This Day in Music History: U2 sign a their record contract, Michael Jackson releases Thriller

1955 – Billboard report that the 45rpm single format was outselling 78s for the first time since its introduction in 1949.

1977 – The Eagles release the single for “Hotel California.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puHoadtIivc

1979 – The Sex Pistols release the album The Great Rock N’ Roll Swindle.

1980 – Rob Partridge and Bill Stewart from Island Records UK offer U2 a recording contract after seeing them play at Dublin’s National Boxing Stadium in front of 2,400 people (audio below).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD4Mb0bsu5c

1983 – Michael Jackson’s Thriller hits to No.1 on the US album chart. It goes on to become the most successful album of all time, selling over 50 million copies.

1985 – Bruce Springsteen wins his first Grammy. It is for Best Male Vocal Performance with “Dancing In The Dark.”

Birthdays

1928 – Fats Domino
1932 – Johnny Cash
1943  – Bob “Bear” Hite (Canned Heat)
1950 – Jonathan Cain (Journey)
1971 – Erykah Badu

Information for this post was gathered from This Day in Music, The Music History Calendar, On This Day, and Wikipedia.