On this day in 1980: R.E.M. played their first gig as R.E.M. at the 11:11 Koffee Club, Athens, Georgia to 150 people. The show ended at 2am when police closed it down due to the venue being unlicensed. Here’s a concert clip from about a year later….

Also on this day in 1980: 32 year old English singer Brian Johnson joined Australian group AC/DC, replacing Bon Scott who had died after a drinks binge in February 1980. Johnson’s first band was the Gobi Desert Canoe Club. He was also in a band called Fresh. From 1970, Johnson played with cabaret/club band The Jasper Hart Band, performing songs from the musical Hair. He and other members of the band went on to form Geordie.

On this day in 1986: Prince started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with ‘Kiss.’ Prince also had the #2 song ‘Manic Monday’, by The Bangles, which he wrote under the pseudonym ‘Christopher.’