TODAY IN ROCK HISTORY-MAY 9
Grateful Dead Film “Touch of Grey” Video
On this day in 1987, following a concert in Monterey, California, Grateful Dead filmed the music video for “Touch of Grey,” the band’s first official music video and the song that would unexpectedly become their biggest commercial hit.
For decades, the Grateful Dead had built their reputation not through radio singles or mainstream television exposure, but through relentless touring and an intensely loyal fan community known as Deadheads. The band’s concerts became legendary experiences filled with improvisation, experimentation, and a deep sense of musical freedom.
Led by Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead represented an entirely different philosophy from most commercial rock acts. They prioritized live performance and artistic exploration over chart success. Because of this, few people expected the band to suddenly find themselves embraced by MTV in the late 1980s.
The “Touch of Grey” video changed everything.
Directed with humor and surreal imagery, the video famously featured the band members transforming into skeleton like figures inspired by the group’s iconic artwork. The quirky visual style caught the attention of MTV audiences and helped introduce the Grateful Dead to a younger generation unfamiliar with the band’s long history.
The song itself carried a message of perseverance and optimism. Its famous line, “I will get by, I will survive,” resonated deeply with listeners and quickly became one of the band’s defining lyrics. Unlike many of the darker or more experimental tracks in the Dead’s catalog, “Touch of Grey” had a catchy structure and accessible sound that made it more radio friendly.
The single eventually reached the Top 10 on the Billboard charts, giving the Grateful Dead their first and only major mainstream hit. For a band that had spent more than two decades operating largely outside the commercial music system, the success was both surprising and historic.
Ironically, the popularity brought challenges as well. The sudden explosion in mainstream attention led to larger crowds and changes in the culture surrounding Grateful Dead concerts. Still, the success of “Touch of Grey” remains one of rock history’s most fascinating examples of an underground institution briefly crossing into the pop culture mainstream.
More than thirty years later, the song remains an anthem of resilience and one of the most beloved recordings in the Grateful Dead catalog.
Bruce Springsteen Opens for Bonnie Raitt
Also on this day in 1974, Bruce Springsteen opened for Bonnie Raitt at the Harvard Square Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While the performance itself was impressive, what happened afterward became one of the most famous moments in rock journalism history.
Music critic Jon Landau attended the concert and was stunned by what he witnessed. In his review, Landau wrote the now legendary sentence:
“I saw rock and roll’s future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen.”
That single line became one of the most quoted statements in rock history and helped change the trajectory of Springsteen’s career forever.
At the time, Springsteen was still a relatively unknown artist struggling to break through commercially. His first two albums had earned critical praise but modest sales. However, his live performances were already becoming legendary for their passion, storytelling, and energy.
Backed by the E Street Band, Springsteen combined elements of rock, soul, folk, and rhythm and blues into performances that felt both theatrical and deeply personal. Audiences connected with his songs about working class life, restless dreams, and youthful ambition.
Jon Landau’s endorsement brought enormous attention to Springsteen and eventually led to a professional relationship between the two men. Landau would later become Springsteen’s manager and producer, helping guide one of the most successful careers in rock history.
The moment also represented the growing importance of live performance in building an artist’s reputation during the 1970s. Long before viral videos or social media, musicians built careers through word of mouth and unforgettable concerts. Springsteen’s reputation as a live performer became central to his identity, and the Harvard Square Theatre show helped launch that legend.
Within a few years, Springsteen would release Born to Run and become one of the defining American rock artists of his generation. Looking back, Landau’s famous quote now feels less like exaggeration and more like prophecy.
Happy Birthday Billy Joel
Happy birthday to Billy Joel, born on May 9, 1949. Known around the world as the “Piano Man,” Joel became one of the most successful and beloved singer songwriters in American music history.
Billy Joel’s music blended rock, pop, jazz, and classical influences into a sound that was uniquely his own. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he produced an extraordinary string of hit songs including “Piano Man,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” “Only the Good Die Young,” “Uptown Girl,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”
What made Joel especially relatable was his gift for storytelling. His songs often focused on everyday people, relationships, nostalgia, and the changing American landscape. Whether writing about small town dreams or big city struggles, Joel captured emotions and experiences that resonated across generations.
His live performances became equally legendary. Combining humor, musicianship, and audience connection, Joel developed a reputation as one of rock’s most dependable concert performers. His long running residency at Madison Square Garden further cemented his place as a New York music icon.
Joel’s influence extends far beyond classic rock radio. His catalog continues to inspire artists across multiple genres, and his songs remain staples at concerts, sporting events, weddings, and celebrations around the world.
In 1999, Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing a career filled with timeless songwriting and extraordinary commercial success.
Decades after his rise to fame, Billy Joel remains one of the defining voices of American music and one of the greatest piano driven rock artists of all time.
Final Note
May 9 in rock history celebrates perseverance, discovery, and timeless songwriting. It marks the Grateful Dead’s unlikely breakthrough into the MTV era, the night Bruce Springsteen was declared the future of rock and roll, and the birthday of the legendary Billy Joel.
These moments remind us that rock history is filled with unexpected turns, unforgettable performances, and artists whose music continues to connect with audiences across generations. Whether through underground culture, explosive live shows, or heartfelt storytelling, these musicians helped shape the sound and spirit of rock music.
And that’s a look at today, May 9, in rock history.
