Music History Today: June 30, 2023

June 30, 1960: In London, the musical "Oliver!" premiered in the West End and ran for 2,618 performances.

The musical "Oliver!" was based on the famous Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist, the story about the dregs of London society. 

Music History Today: September 29, 2022

September 29, 2020: Helen Reddy, whose hit "I Am Woman" sound-tracked the women's rights movement in the '70s, died at 78.

The #1 Grammy-winning "I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy became the anthem of the feminist movement during the radical 1970s and her signature song.

Music History Today: April 21, 2022

April 21, 1990: "Nothing Compares 2 U," by Sinéad O'Connor, began a 4-week run at Number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 single chart.

Music History Today: October 20, 2021

 October 20, 1973: "D'yer Mak'er by Led Zeppelin enters the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The old jokes goes:  “I’ve just taken my wife on holiday to the Caribbean.” “Jamaica?” “No, she was happy to come.” 

Music History Today: July 14, 2021

July 14, 1984: "Ghostbusters" from Ray Parker, Jr. moved from Number 19 to 8 on this date.

“Ghostbusters” exists as a song because a bunch of people said no. Columbia Pictures knew it had a hit on its hands with Ghostbusters.

Music History Today: July 7, 2021

July 7, 1984: "When Doves Cry" went to Number  1 on the Hot 100, giving Prince his first chart-topper. 

“When Doves Cry” was released on May 16, 1984, as the first single off of the “Purple Rain” album, giving momentum to the film’s July 1984 release.

Prince

Music History Today: June 11, 2021

 June 11, 1993: "What's Up?" by 4 Non Blondes was released.

 In 1992, the American rock group 4 Non Blondes released “What’s Up?” a song which has since become a queer anthem, popping up unexpectedly in an LGBTQ film, TV series and a viral video. 

4 Non Blondes

Music History Today: June 2, 2021

June 2, 1973: "Daniel" by Elton John peaked at Number 2, kept from the top spot when My Love by Paul McCartney started a 4-week run in the top spot. 

“Daniel” is a track from Elton John, one of the world’s best-selling musical artists, and arguably one of the most well-known. Appearing in John’s 1973 album “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player”, “Daniel” is the first track from the record, written by both John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. Taupin explained the meaning of the song: 

Music History Today: May 5, 2021

May 5, 1973: Paul Simon released the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon on Columbia Records.

Retaining the buoyant musical feel of Paul Simon, but employing a more produced sound, There Goes Rhymin' Simon found Paul Simon writing and performing with assurance and venturing into soulful and R&B-oriented music.

Music History Today: March 31, 2021

March 31, 1995: Tejano singer Selena died at 23 years old after being shot by her former personal assistant and former fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar, in Corpus Christi, Texas.  

It was supposed to be the start of a bright new chapter.

Selena

Music History Today: March 10, 2021

March 10, 1984: The Eurythmics entered the Top 10 with their second hit, "Here Comes The Rain Again." It will peak at Number 4.

Here Comes the Rain Again peaked at #4 in the Billboard 100 in 1984. 

The Eurythmics

Music History Today: February 26, 2021

February 26, 1977: The Eagles' "New Kid in Town" became the new number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

When recalling the music of Glen Frey and the Eagles, many retrospectives have listed the incredible string of hit songs the band ripped off in the ’70s and yet also noted the fact that these chroniclers of California excess and ennui were rarely critical darlings.

Hotel California inside album cover art

Music History Today: January 27, 2021

January 27, 1973: Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" reached Number 1 in America.

“Superstition” was written by Wonder, as well as produced by him, along with Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff. 

Music History Today: November 3, 2020

November 3,  1979:   British electro musician Robin Scott, aka M, went all the way to the top with "Pop Muzik."  

A mechanistic drum pounds out a steady, basic thump. Keyboards make noises — blips, pings, squirts, hums — that sound strange and spartan and alien while still somehow resolving into catchy melodies. 

Music History Today: September 15, 2020

September 15, 1973: Rod Stewart endures a rare flop record when his version of Sam Cooke's "Twisting The Night Away" stalls at Number 59 on the US Pop chart.

"Twistin' the Night Away" is a song written and recorded by Sam Cooke. In 1973, Rod Stewart released his version as the third single from Never a Dull Moment, his fourth album. 

Music History Today: July 28, 2020

July 28, 1956: Elvis Presley's "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" became the Number 1 song on the country charts.

"I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" is a song written by Maurice Mysels and Ira Kosloff, and produced by Steve Sholes.

Elvis Presley

Music History Today: June 2, 2020

June 2, 1984:  "Time After Time," from Cyndi Lauper's debut studio album "She's So Unusual," reached the Number 1 position on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Cyndi Lauper didn’t plan to write “Time after Time” at all. The New York-raised singer had already left the recording studio after — she thought — completing her first solo album, She’s So Unusual.