Music History Today: December 19, 2022

December 19, 1986: The film adaptation of the off-Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors was released.

Music History Today: October 17, 2022

October 17, 1998: "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies hit Number 1 in the US, where it stayed for one week.

"One Week" by the Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies is notable for its significant number of pop culture references.

Barenaked Ladies

Music History Today: August 15, 2022

August 15, 1991: Nirvana play a concert at The Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, where they invite fans to attend the shoot for their first video, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" two days later.

Nirvana

Music History Today: December 12, 2021

December 12, 1987: Buster Poindexter & His Banshees Of Blue debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 single's chart with "Hot Hot Hot."

Buster Poindexter was the pseudonym rock singer David Johansen adopted in the mid-'80s for a semi-comic nightclub singer act he began to perform. 

Buster Poindexter

Music History Today: August 15, 2021

August 15, 1999: "I Need to Know" by Marc Anthony is released as a single from his self-titled album.

Throughout his 30 plus year career, Marc Anthony has created hit after hit. The 52-year-old Puerto Rican singer is one of the top selling tropical salsa artists of all time, with the Guinness World Records titles to prove it. 

 Marc Anthony

Music History Today: May 9, 2021

May 9, 1998: Everybody (Backstreet's Back) by the Backstreet Boys peaked at Number 4 on the American music chart.

Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) is – without a doubt – one of the most influential singles of the ‘90s. For the Backstreet Boys, it was an all-important comeback to launch their second album. But for pop music, it was a cultural reset that would help shape the remainder of the decade.

Backstreet Boys

Music History Today: April 16, 2021

April 16, 1939: Dusty Springfield is born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien in West Hampstead, North London, England.

Britain's greatest pop diva, Dusty Springfield was also the finest white soul singer of her era, a performer of remarkable emotional resonance. 

Dusty Springfield

Music History Today: March 21, 2021

March 21, 2000: 'N Sync released their No Strings Attached album. 

Music History Today: December 26, 2020

December 26, 1963: The Beatles released their first hit single in the United States, "I Want To Hold Your Hand," backed by "I Saw Her Standing There." 

Released on 29 November 1963 in the UK, ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ sold more than a million copies on advanced orders alone. It became The Beatles’ first US number one on February 1, 1964, and kick-started the British Invasion of America. 

Music History Today: July 25, 2020

July 25, 1980: AC/DC released Back In Black, their first album without lead singer Bon Scott, who died five months earlier.

When a popular band loses its singer, it rarely bounces back to reach the level of success it had prior to the lineup shift. 

Music History Today: July 18, 2020

July 18 1960: Fifteen year old Brenda Lee had the Number 1 song in the US with "I'm Sorry."

Brenda Lee started out singing on local radio, moving on eventually to early TV variety shows. 

Brenda Lee

Music History Today: July 11, 2020

July 11, 1970: The soundtrack to the 1969 Woodstock concert became the first triple-disc album to top the Billboard chart.

Fifty years ago, more than 400,000 people descended on Bethel, New York, headed to a dairy farm owned by Max and Miriam Yasgur, where the Woodstock Music & Art Fair was being held. 

Woodstock album cover photograph

Music History Today: July 4, 2020

July 4, 1938: Bill Withers was born in Slab Fork, West Virginia. 

Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “ Lean on Me, ” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” has died from heart complications, his family said in a statement to The Associated Press. 

Music History Today: June 27, 2020

June 27, 1987: Whitney Houston became the first female artist to debut at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart when her self-titled CD reached the top. 

Music History Today: June 26, 2020

June 26, 1977: Elvis Presley played the final concert of his career at Market Square Arena, Indianapolis. He died less than one month later, on August 16. 

Music History Today: June 14, 2020

June 14, 1961: Boy George (lead singer of Culture Club) is born George Alan O'Dowd in Eltham, London, England.