Entertainment

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)

---

---

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)

---

---

On this day in music, July 11, 1999, Ricky Martin became the first Puerto Rican artist to top the UK pop chart with “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” The song, which dominated global airwaves, hit No.1 in 20 countries, including in the US (where it spent five weeks at the top spot) and Canada, where it remained in the prized position for eight weeks. In addition to becoming one of the biggest hits of the decade, “Livin’ La Vida Loca” was instrumental in helping Latin music cross over to the mainstream.

In 1975, Fleetwood Mac released their tenth studio album. Often referred to as The White Album, the LP was the band’s second self-titled release (following their 1968 debut) and marked their first with guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and vocalist Stevie Nicks. Featuring three Top 20 singles in the US (“Over My Head,” “Rhiannon,” “Say You Love Me”), Fleetwood Mac topped the Billboard album chart and ushered in a new era for the hugely successful band.

In 2009, the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” began a 14-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, replacing the group’s previous single, “Boom Boom Pow,” which held the No.1 spot for 12 weeks. The feat made the best-selling group only the fourth act in chart history to replace themselves at the top spot, following OutKast, Boyz II Men, and The Beatles.

In 1969, David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” was released as a single in the UK to coincide with the Apollo moon landing. The song, which was used by the BBC in their coverage of the historic event, marked Bowie’s first to feature the recurring character of Major Tom. While the single initially didn’t find much traction, it later hit No.5 on the pop charts, while a 1975 reissue hit No.1. In 1972, “Space Oddity” became the British artist’s first hit in the US.

In 2004, with the success of their No.1 album Room on the 3rd Floor, British band McFly broke a record previously held by The Beatles, as they became the youngest group ever to debut at the top of the UK album chart.

In 1987, Heart began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with their cover of i-Ten’s “Alone.” The power ballad became one of the group’s most successful hits, topping the chart in Canada and landing in the Top 5 in the UK, Norway, and Switzerland, among other territories.

BORN ON JULY 11

1951: Bonnie Pointer (The Pointer Sisters)
1957: Pete Murphy (Bauhaus)
1958: Kirk Whalum (Saxophonist)
1959: Suzanne Vega
1959: Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
1966: Melanie Appleby (Mel and Kim)
1975: Lil’ Kim

---

---

In 1974, David Bowie began a five-night engagement at Philadelphia’s Tower Theater, all of which was recorded for his first live album, David Live, released in October of that year. The performance was an interesting one, as it found the artist in transition between his Ziggy Stardust glam phase and the “plastic soul” era of Young Americans. Despite the album cover, which showcased Bowie in the latter style, the set list primarily featured material from his glam days – spanning Ziggy Stardust, Aladin Sane, and his most recent release, Diamond Dogs.

In 1987, legendary producer and Columbia Records executive John Hammond passed away at 76. During his lengthy career, Hammond was pivotal in launching the careers of countless artists – from Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan to Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen. Hammond was also a tireless civil rights activist, who fought for racial integration in the music industry and beyond.

In 1965, The Rolling Stones scored their first No.1 hit in the US with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” The song, which was initially only played on pirate radio stations, due to its suggestive nature, held the top spot for four weeks.

In 1976, Starland Vocal Band scored a No.1 hit with their suggestive ditty, “Afternoon Delight.” Despite its subject matter, the song’s title was inspired by the name of a happy hour menu item at a Washington, DC restaurant. “Afternoon Delight” went on to become one of the biggest songs of the year and later earned a Grammy for Best Arrangement for Voices. Elsewhere, the song landed in the UK’s Top 20 and Australia’s Top 10, while it was a No.1 hit in Canada.

BORN ON JULY 10

1939: Mavis Staples
1942: Ronnie James Dio
1947: Arlo Guthrie
1954: Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys)
1958: Béla Fleck
1959: Sandy West (The Runaways)
1970: Jason Orange (Take That)
1970: Gary LeVox (Rascal Flats)
1974: Imelda May
1978: Jesse Lacey (Brand New)
1980: Jessica Simpson

---

---

On this day in music, July 9, 1962, Bob Dylan recorded “Blowin’ In the Wind” at New York’s Columbia Recording Studios, during sessions for his sophomore album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. A working version of the song was performed that April at Gerde’s Folk City, while its lyrics were published a month later in the Pete Seeger-run magazine, Broadside. The song quickly became an anthem for peace and freedom, resonating amid the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, and beyond. The oft-covered tune was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994 and frequently ranks among the world’s greatest songs.

In 1995, the Grateful Dead played their final concert with frontman Jerry Garcia. The show, which closed out a two-night engagement at Chicago’s Soldier Field, marked the end of a lengthy spring-summer tour. Among the songs performed were “Touch of Grey,” “So Many Roads,” “Shakedown Street,” and “Box of Rain,” which concluded the set. Garcia, who had been markedly struggling with his health and sobriety throughout the run of dates, died exactly one month later.

In 1955, Bill Haley & His Comets began an eight-week run at the top of the Billboard pop chart with “Rock Around the Clock.” The iconic rock‘n’roll song went on to become one of the biggest-selling singles of all time – and was the first record of its genre to hit No.1 in both the US and the UK.

In 1983, The Police began an eight-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Every Breath You Take.” The haunting track, which marked their only No.1 on that chart, was later named the biggest hit of 1983 in both the US and Canada. In the band’s native UK, the song topped the pop chart for four weeks and marked their fifth No.1 single.

In 1972, Paul McCartney and Wings kicked off their Wings Over Europe Tour in Ollioules – a small town in the South of France. The show was a momentous one for Beatles fans, marking McCartney’s first performance in Europe since 1966.

In 2006, Lily Allen scored her first No.1 hit on the UK pop chart with “Smile.” The song, which was Allen’s earliest composition, heavily samples the Soul Brothers’ 1960 rocksteady track, “Free Soul.”

BORN ON JULY 9

1929: Lee Hazlewood
1946: Bon Scott (AC/DC)
1947: Mitch Mitchell (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
1954: Debbie Sledge (Sister Sledge)
1959: Marc Almond (Soft Cell)
1959: Jim Kerr (Simple Minds)
1964: Courtney Love
1965: Frankie Bello (Anthrax)
1975: Jack White
1975: Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse)

---

---

On this day in music, July 8, 1954, Elvis Presley’s debut single, “That’s All Right,” was played for the very first time on Memphis’ WHBQ. Recorded three days earlier, Elvis’ rendition of the Arthur Crudup song was born out of improvisation, while he and his band, The Blue Moon Boys, were in between takes at Sun Studio. Elvis led the band through an up-tempo version of the blues tune, catching the ear of Sun founder and producer, Sam Phillips, who recorded the song. Ahead of its release, Phillips shared acetates of the song with several local radio stations. DJ Dewey Phillips (no relation) played it that night on his show “Red, Hot & Blue.” The station was flooded with calls, asking for him to play the song again, which he did, more than a dozen times that evening. With that, Elvis mania was born.

In 1958, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) presented its very first Gold Album to the Oklahoma! soundtrack, which commemorated the sale of 500,000 copies. Several months earlier, the RIAA presented its first Gold Record to a single – Perry Como’s “Catch a Falling Star.”

In 1995, TLC owned the airwaves and the Billboard charts with “Waterfalls,” which began its seven-week run at the top of the Hot 100. The song, which marked the group’s second No.1 hit and one of their signature songs, later earned the trio two Grammy nods. Its video, meanwhile, won four MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year, making TLC the first Black act to take home the top honor.

In 1972, Bill Withers began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with his poignant and enduring hit, “Lean on Me.” The song, which also topped the soul chart, would return to the No.1 spot once again when Club Nouveau covered it in 1987.

In 1978, Gerry Rafferty’s City to City had the honor of being the sole title to break Saturday Night Fever’s seemingly unstoppable 24-week run at the top of the US album charts. The LP featured the hits “Baker Street” and “Right Down the Line.”

In 1997, sisters Mykel and Carli Allan, who founded Weezer’s official fan club, were killed in a car accident. The girls, along with their younger sister, Trysta, were leaving a Weezer concert in Colorado when tragedy struck. Famous among the band’s global community of fans, the Allans were the subject of Weezer’s 1994 song, “Mykel & Carli” (a B-side to “Undone (The Sweater Song)”). The sisters, who were also early supporters of Jimmy Eat World, were canonized in the band’s 2001 song, “Hear You Me.”

BORN ON JULY 8

1930: Earl Van Dyke
1944: Jaimoe Johanson (Allman Brothers Band)
1960: Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode)
1961: Graham Jones (Haircut 100)
1961: Toby Keith
1963: Joan Osborne
1970: Beck
1985: Jamie Cook (Arctic Monkeys)

---

---