This Day in Rock History: September 26

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1964: Roy Orbison's legendary hit "Oh, Pretty Woman" hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and held the top spot for three weeks. Widely considered Orbison's most famous song, it also topped the charts in several other countries.
• 1981: Bruce Dickinson officially became Iron Maiden's frontman, taking over from Paul Di'Anno. He made his stage debut with the band one month later on Oct. 26.

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 1969: The Beatles released one of the most iconic albums of all time, Abbey Road, via Apple Records. This is the last album the four members recorded together, and its cover shows them walking across the zebra crossing just outside London's Abbey Road studios.
• 1974: Five years to the day after Abbey Road dropped, John Lennon released his fourth solo album, Walls and Bridges, in the United States. It earned Recording Industry Association of America Gold status and included Lennon's first solo No. 1 U.S. single, "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night."
• 1983: Mötley Crüe released their second studio album, Shout at the Devil. It was a huge hit with the public and established the band as one of the quintessential 1980s rock bands.