, but Alan Klein had convinced him to keep it quiet.
  • Lennon told the band the day they signed a contract with EMI to renegotiate their royalties.
  • According to Paul, John said, “‘I’m leaving the group!’ — We paled visibly and our jaws slackened a bit.”
  • According to Ringo, John said,”‘Well, that’s it, lads. Let’s end it.’ And we all said ‘yes’”
  • George was not present at the meeting, he was in Cheshire visiting his mother.

1976 – September 20th, AC/DC released their third studio album ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’.

  • The album has been certified 6x Platinum in the United States, selling over 6 million copies.
  • Dirty Deeds became the third highest sold album by AC/DC in the US after ‘Highway To Hell’ and ‘Back In Black’.
  • The term “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” is a homage to a cartoon Angus liked called, Beany and Cecil.
  • The scream at the end of the title track is spelled, “”Yaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrggghhhhhh!”

1977 – September 16th, Talking Heads released their debut album, Talking Heads: 77.

  • The single “Psycho Killer” reached number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100.
  • They wanted the album to “Convey a modern message about the importance of taking charge of your own life” while still being fun to listen to.
  • We recommend not googling “Psycho Killer Fun Facts”, make sure to put the word “album” in your search.

1983 – September 15th, Huey Lewis and the News released the album Sports.

  • The album catapulted the band to international fame.
  • It features the singles “I Want a New Drug,” “The Heart of Rock ‘n Roll” and “If This Is It.”
  • The cover art for the album features a photo of the band at the 2 AM Club, a bar located in Mill Valley, CA.
  • The band performed at the 2 AM Club during its early days.

1983 – September 17th, the TV show Star Search debuts on CBS.

  • Hosted by Ed McMahon, the TV talent competition introduces scores of future superstars.
  • It showcased artists like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Alanis Morissette, and Jessica Simpson.
  • The show was also featured in an episode of Full House, in which Joey gives his comedy career one last shot.

1994 – September 20th, The Dave Matthews Band released ‘Under the Table and Dreaming’.

  • The album was dedicated to Matthews’ older sister Anne, who was murdered by her husband in ‘94.
  • It featured their first commercial hits ‘What Would You Say,’ ‘Satellite,’ and ‘Ants Marching.’
  • Live show stalwart ‘Granny’, and “Crash” tracks ‘Say Goodbye’ and ‘Let You Down’ were cut from the album.
  • By March 16, 2000, the album had sold six million copies, and was certified 6× platinum by the RIAA.
  • Yes, that is John Popper of Blues Traveler rocking the harmonica in ‘What Would You Say’.

1997 – September 19th, The pitch-correction software Auto-Tune hits the market.

  • Surprisingly, it was invented by Dr. Hildebrand, a research engineer employed in the oil industry.
  • The first song that hit the airwaves with Auto-Tune was Cher’s “Believe” single.
  • Since then, for better or worse, the recording industry has never been the same.
  • Now just about any popular track you listen to has been auto-tuned to some effect in the studio.

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