On this day today:
1909 - Leo Fender, the visionary inventor and founder of Fender Musical Instruments, was born in Anaheim, California. His innovative designs, including the iconic Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars, revolutionized the music industry and became staples for countless musicians across various genres.
1947 - Ian Anderson, the influential frontman of the progressive rock band Jethro Tull, was born in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. Known for his distinctive flute playing and dynamic stage presence, Anderson's work with Jethro Tull has left a significant mark on rock music, particularly with albums like Aqualung and Thick as a Brick.
1963 - Stevie Wonder's "Fingertips (Part 2)" made history as the first live recording to reach #1 on the US charts. This energetic track, recorded during a live performance, showcased Wonder's incredible talent as a young musician and became a groundbreaking hit. The song held the top spot for three weeks, cementing Stevie Wonder's place in music history and marking the beginning of his legendary career.
1964 - Neneh Cherry, the trailblazing rapper, singer, and songwriter, was born in Stockholm, Sweden. Known for blending genres like hip-hop, pop, and dance, she rose to international fame with hits like "Buffalo Stance" and "Manchild."
1968 - Cream's double album Wheels of Fire reached the #1 spot on the US charts. Released in 1968, this iconic album was split into two parts: one studio-recorded and the other a live recording. Wheels of Fire features some of the band's most celebrated tracks, including "White Room" and "Crossroads."
1968 - Tom Jones topped the UK album chart with Delilah. Released in 1968, the album features the hit single "Delilah," which became one of his signature songs.
1972 - Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested backstage in Gothenburg, Sweden, after authorities discovered six ounces of marijuana in their possession. The cannabis had been sent to them by someone in McCartney's office, who mistakenly assumed they would appreciate having some while on tour. After the arrest, the couple were released upon paying a fine of $1,200.
1976 - Elton John kicked off a historic 10-night series of concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City, setting a record for the venue. This remarkable run of performances solidified his status as one of the most iconic and enduring live performers in music history.
1985 - Bryan Adams achieved his first US No.1 album with Reckless. Released in 1984, the album features hits like "Summer of '69" and "Run to You," which contributed to its commercial success and established Adams as a major rock artist.
1985 - During a yacht race in 1985, Duran Duran's lead singer, Simon Le Bon, and five other crew members found themselves in a perilous situation when their boat, Drum, capsized off the coast of England. The incident occurred during the Fastnet Race, a notoriously challenging event. Le Bon and his crew were trapped in an air pocket beneath the overturned vessel. Fortunately, the British coast guard launched a swift rescue operation, and all six were saved after being trapped for about 40 minutes. Remarkably, after repairs were made to the boat's keel, Drum went on to compete in the 1985/86 Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, finishing in an impressive third place.
1996 - Oasis made history on August 10-11, 1996, when they played two monumental shows at Knebworth Park, England. The demand for tickets was unprecedented, with over 2.6 million people—about one in every 20 in the UK—applying for just 250,000 available tickets. The band performed to a staggering 125,000 fans each night, making these concerts the largest and most iconic gigs of the Britpop era.
2008 - Katy Perry's debut single, "I Kissed a Girl," topped the UK singles chart and became a global sensation, reaching #1 in over 20 countries. Its provocative lyrics and catchy pop-rock sound helped establish Perry as a major force in the music industry, setting the stage for a string of successful hits and a prominent career.
2020 - Split Enz achieved a remarkable feat when their 40th-anniversary reissue of True Colours climbed to the top of the charts in their home country of New Zealand. This success was particularly notable as it dethroned Taylor Swift's Folklore from the #1 spot—a significant achievement considering Swift's album was released nearly four decades after True Colours.
2021 - Billie Eilish's second studio album, Happier Than Ever, soared to the top of the UK chart.
