Entertainment

On this day in music, June 13, 1975, Peter Frampton played the first of two nights at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom. Recordings from these two shows, and several others, made up the singer, songwriter, and guitarist’s legendary double live album, Frampton Comes Alive!. While the former Humble Pie co-founder, hadn’t seen significant sales as a solo act, his live debut became a runaway hit, resulting in three Top 15 US singles (“Show Me the Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way,” and “Do You Feel Like We Do“) and topping the Billboard 200 for ten non-consecutive weeks. In addition to becoming the best-selling album of 1976, Frampton Comes Alive! remains one of the best-selling live albums of all time and continues to rank as one of the greatest live albums ever.

In 1995, Alanis Morissette released her breakthrough album, Jagged Little Pill. The release, which marked the Canadian actress and singer-songwriter’s third LP, spawned six popular singles, including such massive hits as “Ironic,” “You Learn,” and “You Oughta Know.” Remaining in the US Top Ten for 72 weeks, Jagged Little Pill earned five Grammy Awards and went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time.

In 1992, Some Gave All, the debut from country star Billy Ray Cyrus, began a record-breaking 17-consecutive-week run at the top of the US album chart. Featuring the smash hit “Achy Breaky Heart,” Some Gave All also marked the first debut in history to enter at the top of Billboard’s Country chart. It went on to become the best-selling album of the year.

In 1987, Whitney Houston scored her first No.1 album in the UK with Whitney. The singer’s second LP, which held the top spot for six weeks, featured such hits as “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” and “So Emotional.” At home in the US, the album made Houston the first female artist to debut at the top of the Billboard 200, while the LP’s first four singles (including those noted above) all peaked at No.1, also making Houston the first female artist to achieve the feat.

In 1975, John Lennon made his final TV appearance on the special Salute to Sir Lew – The Master Showman. The concert, which honored the British TV executive Sir Lew Grade, had been taped in New York City Hilton on April 8, and featured appearances from Julie Andrews, Peter Sellers, and Tom Jones. Lennon performed “Imagine,” a cover of Little Richard’s “Slippin’ and Slidin’,” and “Stand By Me,” which was cut from the broadcast.

BORN ON JUNE 13

1940: Bobby Freeman
1949: Dennis Locorriere (Dr. Hook)
1968: David Gray
1969: Søren Rasted (Aqua)
1970: Rivers Cuomo (Weezer)
1976: Jason Brown (Five)
1981: Kym Marsh (Hear’Say)

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On this day in music, June 12, 1964, The Beatles arrived in Adelaide, Australia for their first and only tour of Oceania. As they deplaned, they were met by an estimated 300,000 fans, who lined a ten-mile route into the city center. Over the next two weeks, the band performed shows across Australia and New Zealand, including 3-night engagements in Sydney and Melbourne. The dates were part of the band’s 1964 World Tour, during which Ringo was hospitalized with tonsillitis, and replaced temporarily with drummer Jimmie Nicol. On June 15, Ringo flew into Sydney to complete the rest of the run.

In 1965, with “Back in My Arms Again,” The Supremes became the first act to score five consecutive No.1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The Motown classic also topped the Billboard R&B chart and went to No.1 in Canada.

In 1967, Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits broke the Top Ten of the Billboard 200. The album, which marked the singer-songwriter’s first compilation, featured a now-iconic backlit profile photo of Dylan, captured by Rowland Scherman at a 1965 show. The cover image later earned a Grammy Award, while the LP would become Dylan’s highest-selling title in the US.

In 1966, Pink Floyd had a lucky night at London’s Marquee Club, where manager Peter Jenner caught their show. Several months later, Jenner and Andrew King would sign a joint management contract with the British band.

In 2006, Prince, who was the first major artist to release an album exclusively online (1997’s Crystal Ball), received a Webby Lifetime Achievement Award.

BORN ON JUNE 12

1941: Reg Presley (The Troggs)
1941: Roy Harper
1941: Chick Corea
1951: Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick)
1951: Brad Delp (Boston)
1959: John Linnell (They Might Be Giants)
1979: Robyn

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On this day in music, June 11, 1988, the star-studded Freedomfest concert took place at London’s Wembley Stadium. The event, which marked the 70th birthday of the then-imprisoned anti-apartheid revolutionary, Nelson Mandela, was organized to raise awareness of apartheid (institutionalized racial segregation) in South Africa and called for the country’s political prisoners, including Mandela, to be freed. Performances by the likes of Whitney Houston, George Michael, Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, and the Bee Gees were broadcast live to an estimated global audience of one billion. Less than two years later, Mandela was freed from prison, while apartheid was repealed in 1991. Mandela, who died in 2013, went on to serve as South Africa’s first present.

In 1966, The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black” became the first No.1 hit to feature a sitar. The song, which began a two-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on this day, also reached the top spot in the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands.

In 1969, The Beatles topped the UK pop chart for the 17th time with “The Ballad of John and Yoko.” The recording only featured John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

In 1977, with their single “I’m Your Boogie Man,” KC and the Sunshine Band became the second group in Billboard chart history (following the Jackson Five) to score four US No.1 hits.

In 2005, Queen co-founder and guitarist Brian May was recognized for his charitable and musical contributions when he was awarded a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II. On that same day, Led Zeppelin founder and guitarist Jimmy Page was awarded an OBE.

BORN ON JUNE 11

1934: James “Pookie” Hudson (The Spaniels)
1946: John Lawton (Uriah Heep)
1947: Richard Palmer-Jones (Supertramp, King Crimson)
1949: Frank Beard (ZZ Top)
1951: Lynsey De Paul
1952: Donnie Van Zant (38 Special)
1961: Robert Birch (Stereo MCs)
1964: Penny Ford (Snap!)
1969: Steven Drozd (Flaming Lips)
1997: Kodak Black

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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)

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On this day in music, June 2, 1978, Irish rockers Thin Lizzy released their double concert album, Live and Dangerous. Featuring performances in London, Philadelphia, and Toronto, and produced with Tony Visconti, the album compiled some of the band’s greatest live moments from 1976-77. Despite controversy over the fact overdubs were recorded in a studio, the album was a commercial success, reaching No.2 in the UK. Today, it ranks among the greatest live albums of all time.

In 2008, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Bo Diddley died at the age of 79. Born Ellas Otha Bates, the artist was instrumental in bridging the gap between the blues and rock‘n’roll in the 50s and influenced everyone from Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley to the Rolling Stones and The Beatles.

In 1984, Wham! scored their first No.1 hit in the UK with “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.” Written and produced by George Michael, the energetic tune was inspired by a note that his bandmate, Andrew Ridgeley, left for his parents. Elsewhere, the single topped the charts across Europe, as well as in Australia, the US, and Canada.

In 1979, Donna Summer began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with her disco hit “Hot Stuff.”

In 1976, Paul McCartney and Wings set a new record during a show in Seattle, where they performed to an audience of 67,100 fans – the largest indoor concert attendance at the time.

In 1981, Prince played his first show on British soil at London’s Lyceum Theatre. The Minnesota-based artist would not play the UK again for another five years.

In 1962, Island Records released its first single, “Twist Baby” by Owen Gray. The legendary imprint would eventually sign the likes of Bob Marley, U2, Jethro Tull, and Amy Winehouse.

BORN ON JUNE 2

1941: Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones)
1944: Marvin Hamlisch (Composer)
1950: Chubby Tavares (Tavares)
1955: Michael Steele (The Bangles)
1960: Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)
1970: B-Real (Cypress Hill)
1976: Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane)
1980: Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes)

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On this day in music, May 28, 2000, Britney Spears proved her star power when her sophomore album, Oops!…I Did It Again debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and quickly became the fastest-selling LP by a female solo artist in chart history. When it hit the ten million mark soon after, Oops!…I Did It Again also made Spears the youngest artist to earn multiple Diamond certifications by the RIAA (following the success of her debut, …Baby One More Time. The album, which also topped charts around the globe, featured the hits “Lucky,” “Stronger,” and the title track.

In 1983, singer, songwriter, and actress Irene Cara soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Flashdance…What a Feeling.” Written by Cara, Keith Forsey, and Giorgio Moroder for the blockbuster film, Flashdance, the single went on to spend six weeks at No.1 and topped charts in more than a dozen other countries, including Japan, Australia, South Africa, and Canada. The song later earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song, while Cara won a Grammy for her performance in 1984.

In 2021, 18-year-old Olivia Rodrigo became the youngest solo artist to top both the UK album and single charts with Sour and “Good 4 U,” respectively. The feat marked one of many for Rodrigo, who smashed global chart, sales, and streaming records throughout the year.

In 1966, Percy Sledge began a two-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “When a Man Loves a Woman.” An enduring soul classic, the song also hit No.1 on the R&B chart and landed in the Top 10 around the globe, including in the UK, France, Canada, and Sweden. Recorded at Muscle Shoals, “When a Man Loves a Woman” marked the legendary Alabama studio’s first of many No.1 hits.

In 1977, Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers played together for the first time in Paris, as part of the band Strontium 90 (with Mike Howlett). The three musicians would go on to form The Police that summer.

In 1966, with the success of What Now My Love, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass set a new record on the Billboard charts by having four albums in the Top Ten – more than any other act at the time. Their sixth studio album held the No.1 spot for nine weeks.

BORN ON MAY 28

1910: T-Bone Walker
1944: Gladys Knight
1944: Billy Vera
1945: John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
1949: Wendy O. Williams (The Plasmatics)
1962: Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals)
1968: Kylie Minogue
1985: Colbie Caillat

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