On this day today:
1942 - Soul superstar Isaac Hayes is born in Covington, Tennessee. Known for his deep, soulful voice and groundbreaking work, he becomes a pivotal figure in the music industry, particularly celebrated for his contributions to soul and funk, including his influential 1971 album "Hot Buttered Soul."
1948 - Robert Plant is born in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England. Renowned as the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, he later garners widespread acclaim and wins the Album of the Year Grammy in 2009 for "Raising Sand," his acclaimed 2007 collaboration with Alison Krauss.
1949 - Phil Lynott, the iconic frontman and bassist of Thin Lizzy, was born in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England. Lynott would go on to become a central figure in the world of rock music, known for his charismatic stage presence and distinctive voice. Under his leadership, Thin Lizzy achieved international success with hits like "The Boys Are Back in Town" and "Jailbreak."
1970 - Fred Durst, the frontman of the influential nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. Durst would go on to become a defining figure in the late 1990s and early 2000s rock scene, known for his energetic performances and controversial persona. With hits like "Nookie," "Break Stuff," and "Rollin'," Limp Bizkit became one of the most prominent bands of the nu-metal movement, blending elements of rock, rap, and metal.
1970 - Creedence Clearwater Revival's album Cosmo's Factory reached the #1 spot on the charts. Released in 1970, the album features some of the band's most iconic tracks, including "Lookin' Out My Back Door," "Run Through the Jungle," and "Up Around the Bend." Cosmo's Factory showcased the band's signature swamp rock sound and solidified their place as one of the most successful and influential rock bands of the era.
1973 - The Rolling Stones released their hit single "Angie" in August 1973. The song, a ballad featuring a haunting melody and poignant lyrics, became one of the band's most successful tracks, reaching #1 on the charts in several countries, including the United States. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Angie" is often noted for its acoustic guitar work and the emotional depth of Jagger's vocals.
1977 - The Emotions score a #1 hit on the US chart with their disco anthem "Best Of My Love," which enjoys a five-week run at the top. This success follows the Eagles' earlier chart-topping single with the same title, which hit #1 two years prior.
1983 - Taco's rendition of Irving Berlin's classic "Puttin' On the Ritz" climbs to #9 on the Hot 100 chart, marking a historic moment as Berlin, at 95 years old, becomes the oldest songwriter to achieve a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
1990 - Prince released his album Graffiti Bridge on August 20, 1990. The album served as the soundtrack to the film of the same name, which Prince also wrote and directed. Graffiti Bridge features a mix of funk, rock, and R&B, showcasing Prince's eclectic musical style. The album includes notable tracks like "Thieves In The Temple," a song that blends electronic beats with spiritual lyrics, and "New Power Generation," which became an anthem for Prince's evolving band, The New Power Generation.
1991 - The Spin Doctors released their debut album Pocket Full of Kryptonite on August 20, 1991. Initially, the album received modest attention, but it gained momentum throughout 1992, propelled by the success of hit singles like "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" and "Two Princes."
1992 - Demi Lovato was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She rose to fame as a child actor on the Disney Channel, starring in the movie Camp Rock and its sequel, as well as the series Sonny with a Chance. Lovato transitioned into a successful music career, known for hits like "Skyscraper," "Heart Attack," and "Sorry Not Sorry."
1992 - Amid the heated controversy surrounding his track "Cop Killer," Ice-T escalates the situation by posing in a police uniform for the cover of Rolling Stone. This bold move intensifies the public debate, highlighting the tension between the artist's provocative content and the law enforcement community.
1995 - After a highly publicized rivalry that captured the attention of the British media, Blur's "Country House" edges out Oasis' "Roll With It" to claim the #1 spot on the UK singles chart. This battle, often dubbed "The Battle of Britpop," marks a significant moment in the 1990s music scene, with Blur emerging victorious in this chart showdown.
2014 - Sir Paul McCartney topped the list of the world's wealthiest bassists, boasting an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, according to www.therichest.com. In second place were Sting and Gene Simmons, each with a net worth of $300 million. They were followed by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, Adam Clayton of U2, and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, all notable figures in the music industry.
2018 - The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certifies Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 by the Eagles at 38 million units, making it the best-selling album of all time in the United States. This milestone surpasses Michael Jackson's Thriller by 5 million units, which had held the top spot for many years.
