This Day in Music
On this day in music, July 7, 2007, the 24-hour Live Earth concert took place across the world. Organized by former Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis brought together 150 musical acts in 12 countries to raise awareness of global warming. With the help of over 500 media partners, performances from Wembly Stadium, Brazil’s Copacabana Beach, Japan’s Makuhari Messe, and Antarctica’s Rothera Research Station, among others, were broadcast to more than 130 countries while a live stream of the event boasted more than 8 million viewers (a record at the time). Among the performers were the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kelly Clarkson, Snoop Dogg, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Jorge Ben Jor, and Lenny Kravitz.
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen’s legendary seventh studio album, Born in the U.S.A., began a seven-week run at the top of the Billboard 200. The album, which would also hit No.1 in the UK, Australia, and Canada, among many other territories, would go on to become Springsteen’s most successful release and one of the world’s best-selling LPs of all time. Bolstering the album’s success (and its 143-week stay on the Billboard charts) were its seven Top Ten singles, including “Dancing in the Dark,” “I’m on Fire,” and the title track.
In 1984, Prince scored his first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “When Doves Cry.” The song, which was taken from the soundtrack to Purple Rain, held the top spot for five weeks.
In 1980, Led Zeppelin played their final show with drummer John Bonham, as they concluded a European tour at West Berlin’s Eissporthalle. The show, which closed out with an epic, 17-minute-long version of “Whole Lotta Love,” would also be the band’s last show for five years. Bonham died on September 25 of that year, leading Led Zeppelin’s remaining members to announce their breakup that December.
In 2009, a star-studded public memorial service was held for late pop star Michael Jackson at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. The event, which was broadcast live to more than 2.5 billion viewers around the globe, featured performances by a variety of artists, including Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, and Jennifer Hudson. Motown founder Berry Gordy gave a eulogy, as did Smokey Robinson. Jackson died at the age of 50 on June 25.
In 1957, Elvis Presley scored his first No.1 hit in the UK with “All Shook Up.” The song, which marked Presley’s tenth single in Britain, remained at the top spot for seven weeks.
In 1963, The Rolling Stones made their British TV debut with an appearance on Thank Your Lucky Stars. The band, who would appear on the show 12 more times during their early career, were joined by Mickie Most, Helen Shapiro, The Cadets, and Gordon Mills.
BORN ON JULY 7
1928: Mary Ford (Les Paul and Mary Ford)
1940: Ringo Starr
1944: Linda Jansen (The Angels)
1941: Jim Rodford (Argent, The Kinks)
1950: David Hodo (The Village People)
1962: Mark White (Spin Doctors)
1981: Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold)
1994: Ashton Irwin (5 Seconds of Summer)
