On this day today:
1940 - Billboard magazine made a historic move by combining its sales charts for the first time, consolidating data from all major labels. This groundbreaking change marked a new era in tracking music popularity, with the inaugural #1 song on the unified chart being Tommy Dorsey's "I'll Never Smile Again," featuring the vocals of Frank Sinatra.
1945 - Kim Carnes, the acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her distinctive raspy voice, was born in Los Angeles, California. Her early years in this vibrant city set the stage for a prolific career in music, eventually leading her to international fame with hits like "Bette Davis Eyes."
1947 - Carlos Santana, the legendary guitarist and founder of the band Santana, was born in Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico. His birthplace in this small Mexican town played a significant role in shaping his musical roots, which blend rock, Latin music, and jazz.
1964 - Chris Cornell, the influential lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave, was born Christopher John Boyle in Seattle, Washington. His birthplace in this vibrant city laid the foundation for a remarkable musical career, helping to shape the grunge and rock scenes that would define his legacy.
1965 - Frank Sinatra made a memorable appearance at the renowned Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, where he left his handprints in the cement outside.
1965 - Bob Dylan released "Like A Rolling Stone," a groundbreaking track that, at 6 minutes and 13 seconds, was twice as long as the average pop song of its time. Despite its length, the song became Dylan's first major hit and remains his most popular song, revolutionizing the music industry and solidifying his place as a legendary artist.
1979 - Tubeway Army achieved their first UK No.1 album with Replicas.
1983 - Duran Duran headlined a charity concert at the Dominion Theatre in London, an event that drew notable attendees including Prince Charles and Princess Diana. During this memorable evening, the band had the chance to meet Princess Diana for the first time. Diana, who had previously expressed her admiration for Duran Duran, declared them her favorite band, adding a touch of royal excitement to the already high-profile occasion.
1984 - "The NeverEnding Story" debuted in US theaters, captivating audiences with its enchanting fantasy narrative. The film's theme song, performed by Limahl, the former lead singer of Kajagoogoo, became an iconic part of the movie's charm and remains a memorable piece of 80s pop culture.
1986 - "Sid and Nancy," the biopic about The Sex Pistols' bassist Sid Vicious, premiered with Gary Oldman delivering a riveting performance as Vicious.
1986 - Santana celebrated their 20th anniversary with a grand reunion, bringing together all 17 current and former members for a spectacular concert in San Francisco.
1990 - Roger Waters' performance of The Wall took place at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, a poignant tribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall eight months earlier. The monumental event drew a crowd of over 350,000 people and was broadcast live across the globe. The concert featured an impressive lineup of artists including Van Morrison, Bryan Adams, Joni Mitchell, The Scorpions, Cyndi Lauper, and Sinéad O'Connor, among others, making it a historic celebration of freedom and unity.
2008 - The Police kicked off the first of two memorable nights at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, as part of the final leg of their 152-date world reunion tour. This extensive tour not only captivated fans worldwide but also became the third highest-grossing tour of all time, with impressive revenues surpassing $340 million.
2017 - Chester Bennington, the 41-year-old lead vocalist of Linkin Park, was found dead in a tragic suicide by hanging. His death resonated deeply within the music community, particularly as it followed the similar suicide of his close friend Chris Cornell just two months earlier.
2017 - Justin Bieber was banned from performing in China, as announced by Beijing's Culture Bureau. The ministry stated that the decision was based on concerns about "bad behaviour" by the entertainer, deeming it inappropriate to allow him to perform in the country.
2023 - American singer Tony Bennett passed away at his home in New York City, just two weeks shy of his 97th birthday. His death came after a courageous seven-year battle with Alzheimer's disease, marking the end of a remarkable career that spanned decades and left an indelible mark on the world of music.
