30 years ago yesterday (6.02) Mariah Carey made history when her MTV Unplugged performance silenced naysayers who doubted that her vocals on her 1990 self titled album and 1991’s Emotions were real.
Following the live performance, the commercially-released EP of the singer’s Unplugged appearance sold 2.7 million records and was, ultimately, a catalyst for her soon-to-be recognized superstardom.
No three decades later, Carey reflected on the 1992 appearance via social media with the following Instagram post:
“Happy anniversary to my ‘MTV Unplugged’ show! Happy anniversary to that girl on stage who was so nervous and scared to even sing in front of a crowd. Also she had no idea this last minute ‘unplugged’ show would become a ‘thing!’” “During that performance, I remember having a breakthrough moment…the realization that all I needed to do was SING and actually CONNECT with the people in the audience and be in the moment with THEM!!! And then we were in it together.”
“When I watch this now, it’s revelatory how many insanely talented musicians and singers I had the privilege of sharing that small stage with and I truly feel blessed. I am thankful to that majestic group of people who made that stage come to life and to the audience in the room for sharing what became a life changing experience for me and as always…Thank you my fans for sharing this journey with me. You save my life each day. #MC30.”
The pop singer’s MTV Unplugged EP release peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for a total of 57 weeks. Mariah sang seven songs during her set, all of which charted within the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 and her Unplugged cover of The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There,” feat. Trey Lorenz, earned Carey her sixth #1 in June 1992.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Raph_PH