Historic events this week from R.E.M., Soul Asylum, Talking Heads, Soundgarden and more
OCTOBER 5, 1992: R.E.M.’S AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE
R.E.M.‘s Automatic for the People is a critically acclaimed, somber, and acoustically driven masterpiece featuring “Everybody Hurts,” “Man on the Moon,” “Drive” and “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite.” The album explores themes of mortality, loss, and nostalgia, enriched by lush string arrangements from former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones.
OCTOBER 6, 1992: GRAVE DANCERS UNION BY SOUL ASYLUM
Grave Dancers Union was Soul Asylum‘s sixth studio album and became their commercial breakthrough, achieving double-platinum status. Its massive success was driven primarily by the hit single “Runaway Train,” which won a Grammy and whose music video famously featured images of missing children and is credited with helping to locate more than 20 of them.
OCTOBER 7, 2016: DESERT TRIP 2016
The epic Desert Trip 2016 took place over two weekends. The festival featured performances from Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones (October 7 & 14), Neil Young and Paul McCartney (October 8 & 15), The Who and Roger Waters (October 9 & 16). The Rolling Stones would cover The Beatles‘ “Come Together”, while Paul McCartney (with Neil Young) performed “Why Don’t We Do It in The Road?” live for the very first time.
OCTOBER 8, 1980: TALKING HEADS’ REMAIN IN LIGHT
Talking Heads expanded their sound on their fourth album, Remain in Light, by adding dance-rock and worldbeat to their established New wave and post-punk palette. Featuring the single “Once in a Lifetime”, the Library of Congress has deemed the album “culturally, historically, or artistically significant.” Remain in Light was their third and final album produced by Brian Eno.
OCTOBER 8, 1991: SOUNDGARDEN RELEASE BADMOTORFINGER
Soundgarden‘s Badmotorfinger is a pivotal album that showcases the band’s unique blend of alternative metal, hard rock, and grunge. Driven by singles like “Jesus Christ Pose,” “Outshined,” and “Rusty Cage,” the album’s sound is characterized by complex time signatures and Chris Cornell‘s powerful, soaring vocals.
