The Musicscope Minute

In 1986, Peter Gabriel released the video for ‘sledgehammer’. It was directed by Stephen R. Johnson and features innovative stop motion photography. The video shows Gabriel interacting with clay figures, coordinated raw chicken dancing, and a spiral of common household objects and people before a lighted Gabriel strolls into the cosmos. Considered a breakthrough, it swept the MTV video awards the following year

In 1978, Bob Seger was renting a home in Hollywood while working on the album Stranger in Town. In his head, he heard the chorus for Hollywood Nights, but needed a story to carry the song. Returning to his rented Hollywood home, he saw Model Cheryl Tiegs on the cover of Time, inspiring him to write the song around a Midwest guy’s time with a Hollywood beauty.

If you ever wondered what the biggest selling single of all time is, the answer may surprise you. 'White Christmas', by Bing Crosby has sold over 50 million copies since its release in 1942. Following is Elton John’s 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind', and 'In the Summertime' by Mungo Jerry. The most streamed song? 'Blinding Lights' by The Weekend with 5.3 Billion streams.

In May 1952, Kitty Wells recorded "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels." which was a response to Hank Thompson’s "The Wild Side of Life."  It was the first No. 1 hit on the billboard country chart for a solo female artist. The song paved the way for country hits written from a female point of view and influenced artists like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette.

In 1991, Texas governor Ann Richards declared May 4th ZZ Top day. The band was formed in Houston by Dusty Hill, Frank Beard, and Billy Gibbons. Gibbons’s former band had toured with Jimi Hendrix and the two became friends, experimenting with effects pedals together. ZZ Top still tours playing all their hits like LaGrange, Cheap Sunglasses, Legs and Sharp Dressed Man. 

On May first, 1977, the Police released their first single, Fall Out, composed by drummer Stewart Copeland. The song is the only recording to feature original guitarist Harry Padovani, who contributes the song’s solos, while Stewart Copeland plays the main riff. By August, Padovani would be ousted from the group, replaced by Andy Summers. With this line up, the group would go on to become one of the best selling groups in history.