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Success us a driving force in all of us.  We want to be on the top of our game, be it music, writing, sports or academics.  And when we are honored with a tangible award, trophy, or title we feel that we have achieved success.  Of course, there are the times that in the midst of working towards success, we fall, we mess up, or we flat out fail.  And if we measure success in the terms of an award that is handed out then we really fall short indeed.  I can not count the amount of times that I felt an artist got the short end of the deal with awards such as the Grammys, but I don't think that an artist should measure their success on if they do or do receive a Grammy, end up in the Hall of Fame, or receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  I feel that if through whatever it is that you do, if you have reached and touched even one person with your music or writing then you are a success indeed.  But then, that's just me.  Today's This Day In Rock looks at what can be looked at as success through awards or chart placement and TV appearances, personal failures, and putting yourself aside on behalf of your fans.

In the 60's The Ed Sullivan Show was a huge deal.  Anyone who was ANYONE played that show, and it was a definite way of showing that you had made it in music.  In 1966, The Rolling Stones taped a performance for the show that was to be aired the following night.  But in the midst of the all of the Stones success, they hit many a stumbling block.  In 1967, they hit one of those blocks when Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Marianne Faithful were busted by London police and brought up on drug charges.

Many artists, no matter what field of art they portray achieve more success after they have died than while they are alive.  And while this is most assuredly true with Jimi Hendrix, he found plenty of success while he was alive.  In 1968, he received the key to the city of Seattle. He also played a free concert at Garfield High School, the same school he was thrown out of at the age of 16.  In the midst of the celebration, the school gave him an honorary diploma.

One of my favorite novelty shows of all time was Rowan and Martin's Laugh In.  It is one that I would love to have in it's entirety on DVD.  Often on the show was ukulele playing, tulip tiptoeing singer Tiny Tim.  While he had success with his career, he decided to try and find success in the realm of politics in 1989 when he announce he would be running for the position of New York City's mayor.  His goal never reached fruition as he was defeated.

At the 1992 BRIT awards held in London, U2 won the award for Best International Artist for the 4th time within 5 years.  But the night belonged to rock sensation Queen, as their single These Are The Days Of Our Lives was named as the Best British Single.  The late, great Freddy Mercury was honored as well for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.

In taking a look at who was on the charts in 1994, Alice In Chains hit with Jar of Flies at #1 on the US Albums Chart.  This is a band that I knew would be a success from the first time I heard Man In The Box and I remember driving my parents insane playing that CD over and over.

Earlier in the week, I typed out a fact about David Bowie and mentioned that Ziggy Stardust was my favorite Bowie song.  Well, I have another Bowie fact for you today, hailing from the year 1997.  It was on this day that he was honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and recieved his star.

Ozzy Osbourne is a musician who has seen success on various levels in various venues.  I think my favorite current Ozzyism has to be the cell phone commercial that he's in, where no one can understand what he's saying, so he texts everyone.  But in looking back at 2004, he was labeled a "godlike genius" at the NME Awards in London.  Awards that were handed out that night included:  Best Album going to Radiohead for Hail to the Thief, and Best New Band and Best International Band went to Kings of Leon.

There are too many instances to count of bands who put out amazing music that can't stand to even be in the same room together for more than five minutes.  This of course leads to the inevitable destruction of the band.  And while the members may go their separate ways and embark on solo careers, the magic of the collective group has dissipated.  As each member brings their own sound to the table when the band is working together, those elements are missing and just at times leave the sound lacking when they break up, having the same effect as when a key element is left out of a recipe, leaving the flavor bland instead of savory.

In 2007, much to fans delight, Sting held a press conference at Hollywood's Whiskey A Go-Go announcing that The Police would be reuniting and would be kicking off a world tour.  

The road to success is paved with small victories.  It is overcoming the challenges that are placed before you and never giving up.  No matter what you are involved in, never give up, never surrender.  Keep pushing towards your goals.  And may you be successful in every area of your life.