Entertainment

On October 7, 1979, Factory Records released Joy Division’s debut single, “Transmission.” Originally recorded in 1978 for a scrapped, self-titled debut, the song was re-recorded at a faster tempo and released as a non-album single, months after their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, landed in stores. In 2007, the frenetic track was ranked among the NME’s 50 “Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.”

In 1995, Alanis Morissette’s breakthrough third album, Jagged Little Pill, took the top spot on the Billboard 200, roughly four months after its release. Featuring many of the Canadian artist’s biggest hits – including “Ironic,” “Hand in My Pocket,” and the incendiary “You Oughta Know,” Jagged Little Pill went on to become Billboard’s best-selling album of the decade, and, on a global scale, the highest-selling album ever by a female artist, with sales exceeding 33 million.

In 2016, Coachella co-founder Paul Tollett inaugurated Desert Trip (fondly dubbed “Oldchella”), a music festival held in Indio, California that featured classic rock acts. The Rolling Stones headlined the first night, covering The Beatles’ “Come Together.” The festival also featured Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Roger Waters, and The Who. Though it was only held in 2016, the six-day event (split over two weekends) became the highest-earning music festival at the time.

In 1976, after years of facing deportation, John Lennon received his green card, granting him permanent resident status in the US. This was achieved at a hearing in New York City, where previous efforts by the US Government to deport the Beatle alum were overturned.

In 1989, Paula Abdul topped the US album charts with Forever Your Girl. The choreographer, singer, and dancer’s debut album spent sixty-four consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 before hitting number one, setting the record for the longest journey to the top spot.

In 1968, José Feliciano inadvertently sparked controversy by performing a slower, folk-influenced rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the World Series. Following the appearance, Feliciano’s career suffered tremendously, with radio stations refusing to play his music.

BORN ON OCTOBER 7

1945: Kevin Godley (10cc)
1951: John Mellencamp
1953: Tico Torres (Bon Jovi)
1959: Simon Cowell (Record Executive, Producer)
1967: Toni Braxton
1968: Thom Yorke (Radiohead)
1996: Lewis Capaldi

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On October 5, 1962, The Beatles changed the musical landscape forever with the UK release of their debut single, “Love Me Do.” The jaunty track spent 26 weeks on the pop chart, peaking at No.17, and later appeared on the band’s debut album, Please Please Me, released in March 1963. The single would be released in the US a year and a half later, in April 1964, and it went straight to No.1.

On October 5, 1973, Elton John released his seventh studio album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. It became John’s best-selling studio album and features some of his best-loved songs, including “Candle in the Wind,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and the title track. Ranked as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone, the record was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003.

In 1966, Jimi Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell, and Noel Redding formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience. They played their first show together just over a week later, on October 13, at the Novelty in Évreux, France.

In 1970, the highly-anticipated Led Zeppelin III was released in the UK. The album, which peaked at No.1 on both sides of the Atlantic, featured a broad range of instrumentation and some of the band’s most recognizable tracks, including the fiery “Immigrant Song.” It has since been certified 6X Platinum in the US alone.

In 1974, Olivia Newton-John scored her first No.1 in the US with “I Honestly Love You.”

In 1999, Roger Daltrey announced that The Who would reunite. Their highly-anticipated first show back together took place on October 29 in Las Vegas.

BORN ON OCTOBER 5

1937: Garth Hudson (The Band)
1941: Doris Coley (The Shirelles)
1944: Jim Capaldi (Traffic)
1961: Pete De Freitas (Echo & the Bunnymen)
1967: Butch Vig (Producer)
1970: Zelma Davis (C+C Music Factory)

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On October 3, 1992, Sinead O’Connor made Saturday Night Live history with one of the show’s most unforgettable appearances. In a controversial move that defined her career, the Irish singer-songwriter performed a cover of Bob Marley’s “War,” changing the lyric “racism” to “child abuse,” while holding up a photo of Pope John Paul II. She then tore the picture and threw the pieces at the camera. The audience was stunned, neither clapping nor booing. NBC, meanwhile, was fined $2.5 million by the FCC for O’Connor’s live stunt.

In 1967, American folk icon Woody Guthrie died after a lengthy battle with Huntington’s disease at age 55. During his career, the pioneering artist wrote hundreds of songs, including, most famously, “This Land Is Your Land,” in response to Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.” An anti-fascist activist, who was associated with several American communist groups, Guthrie often incorporated political and social commentary into his songs. His vast catalog of work would inspire artists across a range of genres and decades, including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Garcia, and Jeff Tweedy.

In 1945, a 10-year-old Elvis Presley performed in public for the first time during a talent contest at the Mississippi Alabama Dairy Show. He sang “Old Shep” and came in second place.

In 1999, 59-year-old Tom Jones became the oldest artist to top the UK album charts with new material. The LP in question was Reload, which featured his hit collaboration with Mousse T, “Sexbomb.”

In 2004, 17-year-old Joss Stone became the youngest female artist to top the UK Album charts with Mind Body & Soul. Across the pond, Stone’s sophomore LP earned her three Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Female Pop Performance (for “You Had Me”).

In 1991, Texas governor Ann Richards proclaimed October 3rd “Stevie Ray Vaughan Day,” to mark the late, Dallas-born musician’s birthday. Annual motorcycle rides and concerts in Central Texas benefit the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund.

BORN ON OCTOBER 3

1941: Chubby Checker
1949: Lindsey Buckingham
1954: Stevie Ray Vaughan
1962: Tommy Lee
1969: Gwen Stefani
1971: Kevin Richardson (Backstreet Boys)
1975: India Arie
1978: Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters)

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On October 2, 2017, Tom Petty was pronounced dead at the age of 66, just days after performing a hometown show with the Heartbreakers at the Hollywood Bowl. Fans around the globe mourned the loss of the beloved singer and songwriter, whose catalog of hits spanned four decades. Petty rose to fame with the Heartbreakers in 1977, with whom he released such enduring favorites as “American Girl,” “Breakdown,” “Don’t Do Me Like That,” and “Refugee.” In 1987, the artist embarked on a solo career, topping Billboard’s rock charts with singles like “Free Fallin’” and “I Won’t Back Down,” while in 1988, he joined the supergroup Travelling Wilburys, alongside Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Bob Dylan. Petty continued to tour and record both as a solo artist and with the Heartbreakers until his death.

In 1995, Oasis released their record-breaking sophomore album, (What’s The Story), Morning Glory, which debuted at No.1 in the UK. In addition to featuring such genre-defining hits as “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova,” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” the Britpop classic became the UK’s highest-selling album of the decade and the second-longest charting album on the UK charts. With more than 22 million copies sold worldwide, it also remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.

In 1970, Pink Floyd released their fifth studio album, Atom Heart Mother, which went on to become their first to reach No.1 in the UK.

In 1982, Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett rejoined Genesis after their departures in 1975 and 1977, respectively, for a one-off benefit performance at The Milton Keynes Bowl in Buckinghamshire, England. To this day, it’s the only time Peter Gabriel has sang Genesis songs onstage after leaving the band.

In 1998, Gene Autry, who was known as “The Singing Cowboy,” died at the age of 91. The only performer to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in all five categories (music, film, TV, radio, and live performance), Autry’s influence was far-reaching. In addition to appearing in 93 films and hosting The Gene Autry Show in the 50s, Autry was a pioneering country artist, known for such hits as ‘Back in the Saddle Again” and “At Mail Call Today.” The Country Music Hall of Famer also lent his voice to several Christmas classics, including “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty The Snowman,” and “Here Comes Santa Claus.”

In 1982, British-Jamaican reggae group Musical Youth hit the top of the UK pop charts with “Pass The Dutchie,” off their debut album, The Youth of Today. To avoid being banned for a drug reference, the group swapped any references to marijuana for food, including “kutchie” (slang for a marijuana pipe) to “dutchie” (slang for a Dutch oven cooking pot).

In 1983, Bonnie Tyler became the first Welsh artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with her enduring hit, “Total Eclipse Of The Heart.” Written and produced by Jim Steinman (Meat Loaf, Air Supply, Barry Manilow), the song originally clocked in at just over seven minutes long, but was shortened to four minutes and thirty seconds to be more radio-friendly. Steinman said the song was written as a “vampire love story,” and was initially intended to be part of a Nosferatu musical he was working on.

In 1961, Phil Spector and Lester Sill released The Crystals’ “Oh Yeah Maybe Baby” as the first single under their new label, Philles. A little over a year later, The Crystals achieved their first No.1 hit under the label with “He’s A Rebel.”

In 2002, Robbie Williams signed the most lucrative British record deal in history with EMI records for a whopping £80m.

BORN ON OCTOBER 2

1945: Don McLean
1949: Richard Hell
1951: Sting
1955: Phil Oakey (Human League)
1969: Badly Drawn Boy
1971: Jim Root (Slipknot)
1971: Tiffany
1988: Brittany Howard

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On October 1, 1965, Bob Dylan introduced guitarist Robbie Robertson, organist Garth Hudson, bassist Rick Danko, pianist Richard Manual, and drummer Levon Helm as his new touring band, during a show at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. The group, previously known as The Hawks, was recommended to Dylan by John Hammond Jr. for the famed singer-songwriter’s first tour “going electric.” The Band, as they would become known, performed alongside Dylan until 1967, and became one of the most renowned backing bands of all time.

In 1970, Jimi Hendrix was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery in Renton, Washington, nearly two weeks after his death on September 18. Among the mourners at his funeral were Miles Davis, Eric Burdon, members of Derek and the Dominoes, and Johnny Winter.

In 1975, Booker T. And The M.G.’s drummer Al Jackson, Jr. was shot and killed by intruders in his Memphis home. At 39 years old, Jackson was one of the most revered drummers in soul music, who played on hits by Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, and Albert King with the M.G.’s. Jackson also wrote and played alongside Al Green, and performed as a session drummer for the likes of Elvis Presley, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, and Bill Withers.

In 2007, the Spice Girls’ eagerly-awaited reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena sold out within 38 seconds. More than one million fans attempted to get tickets for the group’s first reunion. Due to high demand, three more London dates were added to the group’s world tour.

In 2018, French-Armenian singer, actor, activist, and diplomat Charles Aznavour died at age 94. Dubbed France’s Frank Sinatra, Aznavour was known for his hit single “She,” which reached No.1 on the UK charts in 1974. During his long-running career, Aznavour sold over 180 million records and recorded more than 1,200 songs.

In 1982, John Cougar Mellencamp went to No.1 on both the US album and singles chart with American Fool and “Jack And Diane,” respectively. American Fool, released under the moniker John Cougar, was the singer-songwriter’s fifth studio album, while the song, which marked the second single off the LP (following “Hurts So Good”), became his biggest hit. According to Mellencamp, “Jack And Diane” was inspired by the Tennessee Williams film Sweet Bird Of Youth, and focused on an interracial relationship. However, due to pressure from record executives, the artist was forced to change the lyrics, instead making it about two teenagers.

In 1967, the first edition of BBC Radio 1’s Top Gear aired in the UK. Presented by John Peel and Pete Drummond, the show featured The Move, Traffic, Pink Floyd, Tim Rose, and Tomorrow (featuring Keith West).

BORN ON OCTOBER 1

1935: Julie Andrews
1942: Herb Fame (Peaches & Herb)
1945: Donny Hathaway
1947: Rob Davis (Mud)
1955: Howart Hewett (Shalamar)
1974: Keith Duffy (Boyzone)
1985: Dizzee Rascal

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On September 30, 1967, the UK’s first national pop radio station, BBC Radio 1 was launched. The station was established as a successor to the BBC Light Program, which had broadcast music and other shows since the end of World War II. Radio 1, meanwhile, was created as a direct response to the rabid success of offshore pirate radio stations, such as Radio Caroline and Radio London, which had been outlawed by the UK Parliament. Radio 1 served as the home to such legendary DJs as John Peel, Alan Freeman, Kenny Everett, and Tony Blackburn, while today, it remains one of the most influential music stations around the world.

In 1995, Mariah Carey made chart history when she began an eight-week run atop the Billboard Hot 100 with “Fantasy,” making her the first female act to debut at the chart’s No.1 spot. The enduring track, which heavily samples the Tom Tom Club’s 1981 song, “Genius of Love,” marked the singer’s ninth No.1 hit in the US and became a Top Ten hit around the globe.

In 1978, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John topped the UK pop chart with “Summer Nights,” their second No.1 from the Grease soundtrack. The track spent seven weeks at No.1, and, combined with an earlier nine-week run with “You’re The One That I Want,” the duo spent 16 weeks at No.1 in 1978. In the US, the song reached No.5.

In 1995, Simply Red scored their first UK No.1 hit with “Fairground.” It was the British group’s only song to top the chart.

In 2006, Justin Timberlake’s second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, topped the US album charts. Prior to its release, it also became the most pre-ordered album on iTunes in the history of the service.

In 1965, Donovan made his US television debut on Shindig!, along with The Hollies, The Turtles, and the Dave Clark Five.

BORN ON SEPTEMBER 30

1933: Cissy Houston
1935: Johnny Mathis
1947: Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
1964: Trey Anastasio (Phish)
1964: Robby Takac (Goo Goo Dolls)
1984: Keisha Buchanan (Sugababes)
1986: Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons)

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