On this day today:
1945 - In the small village of Bjørkåsen, Ballangen, Norway, Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad, known to the world as Frida of ABBA, was born. With her unmistakable voice and captivating stage presence, Frida became one of the defining figures of pop music as part of the legendary Swedish quartet. Her journey from a humble Norwegian upbringing to international superstardom is the stuff of music history. Alongside ABBA, Frida delivered timeless hits like “Dancing Queen”, “Mamma Mia”, and “The Winner Takes It All”, shaping the soundtrack of a generation.
1966 - Jefferson Airplane stepped into the studio and recorded what would become one of their most iconic tracks, “Somebody to Love.” Originally written by Grace Slick's brother-in-law for her earlier band The Great Society, the song took on new life with Jefferson Airplane’s psychedelic edge and Slick's powerhouse vocals.
1967 - The bizarre "Paul Is Dead" conspiracy theory hit fever pitch, sending obsessive Beatles fans into a frenzy of clue-hunting. As rumors swirled that Paul McCartney had died and been secretly replaced, fans scrutinized album covers and lyrics for supposed evidence of the band's cover-up. This wild speculation breathed new life into two Beatles classics, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour, which both climbed back onto the Billboard albums chart. Whether it was the "funeral procession" on Sgt. Pepper or cryptic lyrics from Magical Mystery Tour, the theory kept fans spinning records—and kept the Beatles at the center of pop culture.
1974 - Chad Kroeger, the powerhouse frontman of Nickelback, was born in Hanna, Alberta, Canada. Known for his gravelly voice and knack for crafting arena-ready rock anthems, Kroeger helped turn Nickelback into one of the best-selling bands of the 2000s. With hits like “How You Remind Me” and “Photograph,” Nickelback became a global sensation, selling over 50 million records and leaving an indelible mark on post-grunge rock. Love them or hate them, there’s no denying Kroeger’s impact on modern music.
1980 - Kenny Rogers' smooth ballad “Lady,” written by Lionel Richie, reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it would stay for an impressive six weeks. The heartfelt song, with its tender lyrics and emotional delivery, became a signature hit for Rogers, showcasing his crossover appeal in both country and pop music.
1988 - After their massive success with their groundbreaking debut Licensed to Ill (1986), the Beastie Boys made a bold move and signed with Capitol Records. The trio's decision to leave Def Jam marked a new chapter in their career, as they looked to further expand their sound and influence in the music industry.
1990 - German producer Frank Farian shocked the music world by revealing that Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan of Milli Vanilli had not actually sung on their chart-topping album Girl You Know It’s True. The duo, whose success was built on their lip-syncing performances and highly produced sound, were exposed as frontmen for studio vocalists, sparking a massive scandal. The revelation led to the ultimate fall from grace, with Milli Vanilli being stripped of their Best New Artist Grammy, which they had won earlier that year.
1992 - Ozzy Osbourne performed the final show of his No More Tours tour at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, California, announcing it would be his last. The rock legend, who had redefined heavy metal as the frontman of Black Sabbath and later as a solo artist, vowed to retire from touring—though, as fans know, this "final" tour wouldn't exactly be his last. In a powerful tribute, Osbourne's former band, Black Sabbath, opened the show with Rob Halford of Judas Priest filling in on lead vocals, after Ronnie James Dio declined to participate
1994 - TLC released their groundbreaking second album, CrazySexyCool. The record, which would go on to define an era of R&B and hip-hop, featured massive hits like “Creep” and “Waterfalls.” With its mix of smooth melodies, bold lyrics, and unforgettable hooks, it became the group's most successful album, selling over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone.
1999 - KoRn made history by bringing nu-metal to an unlikely stage: the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem. The band performed their upcoming album, Issues, in its entirety, just one day before its official release. Known for its deep roots in soul, jazz, and R&B, the Apollo had never hosted an act like KoRn before. The performance was a bold move, cementing the band's reputation as genre-defying innovators. Tracks like “Falling Away from Me” and “Make Me Bad” hit differently in the historic venue, blending their raw intensity with the Apollo’s timeless legacy.
2004 - Shania Twain's Come On Over achieved an extraordinary milestone: double diamond certification from the RIAA, signifying over 20 million copies sold in the U.S. alone. It became only the seventh album ever to hit this mark—and the first and only by a female artist.
2018 - Mariah Carey’s 2001 album Glitter soared to #1 on the iTunes US Albums chart—17 years after its release. Thanks to the fan-driven hashtag #JusticeForGlitter, the long-overlooked soundtrack found a second life and newfound appreciation.
2005 - American Idol winner Carrie Underwood released her debut album, Some Hearts. The country-pop masterpiece quickly became a smash hit, propelled by powerful singles like “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats.” Some Hearts became the best-selling album of the year, showcasing Underwood’s vocal prowess and storytelling ability.
2015 - Trumpeter Miles Davis was voted the greatest jazz artist of all time by listeners of BBC Radio and Jazz FM in the UK. Davis, known for his innovative approach to jazz and his ability to constantly evolve, topped a list that included some of the genre’s most legendary figures. Also making the top 10 were Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, and Billie Holiday—icons who, like Davis, helped shape the sound and soul of jazz music.
2022 - The presale for Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour sent fans into a frenzy—and Ticketmaster into chaos. Overwhelmed by unprecedented demand, the ticketing giant’s system crashed, leaving millions of Swifties frustrated and sparking widespread backlash. Despite the debacle, Swift made history: 2.4 million tickets were sold in a single day, the most ever for one artist. The incident even triggered a federal investigation into Ticketmaster's practices, shining a spotlight on the challenges of modern ticket sales.
