Music History Today: March 15, 2023

March 15, 1958: "March From the River Kwai and Colonel Bogey" by Mitch Miller and His Orchestra and Chorus moved into the top 40 section of Billboard's Hot 100.

Music History Today: February 15, 2023

February 15, 1979: Disco ruled the 21st Grammy Awards when the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack won Album of the Year, The Bee Gees were named Best Pop Group, and Best Arrangement for Voices for "Staying Alive." Donna Summer's "Last Dance" won two Grammys: Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song.

Music History Today: October 11, 2022

October 11, 2003: Fountains of Wayne's break-out hit, "Stacy's Mom," entered Billboard's Hot 100 at Number 59.

Despite achieving moderate success, Fountains of Wayne had to consider their future after being dropped by Atlantic Records following 1999’s Utopia Parkway.

Fountains of Wayne

Music History Today: December 27, 2021

December 27, 2002: The movie Chicago, distributed by Miramax Films, was released in the USA.

"Chicago" continues the reinvention of the musical that started with "Moulin Rouge." 

Music History Today: November 22, 2021

November 22, 1975: Nazareth debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with "Love Hurts."

“Love Hurts” is a song written and composed by the American songwriter Boudleaux Bryant, who was a very prolific and successful songwriter for other artists throughout the 1950s and beyond.

Dan McCafferty of Nazareth

Music History Today: November 1, 2021

November 1, 1975: Elton John replaced his duet with Neil Sedaka, "Bad Blood," on top the Billboard chart with his own "Island Girl."

“Island Girl” is a song about a sex worker, a tall Jamaican woman who works a street corner near Times Square.

Elton John

Music History Today: September 6, 2021

September 6, 1975:  "Main Title (Theme From “Jaws”)" by John Williams jumps from number 65 to 44 as the novelty tune "Mr. Jaws" by Dickie Goodman enters at Number 49  on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

What got you? The terrifying poster? That two-note theme music? The shot of that poor girl's legs from the shark's point of view? All of the above?

Music History Today: June 21, 2021

June 21, 1975: The Captain & Tennille sat on top of the Billboard singles chart with "Love Will Keep Us Together."

Soft rock was absolutely huge in the mid-’70s. Early-’60s pop artisans like Neil Sedaka, who co-wrote the song, were coming back;

The Captain & Tennille

Music History Today: June 14, 2021

June 14, 1980: Billy Joel started a six-week run at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart with "Glass Houses."

The back-to-back success of The Stranger and 52nd Street may have brought Billy Joel fame and fortune, even a certain amount of self-satisfaction, but it didn't bring him critical respect, and it didn't dull his anger. 

Music History Today: June 7, 2021

June 7, 1980: "Cars" by Gary Numan peaked at Number 9.

For his Tubeway Army recording sessions, Gary Numan famously worked with his first analog synthesizer—the Minimoog, to be precise. 

Gary Numan

Music History Today: May 3, 2021

 May 3,  1986:  Dollywood opened its gates in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Considered one of the world’s premier theme parks, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood features rip-roaring rides, delectable fare, and stellar entertainment—all surrounded by breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dolly Parton

Music History Today: April 26, 2021

April 26, 1969: Walter Carlos' album Switched-On Bach reached Number 10 on the Billboard Albums chart. 

The 1968 album by composer by Wendy Carlos (released under her birth name Walter Carlos) seemed innocent enough at the time of its release, but it went on to have a seismic effect on music throughout the 1970s and beyond.

Music History Today: April 12, 2021

April 12, 1975: Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom," named after the professional tennis team his friend Billie Jean King coaches, hit Number 1 on the Hot 100.

The Philadelphia of “Philadelphia Freedom” certainly sounds like an abstraction. Elton John usually took whatever lyrics his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin gave him, and then he fashioned those lyrics into songs. 

Elton John

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 29, 2021

March 29, 1986: Falco's "Rock Me Amadeus," a tribute to the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with lyrics in German, hit Number 1 in America.

Falco’s “Rock Me Amadeus” lyrics are almost entirely in German, and yet you can get the basic gist even if you don’t speak the language. Certain terms transcend language: “superstar,” “rock idol,” “punk.” 

Music History Today: March 22, 2021

March 22, 1980: Pink Floyd topped the Hot 100 with "Another Brick In The Wall (part II)" for the next four weeks. 

 

Music History Today: March 15, 2021

March 15, 1963: Bret Michaels, lead singer of Poison, was born in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Born Bret Michael Sychak on March 15, 1963, in Butler, Pennsylvania. At the age of 6, Michaels was diagnosed with diabetes. Throughout his career, he has taken insulin and measured his blood sugar levels to manage his illness.

Bret Michaels

Music History Today: February 22, 2021

February 22, 1993: Radiohead released their debut album, Pablo Honey.

The first major step in Radiohead‘s lengthy journey from Oxford club mainstays to globally lauded architects of contemporary art rock took the form of Pablo Honey, their debut LP, issued on February 22nd, 1993. 

Music History Today: February 15, 2021

February 15,  2004:  Norah Jones had the Number 1 album in the UK, Feels Like Home.

Norah Jones’ debut Blue Note album Come Away With Me had been the archetypal word of mouth hit.

 

Music History Today: February 8, 2021

February 8, 1975: Queen debuted with their first single, "Killer Queen."

Featured on their 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack, Queen’s “Killer Queen” was the band’s first international hit, reaching #2 in the UK and becoming their very first US hit.