On this day today:
1944 - R&B legend Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter in Galveston, Texas, was raised in South Central Los Angeles. Known for his deep, velvety voice and lush orchestral arrangements, White became a symbol of romantic soul music in the 1970s with hits like "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" and "You're the First, the Last, My Everything."
1957 - Hans Zimmer born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is a world-renowned film composer known for his groundbreaking and award-winning scores. Zimmer’s work spans a vast array of genres, with standout scores for films such as The Lion King (1994), which earned him an Academy Award, Gladiator (2000), The Dark Knight (2008), Inception (2010), and Dune (2021).
1961 - Mylène Farmer, a highly influential French singer and songwriter, was born Mylène Jeanne Gautier in Pierrefonds, Quebec. Renowned for her theatrical live performances and evocative lyrics, Farmer has sold over 30 million records worldwide.
1975 - Pink Floyd released their ninth studio album, Wish You Were Here, in the UK. The album is one of the band's most celebrated works and is often hailed for its profound themes and innovative sound. It features iconic tracks like "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and the title track "Wish You Were Here," which pays tribute to their former bandmate Syd Barrett.
1982 - Frank Zappa's "Valley Girl" reached its peak at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the only Top 40 hit for the avant-garde icon. Released in 1982, the track featured Zappa's daughter, Moon Unit Zappa, delivering a satirical take on the stereotypical "valley girl" lingo of Southern California. While Zappa was known for his experimental music and biting social commentary, "Valley Girl" became an unexpected pop culture moment.
1985 - In his long-awaited interview with Rolling Stone, Prince broke a three-year silence, offering a rare glimpse into his relationship with the press. Known for his mysterious and often enigmatic persona, Prince revealed that in the early stages of his career, he intentionally misled reporters to shift their focus away from his personal life and onto his music. He admitted, "I used to tease a lot of journalists early on, because I wanted them to concentrate on the music," highlighting his desire to maintain creative control and avoid the media's tendency to sensationalize his image
1989 - Aerosmith's Pump, their tenth studio album, dropped in 1989, marking a huge comeback for the rock legends. The album featured a trio of powerhouse singles: "Love In An Elevator," "The Other Side," and "Janie's Got a Gun," all of which became major hits.
1993 - Garbage discovered their lead singer, Shirley Manson, in an unexpected yet serendipitous way. The band was watching 120 Minutes, MTV's alternative music show, when they saw Manson performing in the video for "Suffocate Me" by her band, Angelfish. Impressed by her unique presence and vocal style, Garbage’s members—Butch Vig, Duke Erikson, and Steve Marker—felt she was the perfect fit for their band.
1995 - Lenny Kravitz released his fourth studio album, Circus. The album showcased his signature blend of rock, funk, and soul, continuing the sound he had established in his earlier works. The lead single, "Rock and Roll Is Dead," was a bold statement critiquing the state of the music industry at the time. The track gained significant attention and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
1999 - The Vengaboys hit the top of the UK singles chart with their infectious party anthem "We're Going to Ibiza!" in 1999. Known for their fun, carefree sound, the Dutch Eurodance group reworked a classic tune by Austrian pop artist Boney M. ("Barbados") into their own island getaway fantasy.
2006 - Justin Timberlake's second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds was a major hit. Bolstered by the chart-topping lead single "SexyBack," the album debuted at No. 1 in the US and quickly became a commercial success. With its blend of innovative production and Timberlake's smooth vocals, FutureSex/LoveSounds sold over 9 million copies worldwide.
2008 - Metallica released Death Magnetic, marking a significant return to their thrash metal roots. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album was highly anticipated, as it was their first full-length studio release since St. Anger in 2003. Death Magnetic featured a more traditional Metallica sound, with intricate guitar riffs, powerful drumming, and longer song structures reminiscent of their earlier albums like Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All.
2016 - The #HotInHerreStreamingParty hashtag gained momentum as Nelly fans rallied to support the rapper in his fight against a hefty $2.4 million tax debt. In an innovative attempt to raise funds, fans began streaming Nelly's 2002 hit "Hot In Herre" en masse. The viral campaign aimed to boost streaming numbers and generate revenue to help Nelly manage his financial obligations.
2017 - Mark Ronson faced a lawsuit for alleged copyright infringement over his 2014 smash hit "Uptown Funk," featuring Bruno Mars. Several different parties claimed the song borrowed heavily from earlier tracks, leading to multiple lawsuits over its similarities to funk and soul songs from the '70s and '80s. One prominent case involved the band Collage, who accused Ronson of lifting elements from their 1983 song "Young Girls." "Uptown Funk" also drew comparisons to another funk classic: "More Bounce to the Ounce" by Zapp, released in 1980. The iconic track, characterized by its synth-heavy groove and bouncy rhythm, has influenced countless artists in the funk and hip-hop genres. As part of the multiple copyright infringement claims surrounding "Uptown Funk," some noted similarities to the vibe and rhythmic feel of "More Bounce to the Ounce.
2020 - Taylor Swift's eighth studio album, Folklore, debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album marked a significant departure from her previous pop-oriented work, embracing a more indie-folk and alternative sound.
