Music History on May 25

H.M.S. Pinafore

1878 W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's comic opera "H.M.S. Pinafore" premieres in London, their first international success

  • 1887 Gas lamp at Paris Opera catches fire; 200 die
  • 1933 Spanish piano virtuoso José Iturbi makes his conducting debut, leading an orchestra at the Teatro Hidalgo in Mexico City, Mexico

Cantata Profana

1934 Béla Bartók's "Cantata Profana - The Nine Enchanted Stags" premieres in London, England, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Wireless Chorus conducted by Aylmer Buesst

  • 1957 "Shinbone Alley" closes at Broadway Theater NYC after 49 performances
  • 1962 Wand Records releases The Isley Brothers' cover single "Twist & Shout"; it becomes their first top-20 hit, peaking at #17
  • 1963 "Hot Spot" closes at Majestic Theater NYC after 43 performances
  • 1965 Dave Davies of The Kinks knocked unconscious in an on stage scuffle with drummer Mick Avory at Cardiff’s Capital Theatre

Music History

1967 John Lennon takes delivery of his psychedelically painted Rolls Royce

  • 1968 Rolling Stones release song "Jumping Jack Flash"
  • 1968 Unicorn by The Irish Rovers hits #7

Give Me Love

1973 George Harrison releases single "Give Me Love" in UK

  • 1977 "Beatles Live! At Star-Club in Hamburg Germany" released

Lodger

1979 RCA releases David Bowie's 13th studio album, "Lodger"; his third collaboration with Brian Eno in what becomes known as his 'Berlin trilogy' features contributions from guitarist Adrian Belew

  • 1980 "Musical Chairs" closes at Rialto Theater NYC after 15 performances

Return of the Jedi

1983 "Return of the Jedi" (Star Wars Episode VI), produced by George Lucas first released

She Drives Like Crazy

1989 Weird Al Yankovic records parody song "She Drives Like Crazy"

  • 1991 "People Are Still Having Sex" by LaTour hits #35

Cannes Film Festival

2000 53rd Cannes Film Festival: "Dancer in the Dark" directed by Lars von Trier and starring Björk (Best Actress) wins the Palme d'Or

  • 2002 47th Eurovision Song Contest: Marie N for Latvia wins singing "I Wanna" in Tallinn