History Lesson: One Day in Your Life

Any given day can be filled with historic events, but some time has to pass before we recognize it as such. October 7, 1978, was one of those days. The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the World Series that night, and after the game was over, we turned on the radio.

Bob Seger's "Hollywood Nights" peaked at Number 12 on the singles chart. It's the quintessential Bob Seger record--a smart lyric about making your way in a world that wants to steal your money and break your heart, delivered with Seger's trademark crunch. All-time classic lines: "She had been born with a face that would let her get her way/He saw that face and he lost all control."

Boston's "Don't Look Back" peaked at Number 4. We would have been surprised to know that it would be their last major hit for eight years, until "Amanda" in 1986.

The Rolling Stones performed "Beast of Burden" and "Respectable" on Saturday Night Live. This was the night Mick grossed out America by licking Ron Wood's cheek in mid-solo.

Toto's first single, "Hold the Line," was released. Can you think of an artist that sold more records and got less love than Toto? "Hold the Line" became a radio hit because it sounded like it should be one--perfect for both Top 40 and album-rock formats.

John Mellencamp celebrated his 27th birthday. It would be the last time he celebrated a birthday without having it mentioned on lists of notable birthdays, because by the time he would turn 28, the album Nothin' Matters and What If It Did would be out, and the single "I Need a Lover" would be on its way up the charts.