This Day in Rock History: March 12

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1983: U2's third studio album, War, made it to the top spot on the UK albums chart. It was the band's first No.1 album and famously replaced Michael Jackson's Thriller from the top position.
• 1994: "The Sign" by Swedish group Ace of Base hit No.1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for four weeks. This was the first Swedish group to reach No.1 on the Billboard chart.
• 2011: Yoko Ono topped the chart with her song "Move On Fast" at the age of 78 and became the oldest performer with a No. 1 dance hit. In 2018, she beat her record, reaching the top of the chart at 84.

Cultural Milestones

• 1983: Bonnie Tyler became the first Welsh singer to make it to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard chart. Her song "Total Eclipse of the Heart" also reached No. 2 in the U.K.
• 2007: Amy Winehouse appeared on television for the first time in her career, taking the stage on The Late Show with David Letterman to sing her hit song, "Rehab." Following the show, sales of her Back to Black album rose slowly, finally settling at the No. 2 spot.
• 2013: Bob Dylan was awarded the distinction of being an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, due to his outstanding impact on American culture. He was the first rock musician to receive the distinction in the organization's 115-year history.

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 1961: In just one 12-hour session, Elvis Presley recorded all 11 songs for his Something for Everybody album. The album topped the charts in the U.S. and made it to No. 2 in the U.K.
• 1967: The Velvet Underground and their vocal partner, German singer Nico, released their debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico. It had been recorded the year before at Scepter Studios in New York City and became one of the most influential art rock albums of all time, despite not being commercially successful when it came out.
• 1971: At the Fillmore East in New York City, The Allman Brothers Band played the first of two live shows, recording what would become the band's first live album. Today, this album is considered one of the greatest live rock albums of all time.
• 1991: R.E.M. released their seventh studio album, Out of Time, via Warner Bros. Records. It sold more than 18 million copies worldwide and catapulted them into the mainstream, due to hit songs like "Losing My Religion" and "Shiny Happy People."
• 1996: KISS released their MTV Unplugged album, KISS Unplugged, through Mercury Records. It was recorded during a 1995 performance at the Sony Music Studios in New York City and featured former members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, which eventually led to a reunion of the original lineup.

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 2003: Before the Rolling Stones began their tour in China, the Chinese government gave the band a list of songs they weren't allowed to play. "Brown Sugar," "Honky Tonk Women," and "Let's Spend The Night Together" were on the list.
• 2013: Former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr died in his sleep after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis, which he was diagnosed with in 1994. He left Iron Maiden before the band was a headliner, but played in other bands while he could.