Music in 1990

  • Eric Clapton plays the first of eighteen shows in a three week span at London's Royal Albert Hall.

    Eric Clapton plays the first of eighteen shows in a three week span at London's Royal Albert Hall.
  • MTV's Unplugged is broadcast for the first time, on cable television, with British band Squeeze.

    MTV's Unplugged is broadcast for the first time, on cable television, with British band Squeeze.
  • Bob Marley's birthday is a national holiday in Jamaica for the first time.

    Bob Marley's birthday is a national holiday in Jamaica for the first time.
  • Billy Idol is involved in a serious motorcycle accident. He had been scheduled to have a major role in Oliver Stone's film The Doors but because of his injuries the role was reduced.

    Billy Idol is involved in a serious motorcycle accident. He had been scheduled to have a major role in Oliver Stone's film The Doors but because of his injuries the role was reduced.
  • The beginning of the Stones' first ever tour of Japan.

    The beginning of the Stones' first ever tour of Japan.
  • The Byrds reunite for the first time in 25 years to perform at a Los Angeles tribute to Roy Orbison and are joined unexpectedly by Bob Dylan.

    The Byrds reunite for the first time in 25 years to perform at a Los Angeles tribute to Roy Orbison and are joined unexpectedly by Bob Dylan.
  • Gloria Estefan's tour bus is involved in an accident.

    Gloria Estefan's tour bus is involved in an accident.
  • The Go-Go's reunite to play a benefit concert for the California Environmental Protection Act.

    The Go-Go's reunite to play a benefit concert for the California Environmental Protection Act.
  • Neil Young, Elton John, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Guns N' Roses and Jackson Browne perform at Farm Aid IV in Indiana.

  • A tribute concert is held at Wembley Stadium for recently freed anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela. Performers include Anita Baker, Tracy Chapman, Peter Gabriel, The Neville Brothers and Neil Young.

  • Janet Jackson is honoured with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

    Janet Jackson is honoured with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Valery Leontiev show "It seems to me that I have not lived" in the Olympic Stadium.

    Valery Leontiev show "It seems to me that I have not lived" in the Olympic Stadium.
  • The Rolling Stones open their Urban Jungle European tour.

  • The Stone Roses stage a legendary concert at Spike Island, Cheshire.

  • The Three Tenors give their first concert, at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.

  • Jean Michel Jarre's concert Paris la Defense attracts 2.5 million spectators.

  • Roger Waters, Scorpions, Cyndi Lauper, Thomas Dolby, Sinéad O'Connor, The Band and Bryan Adams perform at Pink Floyd's The Wall in Berlin, Germany to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall eight months earlier.

  • Madonna ends her controversial Blond Ambition Tour in Nice, France.

  • Leonard Bernstein conducts his final performance at Tanglewood.

  • Céline Dion makes her debut in the United States with the release of Unison.

  • Cop Rock premieres on US tv; it was TV's first and last musical police drama.

  • Leonard Bernstein announces his retirement; he dies five days later

  • Madonna releases her new single, "Justify My Love". The music video is banned by MTV because of international controversy over its sexually explicit content.

  • Milli Vanilli admits to lip-synching hits such as "Girl You Know It's True." and later their Grammy award was revoked.

  • After the banning of Madonna's "Justify My Love" music video by MTV, she appears on Nightline to defend the video.

  • The nineteenth annual New Year's Rockin' Eve special airs on ABC, with performances by The Beach Boys, Bell Biv DeVoe, The Kentucky Headhunters, Nelson, The O'Jays and Sweet Sensation.