Events in Music History in May 1984

Music History

May 1 Mick Fleetwood (of Fleetwood Mac) files for bankruptcy

Sunday in the Park with George

May 2 Stephen Sondheim's musical "Sunday in the Park with George", a fictionalized version of painter Georges Seurat's relationship with his grandson, starring Mandy Patinkin, opens at Booth Theater, NYC; runs for 604 performances, wins a Pulitzer Prize for Drama

  • May 3 Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey's stage adaptation of her 1978 novel "A Woman of Independent Means", starring Barbara Rush, opens at Biltmore Theatre, NYC; runs for 13 performances
  • May 5 29th Eurovision Song Contest: Herreys for Sweden wins singing "Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley" in Luxembourg
  • May 12 White Horse by Laid Back hits #26
  • May 13 "Oliver!" closes at Mark Hellinger Theater NYC after 17 performances
  • May 13 Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey's stage adaptation of her 1978 novel "A Woman of Independent Means", starring Barbara Rush, closes at Biltmore Theatre, NYC, after 13 performances
  • May 14 19th Academy of Country Music Awards: Alabama, Lee Greenwood, and Janie Fricke win

When Doves Cry

May 16 "When Doves Cry" single released by Prince Rogers Nelson (Billboard Song of the Year, 1984)

Preakness Stakes

May 19 109th Preakness: Puerto Rican jockey Ángel Cordero Jr., aboard Gate Dancer wins his second Pimlico classic

On Your Toes

May 20 Revival of George Abbott, Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart's musical "On Your Toes" closes at Virginia Theater, NYC, after 505 performances

Cannes Film Festival

May 23 37th Cannes Film Festival: "Paris, Texas" directed by Wim Wenders wins the Palme d'Or, starring Harry Dean Stanton and Nastassja Kinski

  • May 24 Revival of musical "The Wiz" opens at Lunt-Fontanne Theater, NYC; runs for 13 performances