Entertainment

In 1992, Parlophone Records released Radiohead’s debut single, “Creep.” While the British alt-rockers had initially recorded other tracks for a potential debut, none of them ended up satisfying the band. In between takes at the studio, Radiohead began jamming out another song, “Creep,” which frontman Thom Yorke had written years earlier as a student at Exeter University. Producers Paul Q. Kolderie and Sean Slade were immediately taken with the track and fought to make it a single. While “Creep” didn’t immediately chart, it was a critical darling. The following year, the song became a global hit. Today, it remains the group’s most successful single.

In 1977, Meat Loaf released his debut album, Bat Out Of Hell, alongside songwriter and composer Jim Steinman and producer Todd Rundgren. The epic record, which features such hits as “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time.

In 1996, The Fugees scored their second UK No.1 hit with “Ready Or Not,” following the success of “Killing Me Softly.” The soulful hip-hop track, which became one of the UK’s best-selling singles of the year, would be certified Platinum in both the UK and the US.

In 2015, trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of The Bar-Kays and the only survivor of the 1967 plane crash that killed Otis Redding, died at the age of 67.

In 1987, American jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius died. Considered to be one of the greatest electric bassists of all time, Pastorius found success as a solo artist, a band leader, and a sideman (collaborating with the likes of Pat Metheny and Joni Mitchell, among others), and was a member of the Weather Report from 1976 to 1981.

In 1974, Barry White went to No.1 on the US singles chart with “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe.” The song became a live staple for the artist, who performed memorable renditions on The Midnight Special in 1974 and Soul Train in May 1975.

In 1963, Bobby Vinton began a three-week run at the top of the US singles chart with “Blue Velvet.” 27 years later, the song became a No.2 hit in the UK, thanks to its appearance in an ad campaign for Nivea cream.

BORN ON SEPTEMBER 21

1934: Leonard Cohen
1947: Don Felder (Eagles)
1954: Phil Taylor (Motorhead)
1967: Faith Hill
1968: David Jude Jolicoeur (De La Soul)
1972: Liam Gallagher (Oasis)
1989: Jason Derulo

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On September 18, 1970, Jimi Hendrix died tragically at London’s Samarkand Hotel. While the 27-year-old had only been in the spotlight for just four years, his imprint on rock music was mighty. His virtuosic guitar technique would inspire countless musicians, while his hits with The Jimi Hendrix Experience (including “Purple Haze,” “Hey Joe,” and “The Wind Cries Mary,”) continue to endure. A week before his death, Hendrix gave his final interview in his suite at the Cumberland Hotel in London, where he discussed a number of topics with Keith Altham, a journalist for Record Mirror. The duo dove into his thoughts on psychedelic music, his role as a guitar hero, and more, capturing Hendrix’s state of mind shortly before the end of his life.

In 1971, The Who scored their first and only UK No.1 album with Who’s Next. Released in August, the project emerged from the ashes of a scrapped rock opera, Lifehouse, which was slated to be the multimedia follow-up to 1969’s Tommy. Nevertheless, the album went on to become a critical darling and be considered one of The Who’s greatest LPs.

In 1993, Meat Loaf’s hard rock epic Bat Out Of Hell II reached No.1 on the UK album chart, a feat he would repeat five more times over the course of his career. The album was released sixteen years after the artist’s first solo album, Bat Out of Hell.

In 2014, Taylor Swift landed at the top of the US singles chart once again, thanks to the success of her hit, “Shake It Off.” The song was the lead single from 1989, which Swift marketed as her first pop album.

In 1983, KISS took to MTV to appear in public without their iconic makeup for the first time. While the hard rockers pulled off the stunt to promote their new album, Lick It Up, it also tripled the sales of their previous LP, Creatures of the Night.

In 1968, The Beatles recorded 20 takes of “Birthday.” The session had the band recruiting a number of friends and family: Roadie Mal Evans added handclaps, while Yoko Ono and Patti Harrison contributed backing vocals on the track.

BORN ON SEPTEMBER 18

1939: Frankie Avalon
1950: Michael Hossack (The Doobie Brothers)
1952: Dee Dee Ramone
1962: Joanne Catherall (The Human League)
1967: Ricky Bell (New Edition, Bell Biv DeVoe)
1988: Lukas Forchhammer (Lukas Graham)

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On September 17, 1978, Queen took over Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium to film the video for their hit single “Bicycle Race.” Directed by Denis de Vallance (who also directed visuals for The Pointer Sisters, The Clash, Kool & The Gang, and more) the video famously featured 65 naked women, all of whom happened to be professional models. The concept involved them racing at the Wimbledon greyhound racing track (not to be confused with the home of the famous tennis tournament). While the band rented a number of bikes for the models to use, the company leasing the bikes insisted that Queen purchase each of the bicycle seats used during the shoot, once they learned of the concept.

In 2011, Adele went to No.1 on the US singles chart with “Someone Like You.” The song, which has since gone five times Platinum, was a hit across the world, reaching No.1 in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, and more. It also did monumental numbers in Adele’s home country of England. Later, during the Official Charts Company’s 60th anniversary, UK citizens chose “Someone like You” as one of the top three most beloved singles of the past 60 years. The song trailed only Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

In 1983, Paul Young scored his first UK No.1 album with No Parlez. Young’s debut was initially thought to be a dud, as early singles “Iron Out the Rough Spots” and “Love of the Common People” didn’t register commercially, but a cover of the Marvin Gaye hit “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” propelled the album to dominance.

In 1976, The Sex Pistols played a concert for the inmates at Chelmsford Prison in Essex. Controversially, the performance was released as an album in 1990, featuring a significant amount of overdubs from the band’s soundman, Dave Goodman.

In 1931, the first long-playing record, a 33 1/3 rpm recording, was demonstrated at the Savoy Plaza Hotel in New York by RCA-Victor.

In 1964, The Beatles appeared at the Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. The band was paid $150,000 for the show, which was more than any act had ever been paid for a concert.

BORN ON SEPTEMBER 17

1923: Hank Williams
1939: Lamonte McLemore (The 5th Dimension)
1962: Baz Lurhmann
1969: Keith Flint (The Prodigy)
1985: Jonathan Jacob Walker (Panic! At The Disco)

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On September 16, 1979, The Sugarhill Gang introduced the world to hip-hop with their single “Rapper’s Delight.” Opening with the now-classic lyric “I said a hip hop the hippie to the hippie/ To the hip hip hop and you don’t stop,” the track riffs off the upbeat bassline of Chic’s “Good Times,” and features the dextrous wordplay of Michael “Wonder Mike” Wright, Henry “Big Bank Hank” Jackson, and Guy “Master Gee” O’Brien. While the track wasn’t the first instance of rap on record, it was the first single to popularize the genre on a global level, landing in the US Top 40, and in the Top Ten in the UK, Canada, and across Europe. It has since been added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.

In 1977, 29-year-old singer, songwriter, and guitarist Marc Bolan was tragically killed when a car driven by his girlfriend, Gloria Jones, left the road and hit a tree in London. Known for pairing glitter make-up and feather boas with searing guitar riffs, Bolan was a pioneering figure in the British glam rock movement, whose band T.Rex rose to fame with such hits as “Get It On,” “20th Century Boy,” and “Children of the Revolution.” His work, meanwhile, would inspire artists across multiple genres for decades to come – from the punk and new wave movements to Britpop.

In 1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s debut album, Are You Experienced? entered the Billboard 200, where it would remain for 106 weeks, including 77 weeks in the Top 40. While the album was embraced by critics upon its release, its legacy would only grow. Ranked among the greatest albums of all time by multiple outlets, including Rolling Stone, the title has also been added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.

In 1985, Kate Bush released her fifth studio album, Hounds of Love, featuring such UK hits as “Cloudbusting,” “Hounds of Love,” and “The Big Sky,” plus the enduring smash, “Running Up That Hill.”

In 1970, Jimi Hendrix made his final public appearance, playing alongside Eric Burdon at Ronnie Scott’s in London.

BORN ON SEPTEMBER 16

1925: B.B. King
1942: Bernie Calvert (The Hollies)
1944: Betty Kelly (Martha & The Vandellas)
1963: Richard Marx
1969: Justine Frischmann (Elastica)
1979: Flo-Rida
1992: Nick Jonas

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In 1965, Otis Redding released his best-selling crossover hit, Otis Blue, on Stax Records. For his third studio LP, the soul star recorded both original material and a variety of popular songs from the day. In addition to topping the R&B Albums chart and landing at No.6 in the UK, the album produced three Top 40 hits, including “Respect” (later popularized by Aretha Franklin), “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” and a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Today, Otis Blue is considered to be a definitive title in the soul canon and has been ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time by a variety of outlets, including Rolling Stone.

In 1961, a young band called The Pendletones entered Hite Morgan’s Los Angeles studio to record a demo called “Surfin’.” The Southern California group would re-record the song in October and, by the end of the year, they would sign their first record deal and be re-christened The Beach Boys. “Surfin’,” meanwhile, became their first single. It not only became a popular regional hit, but also broke the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.75.

In 1956, Elvis Presley topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Don’t Be Cruel.” Released as a double-sided single (with “Hound Dog”), the two songs would occupy the top spots on the pop chart for a total of 11 weeks (and remain on the Hot 100 for a total of 55 weeks). “Don’t Be Cruel” also became The King’s biggest selling single, with sales reaching more than six million by 1961.

In 2019, 75-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer Ric Ocasek was found dead in his New York City apartment. Best-known as the co-founder and frontman of The Cars, Ocasek rose to fame in the late 70s with songs like “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” and “Let the Good Times Roll.” The band continued to soar in the early 80s, landing in the Billboard Top Ten with such hits as “Shake It Up” and “Drive.” After The Cars broke up, Ocasek found success as a solo artist and a producer, working with the likes of No Doubt, Weezer, and Bad Religion.1

In 1990, The Steve Miller Band topped the UK charts with “The Joker,” 16 years after its original release. The song, which hit No.1 in the US in 1974, found a new generation of fans after appearing in a Levi’s TV ad, and earned the record for the longest gap between transatlantic chart-toppers.

In 1965, The Ford Motor Company became the first automaker to offer an 8-track tape player as an option for their entire line of vehicles in the US. The latest audio technology was only offered in auto stores at the time, and was still a year away from being sold to consumers for home use.

In 1978, Bob Dylan embarked on the longest US tour of his career, which consisted of 65 shows in 62 cities. The tour kicked off in in Augusta, ME.

1941: Signe Toly Anderson (Jefferson Airplane)
1946: Ola Brunkert (ABBA)
1960: Michel Dorge (Crash Test Dummies)
1972: Paul Thomson (Franz Ferdinand)

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In 1984, MTV aired its inaugural Video Music Award show. Hosted by Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, the ceremony was perhaps best remembered for a revealing performance by Madonna, who donned a not-so-innocent wedding dress while performing “Like a Virgin.” In an attempt to retrieve a fallen shoe, the former dancer made some impromptu moves – rolling around on stage and, consequently, showing the world her undergarments, much to the shock of audiences at home. Among the other highlights in the evening were performances by Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Huey Lewis and the News, David Bowie, ZZ Top, and Ray Parker, Jr., while the very first Moonman statues were awarded to the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Eurythmics, Michael Jackson, Van Halen, and Herbie Hancock.

In 1955, Little Richard recorded his debut hit, “Tutti Frutti” at J&M Studio in New Orleans. Written by Richard and Dorothy LaBostrie and produced by Bumps Blackwell, the high-energy song (which began with the refrain “a-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-lop-bam-boom”) set the blueprint for rock’n’roll.

In 2008, Kings Of Leon began a three-week run at the top of the UK Pop chart with their breakthrough hit, “Sex On Fire.” The song, which appeared on their fourth studio album, Only by the Night, would also become the second-most downloaded digital single ever in the UK. The song also had significant success in the band’s home country, topping Billboard’s Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, as well as in Australia, Finland, and Ireland, where it went to No.1

In 2014, a life-size bronze statue of Amy Winehouse was unveiled in London, in the late singer-songwriter’s favorite neighborhood, Camden. Winehouse, who would have turned 31 years old that day, passed away in 2011.

In 1968, animated series The Archies aired on televisions across America. Based on the popular comic strip, the show featured plenty of original music, thanks to contributions from Ron Dante, Andy Kim, Jeff Barry, and music mogul Don Kirshner, and even resulted in a chart-topping hit the following year, with “Sugar Sugar.”

In 1979, the film Quadrophenia premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. While the movie was loosely based on The Who’s 1973 rock opera of the same name, it was not a musical, ala Tommy. Directed by Franc Roddam, Quadrophenia starred Phil Daniels, Toyah Willcox, Ray Winstone, Michael Elphick, and Sting. The band, however, did not appear in the film.

In 1981, Rolling Stones fans were treated to a surprise when the band played a secret warm-up show, ahead of their tour, at the Sir Morgan’s Cove club in Worcester, MA. While the band was billed as Little Boy Blue & The Cockroaches, a local radio station blew their cover, resulting in the 350-capacity club being besieged by over 4,000 fans.

BORN ON SEPTEMBER 14

1949: Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
1950: Paul Kossoff (Free)
1959: Morten Harket (A-Ha)
1970: Mark Webber (Pulp)
1972: Nas
1983: Amy Winehouse

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