This Day in Music
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)
