On this day today:
1962 - Marilyn Monroe passes away from a barbiturate overdose at the age of 36 in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Despite her tragic end, Monroe is remembered for her iconic performance of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," which remains a quintessential moment in her musical legacy.
1963 - Steve Lee, renowned as the lead vocalist of the Swiss rock band Gotthard, was born in Zurich, Switzerland.
1972 - Music mogul Clive Davis attended Aerosmith's performance at Max's Kansas City in New York and was so impressed that he promptly signed the band to CBS Records with a $125,000 contract. This deal marked a significant milestone in Aerosmith's career, setting the stage for their rise to fame.
1973 - Brian Eno and Robert Fripp completed their first collaborative album, No Pussyfooting, a groundbreaking work that melded Eno's tape recorder experiments with Fripp's innovative "Frippertronics" electric guitar technique. The album was recorded over three sessions, starting on September 8, 1972, and spanned a year, showcasing a fusion of ambient soundscapes and experimental guitar work that pushed the boundaries of music at the time.
1975 - The Runaways, the pioneering all-female hard-rock band, are assembled by producer Kim Fowley. This groundbreaking group features Joan Jett, future Bangles member Michael Steele, and Lita Ford, marking a significant moment in rock history with their powerful, all-female lineup.
1975 - Stevie Wonder makes history by securing the largest contract ever for a single artist, a groundbreaking deal worth $13 million over seven years with Tamla/Motown. This landmark agreement covers the release of seven albums and marks a significant moment in the music industry.
1978 - "Substitute," originally a Righteous Brothers song, was covered by the all-girl South African group Clout and became a surprise hit, reaching #2 in the UK charts. However, it was later revealed that Clout did not actually play the instruments on the recording. Instead, a male band called Circus provided the instrumental performance, leaving Clout to provide the vocals and stage presence.
1978 - The Rolling Stones' disco-tinged track "Miss You" ascends to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ending Andy Gibb's seven-week streak at the top with "Shadow Dancing." "Miss You" enjoys a one-week reign at the pinnacle of the charts.
1980 - Pat Benatar releases her second album, Crimes Of Passion. While "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" emerges as the standout track, her cover of the Young Rascals' "You Better Run" also gains significant attention. The song's music video becomes historically significant, as it is the second video ever aired on MTV, following The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star" when the network launched a year later.
1981 - Olivia Newton-John receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring her contributions to music, film, and philanthropy. The accolade celebrates her successful career, which includes numerous hit songs and her iconic role in the film Grease.
1985 - At the age of 18, Sinéad O'Connor signs a recording contract with Ensign Records. Her debut album, The Lion and the Cobra, is released two years later, showcasing her distinctive voice and marking the beginning of her influential career in music.
1995 - Take That kicked off the first of ten consecutive sold-out nights at The Nynex Arena in Manchester, following Robbie Williams' departure from the group on July 17, 1995. At the same time, they topped the UK singles chart with "Never Forget," marking their seventh UK No.1 hit and their final chart-topper with Williams.
1996 - It was reported that the long-running UK TV music show Top Of The Pops had reached its lowest audience ever, with only two and a half million viewers. At its peak, the show had drawn in over 17 million viewers each week, highlighting a dramatic decline in its viewership over the years.
2016 - English indie pop band Blossoms, hailing from Stockport, Greater Manchester, release their self-titled debut studio album. The record achieves No.1 on the UK Albums Chart. The band's name pays homage to The Blossoms pub, located at the corner of Bramhall Lane and Buxton Road in their hometown of Stockport.
2017 - Sam Hunt's "Body Like a Back Road" sets a new record on the Country chart, reaching #1 for 25 consecutive weeks. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise," establishing "Body Like a Back Road" as one of the longest-running number-one hits in country music history.
2021 - Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga take the stage for the second of two sold-out performances at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. For Bennett, the 95-year-old legend diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016, these shows mark the end of his illustrious performing career. Just a week after the concerts, Bennett announces his retirement from the stage, closing a remarkable chapter in the world of music.
2022 - In Orlando, Bad Bunny kicks off his inaugural stadium tour, aptly named the World's Hottest Tour. True to its moniker, the tour proves to be a massive success, emerging as the top-grossing tour of 2022. It captures the excitement of audiences eager to return to live music events in the wake of the pandemic.
