On this day today:
1950 - Ann Wilson, the powerful lead vocalist who co-founded the rock band Heart with her sister Nancy, is born in San Diego, California. The Wilson sisters would go on to achieve significant success, becoming icons in the rock music scene with hits like "Barracuda," "Crazy on You," and "Magic Man."
1962 - Paula Abdul, born in Los Angeles, California, would go on to become a multi-talented artist known for her work as a singer, dancer, choreographer, and television personality. With a string of hits in the late '80s and early '90s, including "Straight Up" and "Opposites Attract," Abdul solidified her place in pop music history.
1969 - Louise Gabrielle Bobb, known professionally as Gabrielle, is born in Hackney, East London. Rising to fame in the 1990s, Gabrielle achieved significant success with her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. She scored UK #1 hits with "Dreams" in 1993 and "Rise" in 2000, the latter of which sampled Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."
1971 - Carole King's seminal album Tapestry reaches the pinnacle of the US charts, securing the #1 spot. It holds this position for an impressive 15 weeks, showcasing the enduring appeal of its heartfelt songwriting and timeless melodies. The album, featuring classics like "You've Got a Friend" and "It's Too Late," solidifies King's reputation as one of the era's most influential singer-songwriters.
1973 - The Rocky Horror Show musical debuts at London's Royal Court Theatre.
1980 - Donna Summer makes history as the first artist to sign with the newly established Geffen Records. Known as the "Queen of Disco," Summer's move to Geffen marks a significant shift in her career, transitioning from her disco roots to exploring new musical territories.
1987 - Mötley Crüe kicks off their Girls, Girls, Girls tour with an electrifying performance in Tucson, Arizona.
1987 - Guns N' Roses made an electrifying UK live debut at the renowned Marquee Club in London, playing to a sold-out audience.
1990 - Prince kicked off his iconic Nude European tour with the first of 12 sold-out nights at Wembley Arena in London, England.
2006 - Taylor Swift released her debut single, "Tim McGraw," as the lead single from her self-titled debut album. This song, inspired by Swift's high school romance, marked her introduction to the music industry.
2010 - Katy Perry's "California Gurls" reaches #1 on the Hot 100, marking the first of five chart-topping singles from her Teenage Dream album. This achievement matches a record set by Michael Jackson's Bad, making Perry the only other artist to have five number-one hits from a single album. The song, featuring Snoop Dogg, captures the quintessential summer vibe and cements Perry's status as a pop powerhouse.
2018 - The day after his tragic murder, XXXTentacion shatters Taylor Swift's record for the most Spotify streams in a single day. His music is streamed 10.4 million times, reflecting a surge of interest and mourning from fans around the world.
