This Day in Music
On this day in music, May 20, 2016, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) announced that UK artists accounted for one in every six albums sold worldwide. The announcement followed the success of acts like Ed Sheeran, One Direction, Sam Smith, and Adele, whose third album, 25, sold 17.4 million copies in just six weeks and broke numerous records around the globe.
In 1998, a star-studded funeral was held for legendary singer Frank Sinatra in Beverly Hills. Among the attendees were Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Sophia Loren, Jack Nicholson, and Sinatra’s former wife, Mia Farrow.
In 2007, Rihanna began a consecutive ten-week run at the top of the UK pop charts with “Umbrella” ft. Jay-Z. The song, which broke British records for the decade, propelled the Barbadian singer to international superstardom. Across the Atlantic, “Umbrella” held the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks.
In 2012, 62-year-old singer, songwriter, and Bee Gees co-founder, Robin Gibb, lost his battle with cancer. Along with his brothers, Gibb rose to fame in the late 60s with hits like “To Love Somebody” and “Massachusetts,” while the following decade, the Bee Gees helped to make disco music a global phenomenon with their Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.
In 2013, classic rock fans mourned the death of 74-year-old keyboardist, Ray Manzarek. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer co-founded The Doors in 1965, alongside Jim Morrison, Robbie Krieger, and John Densmore. In addition to his work with the influential LA group, Manzarek co-founded Nite City and later formed Manzarek-Krieger with his former bandmate.
In 2007, with their heavy metal anthem, “Hallelujah,” Lordi became the first Finnish act to win the Eurovision Song Contest.
In 1967, Beatles fans in the UK were given a sneak preview of the band’s new album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, when Kenny Everet premiered nearly every track on his radio show, Where It’s At. The track “A Day in the Life” was banned by BBC Light due to its perceived promotion of drug use.
BORN ON MAY 20
1944: Joe Cocker
1946: Cher
1958: Jane Wieldin (The Go-Go’s)
1959: Israel “IZ” Ka‘ano‘i Kamakawiwo‘ole
1960: Sue Cowsill (The Cowsills)
1961: Nick Heyward (Haircut 100)
1961: Dan Wilson (Semisonic)
1972: Busta Rhymes
1981: Rachel Platten
