On this day today:
1947 - Meat Loaf, born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, is known for his powerful voice and theatrical rock performances. Throughout his career, he often joked about the origin of his stage name, offering different explanations ranging from a comment by a football coach to his appearance as a baby. His unique stage persona and the mystery surrounding his name only added to his larger-than-life presence in rock music, particularly with his iconic Bat Out of Hell album.
1979 - During a performance at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, Elton John collapsed while performing the song "Better Off Dead." The moment, seen as eerily fitting given the song's title, occurred mid-show, causing him to be rushed offstage. After about 15 minutes, John returned to finish the performance, later attributing the collapse to exhaustion.
1980 - David Bowie achieved his fourth UK No.1 album with his fourteenth studio album, Scary Monsters (And Supercreeps). Released in 1980, the album featured the hit single "Ashes to Ashes," which revisited the character of Major Tom from his earlier hit "Space Oddity." The song was notable for its innovative music video, which at the time was the most expensive music video ever produced, showcasing Bowie's flair for visual storytelling and artistic experimentation.
1980 - Kurtis Blow made history by becoming the first rapper to perform on national television when he performed his hit song "The Breaks" on Soul Train. This landmark moment in 1980 not only highlighted the rising popularity of hip-hop but also helped pave the way for future rap artists to gain mainstream exposure.
1982 - Rapper Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., entered the world in New Orleans, Louisiana. Demonstrating early talent, he became the youngest member of Cash Money Records at the age of 9, marking the beginning of a career that would see him rise to become one of the most influential figures in hip-hop.
1984 - Alphaville released their iconic song "Forever Young" in 1984 as part of their debut album Forever Young. The song became a synth-pop anthem, capturing themes of youth, immortality, and the fear of aging. While it didn't initially chart highly, "Forever Young" gained a cult following over the years and became one of the band's most enduring hits, often used in films and covered by various artists.
1984 - Avril Lavigne was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, and raised in the small town of Napanee. Known for her rebellious, punk-infused pop music, she gained fame with her debut album Let Go in 2002, which included hits like "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi." Lavigne's unique style and attitude made her one of the defining figures of early 2000s pop-punk.
1986 - Cliff Burton, the second bassist of Metallica, tragically died at the age of 24 in a bus crash in Sweden during the band's Damage Inc. tour, which was in support of their iconic album Master of Puppets. The accident occurred when the tour bus skidded off the road while Burton was asleep in his bunk. He was ejected from the bus and ultimately crushed when the vehicle rolled over him. His untimely death was a profound loss for the band and the heavy metal community, and it left a lasting impact on the music world.
1986 - The Beatles' re-released version of "Twist And Shout" reached #23 on the charts, largely due to its iconic use in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The scene features a memorable performance by Matthew Broderick's character, Ferris, as he lip-syncs to the song while riding in a parade. This resurgence helped introduce the classic track to a new generation, showcasing the enduring appeal of The Beatles' music.
1990 - Mitski, born Mitsuki Laycock in Japan, grew up in various countries due to her father's work for the US State Department. This global upbringing influenced her music, which blends introspective lyrics with diverse musical styles. After settling in the US, she pursued a career in music and gained significant attention in the indie scene. Her 2018 album Be The Cowboy was a critical breakthrough, known for its emotional depth and innovative sound, solidifying her as a leading voice in indie music.
1993 - With punk rock gaining mainstream traction, Danzig re-released "Mother" in 1993, five years after its initial release on their 1988 debut album. The re-release helped propel the song to greater commercial success, largely due to increased airplay on MTV and radio. "Mother" became a defining track for the band, showcasing their heavy, dark rock sound and Glenn Danzig's distinct, powerful vocals.
1994 - The Dave Matthews Band released their debut studio album, Under the Table and Dreaming. The album marked the band's first major success, featuring songs like "What Would You Say" and "Ants Marching," which became fan favorites and garnered radio play.
1995 - In response to the growing negative publicity surrounding gangsta rap, Time Warner sold its stake in Interscope Records back to the founders, Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field. This strategic move allowed the label to operate independently, focusing on its roster of controversial yet successful artists. Following the sale, Tha Dogg Pound released their debut album, Dogg Food, which quickly rose to the top of the charts, reaching #1 in America.
1997 - Bob Dylan performed "Knocking On Heaven's Door" and "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" for Pope John Paul II during the World Eucharist Congress in Bologna, Italy.
1997 - INXS played their final concert with lead singer Michael Hutchence at the Star Lake Amphitheater in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania.. Tragically, this would be Hutchence's last performance, as he was found dead in his Sydney hotel room just two months later, on November 22, 1997. The band's final song that night was "Suicide Blonde," one of their biggest hits from the 1990 X album.
1998 - The Manic Street Preachers achieved their first UK No.1 album with This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours, their fifth studio album. Released in 1998, the album features hits like "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" and "You Stole the Sun from My Heart." The album's success marked a significant milestone in their career, showcasing their evolution as artists and solidifying their place in the Britpop movement of the late '90s.
2000 - U2 performed a rooftop concert atop the Clarence Hotel in Dublin, playing their new songs "Beautiful Day" and "Elevation" for broadcast on Top of the Pops.
2007 - Van Halen kicked off their highly anticipated North American tour in Charlotte, North Carolina, marking the return of David Lee Roth as the band's lead singer for the first time since 1985. This reunion was a monumental event for fans, as Roth had been an integral part of the band during their rise to fame in the late '70s and early '80s. The tour was also notable for featuring Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang Van Halen, on bass, replacing original bassist Michael Anthony.
2008 - Pink achieved her first solo #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with "So What," a track from her fifth studio album, Funhouse. Released in 2008, the song reflects themes of empowerment and independence following a breakup.
