This Day in Music
On September 30, 1967, the UK’s first national pop radio station, BBC Radio 1 was launched. The station was established as a successor to the BBC Light Program, which had broadcast music and other shows since the end of World War II. Radio 1, meanwhile, was created as a direct response to the rabid success of offshore pirate radio stations, such as Radio Caroline and Radio London, which had been outlawed by the UK Parliament. Radio 1 served as the home to such legendary DJs as John Peel, Alan Freeman, Kenny Everett, and Tony Blackburn, while today, it remains one of the most influential music stations around the world.
In 1995, Mariah Carey made chart history when she began an eight-week run atop the Billboard Hot 100 with “Fantasy,” making her the first female act to debut at the chart’s No.1 spot. The enduring track, which heavily samples the Tom Tom Club’s 1981 song, “Genius of Love,” marked the singer’s ninth No.1 hit in the US and became a Top Ten hit around the globe.
In 1978, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John topped the UK pop chart with “Summer Nights,” their second No.1 from the Grease soundtrack. The track spent seven weeks at No.1, and, combined with an earlier nine-week run with “You’re The One That I Want,” the duo spent 16 weeks at No.1 in 1978. In the US, the song reached No.5.
In 1995, Simply Red scored their first UK No.1 hit with “Fairground.” It was the British group’s only song to top the chart.
In 2006, Justin Timberlake’s second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, topped the US album charts. Prior to its release, it also became the most pre-ordered album on iTunes in the history of the service.
In 1965, Donovan made his US television debut on Shindig!, along with The Hollies, The Turtles, and the Dave Clark Five.
BORN ON SEPTEMBER 30
1933: Cissy Houston
1935: Johnny Mathis
1947: Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
1964: Trey Anastasio (Phish)
1964: Robby Takac (Goo Goo Dolls)
1984: Keisha Buchanan (Sugababes)
1986: Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons)
