Entertainment

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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On this day in music, May 23, 2000, Eminem released his groundbreaking third album, The Marshal Mathers LP. Despite the controversial nature of many of its songs, the semi-autobiographical title was embraced by critics – particularly for its introspective lyricism. One of the fastest-selling albums of all time in the US, The Marshal Mathers LP debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, holding the top spot for eight consecutive weeks. It produced several hits, including the rapper’s first US Top Ten hit, “The Real Slim Shady,” and the international smash “Stan.”

In 1970, Paul McCartney’s solo debut, McCartney began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard 200. The lo-fi album, which featured the enduring hit “Maybe I’m Amazed,” was performed and recorded entirely by the former Beatle.

In 1960, The Everly Brothers began a five-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Cathy’s Clown.” The song, which spent seven weeks at No.1 in the UK, would become the duo’s biggest single, while its unusual structure would influence a host of other artists.

In 1970, the Grateful Dead made their live international debut, appearing at The Hollywood Rock Music Festival in England. Also on the billing were Black Sabbath, Traffic, and Free, among others.

In 1964, with “Can’t Buy Me Love,” legendary jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald became the first artist to score a hit with a Beatles cover. The song, which peaked at No.34 on the UK charts, appealed to many parents of the Fab Four’s fans.

BORN ON MAY 23

1928: Rosemary Clooney
1934: Robert Moog (Inventor of the Synthesizer)
1944: Tiki Fulwood (Parliament, Funkadelic)
1953: Rick Fenn (10cc)
1967: Philip Selway (Radiohead)
1967: Junior Waite (Musical Youth)
1972: Maxwell
1974: Jewel

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On this day in music, May 22, 1976, Paul McCartney and Wings began a five-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Silly Love Songs.” The single, which marked the former Beatle’s fifth No.1 as a solo artist, was written in response to taunts by critics that he wrote “lightweight” love songs. McCartney, however, had the last laugh. Not only did the song rank as the biggest hit of the year in the US, but it also gave him the record for the most No.1 singles ever by a songwriter – 27, to be exact.

In 1971, Sticky Fingers became The Rolling Stones’ second chart-topping album in the US. In addition to being considered among the band’s best works by critics over the decades, Sticky Fingers also boasted some of the era’s most inventive (and suggestive) jacket art, featuring a zippable image of a man’s jeans, designed by Andy Warhol. The release also marked the first use of the Stones’ now-classic “tongue and lips” logo.

In 1993, Swedish pop group Ace of Base scored their first No.1 hit in the UK with “All That She Wants.” The song also topped the charts in more than ten countries, including Canada, Australia, and Italy. In the US, it peaked at No.2 and became one of the best-selling singles of the year.

In 2017, Drake set a new bar for the most wins at the Billboard Music Awards when he took home 13 BMAs, breaking a record previously held by Adele (with 12 wins). The Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter won Top Artist, Top Male Artist, and Top Billboard 200 Album, among other categories – all based around the success of his fourth studio album, Views, and its singles.

In 2004, on his 45th birthday, Morrissey returned to Manchester for his first hometown show in 12 years. All 18,000 tickets to the M.E.N. Arena concert sold out in 90 minutes.

BORN ON MAY 22

1924: Charles Aznavour
1950: Bernie Taupin (Lyricist)
1955: Mary Black
1959: Morrissey (The Smiths)
1962: Jesse Valenzuela (Gin Blossoms)
1966: Johnny Gill (New Edition, LSG)

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On this day in music, May 21, 1971, Marvin Gaye released his celebrated 11th studio album, What’s Going On. The concept album, which revolved around the bittersweet homecoming of a Vietnam vet, delivered pointed social commentary about inequality in America. A landmark title, What’s Going On marked a turning point in Gaye’s career, finding the “Prince of Motown” swapping upbeat singles for honest and introspective lyricism. Considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time, the LP was met with broad critical acclaim and commercial success, remaining on the Billboard 200 for more than a year and spawning several hit singles, including the title track, “Mercy Mercy Me,” and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler).”

In 1955, Chuck Berry recorded “Maybellene” – his debut single, and one of the world’s first rock‘n’roll songs – at Chicago’s Universal Recording Studio. The tune, which was based around the 1938 Western Swing song, “Ida Red,” by Bob Willis and his Texas Playboys, instantly appealed to young music fans around the country, breaking through the segregated radio waves. Released via the legendary blues imprint Chess Records, “Maybellene” topped Billboard’s R&B chart and landed in the Hot 100’s Top 5, effectively launching Berry’s career and forever altering the course of popular music.

In 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released their protest anthem, “Ohio.” The poignant track was written by Young in response to the Kent State massacre, during which National Guardsmen killed and injured multiple unarmed student protesters, who were peacefully opposing the Vietnam War.

In 2011, Adele scored her first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Rolling in the Deep.” The Grammy-winning song, which led her sophomore album, 21, held the top spot for seven weeks, eventually becoming the best-selling digital song ever by a female artist in the US. Elsewhere, “Rolling in the Deep” topped the charts in more than 20 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Germany, and South Korea.

In 1982, Factory Records opened the Hacienda Club in Manchester, England. The storied venue would soon become ground zero for the “Madchester” rave and acid house scene, as well as an incubator for bands like New Order and Happy Mondays.

BORN ON MAY 21

1904: Fats Waller
1941: Ronald Isley (The Isley Brothers)
1948: Leo Sayer
1955: Stan Lynch (Producer, Songwriter)
1972: The Notorious B.I.G.
1978: Adam Gontier (Three Days Grace)
1980: Gotye
1985: Mutya Buena (Sugababes)

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