On this day today:
1922 - Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac was born Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chávarri del Castillo in Callao, Peru. Known for her extraordinary vocal range, which spanned over four octaves, Yma Sumac became internationally famous in the 1950s for her exotic style and unique voice, captivating audiences with her performances of Peruvian folk songs and operatic arias.
1944 - Peter Cetera, the bassist and vocalist for the band Chicago, was born in Chicago, Illinois. He gained fame as a key member of the band, contributing to its distinctive jazz-rock sound. Cetera's smooth vocals and songwriting helped Chicago achieve major hits in the '70s and '80s, including "If You Leave Me Now" and "Hard to Say I'm Sorry." After leaving the band in 1985, he enjoyed a successful solo career with hits like "Glory of Love" and "The Next Time I Fall."
1965 - The Beatles released "Yesterday" in the US. Written by Paul McCartney, it became one of the band's most iconic songs.
1971 - Deep Purple wrote "Highway Star" spontaneously while on their way to a show in Portsmouth, UK, in 1971. During the bus ride, a reporter asked how they went about writing songs, and in response, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore began playing a riff. Ian Gillan joined in with lyrics, and the band developed the song during the journey. Later that night, they performed it live for the first time. "Highway Star" became one of their signature tracks and is featured on their 1972 album Machine Head.
1975 - Janis Ian's "At Seventeen," a poignant song about the struggles of adolescence, insecurities, and societal expectations of beauty, peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song, which was not considered typical hit material due to its introspective and emotional themes, resonated deeply with listeners, especially young women who identified with its honest portrayal of feeling out of place. The track earned Ian widespread acclaim and won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, cementing her legacy as a thoughtful and influential songwriter.
1977 - Fiona Apple was born, in Manhattan, New York, to singer Diane McAfee and actor Brandon Maggart.
1982 - After co-producing her acclaimed album Never for Ever, British singer-songwriter Kate Bush takes the reins as the sole producer for her next project, The Dreaming. This album showcases her distinctive sound and artistic vision, marking a bold evolution in her career.
1986 - The Communards, a British synth-pop duo consisting of Jimmy Somerville and Richard Coles, hit #1 in the UK in 1986 with their cover of "Don't Leave Me This Way." Originally a disco classic made famous by Thelma Houston in 1977, their rendition became the best-selling UK single of the year.
1986 - Berlin's "Take My Breath Away," written and produced by Giorgio Moroder, hit No.1 on the US singles chart. The song, famously featured in the film Top Gun, became one of the band's biggest hits and earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
1987 - Michael Jackson’s album Bad debuted at No.1 on the UK album chart and maintained its position for five weeks. In the US, it also enjoyed a successful run, holding the top spot on the Billboard 200 for six weeks.
1991 - At the launch party for Nirvana's single "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Geffen Records saw the event take an unexpected turn. The band's rebellious spirit came to the forefront as they initiated a food fight, leading to their ejection from the party they were meant to celebrate.
1991 - In Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991), the sixth installment in the Nightmare on Elm Street series, Alice Cooper plays the role of Freddy Krueger’s father, a character named Mr. Charles. This film explores more of Freddy Krueger’s backstory, including his troubled childhood and the origins of his malevolent persona.
1993 - Niall Horan, a member of the globally renowned boy band One Direction, was born in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. He gained fame as part of the group, which formed on the UK version of The X Factor in 2010. Following the band's hiatus, Horan embarked on a successful solo career, further establishing himself as a prominent artist in the music industry.
1994 - The Notorious B.I.G. released his debut solo album, Ready to Die. The album is considered a landmark in hip-hop, showcasing Biggie’s raw storytelling, charismatic delivery, and complex lyricism. With tracks like “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” and “One More Chance,” it catapulted him to stardom and left a lasting impact on the genre. Ready to Die is often cited as one of the greatest rap albums of all time and played a significant role in shaping the East Coast hip-hop renaissance of the 1990s.
1996 - Tupac Shakur, at just 25 years old, succumbs to his injuries six days after being shot multiple times while riding in a car driven by Suge Knight. The shooting remains unsolved, with no arrests made in the case, leaving the circumstances of his death shrouded in mystery.
1997 - The Verve achieved their first and only UK No.1 single with "The Drugs Don’t Work," a standout track from their critically acclaimed third album, Urban Hymns. The song became their most successful single in the UK, marking a high point in the band's career and solidifying their place in the British music scene.
2000 - "Almost Famous," directed by Cameron Crowe, hits theaters in the US. The film, a semi-autobiographical tale, follows a teenage journalist who goes on the road with a rock band in the 1970s. Crowe's own experiences as a young writer for Rolling Stone provide the foundation for this nostalgic and heartfelt exploration of the rock music scene and coming-of-age moments. The film captures the highs and lows of life on the road, the complexities of relationships within the music industry, and the personal growth of a young writer finding his place in the world.
2009 - At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Taylor Swift won Best Female Video for "You Belong with Me." During her acceptance speech, Kanye West abruptly took the stage, interrupting her to declare that Beyoncé deserved the award for her "Single Ladies" video. The moment was met with shock and controversy. Later in the evening, when Beyoncé won Video of the Year for "Single Ladies," she graciously invited Taylor Swift back on stage to finish her acceptance speech, showcasing her support and kindness amid the drama.
2013 - Hozier released "Take Me to Church" as the lead single from his self-titled debut album. The song, known for its soulful, gospel-inspired sound and poignant lyrics, quickly gained critical acclaim and commercial success. It addresses themes of love and faith while critiquing institutional religion.
2019 - In the 2019 film Hustlers, Lizzo, Cardi B, and Jennifer Lopez take on roles as exotic dancers. The film, inspired by a true story, follows a group of strippers who scheme to scam wealthy Wall Street clients. Cardi B’s appearance is particularly notable as it marks her film debut; before her rise in music, she was an exotic dancer herself. Usher also appears in the film as one of the patrons. The movie received praise for its performances and its portrayal of female empowerment and hustle.
