This Day in Music

On this day in music, June 26, 1977, 42-year-old Elvis Presley played his final concert at Indianapolis’ Market Square Arena, just two weeks before his sudden death. Donning his signature white-and-gold suit, The King performed classics like “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Don’t Be Cruel,” plus covers of “Unchained Melody” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” While the subsequent CBS TV special, Elvis in Concert, was often touted as capturing this particular show, it actually featured footage from two earlier dates on the tour (Omaha, NE on June 19 and Rapid City, SD on June 21).

In 1993, single “Dreams,” by British singer Gabrielle, began a three-week run at the top of the UK pop charts. The song made UK chart history as the highest entry (No.2) for a debut single.

In 1965, The Byrds scored their first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.” The song, which also topped the charts in the UK, popularized the influential sound of jangle pop.

In 1974, Cher and Sonny Bono divorced after ten years of marriage – effectively ending their reign as one of the era’s biggest pop culture duos. The couple rose to fame in the mid-60s with hits like “I Got You Babe” and “Baby Don’t Go,” and they hosted two popular TV variety shows in the 70s. Together, they sold more than 40 million records worldwide and earned two Grammy nods.

BORN ON JUNE 26

1910: Colonel Tom Parker (Manager)
1955: Mick Jones (The Clash)
1956: Chris Isaak
1961: Terri Nunn (Berlin)
1963: Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays)
1966: Pär Wiksten (The Wannadies)
1973: Gretchen Wilson
1979: Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon)
1979: Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic)
1993: Ariana Grande