On this day today:
1951 - Pete Way, the bassist and founding member of the influential rock band UFO, is born in Enfield, North London.
1958 - Bruce Dickinson, who becomes Iron Maiden's lead singer in 1981, is born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England. His powerful and dynamic vocals propel the band into a new era, establishing them as one of the most popular heavy metal bands in the UK.
1971 - The Bee Gees' "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?" reaches #1 in America, where it stays for the first of four weeks. This song becomes the group's first chart-topping hit in the US, marking a significant milestone in their career.
1973 - The film adaptation of "Jesus Christ Superstar" is released, bringing the 1971 Broadway rock opera to the big screen. The film portrays Jesus as a tenor, with Ted Neeley taking on the role and delivering powerful vocal performances that resonate with the musical's rock-infused style. Directed by Norman Jewison, the movie captures the essence of the stage production while adding a cinematic flair that helps convey the emotional and dramatic depth of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic work.
1976 - Elton John and Kiki Dee's duet "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" reaches #1 in America, where it stays for the first of four weeks. This song marks Elton John's sixth US chart-topper and Kiki Dee's first, solidifying its place as a classic pop hit of the '70s.
1981 - The animated sci-fi film Heavy Metal is released, featuring a series of fantastical and interrelated stories. The film is known for its unique animation style, adult themes, and a memorable soundtrack that includes music from artists like Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, and Cheap Trick.
1982 - Fleetwood Mac began a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with their album Mirage. This marked their third No.1 album in the US.
1987 - During a tumultuous Fleetwood Mac band meeting, Lindsey Buckingham angrily parts ways with his bandmates and exits the group. This departure occurs just as the band is about to tour in support of their latest album, Tango In The Night. Buckingham's exit forces Fleetwood Mac to continue the tour without him, and he doesn't rejoin the band until 1997.
1993 - Cypress Hill's second album, Black Sunday, debuts at #1 on the charts, propelled by the hit single "Insane In The Brain." This achievement marks them as one of only two rap acts to top the charts in 1993, alongside Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle.
1998 - The music video for Britney Spears' iconic single "...Baby One More Time" was filmed at Venice High School, a location also featured in the 1978 film Grease. The song achieved remarkable success, topping the charts in 23 countries and becoming the best-selling single of 1999. It remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 10 million copies sold worldwide.
2001 - Usher releases his third studio album, 8701, which is named after its release date. The album features two chart-topping singles: "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad," both of which reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
2008 - The Police conclude their reunion tour with a final show at New York's Madison Square Garden. This tour, their first since disbanding in 1986, spans 151 performances and becomes the third highest-grossing tour of all time. The tour is notable for its extensive global reach and the rekindling of the band's dynamic live performances, drawing fans from across the world to see Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland together on stage again.
2014 - Ed Sheeran's second studio album, X, soared to No.1 on the UK album chart, cementing his place as a major musical force. The album, which features hits like "Sing" and "Thinking Out Loud," was certified 10x platinum in the UK, reflecting sales of over 3 million copies. With its massive success, X became the third best-selling album of the 2010s in the UK and one of the top-selling albums in the country's history.
