Today's Birthdays:
Kelly Clarkson, 42.
Kelly Brianne (born Kelly Brianne Clarkson) is an American singer, songwriter, television personality, and author. She rose to fame after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA Records. Her debut single, "A Moment Like This", topped the US Billboard Hot 100, and became the country's best-selling single of 2002. It was included on her debut studio album, Thankful (2003), which entered the Billboard 200 at number one, and also yielded the top-10 single "Miss Independent". Trying to reinvent her image, Clarkson parted ways with Idol management and shifted to pop rock for her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). Supported by four US top-ten singles – the title track, "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes", and "Because of You" – Breakaway sold over 12 million copies worldwide and won two Grammy Awards.
Clarkson took further creative control for her third studio album, My December (2007), co-writing all of its tracks and becoming its executive producer. However, her label was dissatisfied with the album's darker rock music and promoted it reluctantly.
Clarkson's fourth and fifth studio albums, All I Ever Wanted (2009) and Stronger (2011), returned to a lighter tone and pop rock sound, with the former becoming her second US number-one album and the latter making her the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album twice.
Clarkson also served as a coach on The Voice from its fourteenth season to the twenty-first season, and again for the twenty-third season. Since 2019, she has hosted her own talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show. She has 11 top-ten singles in the US, and nine top-ten singles in the UK, Canada, and Australia. She became the first artist in history to top each of Billboard's pop, adult contemporary, adult pop, country, and dance charts. Billboard has hailed Clarkson as "one of pop music's greatest singers", and honored her with the Powerhouse Award, while VH1 ranked her nineteenth on their list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.
Barbra Streisand, 82.
American singer, actress, songwriter, film and television producer, and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment and is among the few performers awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT).
Streisand's career began in the early 1960s when she started performing in nightclubs and Broadway theaters. Following guest appearances on various television shows, she signed to Columbia Records—insisting that she retain full artistic control and accepting lower pay in exchange, an arrangement that continued throughout her career—and released her debut, The Barbra Streisand Album (1963), which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Throughout her recording career, Streisand has topped the US Billboard 200 chart with 11 albums—a record for a woman until 2023 - including People (1964), The Way We Were (1974), Guilty (1980), and The Broadway Album (1985). She also achieved five number-one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100—"The Way We Were", "Evergreen", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)", and "Woman in Love".
Following her established recording success in the 1960s, Streisand ventured into film by the end of that decade. She starred in the critically acclaimed Funny Girl (1968), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Additional fame followed with films, including the extravagant musical Hello, Dolly! (1969), the screwball comedy What's Up, Doc? (1972), and the romantic drama The Way We Were (1973). Streisand won a second Academy Award for writing the love theme from A Star Is Born (1976), the first woman to be honored as a composer. With the release of Yentl (1983), Streisand became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major studio film. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Score and a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical. Streisand also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Director, becoming the first (and for 37 years, the only) woman to win that award. Streisand later produced and directed The Prince of Tides (1991) and The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996).
With sales exceeding 150 million records worldwide, Streisand is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she is the second-highest certified female artist in the United States, with 68.5 million certified album units.
On this day today:
1961 - Del Shannon's "Runaway" hits #1 in America.
1961 - Bob Dylan's professional recording debut as a harmonica player on Harry Belafonte's recording of "Midnight Special" marks a significant milestone in his career. Despite the modest payment of $50 for the session, this moment serves as a stepping stone for Dylan, setting the stage for his future as one of the most influential figures in music history.
1968 - Louis Armstrong's rendition of "What a Wonderful World" soared to the top of the UK charts in 1968, becoming the best-selling single of the year. However, its reception in the United States was markedly different, initially failing to gain traction and stalling at a lowly #116 on the charts. Yet, fate had other plans for this timeless tune. In 1988, its inclusion in the soundtrack of "Good Morning, Vietnam" breathed new life into the song, propelling it back into the spotlight and capturing the hearts of American audiences.
1968 - The decision by Apple Records, founded by The Beatles, to pass on signing the relatively unknown David Bowie is a curious twist of fate in music history. Despite Bowie's immense talent and potential, he receives a standard rejection letter from the label, stating that they don't feel he's the right fit for them at the moment.
1975 - The tragic death of Pete Ham, lead singer and primary songwriter of Badfinger, sends shockwaves through the music world. Ham's suicide at the young age of 27 in his London home shines a spotlight on the dark side of the music industry, particularly the challenges faced by artists dealing with financial struggles and business disputes.
1976 - The tantalizing prospect of a Beatles reunion sends ripples of excitement throughout the music world, with rumors swirling and fans eagerly anticipating the possibility of seeing the iconic band back together. Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels seizes upon this buzz, making a bold and humorous offer to the Beatles to reunite on the show for a modest sum of $3,000, which is union scale.
The offer, made on live television, captures the attention of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, who find themselves watching the broadcast together in Lennon's New York City apartment. Tempted by the idea of a spontaneous reunion and the potential for a lighthearted surprise appearance on SNL, McCartney and Lennon consider the offer. However, after a moment's contemplation, they ultimately decide to pass up the opportunity.
1979 - Ray Charles sings "Georgia On My Mind" at a ceremony where it is named the official state song of Georgia.
1989 - Despite facing initial rejection from his label, Tom Petty's album "Full Moon Fever" eventually sees the light of day, marking his debut as a solo artist. This album, which showcases Petty's distinctive sound and songwriting prowess, becomes a significant milestone in his career.
1996 - The announcement by Stone Temple Pilots regarding lead singer Scott Weiland's struggle with drug dependency and subsequent cancellation of shows marks a difficult and tumultuous period for the band. Weiland's personal challenges not only affect their professional commitments but also strain his relationship with his bandmates.
2003 - The debut of the official UK download chart marked a significant milestone in the music industry, signaling the growing influence of digital technology on music consumption. The collaboration of the big five record companies for Digital Download Day reflects a shift in the industry toward embracing digital platforms as a legitimate distribution channel.
With over 150,000 computer users downloading 1.1 million tracks, the launch of the download chart demonstrates the immense popularity and demand for digital music among consumers. The Net Parade's inaugural top three highlights a diverse range of artists and genres, with Tatu's "All The Things She Said" at No.3, Coldplay's "Clocks" at No.2, and Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" claiming the top spot.
2006 - Billy Joel's achievement of earning a banner at Madison Square Garden is a remarkable testament to his enduring popularity and influence in the world of music. By selling out the iconic venue for the 12th time on his tour, he cements his status as a legendary performer and cultural icon.
2008 - The reunion of Jane's Addiction to perform at the NME Awards is a thrilling moment for fans of the iconic band.
2009 - The impact of Robin Thicke's performance of "Lost Without U" on "Oprah Fridays Live" is undeniable, sparking an overwhelming response from viewers who were moved by his soulful rendition. The outpouring of complaints from those who missed the initial performance highlights the song's resonance with audiences and the demand for Thicke's talent.
2012 - The Beach Boys' 50th-anniversary tour marks a historic moment for fans of the iconic band, as it brings together founding members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine, along with longtime members Bruce Johnston and David Marks.
2017 - Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" achieving a record-breaking 14-week run at the top of Australia's singles chart (ARIA) is a remarkable feat in the realm of music. Surpassing the previous record held by Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" from 1995, Sheeran's infectious hit solidifies its status as a cultural phenomenon.
2021 - Taylor Swift's re-release of "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" hitting No.1 on the US album chart is a significant moment in her ongoing battle for artistic control and ownership of her music.
2022 - Metallica's eleventh studio album, "72 Seasons," making a significant impact on the charts is a testament to the enduring popularity and influence of the band. The album's debut at No.1 on the UK chart, alongside topping charts in 20 different countries, underscores Metallica's global appeal and loyal fanbase.
