On this day today:
1959 - "Weird Al" Yankovic, born Alfred Matthew Yankovic on October 23, 1959, in Downey, California, and raised in Lynwood, grew up to become the world’s most famous musical parodist. Known for his humorous and clever parodies of popular songs, Weird Al has enjoyed a career spanning decades, consistently poking fun at cultural trends and chart-topping hits. Yankovic first gained fame with his spoof of The Knack's "My Sharona," titled "My Bologna" in 1979. Over the years, he’s created beloved parodies of songs by artists such as Michael Jackson ("Eat It"), Madonna ("Like a Surgeon"), and more recently, Pharrell Williams ("Tacky"). His knack for witty lyrics and accordion-driven polkas has earned him a dedicated fanbase and several Grammy Awards, solidifying him as a pop culture icon.
1964 - Robert Trujillo, born on October 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, is best known as the bassist for Metallica, a position he's held since 2003. Before joining Metallica, Trujillo gained recognition as the bassist for the crossover thrash band Suicidal Tendencies and later worked with Infectious Grooves and Ozzy Osbourne. His heavy, groove-oriented playing style and dynamic stage presence have made him a key figure in the metal scene, contributing to Metallica's live energy and their recordings since the early 2000s.
1976 - Chicago reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their ballad "If You Leave Me Now" for the first of two weeks. This marked the band's first #1 single in the U.S. Written and sung by Peter Cetera, the song became one of Chicago's most iconic hits, featuring lush orchestration and soft rock vibes. It helped solidify the band's shift from their earlier jazz-rock fusion sound to a more ballad-heavy style that characterized much of their later work. "If You Leave Me Now" also won Chicago a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.
1979 - The Police filmed the music video for their hit single "Walking On The Moon" at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, in front of a Saturn V rocket. The setting perfectly matched the song's spacey theme, with its reggae-influenced rhythms and Sting's lyrics, which likened the feeling of love to walking on the moon. The minimalist video, featuring the band wandering around the massive launch complex and climbing the rocket, emphasized the song's atmospheric vibe. "Walking On The Moon" became one of The Police's signature tracks and hit #1 on the UK Singles Chart.
1982 - Culture Club topped the UK singles chart with "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," marking their first No. 1 hit and the beginning of an impressive run that would see them achieve twelve Top 40 hits in the UK. Released in 1982, the song showcased Boy George's distinctive vocals and the band's unique blend of pop, reggae, and new wave influences.
1985 - Miguel, born Miguel Jontel Pimentel in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, is an R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer known for blending genres like R&B, funk, hip-hop, and rock. His breakout came with the 2010 album All I Want Is You, but it was his critically acclaimed 2012 album Kaleidoscope Dream that solidified his place in the music world. The single "Adorn" from that album earned him a Grammy Award and became a defining hit of his career. His sultry voice and genre-defying style make him a standout in modern R&B.
1990 - AC/DC's "Back In Black" was certified Diamond by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for achieving 10 million sales in the US. Released in 1980, the album was a tribute to their former lead singer, Bon Scott, who passed away earlier that year. With Brian Johnson stepping in as the new frontman, the record became one of the best-selling albums of all time, driven by hits like "You Shook Me All Night Long" and the title track "Back In Black." The album's immense success helped solidify AC/DC as rock legends.
1991 - Rage Against the Machine played their first live show on October 23, 1991, at California State University, Northridge. The band opened with their powerful track "Killing In The Name," which initially featured an instrumental arrangement before the iconic vocals were added in later performances. This debut concert laid the foundation for their explosive blend of rap and rock, infused with politically charged lyrics and a strong anti-establishment message.
1993 - Meat Loaf achieved his first UK No. 1 with "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)," which dominated the charts for seven weeks. The epic rock ballad became a global sensation, reaching No. 1 in twenty-eight countries and marking Meat Loaf's first U.S. No. 1 hit as well.
1995 - Def Leppard achieved a remarkable feat, by playing shows on three different continents in one day. The band started their day with a 45-minute acoustic set in Tangier, Morocco (Africa), then flew to London (Europe) for another performance, and finally concluded the day with a set in Vancouver (North America). They traveled on the Concorde to ensure they made it in time for the Vancouver show at 9 p.m. This ambitious day was part of the promotion for their "Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits" album and showcased their dedication to their global fanbase.
1997 - Staind, a local band from Springfield, Massachusetts, opened for Limp Bizkit at the Webster Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut. Limp Bizkit's frontman, Fred Durst, was initially shocked by Staind's dark and intense imagery but quickly became impressed with their performance. This pivotal moment led Durst to help Staind secure a record deal with Flip Records, the same label Limp Bizkit was signed to. Durst's support played a key role in Staind's breakthrough, setting them on the path to major success in the early 2000s with hits like "It's Been Awhile" and "Outside."
2001 - Apple introduced the iPod, revolutionizing the way people listened to and carried their music. The original iPod featured a 5GB hard drive, allowing users to store approximately 1,000 songs in their pocket, a significant leap forward in digital music portability. It was designed to sync seamlessly with iTunes, Apple's music management software. At the time, many users filled their iPods with songs ripped from their CD collections or downloaded from file-sharing platforms like Napster. The iPod's success laid the groundwork for Apple's dominance in the digital music space and helped shift the music industry toward digital formats.
2006 - My Chemical Romance released their critically acclaimed third album, The Black Parade, on September 12, 2006. This concept album marked a significant turning point for the band, showcasing a more theatrical and ambitious sound compared to their earlier work. The album features iconic tracks like "Welcome to the Black Parade," "I Don't Love You," and "Famous Last Words," which all contributed to its status as a modern rock classic. The recording took place at the Paramour Mansion in Los Angeles, a location known for its haunting history. The band's experience there added a unique atmosphere to the album, with themes of death, loss, and acceptance woven throughout the narrative. The Black Parade resonated deeply with fans and solidified My Chemical Romance's place in the music scene, turning them into a defining band of the 2000s emo and alternative rock movement.
2007 - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss released their collaborative album, Raising Sand, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album, produced by T Bone Burnett, showcased a blend of country, bluegrass, and folk rock, bringing together Plant’s iconic rock vocals and Krauss's acclaimed bluegrass roots. At the age of 59, Plant turned down a lucrative Led Zeppelin reunion tour to fully focus on the project with Krauss. This decision proved fruitful as Raising Sand received widespread critical acclaim and went on to win multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year in 2009.
2008 - Beyoncé reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart with "If I Were a Boy", marking her fourth UK No. 1 hit. The song was released as part of her third solo album, I Am... Sasha Fierce, which showcased her versatility as an artist. "If I Were a Boy" explores themes of gender roles and empathy within relationships, resonating with many listeners and critics alike.
2015 - Adele released "Hello" on October 23, 2015, as the lead single from her third studio album, 25. The song quickly became a global sensation, breaking the Vevo record for the most views in 24 hours with over 27.7 million views. Upon its release, "Hello" debuted at the top of the UK Singles Chart, achieving 333,000 combined sales in its first week, of which 259,000 were downloads. This made it the biggest-selling No.1 single in the UK in three years. The track's emotional depth and powerful vocals resonated with listeners, solidifying Adele's status as one of the leading artists of her generation and paving the way for the immense success of the album.
