This Day in Music
On this day in music, June 15, 1989, Nirvana released their debut album, Bleach. Recorded at Seattle’s Reciprocal Recording and produced by Jack Endino (whose credits include projects for Mudhoney, Soundgarden, and the Screaming Trees), the album marked the trio’s only release on Sub Pop Records and their sole LP to feature drummer Chad Channing. Despite critical acclaim, the album initially only sold 40,000 copies in the US. After the breakout success of 1991’s Nevermind, however, Bleach returned to the charts and was eventually certified Platinum by the RIAA. In 1994, track “About a Girl” also found new audiences, after a live version (recorded during Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged session) became a Top 40 hit.
In 1996, legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald died at the age of 79. Known as “The First Lady of Song,” Fitzgerald was long celebrated for her extraordinary vocals – particularly her improvisational scat singing. In addition to her prolific solo career, the 14-time Grammy Winner and National Medal of the Arts recipient also collaborated with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Joe Pass.
In 1985, Dire Straits began a nine-week run at the top of the Billboard 200 with Brothers In Arms. The British band’s fifth studio album, which featured the No.1 US hit, “Money for Nothing,” was also a massive success in the UK (spending a non-consecutive 14 weeks at the top of the album chart) and Australia, where it held the No.1 spot for 34 weeks. Brothers In Arms has since become one of the world’s best-selling albums.
In 1981, Duran Duran released their self-titled debut. Featuring their first Top Ten UK hit, “Girls on Film,” and “Planet Earth” (No.12), the album eventually peaked at No.3 on the Official Charts. While the New Wave LP didn’t find initial success in the US, a reissue in 1983 landed in the Billboard 200’s Top 10.
In 1973, Marvin Gaye’s sultry classic, “Let’s Get It On,” was released on Motown Records. The song, which served as the title track of the artist’s 13th studio album, topped Billboard’s pop and R&B charts.
In 1963, Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto became the first Asian recording artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with his hit “Sukiyaki.” The Japanese-language song eventually sold more than 13 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles at the time.
1937: Waylon Jennings
1941: Harry Nilsson
1943: Johnny Hallyday
1946: Leo Nocentelli (The Meters)
1946: Noddy Holder (Slade)
1947: Demis Roussos (Aphrodite’s Child)
1949: Russell Hitchcock (Air Supply)
1951: Steve Walsh (Kansas)
1976: Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol)
1981: Billy Martin (Good Charlotte)
1985: Nadine Coyle (Girls Aloud)
