{} The Best Music You've Never Heard {}
Rick Nelson (formerly Ricky) plays the “Rock & Roll Spectacular” concert at Madison Square Garden. When he plays some newer songs, the hit-hungry audience boos. Nelson writes the song “Garden Party” about the experience, and it becomes a hit, reviving his career.
Eddie Vedder flies from his home in San Diego to Seattle, where he meets his Pearl Jam bandmates for the first time and starts a week of recording that becomes the bulk of their debut album, Ten. Vedder was chosen based on vocals he added to a three-song instrumental demo the band made.
Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show makes its debut. The theme song (“Johnny’s Theme”) is written by Paul Anka, but as part of the deal, Carson writes some lyrics for the song that are published, but never used, earning him half of the royalties from the song, which are substantial, as the song runs throughout Carson’s 30-year tenure on the show.
The first single, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” has been out for two weeks and is performing better than expected, so insiders think the album could catch on and maybe sell 500,000 copies or so – enough to earn a Gold record.
It hits that milestone on October 12, and keeps selling. On January 11, 1992, Nevermind supplants Dangerous at the #1 spot, knocking the King Of Pop off his throne. The album eventually sells over 10 million copies in the US while earning rave reviews on it’s way to becoming a rock touchstone. The band seems flummoxed by the sudden success – after all, they’re just a little grunge band from Washington State.
Elvis Presley makes the first of three contracted appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Sullivan had previously announced he would never have such an act on, but ratings prevailed and Sullivan offered Elvis a record $50,000 for the three shows. Charles Laughton hosts, filling in for an ailing Sullivan as Elvis performs “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Ready Teddy” and “Hound Dog” but is shot from the waist up only to avoid scandal. The show draws a staggering 54 million viewers.