On this day today:
1968 - MC Eric, also known as Me One, is born Eric Martin in Cardiff, Wales, UK. He gains fame as a member of the Belgian dance music project Technotronic, known for their iconic hit "Pump Up the Jam." As a rapper and producer, MC Eric contributes to the group's success during the late 1980s and early 1990s, making a significant impact on the dance and hip-hop music scenes.
1969 - Jimi Hendrix delivered a legendary performance at the Woodstock Festival, closing out the iconic event with an early morning set. Though most of the massive crowd had already dispersed, the few who remained witnessed one of the most memorable moments in rock history.
1973 - Diana Ross' "Touch Me In The Morning" reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it holds the top spot for one week. Released in 1973, the song showcases Ross' smooth vocals and marked a successful transition from her work with The Supremes to her solo career. Written by Michael Masser and Ron Miller, the track became one of Ross' signature hits, further solidifying her status as a leading figure in pop and soul music.
1977 - Elvis Presley's funeral takes place at Graceland, his iconic home in Memphis, Tennessee.. The private ceremony is attended by 150 invited guests, including family, close friends, and fellow musicians. Outside Graceland, an estimated 75,000 fans gather to pay their respects to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, many of whom had traveled from across the country to honor the legendary performer.
1979 - Chic's "Good Times" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, holding the top spot for one week. The track, characterized by its infectious bassline and rhythmic groove, became a defining anthem of the disco era, capturing the essence of the genre at its peak.
1983 - Mika, born Michael Holbrook Penniman Jr. in Beirut, Lebanon, is a singer-songwriter who was raised in Paris and London. Known for his distinctive falsetto voice and eclectic musical style, Mika gained prominence with his debut album Life in Cartoon Motion in 2007, which featured the hit single "Grace Kelly."
1986 - Bon Jovi release their third studio album, Slippery When Wet, on August 18, 1986. This album marks a turning point in the band's career, catapulting them to global stardom. Slippery When Wet features some of their biggest hits, including "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "Livin' On A Prayer," both of which become iconic anthems of the 1980s rock scene.
1998 - Korn release their third studio album, Follow the Leader, on August 18, 1998. This album becomes their most successful, solidifying their place in the nu-metal genre. Follow the Leader features some of Korn's biggest hits, including "Freak on a Leash" and "Got the Life," both of which receive heavy rotation on MTV and contribute to the band's mainstream breakthrough.
1998 - After being dropped by Jive Records and releasing two independent albums with little success, Kid Rock took a chance with his third effort, Devil Without a Cause, through Lava Records. This album marked a major turning point in his career. Blending rap, rock, and a bit of country, the album struck a chord with a wide audience, eventually selling over 11 million copies. Featuring hits like "Bawitdaba" and "Cowboy," Devil Without a Cause catapulted Kid Rock from relative obscurity to becoming a massive star in the late '90s music scene.
1999 - Alanis Morissette and Tori Amos kick off their 5 1/2 Weeks Tour in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This co-headlining tour brings together two of the most influential female singer-songwriters of the '90s. Sponsored by MP3.com, a then-revolutionary platform that allowed users to download songs for free, the tour highlights the growing impact of digital music on the industry.
2017 - Taylor Swift shocked fans by wiping all content from her social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. This unexpected move sparked widespread speculation and curiosity among her followers. Three days later, she began posting cryptic videos of a slithering snake, intensifying the buzz around her next move. The snake imagery was a bold reference to the public feuds and media scrutiny she had faced, particularly her disputes with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. On August 25, Swift released the highly anticipated single "Look What You Made Me Do." The song, with its dark and vengeful tone, marked a dramatic shift in her musical style and public persona, signaling the start of her Reputation era.
