On this day today:
1951 - David Coverdale was born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Redcar and Cleveland, England. He gained fame as the lead singer of Deep Purple from 1973 to 1976, contributing to albums such as Burn and Stormbringer. After leaving Deep Purple, Coverdale formed the hard rock band Whitesnake in 1978, which achieved commercial success in the 1980s with hits like "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love." His powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence made him a defining figure in the rock scene.
1957 - Nick Cave was born in Warracknabeal, Australia, to Colin Cave, a teacher, and Dawn Cave, a librarian. He gained fame as the frontman of the post-punk band The Birthday Party, known for their intense and chaotic performances. After the band disbanded, Cave formed Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in 1983, a group that blended rock, blues, and gothic elements. Known for his deep, brooding lyrics and theatrical performances, Cave became a highly influential figure in alternative rock. His career spans decades, with critically acclaimed albums like Murder Ballads and Ghosteen.
1958 - Joan Jett, born Joan Marie Larkin near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was raised in Rockville, Maryland. She became a pioneering figure in rock music, gaining fame as the frontwoman of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and for hits like "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Jett also co-founded The Runaways, an all-female rock band in the 1970s, breaking new ground for women in the genre.
1977 - David Bowie released "Heroes" as a single, co-written with Brian Eno. The track features guitarist Robert Fripp from King Crimson and has become one of Bowie's signature songs, celebrated for its anthemic sound and emotional depth.
1978 - 10cc scored their third and final UK No. 1 single with "Dreadlock Holiday." The lyrics, telling the story of a white man lost in Jamaica, were inspired by a true incident involving Moody Blues vocalist Justin Hayward and 10cc's Eric Stewart during a trip to Barbados.
1980 - Geffen Records was formed in 1980 by music industry executive David Geffen. The label quickly became a major player in the music world, signing high-profile artists such as John Lennon, Elton John, and Donna Summer. Geffen Records is also known for nurturing rock and alternative acts like Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, and Aerosmith, helping to shape the sound of the '80s and '90s. The label became part of Universal Music Group in the late '90s after a series of mergers.
1989 - Milli Vanilli started a two-week run at No. 1 on the US singles chart with "Girl I'm Gonna Miss You," marking the duo's second US No. 1 hit. The song also reached No. 2 in the UK, further solidifying their brief but impactful presence in the pop music landscape.
1992 - Bruce Springsteen recorded a performance for MTV Unplugged, a series known for showcasing artists playing acoustic sets. However, after performing just one acoustic song, "Red Headed Woman," Springsteen switched to an electric setup for the remainder of the show, defying the typical format of the series. When the episode aired on November 11, 1992, it was humorously billed as "MTV Plugged." The performance was later released as an album titled In Concert/MTV Plugged, capturing Springsteen's bold move to stick with a more electric, energetic sound.
1994 - Friends debuted on NBC, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. Its catchy theme song, "I'll Be There for You" by The Rembrandts, became an unexpected hit, reaching the top of the charts. Initially, the song was written as a short 30-second version for the show's opening credits, but after the show's popularity surged, The Rembrandts expanded it into a full-length track, which found widespread radio success.
1995 - Jamaican ragga singer Shaggy scored his second UK No. 1 single with "Boombastic," which topped the charts for one week. The song also achieved No. 1 status in the US, solidifying Shaggy's presence in the music scene during the '90s.
1998 - The Goo Goo Dolls released their breakthrough album Dizzy Up The Girl. The album became a massive success, selling over 4 million copies and cementing the band's place in mainstream rock. It featured the hit ballad "Iris," originally written for the City of Angels soundtrack, which dominated airwaves and reached iconic status.
2012 - Taylor Swift's single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" notched its third week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2012, marking a significant achievement in her career as she transitioned from country to pop. At the time, Swift was still widely recognized as a country artist, which made her crossover success even more notable. The song also topped the Country chart, placing Swift in rare company alongside Kenny Rogers, whose 1980 hit "Lady" was the last country song to dominate the Hot 100 for at least three weeks.
2016 - According to a report by the Music Business Association, playlists surpassed albums as a preferred way to listen to music. The study revealed that playlists accounted for 31% of listening time across all demographics, compared to albums, which made up 22%. However, individual tracks remained the most dominant format, representing 46% of music consumption. This shift highlights the growing role of playlists in shaping how people discover and enjoy music in the digital age.
2018 - Paul McCartney's album Egypt Station hit #1 on the Billboard 200 in 2018, marking his first chart-topping album in the US since Tug of War in 1982. This achievement came 36 years after his previous No.1, showcasing McCartney's enduring appeal and relevance in the music industry. Released by Capitol Records, Egypt Station was praised for blending McCartney's signature melodic style with contemporary sounds, and its success was driven in part by McCartney's extensive promotion, including performances and interviews.
