On this day in 1986: Variety magazine reported that RCA had dropped John Denver from its roster after the release of his single, ‘What Are We Making Weapons For’. Variety said the song upset the record company’s new owner, General Electric, one of the largest defense contractors in the US.
On this day in 1987: David Bowie kicked of the North American leg of The Glass Spider Tour at the Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The tour’s set, described at the time as “the largest touring set ever,” was designed to look like a giant spider. It was 60 feet (18.3m) high, 64 feet (19.5m) wide. A single set took 43 trucks to move from each city.
On this day in 1988: Steve Winwood started a four week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with ‘Roll With It.’
The song spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the summer of 1988. It topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart for two weeks, and also spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. In addition, the song reached #30 on the R&B Chart.
“Roll with It” was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1989, Record Of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The album Roll With It was also nominated for Album of the Year.
The song was the last #1 hit of Casey Kasem’s 18-year run as the original host of American Top 40 (he would return to host the program 10 years later), as well as being the first #1 song of Shadoe Stevens’ hosting tenure.
The music video, directed by David Fincher and filmed in sepia-tone, depicts Winwood performing the song in a bar.
Here’s a look at the Top 20 on the U.S. singles chart from this day back in 1988:
1 4 ROLL WITH IT –•– Steve Winwood – 8 (1)
2 1 HOLD ON TO THE NIGHTS –•– Richard Marx – 11 (1)
3 6 HANDS TO HEAVEN –•– Breathe – 16 (3)
4 2 POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME –•– Def Leppard – 15 (2)
5 7 MAKE ME LOSE CONTROL –•– Eric Carmen – 11 (5)
6 9 SIGN YOUR NAME –•– Terence Trent D’Arby – 10 (6)
7 3 NEW SENSATION –•– INXS – 12 (3)
8 11 1-2-3 –•– Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine – 9 (8)
9 10 RUSH HOUR –•– Jane Wiedlin – 13 (9)
10 14 I DON’T WANNA GO ON WITH YOU LIKE THAT –•– Elton John – 7 (10)
11 5 THE FLAME –•– Cheap Trick – 17 (1)
12 12 PARENTS JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND –•– D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – 11 (12)
13 18 I DON’T WANNA LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE –•– Chicago – 9 (13)
14 17 DO YOU LOVE ME –•– The Contours – 9 (14)
15 15 JUST GOT PAID –•– Johnny Kemp – 12 (15)
16 21 MONKEY –•– George Michael – 4 (16)
17 20 THE COLOUR OF LOVE –•– Billy Ocean – 10 (17)
18 22 THE TWIST –•– The Fat Boys & Chubby Checker – 7 (18)
19 8 MERCEDES BOY –•– Pebbles – 13 (2)
20 27 FAST CAR –•– Tracy Chapman – 9 (20)
