Entertainment

On October 27, 2013, Singer, songwriter, poet, and art-rock pioneer, Lou Reed, died at the age of 71. A foundational figure in New York’s underground rock scene, Reed began his career as a songwriter, before forming the Velvet Underground in the mid-60s. The group became an avant-garde sensation, eventually gaining the attention of Andy Warhol, who became the band’s manager. After quitting the band to pursue a solo career in 1970, Reed found mainstream success with albums like Transformer and Sally Can’t Dance. Beloved for his deadpan vocals, his poetic lyricism, and his experimentation in the studio, Reed was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2015.

In 2006, Amy Winehouse released her second and final studio album, Back to Black. The broadly-acclaimed album featured such signature hits as “Rehab,” “You Know I’m No Good,” and “Tears Dry on Their Own.” In addition to topping charts around the world, Back to Black and its tracks swept the 2008 Grammys, winning Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year and Song of the Year (“Rehab”), and earning Winehouse a Best New Artist award, among others.

In 2019, Lewis Capaldi achieved his first No.1 single in the US with “Someone You Loved.” The track also topped the UK and Canadian charts and was nominated for Song of the Year at the 62nd Grammy Awards.

In 1988, U2’s concert film, Rattle And Hum, received its world premiere in the band’s hometown of Dublin. The rockumentary was directed by Phil Joanou, while its accompanying album was produced by Jimmy Iovine.

In 1966, The Four Tops scored their sole No.1 hit in the UK with “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” The song also topped the US charts for two weeks.

In 1975, Bruce Springsteen had the rare honor of simultaneous covers on both TIME and Newsweek magazines. Springsteen was celebrating the release of his breakthrough album, Born To Run.

In 1973, Gladys Knight and the Pips scored their first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Midnight Train To Georgia.”

BORN ON OCTOBER 27

1949: Byron Allred (Steve Miller Band)
1949: Garry Tallent (E Street Band)
1951: K. K. Downing (Judas Priest)
1952: Bill Bottrell (Producer)
1958: Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
1967: Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots)

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In 1962, James Brown recorded his legendary Live At The Apollo album at the hallowed Harlem venue. The Godfather of Soul’s first live release was a massive success – peaking at No.2 on the Billboard 200 and cementing Brown’s superstar status. In 1998, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and six years later it was selected by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.

On October 24, 2006, Taylor Swift released her self-titled debut studio album. Swift had moved from Pennsylvania to Tennessee in 2004 as a fourteen-year-old to pursue her dream of becoming a country music star. A record deal was inked in 2005, and Swift began working on a full-length debut album during her first year of high school. Setting the scene for her future success, Taylor Swift debuted at No.19 on the Billboard 200, and eventually peaked at No.5.

In 1987, Michael Jackson began a two-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Bad.” The track was a No.3 hit in the UK and a No.1 hit in Belgium, Italy, Norway, Spain, and more. The accompanying music video, meanwhile, was an 18-minute short film directed by Martin Scorsese.

In 1970, Pink Floyd scored their first No.1 album in the UK with Atom Heart Mother. Though it peaked at No.55 in the United States, the LP was eventually certified Gold.

In 2017, pianist, songwriter, and rock’n’roll pioneer, Fats Domino died at the age of 89. He was best-known for such Top Ten hits as “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Blueberry Hill,” and “I’m Walkin’.”

In 1963, The Beatles began their first European tour with a number of dates in Sweden.

In 2016, singer Bobby Vee, who was one of the first teen idols, died at the age of 73.

BORN ON OCTOBER 24

1936: Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones)
1946: Jerry Edmonton (Steppenwolf)
1948: Dale Griffin (Mott The Hoople)
1962: Debbie Googe (My Bloody Valentine)
1980: Monica
1986: Drake

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On October 23, 2015, Adele released her record-smashing hit, “Hello.” The week prior, a 30-second clip of the highly-anticipated track was played during a commercial break on The X Factor, building excitement for the single. Upon its release, the song marked the British artist’s second No.1 single, while it topped the charts in a record-breaking 36 countries. In the US, the song became the first track to sell more than a million digital copies in one week (it remains one of the best-selling digital singles ever). The visual for the song, meanwhile, broke the Vevo Record by accruing nearly 28 million views within 24 hours, while on YouTube, it became the fastest video to reach one billion views (87 days).

In 1963, Bob Dylan recorded his enduring anthem, “The Times They Are A-Changin.” Inspired by traditional Irish and Scottish ballads, the song reflected the social and political upheaval of the decade and became one of the singer-songwriter’s signature hits. Over the years, the song has been covered by countless artists, including The Byrds, Nina Simone, the Beach Boys, and Brandi Carlile.

In 1966, The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded their first single, a cover of the rock standard, “’Hey Joe.” The song became a Top Ten hit in the UK several months after its release, eventually landing at No.6. While it failed to chart in the US, Hendrix’s rendition of the song became one of his signature hits and, over the decades, has ranked on numerous “Best Of” lists.

In 2006, Amy Winehouse released her rebellious signature hit, “Rehab.” Marking the lead single off the singer’s sophomore album, Back to Black, the song was a Top Ten hit in the US and UK and won multiple awards, including three Grammys and an Ivor Novello.

In 2005, Arctic Monkeys scored their first No.1 hit in the UK with “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor.” The song marked the lead single from their debut studio album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.

In 1976, Chicago began a two-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “If You Leave Me Now.” While it was the group’s 18th Top 40 hit, it marked their first No.1.

In 1962, 12-year-old Little Stevie Wonder recorded his first single for Motown Records, “Thank You For Loving Me All The Way.”

In 1993, Meat Loaf landed his first UK No.1 with his signature hit, “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That),” featured on Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell.

In 1989, Nirvana played their first UK show in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

BORN ON OCTOBER 23

1949: Michael Burston (Motorhead)
1956: Dwight Yoakam
1959: Weird Al Yankovic
1964: Roberto Trujillo (Suicidal Tendencies, Metallica)

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On October 16, 1961, Patsy Cline released her cover of the Willie Nelson-penned song, “Crazy.” Nelson wrote the song while living in Houston, working for Pappy Daily’s famed record company, D Records. Eventually, the song made its way to country star Hank Cochran, who passed it along to Cline. Her recording was an instant hit, peaking at No.2 on Billboard’s country chart and No.9 on the pop chart. While the song has been frequently covered over the decades, Cline’s rendition remains the best-known version and has endured as a country standard. More than 30 years after its release, the recording was named the most-played jukebox tune of all time, while in 2003, the Library of Congress added the song to its National Recording Registry.

In 2006, the legendary New York venue CBGBs closed its doors after 33 years. While the club was first intended to be a hub for country, bluegrass, and blues artists, it eventually became synonymous with the underground punk and new wave scene and served as a platform for such seminal artists as Blondie, Television, and The Ramones. The evening before the venue shuttered permanently, Patti Smith performed a memorable show with a variety of special guests, including Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Richard Lloyd of Television.

In 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival officially disbanded, months after the release of their seventh and final studio album, Mardi Gras, and a year after the departure of founding member, Tom Fogerty.

In 1951, 18-year-old Richard Penniman, who was already using the stage name Little Richard, made his first recordings for RCA Camden at the studios of Atlanta radio station WGST.

In 1976, Stevie Wonder‘s Songs In The Key Of Life went to No.1 on the US album chart. The seminal title, which features such songs as “Isn’t She Lovely,” “I Wish,” and “Sir Duke,” became the artist’s best-selling album and won Album of the Year at the 1977 Grammys. The broadly acclaimed title, which was later inducted into the National Recording Registry, is also considered the final release of Wonder’s “classic period.”

In 1982, Culture Club made a buzzworthy TV appearance on the UK’s Top of the Pops, performing “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.” After the performance, frontman Boy George became a fixture on magazine covers, while the song quickly rose up the pop charts.

In 1962, a two-month-long Motown Records tour (dubbed the “Motortown Revue”) kicked off in Washington, D.C. On the bill were Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, Mary Wells, the Miracles, and 12-year-old Stevie Wonder.

BORN ON OCTOBER 16

1938: Nico
1947: Bob Weir (Grateful Dead)
1959: Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
1960: Bob Mould (Hüsker Du)
1962: Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
1969: Wendy Wilson (Wilson Phillips)
1977: John Mayer

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In 1956, Little Richard recorded “Good Golly, Miss Molly” at New Orleans’ J&M Studio. Released in January 1958 on Specialty, and featured on Richard’s sophomore album, Here’s Little Richard, the song was written by John Marascalco and producer Robert “Bumps” Blackwell. While the high-energy tune was initially recorded by Richard, Blackwell also gave the song to a group called The Valiants, who released the track in 1957. With his over-the-top vocals and charismatic performance, however, Richard made the song a rock’n’roll standard. It would later be covered by such artists as Jerry Lee Lewis, Credence Clearwater Revival, and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, among others.

In 1955, Buddy Holly had his big break, opening for Elvis Presley at the Cotton Club’s “Big D Jamboree” in Lubbock, Texas. The Nashville-based talent scout, Eddie Crandall, was in the audience and was blown away by the artist. After the show, he invited Holly to record some demos for Decca Records.

In 1960, The Beatles (minus Pete Best) and Rory Storm’s Hurricanes (which included drummer Ringo Starr) entered a Hamburg recording studio to cut a version of the Gershwin classic “Summertime.” The song, which was cut onto a 78-rpm single, marked the first session attended by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo.

In 2006, The Sugababes were named the most successful UK all-female act of the 21st century, beating out the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears with 16 hits. Four years earlier, they busted records for becoming the youngest female group to top the UK pop chart with “Freak Like Me.”

In 1988, Bon Jovi began a four-week run at the top of the Billboard 200 with New Jersey. Their fourth studio album also produced five Top 10 singles, breaking the records for the most Top Ten hits from a single glam metal album.

In 1977, Debbie Boone began a record-breaking 10-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “You Light Up My Life.” At the time, it marked the longest stay at the top of the pop chart, breaking a record previously held by Guy Mitchell’s 1956 hit, “Singing the Blues.”

BORN ON OCTOBER 15

1984: Shayne Ward
1975: Ginuwine
1953: Tito Jackson (The Jackson 5)
1946: Richard Carpenter (The Carpenters)
1942: Don Stevenson (Moby Grape)
1917: Paul Tanner (Glenn Miller Orchestra, Electro-Theramin pioneer)

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In 1990, legendary conductor, composer, and pianist Leonard Bernstein died at the age of 72. The Kennedy Center Honoree and multiple Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner was considered to be one of the most important figures in 20th-century music and was the first American conductor to find success internationally. In addition to serving as the long-running music director of the New York Philharmonic, Bernstein composed a multitude of works, including operas and symphonies, and scored some of the era’s biggest Broadway musicals and films, including West Side Story, Candide, On the Waterfront, and On the Town. He also brought classical music to children around the world as the host of the highly-influential TV show, Young People’s Concerts.

In 1988, Def Leppard became the first band in chart history to sell seven million copies of two consecutive albums (1983’s Pyromania and 1987’s Hysteria). The latter title, which includes six hit singles, remains their best-selling album to date, with more than 20 million sales worldwide.

In 1972, Michael Jackson (then a member of The Jackson 5 with his brothers) topped the Billboard Hot 100 with his first solo single, “Ben.”

In 1977, David Bowie released Heroes, his 12th studio album and the second chapter in his experimental “Berlin Trilogy” with Brian Eno. Produced by Bowie’s longtime collaborator, Tony Visconti, the album also featured contributions from King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp.

In 1957, the Everly Brothers scored their first No.1 on the Billboard pop chart with “Wake Up Little Susie.” The song, which peaked at No.2 in the UK, was banned by some American radio stations for its suggestive lyrics.

In 1968, the Jackson 5 made their national TV debut in the US on The Hollywood Palace.

BORN ON OCTOBER 14

1940: Cliff Richard
1945: Colin Hodgkinson (Whitesnake)
1946: Justin Hayward (The Moody Blues)
1948: Marcia Barrett (Boney M)
1974: Natalie Maines (The Chicks)
1975: Shaznay Lewis (All Saints)
1978: Usher

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