Entertainment

On this day in music, July 20, 2017, rock fans around the globe were shocked to learn of the death of Linkin Park’s charismatic frontman, Chester Bennington, who took his own life at 41. The double Grammy-winning, California-based rock band formed in 1996, releasing their best-selling debut, Hybrid Theory, four years later. The band would soar to international fame, thanks to hits like “In the End,” “Numb,” and “What I’ve Done.” Bennington’s death came two months after the release of Linkin Park’s seventh studio album, One More Light.

In 1991, British alt-rockers EMF reached the summit of the US singles chart with their debut single, “Unbelievable,” taken from their first album, Schubert Dip. The Gloucester-based group scored one further US hit, “Lies,” which dented the Top 20 later that same year.

In 1996, Gary Barlow became the first member of Take That to clinch a No.1 solo hit when he topped the UK chart with “Forever Love,” taken from his debut album, Open Road. The track also appeared on the soundtrack to the film The Leading Man, starring Jon Bon Jovi and Thandie Newton.

In 1986, the movie Sid And Nancy premiered at the Limelight Club in London. Focusing on the doomed relationship between Sex Pistol Sid Vicious and his American girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, the Alex Cox-directed picture starred Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb in the titular roles.

In 1976, Buzzcocks took to the stage for the first time, playing support to headliners The Sex Pistols and Slaughter & The Dogs at Manchester’s The Lesser Free Trade Hall. Among those who paid £1 to watch from the audience were Morrissey, future Joy Division members Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook, soon-to-be Fall founder Mark E. Smith, and eventual Simply Red main man, Mick Hucknall.

In 1963, Jan and Dean’s “Surf City” began a two-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Co-written by Brian Wilson and featuring the Beach Boys on backing vocals, the track was the California twosome’s only US No.1.

In 1940, Billboard magazine published its first chart of best-selling records compiled from sales figures contributed by all the major record labels. Topping the chart was “I’ll Never Smile Again” by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, featuring a 25-year-old Frank Sinatra and harmony group, The Pied Pipers.

In 1975, guitarist Steve Van Zandt performed his first show as a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band at Providence, RI’s Palace Theatre. It was the opening night of The Boss’ Born To Run tour.

BORN ON JULY 20

1933: Buddy Knox
1945: Kim Carnes
1945: John Lodge (The Moody Blues)
1947: Carlos Santana
1956: Paul Cook (Sex Pistols)
1958: Michael McNeil (Simple Minds)
1964: Chris Cornell (Soundgarden)
1966: Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam)
1966: Andrew Levy (The Brand New Heavies)
1999: Pop Smoke

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On this day in music, July 17, 1967, the broadly influential jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane died, aged 40, from liver cancer. Born in North Carolina and raised in Philadelphia, Coltrane rose to fame as a member of Miles Davis’ pathfinding quintet in the 1950s and played on several of the trumpeter’s key albums, including 1959’s Kind Of Blue. Coltrane’s stellar solo career, which took flight in the late 50s, saw him push the frontiers of modern jazz with groundbreaking albums like Giant Steps, My Favorite Things, and A Love Supreme, the latter sowing the seeds for the spiritual jazz movement.

In 1995, Robbie Williams left Take That during the middle of the British boy band’s Nobody Else tour. The singer-songwriter launched his solo career the following year with a cover of Geoge Michael’s “Freedom.”

In 1975, Bob Marley and the Wailers played the first of two concerts at London’s Lyceum Theatre. Marley’s label, Island Records, taped both nights and selected the best moments for the reggae icon’s first in-concert album, Live!, released in December 1975. It included a performance of the anthemic “No Woman No Cry,” which was released as a single and gave Marley his first UK chart entry.

In 1968, the animated movie Yellow Submarine, inspired by the music of The Beatles, premiered in London. A psychedelic fantasy adventure directed by George Dunning, the film featured the “Fab Four” as cartoon characters but their voices were spoken by actors. The soundtrack album made No.2 in the US and No.3 in the UK.

In 1959, legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday died at 44. Born Eleanora Fagan in Philadelphia, “Lady Day” was noted for her plaintive tone as well as her heightened musical sensitivity. Among her signature songs was the Civil Rights anthem, “Strange Fruit,” as well as the self-written “Lady Sings The Blues” and “God Bless the Child.” Despite her success, the influential singer did not have an easy life and struggled with addictions, legal troubles, and several abusive relationships.

In 1965, James Brown released the single “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.” Regarded as a landmark record in the evolution of funk music, the song spent two months at the top of the Billboard R&B chart and won the Grammy Award for best for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording.

In 2013, U2 frontman Bono was awarded Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for his contribution to music and commitment to humanitarian causes.

BORN ON JULY 17

1941: Spencer Davis (The Spencer Davis Group)
1947: Wolfgang Flür (Kraftwerk)
1948: Ron Asheton (The Stooges)
1949: Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
1952: Phoebe Snow
1966: Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh)
1971: DJ Minutemix (P.M. Dawn)
1976: Luke Bryan
1985: Tom Fletcher (McFly)
1987: Jeremih

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On this day in music, July 16, 2007, Detroit alt-rock duo The White Stripes entered the record books by playing the shortest-ever live gig when they appeared at a Newfoundland venue called George Street during a Canadian tour. They played just a single note with a cymbal crash before exiting the stage. The “concert” was recognized by the Guinness Book Of Records in 2009 but the book’s compilers dropped the category a year later after being swamped by applications for similar record-breaking attempts.

In 1966, British blues-rock supergroup Cream was formed. The influential power trio, which consisted of guitarist Eric Clapton, singer, and bassist Jack Bruce, and drummer Ginger Baker, only stayed together for two years and four months, but in that time they racked up one gold and two platinum albums.

In 2000, Coldplay scored their first chart-topping album in the UK with Parachutes. The British band’s debut featured the hits “Yellow,” “Trouble,” and “Don’t Panic,” and later earned them a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.

In 2016, singer and visual artist Alan Vega died aged 78. Born Boruch Alan Bermowitz in New York City, Vega is best remembered for his role alongside partner Martin Rev in the pioneering electronic proto-punk duo, Suicide, whose 1977 self-titled debut album appeared in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2020.

In 1962, The Beach Boys signed a seven-year contract with Capitol Records after being rejected by the Dot and Liberty labels. Their first hit for the company was “Surfin’ Safari,” which peaked at No.14 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was recorded a few months before they joined Capitol during their second-ever trip to the recording studio.

In 1955, 19-year-old Elvis Presley entered the US charts for the first time when his distinctive take on bluesman Arthur Gunter’s “Baby, Let’s Play House” landed at the No.15 spot in Cash Box magazine’s country chart. Presley’s version, recorded for Sun Records, marked the first time he featured his much-imitated hiccup-like vocal style.

In 2014, the revered American blues guitarist Johnny Winter died aged 70. The Texas-born musician (and elder brother of keyboard wizard Edgar Winter) picked up a trio of Grammy awards for three albums he produced for blues icon Muddy Waters between 1977 and 1981.

BORN ON JULY 16

1939: Denise LaSalle
1941: Desmond Dekker
1952: Mark McEntee (Divinyls)
1952: Stewart Copeland (The Police)
1964 Polly Hancock (Popinjays).
1971: Edward Joel Kowalczyk (Live)
1978: TJ (3T)
1990: Wizkid
1996: Luke Hemmings (5 Seconds of Summer)
1996: Kevin Abstract (Brockhampton)

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In 2018, a new digital milestone occurred when Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” became the first video released before the advent of YouTube to surpass one billion views on the platform. One of the most expensive music videos of its time, the 1992 visual was directed by Andy Morahan and featured supermodel Stephanie Seymour, the then-girlfriend of frontman Axl Rose. The power ballad, which peaked at No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100, also marked the longest song to enter the US Top Ten at the time.

In 1972, Elton John earned his first No.1 album in the US with his fifth studio effort, Honkey Chateau. Named for the 18th-century French chateau in which it was recorded (Château d’Hérouville), the album featured the Top 10 singles “Rocket Man” and “Honkey Cat.”

In 1978, The Rolling Stones began a two-week run at the top of the US album chart with Some Girls. Despite the popularity of the album (which marked their 16th LP in the US), the Peter Corriston-designed jacket cover caused a stir among some of the era’s biggest celebrities. The image, which featured the likenesses of Lucille Ball, Farrah Fawcett, Judy Garland, Raquel Welch, and Marilyn Monroe, was instantly challenged by the women and/or their estates. Corston redesigned the cover, without the starlets’ faces, and the album was promptly reissued.

In 1958, John Lennon’s mother, Julia Lennon, was hit and killed by a car driven by an off-duty policeman. While John, who was 17 at the time of the tragedy, lived with his aunt Mimi, he was very close with his mother. Julia, in turn, was one of his biggest supporters at Quarrymen shows. The loss inspired several of the artist’s songs, including 1968’s “Julia” (with The Beatles) and his 1970 solo track, “Mother.” John’s first son, Julian, was named for Julia.

In 1956, 13-year-old Frankie Lymon (with The Teenagers) became the youngest artist to hit the top spot on the UK pop charts with “Why Do Fools Fall in Love.”

In 1989, Pink Floyd performed on a floating barge in Venice’s Grand Canal, during the Italian city’s annual Festa del Redentore. More than 200,000 fans attended the show (double what authorities had planned for), taking over buildings and bridges along the San Marco Basin. Following the concert, which was broadcast to global audiences, the Italian Army was called in to help clean up the trash and damage that resulted from the overflow of onlookers.

BORN ON JULY 15

1946: Linda Ronstadt
1947: Roky Erickson (13th Floor Elevators)
1949: Trevor Horn (Buggles)
1952: Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls)
1956: Ian Curtis (Joy Division)
1956: Joe Satriani
1966: Jason Bonham
1973: John Dolmayan (System of a Down)
1977: Ray Toro (My Chemical Romance)
1990: Olly Alexander (Years & Years)

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On this day in music, July 14, 1982, Pink Floyd’s psychological musical drama, The Wall premiered in London at The Empire, Leicester Square. David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Nick Mason of the band all attended the event, alongside Pete Townshend, Sting, and Queen’s Roger Taylor, among other stars. The film, which starred musician Bob Geldof (The Boomtown Rats), blended live-action with animation, and was based on Pink Floyd’s hit 1979 album of the same name. A commercial success on both sides of the Atlantic, The Wall later earned two BAFTA Awards and remains a cult favorite among fans of the band.

In 1977, Elvis Costello and his new band, The Attractions, played their first show together at the Penzance Winter Gardens in Cornwall, England, opening for Wayne County & the Electric Chairs. A week and a day later, Costello released his debut album, My Aim Is True via Stiff Records in the UK.

In 1964, The Rolling Stones scored their first No.1 hit in the UK with “It’s All Over Now.” The song was written by Bobby Womack and his sister-in-law, Shirley Womack, and originally recorded by Bobby’s group, The Valentinos, that same year.

In 1967, The Who kicked off their first major North American tour at Portland, Oregon’s Memorial Coliseum. The British rockers served as the support act for Herman’s Hermits throughout the 55-date run.

In 1986, Madonna owned the UK charts when she had both the No.1 single (“Papa Don’t Preach”) and the No.1 album (True Blue).

In 1973, audiences at Southern California’s Knott’s Berry Farm were shocked during an Everly Brothers concert when Phil Everly smashed his guitar and stormed off stage. His brother, Don, continued the set at the John Wayne Theater, before announcing that the band had split. It would be nearly a decade before the duo performed again.

BORN ON JULY 14

1912: Woody Guthrie
1945: Jim Gordon (Drummer, Songwriter)
1948: Tommy Mottola (Record Executive)
1952: Chris Cross (Ultravox)
1955: Matthew Seligman (The Soft Boys, The Thompson Twins)
1971: Nick McCabe (The Verve)
1975: Taboo (Black Eyed Peas)
1978: Ruben Studdard
1986: Dan Smith (Bastille)
1987: Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons)

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On this day in music, July 13, 1985, the world’s biggest music stars gathered at London’s Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium for Live Aid. One of the most memorable moments in 80s pop culture, Live Aid was the brainchild of Bob Geldof and Midge Ure (the organizers behind “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”), who sought to raise additional funds to bring relief to Ethiopia, amid a years-long famine. An ambitious satellite feed broadcast the show across the globe, as performances by Queen, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, George Michael, and U2 (among many others) kicked off the concert in London. Across the Atlantic, Madonna, Run-D.M.C., and Tom Petty took to the stage, while acts like Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Black Sabbath reunited. In one particularly epic moment, Phil Collins performed on both continents, thanks to well-coordinated helicopter and Concorde flights. Approximately £150 million was raised from the day-long event.

In 1991, Bryan Adams began a record-breaking 16-week consecutive run at the top of the UK pop chart with “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You.” The power ballad, which was featured on the soundtrack to the blockbuster film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, also enjoyed a seven-week run at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 18 consecutive weeks at the top of the European-wide chart. The song, which remains the Canadian singer-songwriter’s most successful hit, went on to win a Grammy and earned an Academy Award nomination.

In 1974, George McCrae hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Rock Your Baby.” The song, which also topped pop charts in the UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany (among many other territories), is widely considered to be the first breakthrough disco hit.

In 1966, Ike & Tina Turner scored their first major hit in the UK with “River Deep – Mountain High.” The song, which peaked at No.3 on the British pop charts, caught the attention of the Rolling Stones, who invited the couple to open for them. In 1970, the tune was covered famously by Motown giants The Supremes and the Four Tops.

BORN ON JULY 13

1938: Al Rex (Bill Haley & His Comets)
1942: Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)
1942: Stephen Bladd (The J. Geils Band)
1955: Mark “The Animal” Mendoza (Twisted Sister)
1966: Gerald Levert (LeVert, LSG)
1969: Barney Greenway (Napalm Death)
1974: Deborah Cox
1988: Tulisa (N-Dubz)

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