Entertainment

On this day in music, June 10, 2004, singer, songwriter, and pianist Ray Charles died at the age of 73. One of the most influential artists of all time, Charles (also known as “The Genius”) pioneered the sound of soul music with his blend of R&B, jazz, blues, and gospel. In the 50s and 60s, Charles broke several glass ceilings as a Black artist, as he found crossover success on the pop charts and fought successfully to gain artistic control over his recordings. A Kennedy Center Honoree and an inaugural inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Charles won 18 Grammys (including a Lifetime Achievement Award and five posthumous awards) and scored countless Top 40 hits, including his signature chart-topper, “Georgia on My Mind.”

In 1975, the Eagles released their fourth studio album, One of These Nights. Featuring the US Top Ten hits “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take It to the Limit,” and the title track, One of These Nights also became the band’s first album to top the Billboard 200.

In 2007, Rihanna scored her first No.1 album in the UK with Good Girl Gone Bad. The album was bolstered by the artist’s No.1 hit, “Umbrella,” which spent an astonishing 10 consecutive weeks at the top of the UK pop chart.

In 1989, actor Jason Donovan became the first Australian to debut at the top of the UK pop chart with a cover of Brian Hyland’s “Sealed with a Kiss.” Donovan would go on to hit No.1 three more times.

In 1978, Grease stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John scored a No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “You’re the One that I Want,” a single from the blockbuster film’s soundtrack. The song also topped the charts in the UK, Australia, Israel, and West Germany, among other territories.

In 1966, The Monkees entered Los Angeles’ RCA Studios for their first recording session. Joined by backing band The Wrecking Crew, plus legendary singer-songwriter Leon Russell (who served as a co-producer alongside Snuff Garrett), the band recorded “Take a Giant Step” and “Let’s Dance On.”

BORN ON JUNE 10

1910: Howlin’ Wolf
1922: Judy Garland
1941: Shirley Owens (The Shirelles)
1961: Kelley Deal (The Breeders)
1961: Kim Deal (Pixies, The Breeders)
1964: Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins)
1965: Joey Santiago (Pixies)
1967: Darren “Big Buff” Robinson (The Fat Boys)
1973: Faith Evans
2004: GAYLE

---

---

On this day in music, June 9, 1972, Elvis Presley made history by selling out four consecutive nights at Madison Square Garden. It’s no surprise that tickets were in demand, given that The King hadn’t played New York City for more than a decade. Attending the dates were a variety of stars, including John Lennon, George Harrison, David Bowie, Art Garfunkel, and Bob Dylan. The long-awaited engagement was recorded and released just nine days later as the live album Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden.

In 1990, MC Hammer broke Billboard records with his third album, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em. The record, which featured his smash hit “U Can’t Touch This,” remained at No.1 for 21 consecutive weeks – marking the longest uninterrupted stay at the top position.

In 1978, The Rolling Stones released Some Girls, their first album to feature Ronnie Wood as a full-time band member. The album included such hits as “Beast of Burden” and the disco-influenced “Miss You.”

In 2017, Glen Campbell released his 64th and final album, Adios, after his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. The album was recorded after the celebrated singer-songwriter concluded his farewell tour. Campbell died a little over a year later.

In 1990, Wilson Phillips (featuring daughters of Beach Boy Brian Wilson and the Mamas & the Papas’ John and Michelle Phillips) topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Hold On.” Exactly 25 years earlier, Wendy and Carnie Wilson’s father, Brian, was also at No.1, with The Beach Boys’ “Help Me Rhonda.”

In 1984, Cyndi Lauper scored her first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Time After Time.”

In 1972, Bruce Springsteen signed with Columbia Records. He would release his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park the following January.

BORN ON JUNE 9

1891: Cole Porter (composer, songwriter)
1915: Les Paul
1934: Jackie Wilson
1947: Mick Box (Uriah Heep)
1970: Ed Simons (Chemical Brothers)
1978: Matt Bellamy (Muse)
1980: James Walsh (Starsailor)

---

---

On this day in music, June 8, 1996, The Fugees scored their first No.1 single in the UK with “Killing Me Softly.” Featured on the hip-hop group’s debut album, The Score, the track was an inspired cover of Roberta Flack’s 1973 hit, “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” incorporating samples from A Tribe Called Quest and 60s psych-soul band Rotary Connection. The song became Britain’s best-selling single of the year and catapulted the trio to international stardom, topping the charts in more than 20 countries, including the US. In addition to earning a Grammy in 1997, “Killing Me Softly” has since appeared on numerous rankings, including Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.

In 1985, Tears for Fears began a two-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with their new wave classic, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” The poignant track earned the British duo an award for Best Single at the 1986 BRITs.

In 1974, Dolly Parton went to No.1 on the Billboard country chart with “I Will Always Love You.” The ballad would return to the charts nearly two decades later when Whitney Houston covered it for the 1992 film, The Bodyguard, making it her signature hit.

In 1974, Bill Wyman became the first member of The Rolling Stones to release a solo album. The star-studded Monkey Grip featured contributions from Dr. John, Leon Russell, and Lowell George.

In 1991, new jack swing group Color Me Badd scored their sole UK No.1 hit with “I Wanna Sex You Up.” Despite controversy over its suggestive lyrics, the song peaked at No.2 in the US.

BORN ON JUNE 8

1940: Nancy Sinatra
1942: Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night)
1944: Boz Scaggs
1953: Bonnie Tyler
1960: Mick Hucknall (Simply Red)
1962: Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran)
1965: Rob Pilatus (Milli Vanilli)

---

---

On this day in music, June 5, 1965, Rogers and Hammerstein’s soundtrack to the musical film The Sound of Music began a 70-week run at the top of the UK album chart. The enduring soundtrack was named the best-selling album of the year and continued to hold that title in 1966 and 1968, eventually becoming the UK’s second-highest selling album of the decade, behind The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Across the Atlantic, The Sound of Music also hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and set a new record for remaining in the Top Ten for 109 weeks. The album would remain on the chart for a total of 238 weeks (more than 4.5 years), while the Julie Andrews-led film broke box office records around the globe.

In 1956, Elvis Presley made one of his most memorable TV appearances on The Milton Berle Show. While previous televised performances featured The King of Rock‘n’Roll covered by his guitar, this particular broadcast found Presley unhampered by any instruments, as he performed “Hound Dog.” A full-body shot found the 21-year-old heartthrob gyrating and dancing – scandalizing the American public (and thrilling his fans).

In 1993, 59-year-old singer-songwriter Conway Twitty died. After rising to fame in the 50s as part of the rockabilly scene, Twitty found phenomenal success on the Billboard country charts, hitting No.1 a record-breaking 40 times throughout his career.

In 1964, David Bowie (then Davie Jones and The King Bees) released his first single, “Liza Jane” on Vocalion Pop. Although the young artist made the rounds on UK shows like Ready Steady Go!, Juke Box Jury, and The Beat Room, the single failed to sell, and Bowie was dropped from the label.

In 1964, The Rolling Stones played their first show on US soil at the Swing Auditorium in Southern California. The British band was touring in support of their self-titled debut.

In 1971, Grand Funk Railroad broke a record previously held by The Beatles when they sold out New York’s Shea Stadium in just 72 hours.

BORN ON JUNE 5

1943: Michael Davis (MC5)
1946: Freddie Stone (Sly and the Family Stone)
1947: Tom Evans (Badfinger)
1956: Richard Butler (The Psychedelic Furs)
1956: Kenny G
1979: Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy)
1998: Dave

---

---

On this day in music, June 4, 1984, Bruce Springsteen released his seventh studio album, Born in the U.S.A.. One of the best-selling albums of all time, Born in the U.S.A. found “The Boss” taking a more pop-forward approach to his songwriting, particularly with hits like “Dancing in the Dark,” the synth-driven “I’m on Fire,” and the title track. The album produced an astonishing seven Top Ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including the aforementioned tracks (all three of which also landed in the UK Top Ten). Often ranked among the greatest albums of all time, Born in the U.S.A. remains Springsteen’s biggest commercial success, with more than 30 million copies sold, worldwide.

In 2019, Jay-Z was named the world’s first “Hip-Hop Billionaire.” In addition to his best-selling music career, the rapper also had a variety of entrepreneurial ventures, including his clothing line, Rocawear, his entertainment agency and label, Roc Nation, and his 40/40 sports bar chain. At the time, Jay-Z had also recently acquired the music streaming service, TIDAL, through a private holding company.

In 1983, The Police scored their fifth and final No.1 hit in the UK with “Every Breath You Take.” The Grammy and Ivor Novello-winning song also became the British group’s sole chart-topper in the US. It remained three for eight weeks.

In 1997, the body of the late singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley was recovered in the Mississippi River. On May 29, Buckley disappeared after going for a swim. The artist had recently relocated to Memphis, where he was recording a follow-up to his acclaimed debut album, Grace.

In 1967, The Beatles began a 23-week run at the top of the UK album chart with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The broadly influential concept album also topped charts around the globe, including in the US, Australia, Canada, and West Germany.

BORN ON JUNE 4

1937: Freddy Fender
1944: Michelle Phillips (Mamas and the Papas)
1945: Gordon Waller (Peter and Gordon)
1954: Mickey Dread
1974: Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band)
1976: Kasey Chambers
1987: Mollie King (The Saturdays)
1990: Zachary Farro (Paramore)

---

---

On this day in music, June 3, 1977, Bob Marley and the Wailers released their masterpiece, Exodus. Breaking from the traditional sounds of Jamaican reggae, the album drew from a variety of musical influences, including blues, soul, funk, and rock. Split between political discourse as well as themes of peace and love, the album featured such enduring global hits as “Three Little Birds,” “Waiting in Vain,” “Jamming,” and “One Love/People Get Ready.” A Top 20 album in the US, UK, France, and Sweden, among other territories, Exodus has long ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time. TIME named it the best album of the 20th century in 1999.

In 1967, Aretha Franklin topped the Billboard Hot 100 with her rendition of Otis Redding’s “Respect.” Transforming the 1965 song into a feminist anthem, Franklin earned two Grammy Awards for her recording. Her rendition was later preserved in the National Recording Registry and included on the RIAA and National Endowment for the Arts’ “Songs of the Century” list, among other honors.

In 1967, The Doors released their sultry rock hit, “Light My Fire.” The second single off their self-titled debut, “Light My Fire” catapulted the band to international stardom, topping the charts in the US, and landing in the Top Ten in the UK, Canada, and Australia, among other territories. Months later, the band performed the song on the Ed Sullivan Show, where they were asked to change the lyric “Girl, we couldn’t get much higher,” due to inferred drug references. While they initially agreed, they performed the song as-is on live television. Needless to say, The Doors were banned from future appearances on the show.

In 1972, The Rolling Stones kicked off their record-breaking North American tour at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum. The 32-show run raked in $4 million – making it the highest-grossing rock tour to that point.

BORN ON JUNE 3

1926: Allen Ginsberg
1939: Ian Hunter (Mott the Hoople)
1942: Curtis Mayfield
1950: Suzi Quatro
1951: Deniece Williams
1952: Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
1956: Danny Wilde (The Rembrandts)
1961: El DeBarge (DeBarge)
1962: David Cole (C+C Music Factory)
1964: Kerry King (Slayer)
1965: Mike Gordon (Phish)
1968: Samantha Spracklin (Republica)

---

---