This Day in Music
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)
