Music History Today: September 4, 2021

September 4, 1982: "Abracadabra" by the Steve Miller Band hits Number 1 in the US, giving the veteran rocker his third chart-topper.

The Steve Miller Band were the hottest thing on American radio, and in record stores, in the late summer of 1982. 

Music History Today: July 31, 2021

July 31, 1999: "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera was the new Number 1 song in the US.

Christina Aguilera’s “Genie in a Bottle,” written by David Frank, Steve Kipner & Pamela Sheyne, became the American pop singer’s signature track at the beginning of her career and was the song that lead her to international stardom. It is the first track from her self-titled debut album.

Christina Aguilera

Music History Today: May 8, 2021

May 8, 1999: "Livin' la Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

On February 24th 1999, the TV lights at LA’s Shrine Auditorium powered up for the opening number at the 41st annual Grammy Awards. 

Ricky Martin

Music History Today: May 1, 2021

May 1, 1978: Boney M's double-sided hit -  "Rivers Of Babylon / Brown Girl In The Ring" - was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.

"Rivers of Babylon" is a Rastafari song written and recorded by Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton of the Jamaican reggae group The Melodians in 1970. The lyrics are adapted from the texts of Psalms 19 and 137 in the Hebrew Bible. 

Boney M.

Music History Today: March 13, 2021

March 13, 2007: Amy Winehouse's second album, Back to Black, was released in the US.

Back to Black came out of nowhere – in a sense. Of course, Amy Winehouse had already released her debut album, 2003’s Frank, but it could not prepare the listener for Back to Black.

Amy Winehouse

Music History Today: October 23, 2020

October 23, 1990: AC/DC's Back In Black album is certified Diamond for US sales of 10 million.

For many bands, the sudden and horrific death of their lead singer at the peak of their popularity would be a career-ender. AC/DC took a few weeks to regroup and then recorded one of the biggest albums of all time.