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: January 28, 2023

January 28, 1985: More than 40 artists recorded the song "We Are the World." The proceeds went toward worldwide hunger prevention.

Music History Today: January 9, 2023

January 9, 1967: David Matthews was born in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A self-taught musician, Dave Matthews assembled a band and put together a demo tape in 1990.

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: November 19, 2022

November 19, 2013: People magazine names Adam Levine "Sexiest Man Alive," making him the first musician to earn the title in the feature's 28-year history.

Music History Today: October 22, 2022

October 22, 1988: Information Society topped out at Number 3 on the US music chart with "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)."

The "Pure Energy" vocal in Information Society's hit comes from Leonard Nimoy's character Spock on the TV series Star Trek.

Information Society

Music History Today: October 4, 2022

October 4, 1970: At 27 years old, Janis Joplin was found dead at the Landmark Hotel in Los Angeles of a heroin overdose. Joplin had the posthumous US Number 1 album, "Pearl," in 1971.

Janis Joplin

Music History Today: May 22, 2022

May 22, 2019: The biographical film Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton as Elton John, debuted in US theaters.

None of the makers of Rocketman, from director Dexter Fletcher to writer Lee Hall and co-executive producer Elton John himself, described the blockbuster film of Elton’s singular life as a biopic.

Music History Today: January 22, 2022

January 22, 1983: "Twilight Zone" by Golden Earring entered the American Top 40 singles chart. 

"Twilight Zone" by the Dutch band Golden Earring, was written by the band's guitarist George Kooymans.

Golden Earring

Music History Today: January 9, 2022

January 9, 1981: Phil Collins released the single "In the Air Tonight."

"In the Air Tonight" is the debut solo single by the English drummer and singer-songwriter Phil Collins, released from his debut solo album, Face Value.

Music History Today: November 19, 2021

November 19, 1983: "In the Mood" by Robert Plant entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

With his 1983 single, “In The Mood”, Robert Plant appeared to have embraced the ’80s without quite letting go of the Led Zeppelin legacy. 

Robert Plant

Music History Today: November 13, 2021

November 13, 1965: The Sound of Music soundtrack, featuring Julie Andrews, hit number 1 in America.

The legendary Broadway musical writing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II produced their final show together, The Sound of Music, nine months before Hammerstein passed away of cancer.

Music History Today: October 24, 2021

October 24, 1978: The movie version of The Wiz, which debuted as a Broadway stage production in 1975, hits theaters.

“The Wiz,” directed by Sidney Lumet, is set in present-day New York City, and finds its locations in fanciful sets suggesting Harlem, Coney Island, school playgrounds, the subway system, and a sweatshop.

Music History Today: October 19, 2021

October 19, 1950: Patrick Cowley was born in Buffalo, New York,

An instrumental contributor to the development of dance music -- post-disco and Hi-NRG in particular -- Patrick Cowley's influence carried far beyond his early-'80s prime. 

Music History Today: August 18, 2021

August 18, 2001: Afroman debuts on the Billboard hot 100 single's chart at 67 with "Because I Got High."

"Because I Got High" by American rapper Afroman describes how cannabis use is degrading the narrator's quality of life. 

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: August 9, 2021

August 9, 1980: Diana Ross had one of the hottest up-and-coming songs in the nation as "Upside Down" moved from 49 to 10.

In 1980, as disco was disappearing from the pop charts, Diana Ross recruited the biggest and best group of the late disco era to become her backing band. On Ross’ 1980 album Diana, Chic were basically her backing band. 

Diana Ross

Music History Today: May 29, 2021

May 29, 1984: Tina Turner released Private Dancer, her big comeback album.

Few would have predicted Tina Turner’s triumphant comeback in 1984, when Private Dancer put her on top of the album charts – least of all, perhaps, Turner herself. 

Music History Today: May 13, 2021

May 13, 1985: Dire Straits released the studio album Brothers in Arms.

"Brothers in Arms" is the single from the same name album of Dire Straits released in December 1984. This song was originally written in 1982 by Mark Knopfler in the year of the Falklands War. 

Music History Today: April 14, 2021

April 14, 2014: Sam Smith releases "Stay With Me."

Startling in its simplicity, both reverent and anthemic with gospel fever, “Stay With Me,” written by Sam Smith with Will Phillips and Jimmy Napier, was Smith’s first hit.