On this day today:
1910 - Chicago blues singer Howlin' Wolf is born Chester Arthur Burnett in White Station, Mississippi.
1922 - Judy Garland, originally named Frances Ethel Gumm, is born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Shortly after, her family relocates to California, where she rises to fame as a child star. At the age of 17, Garland captivates audiences with her portrayal of Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," solidifying her status as an iconic Hollywood figure.
1931 - João Gilberto, the legendary Brazilian guitarist, singer, and composer, was born in Brazil. Known as one of the pioneers of bossa nova, his innovative style and smooth vocal delivery revolutionized Brazilian music in the late 1950s. With a career spanning several decades, Gilberto's influence extends beyond Brazil, leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene. His unique blend of samba and jazz continues to inspire musicians and captivate audiences worldwide.
1961 - Maxi Priest, born Max Elliott in Lewisham, London, England, achieved international fame when his song "Close To You" reached #1 in America in 1990.
1961 - Identical twins Kim and Kelley Deal are born in Dayton, Ohio. Together, they form the band The Breeders, while Kim also gains recognition as the bass player for the Pixies.
1965 - Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago is born in Manila, Philippines.
1971 - During a Jethro Tull concert in Denver, police resorted to firing tear gas into the unruly audience. Despite the chaos and difficulty seeing their instruments, the band kept playing.
1975 - The Eagles release their fourth album, "One Of These Nights," featuring the hit "Take It to the Limit," one of the few songs where Randy Meisner takes the lead vocal.
1978 - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's Grease duet "You're The One That I Want" hits #1 in the US.
1991 - James Brown makes a triumphant return to the spotlight in his first public appearance since his release from prison in February. He stars in the pay-per-view concert special "James Brown: Living in America," where viewers can witness his electrifying performance at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, alongside other top acts like MC Hammer, Bell Biv DeVoe, C+C Music Factory, Kool Moe Dee, and En Vogue, all for $19.95.
2000 - Eminem's "The Marshall Mathers LP," featuring iconic tracks like "Stan" and "The Real Slim Shady," starts its dominance with an eight-week reign at the top of the charts in the US.
2001 - Radiohead reached the top spot on the UK album chart with 'Amnesiac'.
2003 - After a four-year hiatus, Fountains of Wayne reunite to release "Welcome Interstate Managers." The album features the hit single "Stacy's Mom."
2004 - Ray Charles dies at age 73 of liver disease.
2007 - In the concluding scene of the HBO series "The Sopranos," the ambiance of a diner is set as Tony Soprano waits anxiously. "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey fills the room, adding to the tension. Just as the song crescendos, the screen abruptly cuts to black, leaving viewers with an ambiguous ending that sparks endless debate and interpretation.
2007 - The Rolling Stones made a historic return to UK festivals after over 30 years with their appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival.
2008 - Lil Wayne releases Tha Carter III, which goes on to sell over 3 million copies.
2016 - Rick Astley makes a triumphant return with the release of "50," his first album of original songs in 15 years, in the UK. The album debuts at #1 in its first week, showcasing Astley's enduring popularity.
2016 - Rod Stewart received knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for his contributions to music and charity. Stewart expressed gratitude, stating, "I've led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public. This monumental honour has topped it off, and I couldn't ask for anything more."
2017 - Gorillaz host their inaugural Demon Dayz Festival at Dreamland amusement park in Margate, Kent, England. The lineup includes esteemed artists such as Mavis Staples, De La Soul, and Carly Simon, all of whom featured on Gorillaz's album "Humanz."
2019 - In 2018, Ed Sheeran dominated as the most-played artist in the UK, even without releasing new music. Meanwhile, "Feel It Still" by Portugal. The Man claimed the title of 2018's most-played song. Sheeran's consistent presence on the airwaves, with his entire catalogue of hits in rotation, contributed to his chart-topping success despite not having a single entry in the Top 10 most-played tracks.
2020 - During the COVID-19 pandemic, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne introduces innovative social-distancing measures on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The band performs their song 'Race For The Prize' from inside massive plastic bubbles, with each audience member also enclosed in a bubble to ensure safety and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
2022 - Justin Bieber shares on Instagram that he has Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a rare neurological condition causing partial facial paralysis. Consequently, he cancels the remaining tour dates to prioritize treatment. However, he makes a triumphant return to the stage on August 12 at a festival in Budapest.
2023 - The Lifetime network airs "Mary J. Blige's Real Love," a movie likely centered around the life and career of the iconic singer.
