Today In Rock History – May 31
Peter Gabriel Tops the Charts with So
On this day in 1986, Peter Gabriel achieved his second solo number one album with So, the landmark release that transformed him from a critically respected artist into a global superstar.
The album featured major hit singles including “Sledgehammer,” “Big Time,” and “In Your Eyes,” blending sophisticated songwriting with cutting edge production and emotional depth.
Before launching his solo career, Gabriel had already earned enormous respect as the original lead singer of Genesis. During the early 1970s, his theatrical stage performances and progressive rock storytelling helped establish Genesis as one of the most ambitious bands of the era.
After leaving Genesis in 1975, Gabriel pursued a solo path focused on experimentation, world music influences, and artistic independence. By the mid 1980s, however, So brought those ideas together into a more accessible and commercially successful format.
“Sledgehammer” became the defining hit of the album. Driven by funk inspired rhythms, horn arrangements, and Gabriel’s playful vocal performance, the song introduced many listeners to a more energetic and approachable side of his music.
The groundbreaking music video for “Sledgehammer” also became historically important. Using stop motion animation, claymation, and innovative visual effects, the video became one of MTV’s most celebrated productions and won numerous awards.
Meanwhile, “In Your Eyes” showcased Gabriel’s emotional songwriting and global musical influences. Featuring African inspired rhythms and powerful vocal textures, the song eventually became one of the most beloved ballads of the decade.
The album also highlighted Gabriel’s willingness to embrace collaboration. Musicians such as Kate Bush, Youssou N’Dour, and bassist Tony Levin contributed to the album’s rich and layered sound.
What made So especially important was its ability to combine artistic ambition with mainstream success. Gabriel explored themes of love, identity, communication, and modern life while still creating songs that connected with large audiences worldwide.
The album helped expand Western audiences’ awareness of world music influences and demonstrated that sophisticated songwriting could still achieve major commercial success during the MTV era.
Today, So remains one of the most respected albums of the 1980s and one of Peter Gabriel’s greatest artistic achievements.
R.E.M. Sign with I.R.S. Records
Also on this day in 1982, R.E.M. signed a five album deal with I.R.S. Records, with the group’s debut EP Chronic Town scheduled for release later that summer.
At the time, R.E.M. was still an emerging band from Athens, Georgia, far removed from the massive global success they would later achieve. Yet even in their earliest recordings, the band possessed a sound and atmosphere unlike anything else in American rock music.
Fronted by vocalist Michael Stipe alongside guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry, R.E.M. helped pioneer what would later become known as alternative rock.
Their music blended jangling guitars, introspective lyrics, folk influences, post punk energy, and mysterious vocal delivery into a style that felt emotionally rich and deeply authentic.
Chronic Town immediately attracted critical praise. Songs such as “Wolves, Lower,” “Gardening at Night,” and “Carnival of Sorts” introduced listeners to the dreamlike sound that would soon define the band.
Unlike the heavily polished mainstream rock dominating much of the early 1980s, R.E.M. embraced a more underground and independent aesthetic. Their music felt intimate, literate, and emotionally subtle.
The signing with I.R.S. Records proved enormously important because the label gave the band creative freedom while helping them build a dedicated audience through college radio and alternative music scenes.
Over the following decade, R.E.M. would become one of the most influential bands in modern rock history. Albums such as Murmur, Reckoning, Document, Out of Time, and Automatic for the People helped reshape alternative music and paved the way for many bands that emerged during the 1990s.
Michael Stipe’s abstract lyrics and emotionally vulnerable songwriting also influenced generations of alternative and indie musicians.
Looking back, the signing with I.R.S. Records represented the beginning of one of the most important careers in alternative rock history.
Today, R.E.M. remains celebrated not only for their music, but for helping create an entirely new direction for American rock music during the 1980s and beyond.
Happy Birthday John Bonham
And happy birthday to the late John Bonham, born on May 31, 1948.
As the drummer for Led Zeppelin, Bonham became one of the most influential and powerful percussionists in rock history.
Known for his thunderous sound, explosive energy, and remarkable sense of groove, Bonham helped redefine the role of drums in hard rock and heavy metal music.
Alongside vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and bassist John Paul Jones, Bonham helped transform Led Zeppelin into one of the greatest rock bands ever assembled.
Songs such as “When the Levee Breaks,” “Kashmir,” “Black Dog,” and “Rock and Roll” showcased his extraordinary combination of power, speed, precision, and feel.
Unlike many drummers who focused primarily on technical complexity, Bonham played with emotional intensity and natural swing. His grooves felt both heavy and deeply musical.
His famous drum solo “Moby Dick” became a centerpiece of Led Zeppelin concerts, often stretching far beyond twenty minutes during live performances.
Bonham’s influence extended across hard rock, heavy metal, punk, and alternative music. Countless drummers cite him as the single greatest influence on their playing.
Following Bonham’s death in 1980, Led Zeppelin made the decision to disband rather than continue without him, a reflection of how central he was to the band’s identity.
Today, John Bonham remains widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time, and his performances continue inspiring musicians across generations.
Final note
May 31 in rock history celebrates artistic evolution, alternative beginnings, and musical power. From Peter Gabriel reaching new creative heights with So, to R.E.M. taking their first major step toward alternative rock history, to the enduring legacy of John Bonham, this day reflects the diversity and innovation that define rock music.
These moments remind us that great artists succeed by pushing boundaries, embracing individuality, and creating music with emotional authenticity. Whether through groundbreaking production, underground experimentation, or thunderous musicianship, these artists helped shape the sound and culture of modern rock.
And that’s a look at today, May 31, in rock history.
