This Day in Music

On this day in music, July 11, 1999, Ricky Martin became the first Puerto Rican artist to top the UK pop chart with “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” The song, which dominated global airwaves, hit No.1 in 20 countries, including in the US (where it spent five weeks at the top spot) and Canada, where it remained in the prized position for eight weeks. In addition to becoming one of the biggest hits of the decade, “Livin’ La Vida Loca” was instrumental in helping Latin music cross over to the mainstream.

In 1975, Fleetwood Mac released their tenth studio album. Often referred to as The White Album, the LP was the band’s second self-titled release (following their 1968 debut) and marked their first with guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and vocalist Stevie Nicks. Featuring three Top 20 singles in the US (“Over My Head,” “Rhiannon,” “Say You Love Me”), Fleetwood Mac topped the Billboard album chart and ushered in a new era for the hugely successful band.

In 2009, the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” began a 14-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, replacing the group’s previous single, “Boom Boom Pow,” which held the No.1 spot for 12 weeks. The feat made the best-selling group only the fourth act in chart history to replace themselves at the top spot, following OutKast, Boyz II Men, and The Beatles.

In 1969, David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” was released as a single in the UK to coincide with the Apollo moon landing. The song, which was used by the BBC in their coverage of the historic event, marked Bowie’s first to feature the recurring character of Major Tom. While the single initially didn’t find much traction, it later hit No.5 on the pop charts, while a 1975 reissue hit No.1. In 1972, “Space Oddity” became the British artist’s first hit in the US.

In 2004, with the success of their No.1 album Room on the 3rd Floor, British band McFly broke a record previously held by The Beatles, as they became the youngest group ever to debut at the top of the UK album chart.

In 1987, Heart began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with their cover of i-Ten’s “Alone.” The power ballad became one of the group’s most successful hits, topping the chart in Canada and landing in the Top 5 in the UK, Norway, and Switzerland, among other territories.

BORN ON JULY 11

1951: Bonnie Pointer (The Pointer Sisters)
1957: Pete Murphy (Bauhaus)
1958: Kirk Whalum (Saxophonist)
1959: Suzanne Vega
1959: Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
1966: Melanie Appleby (Mel and Kim)
1975: Lil’ Kim