This Day in Music
On this day in music – August 4, 1967 – Pink Floyd released their debut album, The Piper At the Gates of Dawn. The record launched Pink Floyd’s illustrious career and has been recognized as one of the most influential psychedelic rock albums of the 1960s. Recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios, it was the band’s only album to be penned primarily by founding member Syd Barrett.
In 2017, Luis Fonsi and Justin Bieber’s “Despacito” surpassed Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again” to become the most-watched YouTube video ever. The collaboration amassed nearly 3 billion views within seven months.
On August 4, 1984, Prince’s soundtrack to Purple Rain began a 24-week run on the US album charts. Featuring such iconic hits as “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy,” as well as the title track, the record went on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide. Today, it remains one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.
In 1958, Billboard introduced its Hot 100 singles chart, with Ricky Nelson’s “Poor Little Fool” taking the top spot.
On this day in 2007, singer-songwriter Lee Hazlewood died of cancer in his home near Las Vegas at 78. Hazlewood was perhaps most famous for his prolific work with Nancy Sinatra, including writing and producing her 1965 anthem, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin.’”
And in 1968, the second day of the Newport Pop Festival took place in Costa Mesa, California. Over 100,000 fans attended the star-studded event, as bands like the Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly, Blue Cheer, Jefferson Airplane, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and The Byrds took the stage.
BORN ON AUGUST 4
1901: Louis Armstrong
1936: Elsbeary Hobbs (The Drifters)
1940: Larry Knechtel (The Wrecking Crew)
1947: Klaus Schulze (Tangerine Dream)
1962: Paul Reynolds (A Flock Of Seagulls)
1988: Tom Parker (The Wanted)
