On this day today:
1946 - Linda Ronstadt, born in Tucson, Arizona. She rose to prominence as the lead singer of The Stone Poneys, a folk trio known for their hit song "Different Drum" in the mid-1960s. Her distinct vocal style and charismatic stage presence quickly established her as a rising star in the folk rock scene. After pursuing a solo career in the late 1960s, Ronstadt achieved widespread success with a diverse range of musical genres, including rock, country, and Latin music. Her breakthrough album, "Heart Like a Wheel" (1974), marked her transition into mainstream popularity, featuring hits like "You're No Good" and "When Will I Be Loved."
1950 - Nat "King" Cole's "Mona Lisa" Soars to #1 in America.
1952 - David Pack, the frontman for the rock band Ambrosia, was born in Huntington Park, California. Known for his smooth vocals and impressive guitar work, Pack played a significant role in Ambrosia's success during the 1970s and 1980s. The band is celebrated for its blend of progressive rock and soft rock, producing hits like "How Much I Feel" and "Biggest Part of Me."
1953 - Alicia Bridges, known for her disco hit "I Love The Nightlife (Disco 'Round)," was born in Lawndale, North Carolina. The song, released in 1978, became an international hit and a quintessential anthem of the disco era.
1956 - Ian Curtis was born in Macclesfield, England. In 1976, he joined Joy Division, a band that would become one of the most influential and critically acclaimed acts in the UK alternative music scene. Curtis's haunting lyrics and distinctive voice defined the band's sound, creating a lasting legacy in the post-punk genre.
1972 - Elton John secured his first #1 album in America with "Honky Château." The album soared to the top of the charts, propelled by the success of the hit single "Rocket Man."
1978 - The Rolling Stones' album Some Girls reached #1 on the American charts. This album, known for its energetic mix of rock, punk, and disco influences, includes hits like "Miss You" and "Beast of Burden."
1978 - Bob Dylan's historic performance at "The Picnic at Blackbushe" remains a landmark event in music history. Organized as a large-scale open-air concert at Blackbushe Airport in Hampshire, England, it attracted a record-breaking audience of over 200,000 attendees, making it the largest audience for a solo artist at that time.
1983 - Staying Alive, the sequel to Saturday Night Fever, debuted in theaters, starring John Travolta. The Bee Gees returned for the soundtrack, introducing five new songs, including "The Woman In You." Despite mixed reviews, Travolta's reprisal of his iconic role and the new music by the Bee Gees garnered significant attention.
1986 - Run-DMC's album "Raising Hell," released in 1986, marked a significant milestone in the history of rap music by becoming the first rap album to achieve Platinum certification. This certification was awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying that the album had sold over one million copies in the United States alone.
1989 - In July 1989, Pink Floyd performed a historic free concert in Venice, Italy, attracting an estimated 200,000 people. The concert took place at the city's iconic St. Mark's Square, where the band played on a floating stage. This event, featuring Pink Floyd's elaborate production and visual effects, remains one of the largest concerts in Venice's history and is remembered for its grandeur and cultural impact.
1997 - Sarah McLachlan released her fourth studio album, "Surfacing," in 1997, just ten days after launching the Lilith Fair, a touring music festival celebrating female musicians. McLachlan, along with artists like Sheryl Crow and Jewel, was a featured performer at the festival. Despite a slow start, "Surfacing" gained momentum with the success of its hit single "Adia," coinciding with the second edition of Lilith Fair. The album went on to sell over 8 million copies in the United States and another million in Canada, solidifying McLachlan's status as a prominent singer-songwriter in the 1990s music scene.
2009 - Since Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, American consumers have purchased more than 2.3 million of his albums, according to Billboard.
2010 - Robbie Williams officially returned to Take That, reconciling with Gary Barlow and rejoining the band, marking the end of a longstanding feud between them.
2012 - The release of "Gangnam Style" by South Korean artist Psy marked a cultural phenomenon that transcended borders and languages. The song's catchy beat, humorous lyrics, and quirky dance moves captured the world's attention, and its accompanying music video became an overnight sensation on YouTube.
2018 - "November Rain" by Guns N' Roses became the first video from the 1990s to surpass one billion views on YouTube.
2023 - Taylor Swift's re-recording project gained momentum with "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)," the third album she re-recorded following a contentious dispute over the ownership of her back catalogue. Originally released in 2010, "Speak Now" was Swift's third studio album and became a significant success in its own right. However, Swift's decision to re-record her earlier works stemmed from her desire to regain control over her music catalog. Swift's loyal fan base supported her initiative, propelling "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)" to the top of the UK chart and reaffirming her status as a prominent figure in the music industry.
