On this day today:
1936 - Billie Holiday becomes the first major artist to record the classic song "Summertime." The track, composed by George Gershwin for the musical Porgy and Bess a year earlier, gains new life through Holiday's unique and emotive vocal style.
1942 - Heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, known for his work with Black Sabbath and Rainbow, is born Ronald James Padavona in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
1949 - Greg Kihn, the American rock musician and author known for hits like "Jeopardy" and "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)," is born in Baltimore, Maryland.
1954 - Neil Tennant, the lead vocalist and keyboardist for the Pet Shop Boys, is born in North Shields, Tyneside, England.
1964 - The Beatles return to their hometown of Liverpool for the premiere of their first movie, A Hard Day's Night. They receive a warm welcome as thousands of fans gather to catch a glimpse of the beloved band.
1964 - Manfred Mann release a catchy tune called "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," which quickly climbs the charts, reaching #1 in America three months later.
1965 - The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" climbs to #1 in America, where it stays for four weeks. The song becomes the biggest hit of 1965, solidifying the band's place in rock history.
1968 - Eric Clapton announces the breakup of the supergroup Cream, as the band wraps up its final tour. This marks the end of a brief but influential chapter in rock history, with Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker parting ways after revolutionizing the genre with their powerful performances and pioneering sound.
1977 - Queen release their iconic single "We Are The Champions" / "We Will Rock You" in the UK. These tracks quickly become anthems, reverberating through stadiums worldwide and cementing their place in sports culture for generations. The powerful, unifying themes of triumph and resilience in these songs make them enduring favorites at events and celebrations.
1985 - Tina Turner stars alongside Mel Gibson in the post-apocalyptic action film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome." In addition to her compelling performance, Turner contributes to the film's soundtrack with two hit songs: "One Of The Living" and "We Don't Need Another Hero."
1999 - Limp Bizkit's album Significant Other overtakes Millennium by Backstreet Boys to claim the #1 spot on the US albums chart.
2000 - Coldplay releases their debut album, Parachutes, in their native UK, featuring hit singles like "Yellow" and "Trouble." The album becomes a global sensation, although it isn't issued in America until November 7.
2008 - By simply tapping an app button on an iPhone, music fans can finally get an answer to the timeless question, "What's that song?" Shazam's free smartphone app revolutionizes music recognition by using a phone's microphone to listen to any song being played publicly – be it in a restaurant, at a friend's house, or on TV – and accurately identify it. The app analyzes the sound and matches it with a vast database, providing users with the song title and artist within seconds. Shazam's innovative technology offers a seamless solution for instant song identification, and it actually works.
2009 - Shakira releases her electro-pop album She Wolf. The singer, in a contemplative mood, describes how the disco-influenced title track came to her: "The image of the she wolf just came to my head, and when I least expected it, I was howling and panting."
2010 - Roger Waters makes a surprise appearance at a benefit concert in Oxfordshire, England, where he joins his former Pink Floyd bandmate David Gilmour for a four-song set. This marks their first time sharing the stage since Live 8 in 2005, delighting fans with their reunion.
2012 - Frank Ocean releases his highly acclaimed debut album, Channel Orange, which later wins the Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Standout tracks such as "Lost" and "Thinkin About You" solidify the album's critical and commercial success.
2012 - Slash, the iconic guitarist who left Guns N' Roses in 1996, receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony honors his influential contributions to rock music and his legacy as a legendary guitarist.
2015 - The documentary "Amy," directed by Asif Kapadia, is released. This poignant film delves into the brief yet impactful life of British singer Amy Winehouse, showcasing her extraordinary talent, personal struggles, and the relentless pressures of fame. Through a combination of archival footage and interviews, "Amy" paints an intimate portrait of the artist, capturing her musical genius and the challenges that ultimately led to her tragic death at the age of 27.
2017 - With nearly 2.9 billion views, "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth sets a new record for the most-viewed video on YouTube, surpassing the previous record holder, "Gangnam Style" by PSY. This emotional tribute to Paul Walker quickly captures the hearts of millions, resonating deeply with fans worldwide. However, in August, the viral sensation "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee surpasses "See You Again," taking the crown as the most-viewed video on the platform.
