Events in Music History in 1991

"Oh, Kay!"

Jan 5 Revival of George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, and P. G. Wodehouse's musical "Oh, Kay!" closes at Richard Rodgers Theater, NYC, after 77 performances

Gypsy

Jan 6 Revival of Jules Styne and Stephen Sondheim's musical "Gypsy" starring Tyne Daly, closes at St James Theater, NYC. after 476 performances; transfers to Marquis Theatre after 5 month break

6th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Jan 16 6th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: LaVern Baker; The Byrds; John Lee Hooker; The Impressions; Wilson Pickett; Jimmy Reed; Ike and Tina Turner; Howlin' Wolf; Dave Bartholomew; and Ralph Bass

  • Jan 20 "Black & Blue" closes at Minskoff Theater NYC after 829 performances
  • Jan 20 Paul Chihara and John Driver's musical "Shogun - The Musical", based on James Clavell's novel, closes at Marquis Theater, NYC, after 72 performances
  • Jan 20 Revival of Leigh, Charlap, Styne, Comden and Green's musical "Peter Pan", starring Cathy Rigby, closes at Lunt-Fontanne Theater, NYC, after 45 performances
  • Jan 26 "A Few Good Men" closes at Music Box Theater NYC after 497 performances
  • Jan 29 "Piano Lesson" closes at Walter Kerr Theater NYC after 320 performances

"The Soul Cages"

Feb 2 Sting scores his second UK #1 album with 'The Soul Cages'

  • Feb 9 "This Is Ponderous" by 2nu peaks at #46
  • Feb 10 "La Bete" opens at Eugene O'Neill Theater NYC for 24 performances

Music History

Feb 14 Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston's stage comedy "Mule Bone" opens at Ethel Barrymore Theatre, NYC; runs for 68 performances

Night Ride Home

Feb 19 Geffen Records releases "Night Ride Home", Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell's 14th studio album

Grammy Awards

Feb 20 33rd Grammy Awards: "Another Day in Paradise"; Mariah Carey win

Music History

Feb 20 Alan Ayckbourn's stage farce "Taking Steps" opens at Circle in Square Theater, NYC; runs for 78 performances

Music History

Feb 21 Neil Simon's stage comic-drama "Lost in Yonkers", starring Mercedes Ruehl and Kevin Spacey, opens at Richard Rodgers Theater, NYC; runs for 780 performances, winning 5 Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize

  • Feb 24 English-Yiddish musical revue "Those Were The Days" closes at Edison Theater, NYC, after 126 performances

Music History

Feb 27 Singer James Brown is paroled from prison after serving 2 years of 6 year sentence for weapon and drug related convictions

  • Feb 28 Steve Tesich's stage drama "Speed of Darkness" opens at Belasco Theater, NYC; runs for 36 performances
  • Mar 2 "Aspects of Love" closes at Broadhurst Theater NYC after 377 performances
  • Mar 2 "La Bete" closes at Eugene O'Neill Theater NYC after 24 performances
  • Mar 3 Brooke Allen's stage drama "The Big Love", a one-woman show starring Tracey Ullman, opens at Plymouth Theater, NYC; runs for 41 performances

Music Concert

Mar 10 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, Gilberto Gil; Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Caetano Veloso

Music Concert

Mar 14 The Dave Matthews Band perform their first show as part of a benefit for the Middle East Children's Alliance, in Charlottesville, Virginia

Plane Crash

Mar 16 Seven members of Reba McEntire's band are killed in a plane crash

Music History

Mar 20 Court awards singer-songwriter Peggy Lee $3 million in suit against Disney regarding home video royalties

Music History

Mar 20 Michael Jackson signs $65 million deal with Sony Records to produce six albums

  • Mar 25 63rd Academy Awards: "Dances with Wolves", Kathy Bates & Jeremy Irons win
  • Mar 30 "Speed of Darkness" closes at Belasco Theater NYC after 36 performances

Music History

Apr 3 "Penn and Teller - Refrigerator Tour" opens at Eugene O'Neill Theater NYC

  • Apr 4 "Lucifer's Child" opens at Music Box Theater NYC for 28 performances
  • Apr 7 "Shadowlands" closes at Brooks Atkinson Theatre NYC after 169 performances
  • Apr 7 Brooke Allen's stage drama "The Big Love", a one-woman show starring Tracey Ullman, closes at Plymouth Theater, NYC, after 41 performances
  • Apr 8 "I Hate Hamlet" opens at Walter Kerr Theater NYC for 88 performances

Miss Saigon

Apr 11 Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's musical "Miss Saigon", based on Giacomo Puccini's "Madama Butterfly", and starring Jonathon Pryce and Lea Salonga opens at Broadway Theater, NYC; runs for 4,092 performances, winning 3 Tony Awards

  • Apr 14 Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston's stage comedy "Mule Bone" closes at Ethel Barrymore Theatre, NYC, after 68 performances
  • Apr 16 Leander & Seago's musical "Matador" premieres in London
  • Apr 25 "Grand Hotel" closes at Beck Theater, NYC, after 1018 performances

Music Premiere

Apr 25 Lucy Simon & Marsha Norman's musical "The Secret Garden", based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel, starring Daisy Eagan and Mandy Patinkin, opens at St James Theater, NYC; runs for 706 performances, winning 3 Tony Awards

  • Apr 27 "Lucifer's Child" closes at Music Box Theater NYC after 28 performances
  • Apr 28 "Taking Steps" closes at Circle in Sq Theater NYC after 78 performances
  • Apr 28 Revival of Jules Styne and Stephen Sondheim's musical "Gypsy" starring Tyne Daly, re-opens at Marquis Theater, NYC, after a short break and venue transfer; runs for an additional 105 performances

Don't Rock the Jukebox

Apr 29 "Don't Rock the Jukebox" single released by Alan Jackson (ASCAP Award Country Song of the Year, 1992; Billboard Song of the Year, 1991)

  • Apr 29 "Our Country's Good" opens at Nederlander Theater NYC for 48 performances
  • May 1 Cy Coleman, Betty Comden and Adolph Green' s musical "The Will Rogers Follies" opens at The Palace Theater, NYC; runs for 981 performances, winning 6 Tonty Awards
  • May 4 36th Eurovision Song Contest: Carola for Sweden wins singing "Fangad av en stormvind" in Rome

Doctorate of Music

May 4 Phil Collins, Al Jarreau, Ikutaro Kakehashi and Joe Zawinul receive honorary doctorate degrees from the Berklee College of Music in Boston [1]

Sports History

May 10 Oakland A's Jose Canseco is seen leaving singer Madonna's apartment

  • May 13 "Michael Jackson: Magic & Madness" goes on sale
  • May 19 Alan Janes' jukebox musical "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story", starring Paul Hipp, closes at Shubert Theatre, NYC, after 225 performances
  • May 25 "People Are Still Having Sex" by LaTour hits #35
  • May 28 "Forever My Lady" debut studio album by Jodeci is released (Billboard Album of the Year, 1992)
  • Jun 2 45th Tony Awards: "Lost in Yonkers" (play) & "The Will Rogers Follies" (musical) win
  • Jun 8 "Our Country's Good" closes at Nederlander Theater NYC after 48 performances
  • Jun 10 25th Music City News Country Awards: Ricky Van Shelton wins

Unforgettable...with Love

Jun 11 Natalie Cole releases "Unforgettable...with Love", covering her father's standards including a "virtual duet" of title track; wins 6 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, 1992

Musical Finale

Jun 16 Revival of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's musical "Fiddler on the Roof", starring Topol, closes at Gershwin Theater, NYC, after 241 performances

(Everything I Do) I Do It for You

Jun 18 "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" single released by Bryan Adams (Billboard Song of the Year, 1991)

  • Jun 22 "I Hate Hamlet" closes at Walter Kerr Theater NYC after 88 performances
  • Jun 26 "Getting Married" opens at Circle in Sq Theater NYC for 70 performances

Jackie Mason - Brand New

Jun 29 "Jackie Mason - Brand New" closes at Neil Simon Theater, NYC, after 216 performances

Boyz n the Hood

Jul 2 Film "Boyz n the Hood" directed by John Singleton, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ice Cube is released

  • Jul 9 New York City Opera's limited run production of Stephen Sondhiem's musical "A Little Night Music" opens at New York State Theater ,NYC, for 7 performances
  • Jul 28 Revival of Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's musical "Gypsy", starring Tyne Daly, closes at Marquis Theater, NYC, after 581 performances and 2 Tony Award wins

Music History

Aug 2 Funk singer Rick James, arrested on sexual torture charges

Music History

Aug 8 Rock guitar hero Carlos Santana pleads no contest to marijuana possession charge in Houston, Texas

Music History

Aug 8 Singer-keyboardist Billy Preston charged with exhibiting pornography to a minor

  • Aug 10 New York City Opera's limited run production of Stephen Sondhiem's musical "A Little Night Music" closes at New York State Theater, NYC, after 7 performances

Metallica

Aug 12 Heavy metal band Metallica release their 5th album "Metallica"; debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 chart

Music Concert

Aug 15 Paul Simon performs a free concert in Central Park, NYC

  • Aug 25 "Getting Married" closes at Circle in Sq Theater NYC after 70 performances
  • Sep 2 "Ropin' the Wind" 3rd studio album by Garth Brooks is released (Billboard Album of the Year 1992)

The Most Happy Fella

Sep 4 Revival of Frank Loesser's 1956 musical "The Most Happy Fella" opens at NY State Theater, NYC, for a limited run by the New York City Opera

  • Sep 5 8th MTV Video Music Awards: REM wins

Smells like Teen Spirit

Sep 10 Rock band Nirvana release their single "Smells like Teen Spirit", often dubbed the anthem of Generation X

Nevermind

Sep 24 Rock band Nirvana release their second studio album "Nevermind"

  • Sep 28 "Good Time" single by Ziggy Marley & Melody Makers peaks at #85
  • Sep 28 "Love Of A Lifetime" by Firehouse peaks at #5

My Own Private Idaho

Sep 29 Gus Van Sant's film "My Own Private Idaho" starring Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix premieres

  • Oct 3 25th Country Music Association Awards: Garth Brooks, Tanya Tucker & Vince Gill win
  • Oct 9 "On Borrowed Time" opens at Circle in Square Theater, NYC; runs for 99 performances
  • Oct 17 Blue Man Group's 1st performance in New York City

My Own Private Idaho

Oct 18 "My Own Private Idaho" directed and written by Gus van Sant starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves is released

  • Oct 18 Revival of Frank Loesser's 1956 musical "The Most Happy Fella" closes at NY State Theater, NYC, after a limited run by the New York City Opera
  • Oct 20 "André Heller's Wonderhouse", starring Billy Barty, opens at Broadhurst Theatre, NYC; runs for 9 performances
  • Oct 24 Brian Friels' stage drama "Dancing at Lughnasa" opens at Plymouth Theater, NYC; runs for 421 performances, wins 3 Tony Awards
  • Oct 27 "André Heller's Wonderhouse", starring Billy Barty, closes at Broadhurst Theatre, NYC, after 9 performances

Music History

Oct 27 Revival of Harold Pinter's stage drama "The Homecoming" opens at Criterion Theater. NYC; for limited run of 49 performances

  • Nov 2 Jermaine Jackson releases "Word to the Badd!!" anti Michael song
  • Nov 6 "Moscow Circus Cirk Valentin" opens at Gershwin NYC for 32 performances
  • Nov 7 "Park Your Car in Harvard Yard" opens at Music Box NYC

Brigadoon

Nov 7 Revival of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical "Brigadoon" opens at New York State Theater, NYC; runs for 12 performances

  • Nov 14 Michael Jackson's "Black or White" music video with groundbreaking morphing effects premieres simultaneously in 27 countries on MTV, Fox TV and BBC's Top of the Pops
  • Nov 17 Revival of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical "Brigadoon" closes at New York State Theater, NYC, after 12 performances

Mercury Confirms AIDs

Nov 23 Freddie Mercury, 45, confirms he has AIDS the day before he dies

  • Nov 27 Revival of Leigh, Charlap, Styne, Comden and Green's musical "Peter Pan", starring Cathy Rigby, opens at Minskoff Theater, NYC; runs for 48 performances
  • Nov 30 Rob Pilatus, 27, of disgraced pop duo Milli Vanilli attempts suicide
  • Dec 1 "Moscow Circus Cirk Valentin" closes at Gershwin NYC after 32 performances

Once on This Island

Dec 1 Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens' musical "Once on This Island", based on Rosa Guy's novel "My Love, My Love" (a Caribbean-set retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid"), closes at Booth Theater, NYC, after 469 performances

  • Dec 4 Country music mother and daughter act The Judds "farewell" concert at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; later re-unions and "farewells" in 2000, 2010, 2015, and 2021
  • Dec 5 "Catskills on Broadway" opens at Lunt-Fontanne NYC for 452 performances

Nick & Nora

Dec 8 Charles Strouse and Richard Maltby, Jr's musical "Nick & Nora" opens at Marquis Theater, NYC; runs for 9 performances

  • Dec 8 Revival of Harold Pinter's stage drama "The Homecoming" closes at Criterion Theater, NYC, after limited run of 49 performances

Rock and Roll Museum

Dec 10 Architect I. M. Pei receives $5 million for design of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum to be built in Cleveland, Ohio

The Crucible Revived

Dec 10 Revival of Arthur Miller's stage drama "The Crucible" opens at Belasco Theater, NYC, runs for 32 performances

  • Dec 15 Charles Strouse and Richard Maltby, Jr's musical "Nick & Nora" closes at Marquis Theater, NYC, after 9 performances
  • Dec 19 "A Christmas Carol" opens at Eugene O'Neill Theater NYC for 14 performances

"A Christmas Carol"

Dec 29 "A Christmas Carol", starring Patrick Stewart, in a one-man show, closes at Eugene O'Neill Theater, NYC, after a limited run of 14 performances