On this day today:
1931 - Jazz cornetist and trumpeter Nat Adderley was born in Tampa, Florida. A gifted musician and composer, Nat is best known for his soulful playing and as the younger brother of legendary saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley. Nat played a pivotal role in the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, co-creating hits like "Work Song" and "Jive Samba". His compositions and innovative style helped define the hard bop and soul jazz movements of the 1950s and '60s, leaving an indelible mark on jazz history.
1940 - Percy Sledge, the legendary R&B singer, was born in Leighton, Alabama. Known for his emotive voice and heartfelt delivery, Sledge rose to fame with his timeless classic "When a Man Loves a Woman". Released in 1966, the song became an anthem of soul music, topping charts worldwide and earning a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
1960 - Amy Grant was born in Augusta, Georgia. Originally known for her work in Christian music, Grant made a groundbreaking transition to mainstream pop in the 1980s, challenging the boundaries of her genre. Her 1986 duet with Peter Cetera, "The Next Time I Fall," became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her first significant pop crossover. In 1991, she solidified her pop status with the infectious "Baby Baby," which also soared to the top of the charts, proving she could thrive in both the Christian and secular music worlds, despite the controversy that surrounded her shift.
1966 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their first UK show at the Bag O'Nails club in London. The intimate venue witnessed the electric debut of a band that would revolutionize rock music. Word quickly spread about Hendrix's jaw-dropping guitar skills and flamboyant stage presence, attracting the attention of music legends like Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, and Jeff Beck, who flocked to see the rising star.
1968 - Cream, the pioneering power trio of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker, played their final concert (until much later reunions) at London's Royal Albert Hall. With over 10,000 devoted fans in attendance, the atmosphere was electric, and chants of "God save the Cream" echoed through the historic venue.
1984 - Some of the biggest names in music gathered at SARM Studios in London to record vocals for "Do They Know It's Christmas?". Organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, the song was created to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. Featuring stars like Bono, George Michael, Phil Collins, Jody Watley, and Simon Le Bon, the session marked the birth of the charity supergroup Band Aid. The single became a global phenomenon, topping charts and raising millions, while inspiring a wave of all-star charity projects like "We Are the World."
1989 - Alice Cooper scored a major career comeback with his hit single "Poison," which soared to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track marked his first Top 40 hit in nine years, thanks in part to its iconic music video getting significant airplay on MTV.
1992 - The Bodyguard hit theaters, marking Whitney Houston's debut in a leading film role. In the movie, Houston plays a pop diva under the protection of Kevin Costner, with their on-screen chemistry creating a captivating story. But it was her powerful performance of Dolly Parton’s "I Will Always Love You" that became the real highlight of the film.
1997 - R U Still Down? (Remember Me), the first posthumous album by 2Pac, was released. The double album featured unreleased tracks recorded between 1992 and 1994, showcasing the raw, introspective side of the iconic rapper before his Death Row Records era. With hits like "Do for Love" and "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto," the album reaffirmed 2Pac’s enduring influence on hip-hop. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, cementing his legacy as one of the most prolific and impactful artists of all time.
2003 - Just 11 days after releasing The Black Album, Jay-Z hosted an epic "retirement party" concert at Madison Square Garden. The star-studded event, immortalized in the documentary Fade to Black, featured collaborations with Beyoncé, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, and Pharrell, among others, as Hova bid farewell to his rap career—or so he claimed. The retirement turned out to be short-lived. By 2006, Jay-Z was back with Kingdom Come, proving that stepping away from the mic was easier said than done.
2005 - Take That made a highly anticipated announcement: the iconic British boy band was reuniting after a nine-year hiatus! The comeback was set to exclude Robbie Williams, who had left the group in 1995 to pursue a solo career. The remaining members—Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, and Jason Orange—revealed plans for a new album and a massive tour, rekindling their fanbase’s excitement. Their reunion proved a massive success, with Take That going on to release chart-topping albums and sell-out tours. This marked the start of a new chapter for the band, solidifying their place as one of the UK's most beloved pop acts.
2021 - The Beatles: Get Back, a three-part documentary series directed by Peter Jackson, premiered on Disney+. This highly anticipated release offered an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the making of Let It Be, the Beatles' final studio album. Using restored outtakes from the original 1970 Let It Be documentary, Get Back provided unprecedented access to the band's creative process, showing moments of tension, camaraderie, and the iconic rooftop concert. The series garnered widespread praise for its depth and the way it humanized the legendary band during one of their most turbulent yet creatively brilliant periods.
