Music History Today: March 26, 2023

March 26, 2004: Jan Berry of Jan & Dean died after a seizure eight days before his 63rd birthday.

When they met, Jan Berry was studying to be a doctor, and Dean Torrence was studying architecture and graphic design.

Jan & Dean

Music History Today: October 29, 2022

October 29, 1988: The song entering highest on Billboard's Hot 100, at Number 60, is "Every Rose Has its Thorn" by Poison.

Poison lead singer Bret Michaels wrote "Every Rose Has its Thorn" in response to a failed love affair with his girlfriend, Tracy Lewis.

Music History Today: October 13, 2022

October 13, 1980: George Jones won Single of the Year at the Country Music Association awards for "He Stopped Loving Her Today." 

George Jones was at a low point, both personally and professionally, in 1980. Substance abuse had wrecked the trajectory of one of the finest careers in country music.

George Jones

Music History Today: April 7, 2022

April 7, 2001: Aerosmith peaked at Number 7 on the Billboard single's chart with "Jaded."

As the new millennium arrived, Aerosmith was once again riding a roller coaster of commercial response. After a triumphant three-album run with Permanent Vacation, Pump  and Get a Grip, the group’s sales suffered a fall on 1997’s Nine Lives.

Music History Today: December 22, 2021

December 22, 1984: "Careless Whisper" by Wham!, featuring George Michael, debuted at Number 37 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.

George Michael co-wrote 'Careless Whisper' with his Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley. The pair had written it together while developing as artists in 1981 in Watford, when they were aged just 17.

George Michael

Music History Today: November 11, 2020

November 11, 1991: One week before his "Black Or White" music video airs, a memo circulated at MTV, instructing the network's on-air personnel to refer to Michael Jackson as the King of Pop at least twice a week during the next two weeks.

Frank Sinatra was the King of Pop in the mid-1940s; perhaps the first bearer of the crown. Elvis Presley was King of Pop from 1956, when he exploded like a supernova on to world consciousness, until 1960, when he emerged from the army and began his fade into a routine of bad Hollywood films.

Music History Today: October 29, 2020

October 29, 1971: Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident in Macon, Georgia.

Duane Allman, a slide guitarist and the leader of the Allman Brothers Band, is killed on October 29, 1971 when he loses control of his motorcycle and drives into the side of a flatbed truck in Macon, Georgia. He was 24 years old.

Duane Allman

Music History Today: September 8, 2020

September 8, 1990:  Jon Bon Jovi's solo hit "Blaze Of Glory" made it to number 1.

Originally released on August 7, 1990, Jon Bon Jovi’s solo debut, Blaze Of Glory, proved to be a runaway success.