This Day in Music
On November 12, 1977, The Sex Pistols topped the UK chart with their sole album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols. While now considered to be the most influential punk record ever released (and one of the most important albums in recorded music), Never Mind the Bollocks was highly controversial at the time of its release – particularly in Britain. Leading up to its release, the band had been banned from playing in multiple venues across the UK and dropped from their label. Many stores refused to sell their records, considering their work to be obscene and offensive. Despite the public outrage (or perhaps because of it), the groundbreaking title was a massive success – and had a long-lasting effect on the course of modern music.
In 1997, The Spice Girls’ sophomore album, Spice World, debuted at No.1 in the UK. Released at the height of “Spicemania,” the LP featured such hits as “Spice Up Your Life,” “Stop,” “Viva Forever,” and “Too Much,” and served as the soundtrack to the film of the same name, which arrived in theaters that December. Across the globe, the LP topped the charts in multiple territories.
In 2016, Robbie Williams overtook a record previously held by David Bowie for the most No.1 albums by a British solo artist. His release, The Heavy Entertainment Show, became his 12th album to top the UK chart.
In 2000, Destiny’s Child began an 11-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Independent Woman Part I.” The hit, which marked the first single to feature vocals by Michelle Williams, was recorded for the soundtrack to Charlie’s Angels – a film adaptation of the popular 70s TV series.
In 1965, The Velvet Underground played their very first show at New Jersey’s Summit High School.
In 2001, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison met at a hotel in New York City. Taking place just two weeks before Harrison passed away from cancer, the occasion would mark the final time that all three surviving Beatles spent time together.
BORN ON NOVEMBER 12
1944: Booker T. Jones
1945: Neil Young
1948: Errol Brown (Hot Chocolate)
1949: Arthur Tavares (Tavares)
1955: Les McKeown (Bay City Rollers)
1964: David Ellefson (Megadeth)
1984: Omarion
