On this day in music, June 8, 1996, The Fugees scored their first No.1 single in the UK with “Killing Me Softly.” Featured on the hip-hop group’s debut album, The Score, the track was an inspired cover of Roberta Flack’s 1973 hit, “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” incorporating samples from A Tribe Called Quest and 60s psych-soul band Rotary Connection. The song became Britain’s best-selling single of the year and catapulted the trio to international stardom, topping the charts in more than 20 countries, including the US. In addition to earning a Grammy in 1997, “Killing Me Softly” has since appeared on numerous rankings, including Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.
In 1985, Tears for Fears began a two-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with their new wave classic, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” The poignant track earned the British duo an award for Best Single at the 1986 BRITs.
In 1974, Dolly Parton went to No.1 on the Billboard country chart with “I Will Always Love You.” The ballad would return to the charts nearly two decades later when Whitney Houston covered it for the 1992 film, The Bodyguard, making it her signature hit.
In 1974, Bill Wyman became the first member of The Rolling Stones to release a solo album. The star-studded Monkey Grip featured contributions from Dr. John, Leon Russell, and Lowell George.
In 1991, new jack swing group Color Me Badd scored their sole UK No.1 hit with “I Wanna Sex You Up.” Despite controversy over its suggestive lyrics, the song peaked at No.2 in the US.
BORN ON JUNE 8
1940: Nancy Sinatra
1942: Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night)
1944: Boz Scaggs
1953: Bonnie Tyler
1960: Mick Hucknall (Simply Red)
1962: Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran)
1965: Rob Pilatus (Milli Vanilli)
The Chamber Serving the Meeker County Area is hosting a Legislative Lunch tomorrow (June 9) at the Meeker Memorial Hospital Conference Center from 11-to-1:30. The 4 local Legislators from the area will be there to recap the 2026 Legislative Session and answer questions.
Chamber Executive Director Deana Wheeler says Representatives Dawn Gillman and Scott Van Binsbergen and Senators Andrew Lang and Glenn Gruenhagen will be there to mainly address topics of concern for local businesses. She says the Chamber does not attempt to be political, but they want to be an advocate for business interests.
Wheeler says the event is not an open mic forum and they have gathered some questions from local businesses in the areas of health care, energy & technology, the paid family leave act, barriers to rural agricultural funding and manufacturing challenges. She says there was a pre-registration period to get signed up, but they can still make room for more so call the Chamber office at 693-8184 or email litch.com for more details about the June 9th event.
A 65-year-old rural Bird Island man was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon in Renville County. The crash occurred at 2:11 p.m. at the intersection of County Road 3 and 830th Avenue in Melville Township, about two mile northwest of Bird Island.
A preliminary investigation revealed an M.J. Electric water truck, driven by 55-year-old Matthew Tucker of North Branch, was traveling north-bound on County Road 3. A side-by-side, driven by 65-year-old Paul Marxen of rural Bird Island, was traveling west-bound on 830th Avenue when he entered the intersection, and collided with the side of the water truck.
Marxen sustained serious injuries, and was transported to the Olivia Hospital and Clinic via private party. Tucker reported no injuries. The incident remains under investigation by the Renville County Sheriff’s Office.
On this day in music, June 5, 1965, Rogers and Hammerstein’s soundtrack to the musical film The Sound of Music began a 70-week run at the top of the UK album chart. The enduring soundtrack was named the best-selling album of the year and continued to hold that title in 1966 and 1968, eventually becoming the UK’s second-highest selling album of the decade, behind The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Across the Atlantic, The Sound of Music also hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and set a new record for remaining in the Top Ten for 109 weeks. The album would remain on the chart for a total of 238 weeks (more than 4.5 years), while the Julie Andrews-led film broke box office records around the globe.
In 1956, Elvis Presley made one of his most memorable TV appearances on The Milton Berle Show. While previous televised performances featured The King of Rock‘n’Roll covered by his guitar, this particular broadcast found Presley unhampered by any instruments, as he performed “Hound Dog.” A full-body shot found the 21-year-old heartthrob gyrating and dancing – scandalizing the American public (and thrilling his fans).
In 1993, 59-year-old singer-songwriter Conway Twitty died. After rising to fame in the 50s as part of the rockabilly scene, Twitty found phenomenal success on the Billboard country charts, hitting No.1 a record-breaking 40 times throughout his career.
In 1964, David Bowie (then Davie Jones and The King Bees) released his first single, “Liza Jane” on Vocalion Pop. Although the young artist made the rounds on UK shows like Ready Steady Go!, Juke Box Jury, and The Beat Room, the single failed to sell, and Bowie was dropped from the label.
In 1964, The Rolling Stones played their first show on US soil at the Swing Auditorium in Southern California. The British band was touring in support of their self-titled debut.
In 1971, Grand Funk Railroad broke a record previously held by The Beatles when they sold out New York’s Shea Stadium in just 72 hours.
BORN ON JUNE 5
1943: Michael Davis (MC5)
1946: Freddie Stone (Sly and the Family Stone)
1947: Tom Evans (Badfinger)
1956: Richard Butler (The Psychedelic Furs)
1956: Kenny G
1979: Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy)
1998: Dave
