Entertainment

On November 24, 1991, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury died at the age of 45, following complications from the AIDS virus. Born Farrokh Bulsara, Mercury co-founded Queen in 1970, alongside Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. His star power was clear from the band’s earliest days – from the complexity of his songwriting and the dexterity of his vocals to his flamboyant stage presence. With Queen, Mercury penned such enduring hits as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” and “Somebody to Love.” While he recorded with his bandmates until the end of his life, Mercury also pursued a solo career in the 80s, resulting in the Top Ten UK album, Mr. Bad Guy. Following his death, the remaining members of Queen organized a star-studded tribute concert in London, which raised awareness for AIDS, as well as funds to fight the deadly virus.

In 1968, Diana Ross and The Supremes knocked The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” off the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Love Child.” The song marked the group’s 11th No.1 hit.

In 1973, Ringo Starr scored his first solo No.1 hit in the US with “Photograph.” The song was co-written with fellow Beatles alum, George Harrison.

In 1993, the Grammy-winning blues artist, Albert Collins, died at the age of 61. The legendary guitarist was known as “The Master of the Telecaster.”

In 1976, Chicago scored their first and only No.1 hit in the UK with their Grammy-winning ballad, “If You Leave Me Now.”

In 2013, Robbie Williams enjoyed the distinction of having the 1,000th No.1 album on the UK chart, with Swings Both Ways. The chart launched in 1956, with Frank Sinatra’s Songs for Swingin’ Lovers as its inaugural No.1.

BORN ON NOVEMBER 24

1941: Wayne Jackson (Mar-Keys, Memphis Horns)
1941: Donald “Duck” Dunn (Booker T. & The M.G.’s)
1941: Pete Best (The Beatles)
1948: Tony Bourge (Budgie)
1950: Bob Burns (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
1955: Clem Burke (Blondie)
1957: Chris Hayes (Huey Lewis and the News)
1964: John Squire (Stone Roses)
1970: Chad Taylor (Live)

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On November 21, 1983, a nearly 14-minute music video for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” premiered in Los Angeles. Directed by John Landis (An American Warewolf in London, Three Amigos, Trading Places), the ghoulish visual paid homage to some of Hollywood’s biggest horror films, including a voiceover from the genre’s original icon, Vincent Price. Michael Jackson’s Thriller saw heavy rotation on MTV, helping to make its namesake album become the highest-selling LP in history.

In 1981, Queen and David Bowie topped the UK pop chart with their collaborative hit, “Under Pressure.” The Bowie-Freddie Mercury-fronted duet came about by chance when both acts were recording at the same studio in Montreux, Switzerland.

In 2003, Phil Spector was formally charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. After an initial 2007 mistrial, the producer was found guilty of second-degree murder in 2009. He died in 2021 while serving a nineteen-year prison sentence.

In 2017, singer, songwriter, and actor, David Cassidy, died at the age of 67. The former teen heartthrob, who starred in the TV show The Partridge Family, scored several hits with the fictional family band, including 1970’s “I Think I Love You,” before launching a successful solo career.

In 1970, two months after his death, Jimi Hendrix scored his sole UK No.1 single with “Voodoo Child (Slight Return).”

In 1991, Aerosmith became the first band to make a guest appearance on the animated series, The Simpsons, during the third season’s “Flaming Moe’s” episode. Numerous acts have followed in their footsteps, including R.E.M., Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Phish, and the White Stripes.

In 1988, former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page embarked on his first-ever solo tour. Accompanying him on drums was Jason Bonham, the son of his late, former bandmate, John Bonham.

BORN ON NOVEMBER 21

1941: Andrew Love (Memphis Horns)
1948: Lonnie Jordan (War)
1965: Björk
1968: Alex James (Blur)
1985: Carly Rae Jepsen
1988: Drew McFarlane (Glass Animals)

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On November 20, 1971, Isaac Hayes topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Theme From Shaft.” A highly-influential work in funk music, as well as in the emerging world of Black film, the largely instrumental track was written by Hayes for the film Shaft. “Theme From Shaft” went on to win multiple Grammys, as well as an Academy Award for Best Original Song, making Hayes the first Black artist to receive the honor, as well as the first Black recipient of an Oscar in a non-acting category. The film’s soundtrack, meanwhile, also went to No.1 and was later added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.

In 1961, Bob Dylan began recording his self-titled debut at New York City’s Columbia Recording Studios. In just two sessions, the singer-songwriter laid down all 13 tracks, including two originals (“Talkin’ New York” and “Song to Woody,” written for Woody Guthrie). While Bob Dylan didn’t have initial success, it would rise up the charts after the release of the artist’s breakthrough sophomore album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.

In 2015, with the success of his single “Sorry,” Justin Bieber broke two UK pop chart records. With three songs simultaneously in the Top 5 (“Sorry,” “Love Yourself,” and “What Do You Mean?”), Bieber broke a record previously held by John Lennon. Additionally, with eight songs simultaneously in the Top 40, the Canadian artist broke a record previously set by Elvis Presley.

In 1955, Bill Haley & His Comets began a two-month run atop the Billboard Hot 100 with “Rock Around the Clock.” The energetic song would soon become the first rock’n’roll record to hit No.1 in both the US and the UK.

In 2005, Robbie Williams set a Guinness World Record for selling the most tickets in one day when his 2006 world tour went on sale. Fans purchased 1.6 million tickets, totaling an estimated £80 million.

In 1976, Paul Simon was the host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live. During the episode, he performed “Homeward Bound,” plus a cover of “Here Comes the Sun” with its songwriter, George Harrison.

BORN ON NOVEMBER 20

1941: Dr. John
1946: Duane Allman
1947: Joe Walsh
1965: Mike D (Beastie Boys)
1983: Future
1986: Jared Followill (Kings of Leon)
1995: Michael Clifford (5 Seconds to Summer)

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In 1964, The Supremes became the first all-female group to score a No.1 hit in the UK with “Baby Love.” Across the Atlantic, the irresistible single also topped the charts, making The Supremes the first Motown act to have more than one No.1 US hit. They would continue to build on that record, eventually scoring more No.1 hits than any other Motown act, with a total of 12. “Baby Love” would later earn the group a Grammy nod for Best R&B Recording, and the Holland-Dozier-Holland-penned song eventually landed on Rolling Stones’ 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

In 1984, 36-year-old Tom Evans, a longtime member of Badfinger, who served as a guitarist, vocalist, bassist, and songwriter, took his own life. Evans co-wrote one of the band’s biggest hits, 1970’s Ivor Novello-winning power ballad, “Without You.” The song has since been covered by hundreds of artists, including Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey.

In 2000, LeAnn Rimes scored her first No.1 hit in the UK with “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.” The song was written by Diane Warren for the Coyote Ugly soundtrack.

In 1988, American singer Robin Beck scored a No.1 UK hit with “First Time,” a power ballad that was originally recorded for a Coca-Cola commercial. In addition to spending three weeks at the top of the UK chart, the single also hit No.1 in multiple countries across Europe.

In 1965, for less than £5.00, music fans in London caught a legendary line-up of artists at Empire Pool’s “Glad Rag Ball.” On the bill were The Who, Wilson Pickett, The Kinks, The Hollies, and more.

BORN ON NOVEMBER 19

1927: Joe Hunter (the Funk Brothers)
1942: Fred Lipsius (Blood, Sweat & Tears)
1960: Matt Sorum (The Cult, Guns N’ Roses)
1965: Jason Pierce (Spiritualized)
1971: Justin Chancellor (Tool)

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On November 17, 1996, the Spice Girls topped the UK album chart with their debut, Spice. Within weeks of the album’s release, the British five-piece established global dominance, topping the charts in more than 17 countries and eventually selling more than 23 million copies of the record. Along the way, it spawned four hugely popular singles, including “Say You’ll Be There,” “2 Become 1” (both of which hit No.1 in 53 countries), and “Wannabe,” which became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Spice, meanwhile, also remains one of the best-selling albums ever.

In 1984, Wham! simultaneously topped the UK’s album and pop charts with Make It Big and “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” respectively. The album, which marked George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s second and final LP together, spawned four Top 5 singles on both sides of the Atlantic, including “Careless Whisper” and “Everything She Wants.”

In 1957, Harry Belafonte broke sales records in the UK with “Mary’s Boy Child.” The Christmas song, which remained at the top of the pop charts for seven weeks, was the first single to move over a million copies. 21 years later, when Boney M. covered the song, it became the first Christmas track to hit No.1 in two different versions.

In 2003, Britney Spears became the youngest recording artist to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2019, singer-songwriter Patti Smith won the National Book Award for her memoir, Just Kids.

In 1962, The Four Seasons began a five-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”

BORN ON NOVEMBER 17

1938: Gordon Lightfoot
1942: Bob Gaudio (The Four Seasons)
1960: RuPaul
1966: Jeff Buckley
1967: Ronald Devoe (New Edition, Bel Biv DeVoe)
1980: Isaac Hanson (Hanson)
1981: Sarah Harding (Girls Aloud)

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On November 14, 1987, George Michael – formerly one half of the bestselling duo, Wham! – proved his power as a solo artist by topping the UK album chart with his debut, Faith. Written and produced primarily by the pop star, Faith was embraced by critics around the globe and earned a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1989. On the US charts, the album topped the Billboard R&B chart and the Billboard 200, where it held its spot for 12 weeks, and remained in the Top Ten for an astonishing 51 non-consecutive weeks. On Billboard’s Hot 100, meanwhile, Michael became the only British male artist to have four No.1 singles from one album on the chart with “Faith,” “Monkey,” “One More Try,” and “Father Figure.”

In 1960, Ray Charles scored his first No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Georgia On My Mind,” a cover of the Hoagy Carmichael standard. Charles’ version, which appeared on The Genius Hits the Road, however, quickly became the most famous rendition of the song, as well as his signature hit. In 1979, meanwhile, the State of Georgia declared the recording to be their official state song.

In 1969, “Sugar Sugar” by the Archies landed at the top of the British pop chart. Not only did the song mark the first No.1 hit by an animated band, but, after holding its position for eight weeks, it became the longest-running one-hit-wonder in the UK. Written by veteran songwriter Jeff Barry and Canadian singer-songwriter Andy Kim, the bouncy track was a global sensation, spending four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and hitting No.1 in multiple countries, including South Africa, Canada, Brazil, Sweden, Singapore, and Mexico.

In 1975, Queen kicked off a 78-date world tour in support of A Night at the Opera with a two-night engagement at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre.

BORN ON NOVEMBER 14

1938: Cornell Gunter (The Platters)
1949: James Young (Styx)
1956: Alec John Such (Bon Jovi)
1966: Joseph “Run” Simmons (Run-DMC)
1972: Douglas Payne (Travis)
1975: Travis Barker (Blink-182)
1975: Faye Tozer (Steps)

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