On this day today:
1963 - Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey. She would go on to become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, known for her powerful voice and hits like "I Will Always Love You" and "Greatest Love of All."
1974 - Four members of the jazz-rock band Chase, including their leader and trumpet player Bill Chase, tragically died in a plane crash on August 9, 1974, near Jackson, Minnesota. The band was traveling to a scheduled performance when the plane encountered severe weather and crashed. Chase was best known for their hit single "Get It On" from 1971, which showcased their unique blend of jazz, rock, and brass.
1975 - "Jive Talkin'," released by the Bee Gees in 1975, becomes their first disco single to reach #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song, which features a distinctive rhythm and groove, marks a pivotal moment for the Bee Gees as they embrace the disco sound that would define much of their subsequent music. "Jive Talkin'" stays at the top of the chart for two weeks, signaling the start of the Bee Gees' dominance in the disco era.
1980 - AC/DC achieved their first UK No.1 album with Back in Black, marking a significant milestone for the Australian rock band. The album, released in 1980, became one of the best-selling albums of all time and solidified AC/DC's place in rock history.
1980 - ABBA achieved their eighth UK No.1 single with "The Winner Takes It All," which was released in 1980 as part of their Super Trouper album. At this point, both couples within the group had gone through divorces, adding a layer of poignancy to the song's lyrics about the end of a relationship.
1986 - At the Knebworth Park Festival in England, Queen delivered what would be their final performance with Freddie Mercury. This iconic show, attended by over 120,000 fans, was a memorable finale to the band's extensive touring career with Mercury. The performance was marked by the band's usual high energy and memorable hits, but it also became a poignant moment as Freddie Mercury would pass away from AIDS-related complications just five years later, on November 24, 1991.
1986 - In a show of dedication, 250 Gary Numan fans picketed BBC Radio 1 in London, urging the station to give more airtime to their beloved artist.
1995 - For the first time since 1980, the original lineup of Kiss reunited when Peter Criss and Ace Frehley joined Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons for their MTV Unplugged special. This historic performance, which marked a significant moment for fans and the band alike, was recorded in 1995 and later released as the album Kiss Unplugged.
1997 - In May 1997, The Verve performed their first show in two years in Sheffield, England, marking a significant comeback after their breakup. The band had split in 1995, but their return set the stage for the release of Urban Hymns the following month. The album, which included the iconic single "Bitter Sweet Symphony," became one of the most successful in UK history, solidifying The Verve's legacy in the Britpop era and beyond. Their reunion and subsequent success with Urban Hymns were pivotal moments in the band's career.
2005 - Nickelback released "Photograph" as the lead single from their album All The Right Reasons. The song, inspired by a snapshot taken during a drunken night, reflects lead singer Chad Kroeger's nostalgic memories of growing up in the small town of Hanna, Alberta. With its relatable lyrics about revisiting the past and the power of memories, "Photograph" resonated with a wide audience, becoming one of Nickelback's most popular tracks. The song's success helped propel All The Right Reasons to become one of the band's best-selling albums.
2015 - Little Mix hit #1 on the UK Singles Chart with "Black Magic," the lead single from their third studio album, Get Weird.
2021 - Jason Isbell made headlines as the first major artist to mandate proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result for entry to his concerts. This decision came in response to the ongoing pandemic and the rise in cases at the time. Isbell, known for his thoughtful and socially conscious lyrics, defended the move by emphasizing the importance of public health and safety. He stated, "I'm all for freedom, but I think if you're dead, you don't have any freedoms at all."
