Music History Today: June 4, 2023

June 4, 1983: The Police scored their fifth and final Number 1 hit in the UK with "Every Breath You Take."

The Police

Music History Today: January 18, 2023

January 18, 1975: Barry Manilow had his first Number 1 hit when "Mandy" reached the top of Billboard's Hot 100.

Scott English wrote and recorded "Brandy" in 1971. His version was a hit in the UK.

 

Music History Today: February 17, 2022

February 17, 2001: Lenny Kravitz' "Again" made it to Number 4 in Billboard's chart.

"Again" by Lenny Kravitz was the only new song from his first Greatest Hits album. It was initially set to be on his sixth studio album.

Lenny Kravitz

Music History Today: June 17, 2021

June 17, 2008: Katy Perry's major-label debut album, One of the Boys, was released, featuring the hit single "I Kissed a Girl." 

Novelty or not? That was the question people asked of Katy Perry during her breakthrough. ‘I Kissed A Girl’ is the sort of song that, while almost guaranteed to be a sure-fire smash, might also overshadow an artist who had plenty more to offer. 

Katy Perry

Music History Today: January 17, 2021

January 17, 1976: Barry Manilow's "I Write The Songs" hit Number 1 in America. It won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

Barry Manilow has written a lot of songs, but he didn’t write “I Write The Songs.” In fact, Manilow didn’t write any of his three #1 hits. 

Barry Manilow

Music History Today: October 7, 2020

October 7, 1995: Alanis Morissette became the first Canadian female artist to top the Billboard album chart when "Jagged Little Pillreached   Number 1. 

The song "Ironic" was published in 1995 and was the third track released from Jagged Little Pill, the award winning album by Alanis Morissette that was released in the same year. 

The Divine Miss M: Take Three

1. Bette Midler moved to New York City in 1965. She worked the gay male bathhouse scene with Barry Manilow. Her most famous nickname, the Divine Miss M, comes from her years at the Continental Baths.

Bette Midler as Divine Miss M

Music History Today: July 16, 2020

July 16, 1977: "Barry Manilow Live" was the new Number 1 album, dislodging Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours."

Barry Manilow Live is the fifth album by the singer-songwriter Barry Manilow. The album was released in 1977, and it scored quadruple platinum. The album is known for giving the first commercial release to Manilow's VSM ("Very Strange Medley.")

Barry Manilow