On this day in music history: July 2, 1988 - “Dirty Diana” by Michael Jackson hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week, also peaking at #8 on the R&B singles chart on the same date. It is the eleventh solo chart topper for “The King Of Pop”. The dark, downtempo rock track about a groupie chasing after the singer, contrary to rumor is not about either Jackson’s longtime friend singer Diana Ross or Diana, The Princess Of Wales. Guitarist Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) will be invited to play on the track by producer Quincy Jones after asking mutual friend and producer Ted Templeman (Van Halen) if he knew someone that could play guitar on Michael’s new album. Templeman will recommend Steve Stevens who at the time was signed to Warner Bros Records as a solo artist. Stevens will come to Los Angeles to work with Jones and Jackson during the “Bad” recording, recording his solos in a single session. For the song’s music video, Michael will invite Steve to appear in the clip. Issued as the fifth single from Jackson’s seventh solo album “Bad” on April 18, 1988, it will quickly race up the charts. Entering the Hot 100 at #53 on May 7, 1988, it will climb to the top of the chart eight weeks later. “Diana” it will also be the fifth consecutive chart topping single from the album, setting a record for the most #1 singles from a single album. This record will not be matched until 2011. “Dirty Diana” will become a staple of Jackson’s live performances on the “Bad”, “Dangerous” and “HIStory” tours.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 02:06:17 +0000
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