On this day today:
1946 - Barry Gibb, the future lead vocalist and primary songwriter of The Bee Gees, is born in Douglas, Isle of Man. He later moves with his family to Manchester, England, where he is raised. Barry, along with his brothers Robin and Maurice, will go on to form one of the most successful pop groups in history, known for their tight harmonies and signature falsetto sound.
1957 - Gloria Estefan is born as Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García de Estefan in Havana, Cuba. She later moves to Miami, Florida, where she grows up and eventually becomes one of the most iconic figures in Latin music. Leading the Miami Sound Machine, she blends Latin rhythms with pop, earning international acclaim and paving the way for future Latin artists in the global music scene.
1977 - Rush releases their fifth album, A Farewell to Kings, marking a pivotal moment in the band's career. The album features the epic tracks "Xanadu" and "Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage," which captivate the band's dedicated fanbase with their intricate compositions and adventurous themes. Meanwhile, the more accessible "Closer to the Heart" gains traction with a broader audience, earning significant radio play in both the US and the UK.
1981 - Hall & Oates release their album Private Eyes, featuring two chart-topping hits: the upbeat title track "Private Eyes" and the smooth, groovy "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)." These songs further solidify the duo's reputation for crafting infectious pop and R&B tunes, marking a high point in their illustrious career.
1983 - Encouraged by his wife, Kathleen Brennan, Tom Waits takes a bold step in his musical journey by releasing Swordfishtrombones, the first album he produces himself. This 1983 release marks a significant departure from his earlier, more traditional sound, embracing a raw, experimental style that blends surreal storytelling with unconventional instrumentation.
1984 - Tina Turner triumphantly completes her comeback as her hit single "What's Love Got To Do With It" reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in America. The song, a soulful reflection on love and independence, marks a significant milestone in Turner's career, revitalizing her status as a music icon after years of personal and professional struggles. The success of "What's Love Got To Do With It" not only secures her place in pop music history but also paves the way for her enduring legacy as the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll."
2002 - Coldplay achieved their second UK No.1 album with A Rush Of Blood To The Head. The album's success was highlighted by winning the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album, marking their second consecutive win in that category. Additionally, Coldplay secured the 2004 Grammy for Record of the Year with their hit single "Clocks" from the same album.
2010 - Apple launches Ping, a social media network integrated into its iTunes software, aimed at connecting music lovers and artists. Despite the company's success with other products, Ping fails to gain traction with users and industry partners, leading to its shutdown just two years later. The venture is remembered as one of Apple's few missteps in an otherwise stellar track record.
2011 - While preparing to board a Southwest flight from Oakland to Burbank, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong found himself in a heated exchange with a flight attendant. The incident began when the flight attendant asked Armstrong to pull up his sagging pants. Rather than comply, the rockstar responded with some choice words, which led to him being removed from the flight. The incident quickly made headlines, sparking a debate about dress codes and celebrity behavior. Armstrong later took to social media to express his frustration, but the airline stood by its decision, citing their policies on passenger conduct.
2022 - Metallica's classic track "Enter Sandman" has topped a list of songs notorious for misheard lyrics, with a survey revealing that many listeners have misunderstood its lyrics. According to the survey of 1,000 Americans conducted by WordFinder, a significant 65% of people admitted that they preferred the incorrect version of a favorite song once they discovered their mistake. For "Enter Sandman," 70% of listeners misheard the line "Exit light, enter night" as "Eggs and light end all nights." The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" also featured prominently on the list, with 52% of respondents believing the lyrics were "I get high, I get high, I get high" rather than the actual "I can't hide, I can't hide, I can't hide." Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" followed closely, with many hearing "With the lights out, it’s Las Vegas / Hear me all now, entertainers" instead of the correct "With the lights out, it’s less dangerous / Here we are now, entertain us."
