March 27 has served as a backdrop for several pivotal moments in the history of rock music, while also coinciding with transformative global events and the occasional offbeat footnote in the human story. From Ringo Starr’s first solo venture to Metallica’s early creative milestones and beyond, this date gives us plenty to reflect on—from musical revolutions to unusual trivia that highlights the peculiar diversity of human experience.
1970 – Ringo Starr Releases His First Solo Album, Sentimental Journey
While The Beatles were still technically intact, March 27, 1970, saw drummer Ringo Starr step out on his own with the release of his debut solo album, Sentimental Journey. This record was unlike the solo debuts that would later follow from his bandmates. Rather than experimenting with rock or pushing into new artistic territories, Starr took a nostalgic turn by covering standards from the 1930s and 1940s—songs his parents and older generations adored.
Sentimental Journey was arranged by a variety of well-known figures, including Paul McCartney, Quincy Jones, and George Martin. While critics were initially puzzled by the concept and the musical departure, it has since been appreciated as an early example of Starr’s unique blend of humor and heart. More importantly, it served as a public signal that The Beatles were splintering. Although they wouldn’t officially break up until April 1970, Ringo’s album symbolized that their creative journeys were beginning to diverge.
1984 – Metallica Begins Recording Ride the Lightning in Denmark
Ten years later, March 27, 1984, marked another significant studio milestone. Metallica, still a young band on the edge of their first major breakthrough, began work on what would become Ride the Lightning, their second album and a defining moment in thrash metal history.
The band traveled to Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark, to work with producer Flemming Rasmussen. Compared to their raw debut Kill ‘Em All, this new album showcased a giant leap forward in musicianship, lyrical themes, and production value. The tracklist would eventually include metal classics such as “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Fade to Black,” “Creeping Death,” and the title track “Ride the Lightning.”
Lyrically, Ride the Lightning explored death, fear, and personal suffering in deeper and more reflective ways than most metal albums of the time. Musically, it blended rapid-fire riffs with more complex song structures. The work Metallica started on March 27 helped establish the genre’s potential for narrative depth and technical mastery.
1991 – George Harrison Joins Eric Clapton on Stage in Japan
March 27, 1991, marked a rare and historic event in the realm of live rock music. George Harrison, famously reluctant to tour after The Beatles disbanded, joined longtime friend and collaborator Eric Clapton on stage during a series of concerts in Japan. This appearance formed part of Harrison’s only full-fledged solo tour and was the first time he had toured since the Beatles’ final shows in the 1960s.
The shows featured a mix of Harrison’s solo hits—such as “My Sweet Lord,” “What Is Life,” and “All Those Years Ago”—as well as Beatles classics like “Something” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” With Clapton and his expert band backing him, the concerts were a blend of polish and personal expression.
The 1991 tour was later documented with the release of the Live in Japan album. For longtime fans, this was an emotional opportunity to see one of rock’s most introspective figures reconnect with his live audience, even if only briefly.
2001 – U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind Tops Digital Charts
In an era when digital music was beginning to revolutionize the industry, U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind saw a major resurgence in early 2001. Though the album had originally been released in October 2000, it climbed to the top of iTunes and other early digital charts on March 27, 2001.
The album marked a return to form for U2 after the more experimental sounds of the 1990s. With anthemic tracks like “Beautiful Day,” “Elevation,” and “Walk On,” the record received critical acclaim and commercial success. The March 27 digital milestone foreshadowed a coming era where music would increasingly live in intangible formats, ushering in MP3 players, streaming services, and subscription models that redefined how fans consumed their favorite songs.
Elsewhere in World History – March 27
Music history rarely exists in isolation. The broader historical landscape of March 27 includes major global events—some groundbreaking, others tragic—that frame the rock milestones above in a fuller context.
1977 – The Tenerife Airport Disaster
On March 27, 1977, the aviation world experienced its deadliest disaster when two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport) in the Canary Islands. Due to poor visibility and a series of miscommunications between air traffic control and the flight crews, KLM Flight 4805 attempted to take off while Pan Am Flight 1736 was still taxiing on the same runway.
The resulting collision killed 583 people. This tragedy forced the global aviation industry to reevaluate and overhaul its communication protocols, emphasizing standardized English radio language and improving cockpit procedures.
While seemingly far removed from rock music, the Tenerife disaster had a ripple effect on international safety standards, highlighting the importance of clear communication—a value not lost in any collaborative environment, including music production and live performance.
1998 – FDA Approves Viagra
On March 27, 1998, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra, the first oral treatment for erectile dysfunction. Developed by Pfizer, Viagra’s approval marked a turning point in both medical and cultural terms. It became one of the fastest-selling pharmaceutical products in history, while also entering the public lexicon as a symbol of aging, masculinity, and marketing genius.
Although not directly connected to rock, Viagra’s rise paralleled a broader shift in society toward open discussions about previously taboo subjects, which rock music had long championed—from sexual liberation to drug use to mental health.
Unusual Footnote – The Man Who Sued Himself
One of the more bizarre stories associated with March 27 dates to 1995, when a prison inmate named Robert Lee Brock attempted to sue himself. Brock, who was incarcerated in Virginia, claimed he violated his own civil rights by committing crimes while under the influence of alcohol, which he argued the state should have prevented. In his complaint, he demanded $5 million—payable by the state on his behalf since he was incarcerated and had no income.
The case was dismissed, but the sheer absurdity of it captured media attention and has since lived on as an example of the strange intersections of legal systems and human imagination.
Conclusion
March 27 is a date that carries a variety of meanings depending on where you look. In the world of rock, it saw individual artists emerge from the shadows of bands, young acts take bold steps into new creative territory, and musical legends return to the stage after years of retreat. Simultaneously, it offers a lens through which we can view larger shifts in technology, social norms, and global history.
Whether you’re a Beatles devotee tracking Ringo Starr’s solo evolution, a metalhead revering Metallica’s foundational albums, or a fan of cultural oddities, March 27 offers something memorable. It reminds us that music history is deeply intertwined with the stories we tell about ourselves—our risks, our tragedies, and occasionally, our bizarre sense of humor.
