This Day in Music
On this day in music, May 29, 1942, Bing Crosby recorded “White Christmas” with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers. In under 20 minutes, the crooner made holiday magic – and music history. First performed by Crosby in 1941 on his radio show, The Kraft Music Hall, “White Christmas” was written by Irving Berlin for the film Holiday Inn. Steeped in nostalgia, the secular tune resonated deeply with the American public and topped the singles chart for 11 weeks (a spot it would return to for several years in a row). In addition to inspiring a new trend of pop-forward holiday hits, the song went on to win an Academy Award, spawn a 1954 musical film of the same name (also starring Crosby), and sell more than 50 million copies worldwide, becoming the world’s best-selling physical single.
In 1969, supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash released their self-titled debut. The album, which featured the Top 40 hits “Marrakesh Express” and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” was a commercial and critical success – peaking at No.6 on the Billboard 200 and garnering the band a win for Best New Artist at the 1970 Grammys. Released months before Neil Young joined the band, Crosby, Stills & Nash marked the band’s only album without the Canadian singer-songwriter.
In 1983, New Edition topped the UK pop chart with their debut single, “Candy Girl.” The song also marked their first of several hits to top the Billboard R&B chart. Formed as a “new edition” of the Jackson 5, the school-aged group featured Bobby Brown and Ralph Tresvant, plus future Bell Biv DeVoe members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe.
In 1997, singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley disappeared while swimming in the Mississippi River. The body of the 30-year-old artist, who was in Memphis recording his sophomore album, would be recovered on June 4.
In 1977, Warsaw (which would soon be rechristened as Joy Division), played their first show at The Electric Circus in Manchester, UK. The influential band opened for The Buzzcocks, Penetration, and “punk poet” John Cooper Clarke.
BORN ON MAY 29
1935: Sylvia Robinson (Mickey & Sylvia)
1945: Gary Brooker (Procol Harum)
1949: Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
1955: Mike Porcaro (Toto)
1956: LaToya Jackson
1967: Noel Gallagher (Oasis)
1975: Mel B (Spice Girls)
