Entertainment

In 2022, British indie rockers Glass Animals topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Heat Waves.” After its initial chart entry in 2021, the Mercury Prize-nominated quartet’s slow-burning sleeper hit took a long road to the top, hitting the summit of the US charts in its 59th week, eclipsing the previously held record by Mariah Carey, whose “All I Want For Christmas Is You” took 35 weeks to ascend to the No.1 spot in 1994. By September 2022, “Heat Waves,” which peaked at No.5 in the UK, had accrued over two billion streams on Spotify. The record’s longevity has been attributed to the influence of social media, in particular TikTok.

In 1965, The Temptations scored their first US No.1 single with “My Girl,” released on Berry Gordy’s Motown label. The enduring hit was the Detroit vocal quintet’s first single featuring singer David Ruffin and was co-written and produced by labelmate and leader of The Miracles, Smokey Robinson.

In 1966, The Rolling Stones began recording their single “Paint It, Black” in Los Angeles’ RCA Studios. A psychedelic-tinged number featuring Brian Jones on sitar, the song came at a key juncture in the group’s development, when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were beginning to write all the band’s material. The track rose to No.1 in both the US and UK pop charts.

In 1990, Phil Collins’ …But Seriously began a fifteen-week run at the summit of the UK albums chart. The Genesis drummer-turned-singer’s fourth solo LP also enjoyed a month at No.1 on The Billboard 200. Collins released six singles from the album, the most successful of which was “Another Day In Paradise,” a US No.1 hit.

In 1951, the noted Welsh composer, singer, and actor Ivor Novello died, aged 58. Born in Cardiff, he rose to fame by writing “Keep The Home Fires Burning,” a popular song during World War I. The Ivor Novello Awards, honoring songwriters and composers, began in 1955 and has been an annual fixture of the music calendar ever since.

In 2021, 94-year-old Lou Ottens, the inventor of the tape cassette, died. Born Lodewijk Frederik Ottens in Holland, he worked at Philips, the Dutch electronics company, for many years and was also involved in the development of the compact disc. “We didn’t feel like we were doing anything big,” he said of the cassette. “We were little boys who had fun playing.”

BORN ON MARCH 6

1893: Walter ‘Furry’ Lewis
1923: Wes Montgomery
1944: Mary Wilson (The Supremes)
1946: David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
1947: Kiki Dee
1974: Guy Garvey (Elbow)
1984: Chris Tomson (Vampire Weekend)

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In 1963, tragedy struck when 30-year-old country star Patsy Cline was killed in a plane crash, alongside Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins. The Tennessee native, born Virginia Patterson Hensley, was traveling home from Kansas City, following a benefit concert for the widow of DJ “Cactus” Jack Call. At the time of her death, Cline was just beginning to enjoy crossover success on the US pop charts, with hits like “I Fall To Pieces” and “Crazy.” In the years and decades that followed, Cline’s influence only grew. In addition to breaking multiple glass ceilings as a woman in country music, Cline was also revered for her emotive vocals and bold persona. In 1973, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Country Hall of Fame.

In 2017, Ed Sheeran topped the UK albums chart with his third album ÷ (aka “Divide”). Shooting to No.1 within three days of its release, ÷ became the fastest-selling album by a male artist in UK pop history. Nine of its 16 songs entered the UK Top 10, breaking a record previously held by Calvin Harris. Controversially, the other seven tracks made the Top 20, which led to an overhaul of how the charts were compiled. Beginning on July 7, 2017, the number of tracks an artist could have in the chart at any one time was limited to three.

In 1956, Frank Sinatra released his tenth studio LP Songs For Swingin’ Lovers!, which was his first to top the UK albums chart. In 2000, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

In 1983, Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” began a seven-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The second single plucked from his record-breaking sixth studio album, Thriller, “Billie Jean” topped the charts in ten countries around the world and to date has sold an estimated 14 million copies.

In 1963, The Beatles recorded their third single “From Me To You,” originally written by Lennon and McCartney as a B-side. It topped the UK charts but sold poorly when it was first released in America, selling less than 4,000 copies. Later, US interest in the band eventually helped to push the song to No. 41 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

In 2002, The Osbournes made its debut on MTV. A fly-on-the-wall look at the life of ex-Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne and his family, the show was an instant hit and became the channel’s most-viewed program. It ran for four seasons until 2005.

BORN ON MARCH 5

1970: John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
1962: Craig and Charlie Reid (The Proclaimers)
1958: Andy Gibb
1957: Mark E. Smith (The Fall)
1956: Teena Marie
1948: Eddy Grant

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On this day in music, March 4, 1966, John Lennon stated in an interview published by London’s Evening Standard newspaper that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus Christ.” In the UK, his words didn’t raise many eyebrows but when they were published in America later that year – just prior to The Beatles’ third tour of the country – they angered Christian communities, who protested by picketing concerts and publicly burning the Fab Four’s records. Lennon later apologized for his controversial comments, saying that he had been misunderstood.

In 2019, 49-year-old Keith Flint – best known as The Prodigy’s flamboyant frontman – took his own life. Born in London, he began as a dancer with The Prodigy before becoming their lead vocalist on their third album, 1997’s The Fat Of The Land, which featured the group’s iconic hit “Firestarter.” Away from The Prodigy, he led his own punk band, Flint, and also owned a motorcycle racing team called Team Traction Control, which won four Isle of Man TT races and participated in the British Superbike Championship.

In 1974, ABBA released “Waterloo,” the title track and first single from their second album. When it won the Eurovision Song Contest, it made the Swedish group a household name, topping the charts in nine countries across the world, including the UK where it was also the quartet’s first gold single.

In 2009, Britney Spears embarked on her first concert tour in five years. Dubbed “The Circus Tour,” the artist’s 97-date itinerary began in New Orleans and proved to be an extravagant spectacle that featured the singer, dressed as a ringmaster, sharing the stage with a troupe of acrobats, magicians, dancers, and jugglers.

In 1967, The Rolling Stones topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the fourth time with “Ruby Tuesday.” Though it didn’t appear on any of the group’s UK albums – where it was released as a non-album double A-side single with the controversial “Let’s Spend The Night Together” – it was featured on the band’s US-only LP, Between The Buttons.

In 1963, The Beach Boys released “Surfin’ U.S.A,” the title track of the band’s second album. Rock‘n’roll icon Chuck Berry noticed that the tune, attributed to Brian Wilson, was remarkably similar to his 1958 hit, “Sweet Little Sixteen,” and successfully pursued the band for a publishing credit. Although it stalled at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Surfin’ USA” spent 78 weeks on the chart and became the best-selling record of the year.

BORN ON MARCH 4

1944: Bobby Womack
1948: Shakin’ Stevens
1951: Chris Rea
1953: Emilio Estefan (Miami Sound Machine)
1955: Boon Gould (Level 42)
1963: Jason Newsted (Metallica)
1967: Evan Dando (The Lemonheads)
1968: Patsy Kensit (Eighth Wonder)

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On this day in music, March 3, 1986, Metallica released their masterpiece Master of Puppets. Widely considered to be the best metal album of all time, Master of Puppets marked the band’s third studio album and final record to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who died in an accident during the album’s promotional tour. Upon its release, the album was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at No. 29 on the Billboard 200 – thanks in part to the Top 40 title track. The album was eventually certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA and became the first metal LP to be preserved in the National Recording Registry in 2015.

In 1966, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay formed the pioneering band Buffalo Springfield, which blended folk and country flavors with psychedelic rock. Taking their name from a steamroller parked outside their Los Angeles home, they added Canadian musicians Neil Young, Bruce Palmer, and Dewey Martin to the lineup. The influential band is best remembered for their third single, “For What It’s Worth,” a counterculture anthem that was a Top 10 US hit.

In 1965, guitarist Eric Clapton played his last show with The Yardbirds. Leaving to join John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, he recommended the band hire future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, who declined and suggested Jeff Beck, who played his first gig with the band two days after Clapton’s departure.

In 1972, Elton John released “Rocket Man,” co-written with lyricist Bernie Taupin, which became one of his best-loved songs. A taster of his album Honky Château, it rose to No.2 on the UK Singles Chart and No.6 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

In 2005, 50 Cent followed up his sextuple platinum debut, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, with The Massacre, which moved over 1.4 million copies within four days of its release and achieved quadruple platinum sales figures in two months. The album spawned five Top 5 US singles, the most successful of which was the chart-topping “Candy Shop.”

In 1973, British glam rockers Slade saw their tenth single “Cum On Feel The Noize” go straight to the top of the UK charts on its release, a feat that had not happened since The Beatles with “Get Back” in 1969.

In 2009, U2 marked the release of their twelfth album No Line On The Horizon by appearing for five consecutive nights on The Late Show With David Letterman. They were also honored by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who temporarily renamed part of 53rd Street in Midtown Manhattan “U2 Way.”

BORN ON MARCH 3

1923: Doc Watson
1927: Junior Parker
1947: Jennifer Warnes
1948: Terence ‘Snowy’ White
1953: Robyn Hitchcock
1966: Tone-Loc
1977: Ronan Keating
1997: Camila Cabello

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On this day in music, February 28, 1970, Simon & Garfunkel began a six-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The ballad, which also served as the title track of the folk duo’s fifth and final studio album, featured Art Garfunkel on lead vocals, while The Wrecking Crew provided “Wall of Sound” style instrumentation. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” became the act’s signature hit, winning the duo five Grammys (including Record and Song of the Year). It would eventually become one of the most performed songs of the 20th century, with notable recordings by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin, among others.

In 1963, Patsy Cline made her final television appearance on The Glenn Reeves Show, where she performed her hits “San Antonio Rose” and “I Fall To Pieces.” Just five days later, the 30-year-old country star was killed in a plane crash.

In 1986, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley announced that Wham! would split in the summer. The British duo was one of the most successful pop acts of the 1980s. Before their disbandment, they released a final single, “The Edge of Heaven,” as well as a greatest hits album. Their farewell show was held at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 28, 1986, with 72,000 fans in attendance.

In 1984, Michael Jackson took home a record-breaking eight awards at the 26th Annual Grammys. Out of his 12 nominations, Jackson earned Record of the Year for “Beat It” and Album of the Year for Thriller, while “Billie Jean” won Best Pop Vocal Performance, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B song.

In 1983, U2 released their third studio album, War. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, it became the Irish band’s first No.1 album in the UK, pushing Michael Jackson’s Thriller from the top position. Across the Atlantic, War was U2’s first Gold-certified album in the US.

In 2019, the celebrated pianist, composer, and conductor, André Previn, died at age 89 in his Manhattan home. In addition to accomplishments in the jazz and classical world, Previn composed or arranged more than 50 Hollywood film scores. During his seven-decade-long career, Previn earned four Academy Awards and ten Grammys, among other honors.

BORN ON FEBRUARY 28

1942: Brian Jones (Rolling Stones)
1943: Donnie Iris (Wild Cherry)
1948: Geoff Nicholls (Black Sabbath)
1957: Ian Stanley (Tears For Fears)
1957: Cindy Wilson (B-52’s)
1971: Nigel Godrich (Producer)
1977: Jason Aldean
1994: Jake Bugg

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On this day in music, February 27, 1993, Whitney Houston’s moving rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” became the longest US No.1 hit to date, breaking a record previously held by Boyz II Men’s “End Of The Road.” Recorded by Houston for the soundtrack to her film debut, The Bodyguard, the song spent 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and quickly became one of the world’s best-selling singles of all time.

In 1999, Britney Spears’ debut single, “…Baby One More Time,” began a two-week run at the top of the UK pop chart. The song, which also hit No.1 in more than 20 countries, including the US, Australia, Canada, and across Europe, broke first-week sales records in the UK for a female act. In the US, it became the second-highest-selling single of the year (behind Lou Bega’s “Mambo #5”), while today, it remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, worldwide.

In 1971, five months after her untimely death, Janis Joplin began a nine-week run at the top of the US album chart with Pearl. Released on January 11, 1971, the title marked Joplin’s second and final solo studio album.

In 1964, Cavern Club cloakroom attendant Cilla Black hit No.1 on the UK singles chart with her cover of “Anyone Who Had A Heart.” While the song was written months earlier by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick, Black’s rendition found greater success in the UK, where it remained at the top of the chart for three weeks and eventually became the fourth best-selling single of 1964. Warwick’s original recording, however, was more popular in the US, Canada, South Africa, Spain, and Australia, among other territories.

In 1993, Marlena Davis of The Orlons died at age 48 after battling lung cancer. The Orlons had five US Top 20 hits in the 1960s, and the quartet’s first hit, “The Wah-Watusi,” peaked at No.2 on the US pop chart.

BORN ON FEBRUARY 27

1910: Winifred Atwell
1927: Guy Mitchell
1954: Neal Schon (Journey)
1957: Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
1960: Johnny Roy Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
1971: Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas (TLC)
1981: Josh Groban

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