This Day in Rock History: August 2
Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. The signing of the Declaration of Independence. American troops landing at Archangel in Northern Russia. All are major events that happened on August 2nd in years…
Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The signing of the Declaration of Independence. American troops landing at Archangel in Northern Russia. All are major events that happened on August 2nd in years past. Rock history also had some important moments on this day...although perhaps not quite as world news worthy. Let's walk through the past as we explore August 2 in rock music history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
The mid-to-late '80s brought a steady stream of rock legends climbing the Billboard Hot 100. From Springsteen's nostalgic "Glory Days" to U2's chart-topping anthem and Steve Winwood's soulful groove, these tracks defined a vibrant era in popular music.
- 1985: Bruce Springsteen's single "Glory Days" moved up to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It had spent 10 weeks on the chart so far.
- 1987: U2 topped the charts with their single, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." It had moved up from the No. 2 spot to the No. 1 spot this week and had spent nine weeks on the chart so far.
- 1988: Steve Winwood held his No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Roll With It" was in its second week at No. 1 and had spent nine weeks on the chart so far.
Cultural Milestones
Offstage, rock royalty continued to make headlines. Whether Eric Clapton was saving a beloved London shop or Keith Richards was signing a multimillion-dollar book deal, these stories highlighted the personal passions and larger-than-life personas behind the music.
- 2004: Eric Clapton came in for the rescue as he bought a 50% controlling interest in the traditional gentlemen's clothing shop, Cordings. The shop was facing financial difficulties, and Clapton, being a loyal customer for several years, came in to help preserve the shop as it was one of his favorites.
- 2007: Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones signed a deal for his autobiography. The deal, worth more than $7 million, saw the book hit stores in the fall of 2010.
Notable Recordings and Performances
From The Eagles' polished set in Manchester to the unlikely truce between Aerosmith and KISS, live performances on this day reflected both the timeless pull of classic rock and the business side of keeping the music alive.
- 1996: The Eagles performed at NYNEX Arena in Manchester, England. The setlist included hits like "Hotel California," "Victim of Love," and "Life in the Fast Lane."
- 2003: After a longstanding feud, Aerosmith and KISS temporarily made up for the World Domination/Rocksimus Maximus tour. They launched the tour on August 2 in Hartford, Connecticut.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music world also faced tough goodbyes. With the passing of Steve Holland and Aerosmith's decision to step away from touring, fans were reminded that even icons have their limits, and every era eventually comes to a close.
- 2020: Steve Holland, founding guitarist with Molly Hatchet, died at the age of 66. He died in Brunswick and was the last original member of the band.
- 2024: Aerosmith announced their official retirement from touring due to Steven Tyler's ongoing vocal cord injury. This announcement came three months after the band had already rescheduled the remaining dates of their Peace Out tour, which was already set to be their farewell tour.
This slice of music history blends celebration with reflection. As artists hit career highs on August 2nd, penned personal stories, and gave unforgettable performances, others marked the end of long journeys. It's a reminder that music is always in motion, shaped by the people, places, and moments that keep it alive across decades.
