Music History Today: March 20, 2023

March 20, 1991: Eric Clapton's 4-year-old son, Conor, died after falling from a 53rd-story New York City apartment window.

Eric Clapton holding 4-year-old son Conor.

Music History Today: March 6, 2023

March 6, 2005: The American television series Intervention premiered on A&E. It featured the theme song "Five Steps" by The Davenports from their album Speaking of The Davenports.

The Davenports

Music History Today: January 16, 2023

January 16, 1992: Eric Clapton recorded his MTV "Unplugged" special at Bray Studios, England, in front of a studio audience.

Eric Clapton's MTV "Unplugged" set included a version of the successful 1992 single "Tears in Heaven" and an acoustic version of "Layla."

Music History Today: October 19, 2022

October 19, 1999: A Very Special Christmas Live album by was released along with a video of "Give Me One Reason" featuring Tracy Chapman and Eric Clapton to promote the single.

Music History Today: August 16, 2022

August 16, 1977: Elvis Presley died at 42 in Memphis, Tennessee. Presley's last concert was on June 26, 1977, in Indiana.

Elvis Presley

Music History Today: July 20, 2022

July 20, 1982: The Pretenders recorded "Back On the Chain Gang" two days after their guitarist, James Honeyman-Scott,  died of a drug overdose at the age of 25.

The Pretenders

Music History Today: May 9, 2022

May 9, 1992: Genesis blasted from Number 79 to 44 the second week on the chart with "Hold On My Heart."

"Hold on My Heart" by Genesis was released as the album's third single from their 14th studio album, We Can't Dance..

Music History Today: September 14, 2021

September 14, 1958: Robert Mitchum entered the Billboard single's chart with "The Ballad of Thunder Road" from the movie Thunder Road. 

Classic Hollywood anti-hero Robert Mitchum moonlighted as a recording artist, first as a calypso performer and later as co-writer and singer of film theme song "The Ballad of Thunder Road."

Music History Today: July 20, 2021

July 20, 1991: "Unbelievable" by EMF moves into the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

England’s alternative music scene never seems to make nearly deep an impact in the States as it does there, no matter the era. 

EMF

Music History Today: April 1, 2021

April 1, 1970: Woodstock, the documentary on the Woodstock Festival that took place in August 1969 at Bethel in New York, premieres in Hollywood. 

An intimate look at the Woodstock Music & Art Festival held in Bethel, NY in 1969. 

Janis Joplin at Woodstock 1959

Music History Today: March 30, 2021

March 30, 1964: Tracy Chapman is born in Cleveland, Ohio.

Musician Tracy Chapman began writing music and performing in Boston, where she recorded songs at the WMFO radio station. She caught her big break in 1986, when a friend's father introduced her to a manager at Elektra Records, and soon recorded Tracy Chapman (1988).  

Tracy Chapman

Music History Today: January 13, 2021

January 13, 1979: Donny Hathaway committed suicide at age 33 by jumping from the balcony of his 15th-floor room at the Essex House hotel in New York City.

Most people will tell you that Donny Hathaway's true home as an artist was not the studio but the stage.  One moment will serve as an illustration. 

Music History Today: January 7, 2021

January 7, 1971: Black Sabbath released Paranoid in the U.S. 

Paranoid’s cover is one of the most transformative moments in the early history of Black Sabbath and, by extension, heavy metal.

Black Sabbath

Music History Today: October 5, 2020

October 5, 1978: Dolly Parton becomes the first country singer to pose for Playboy.

Dolly Parton recently turned 74, but the music icon says she has no plans to stop working any time soon. In fact, she has some specific aspirations in mind for when she hits the big 7-5. 

Music History Today: August 1, 2020

August 1, 1981: MTV went on the air, broadcasting music videos 24 hours a day in the US. 

On August 1, 1981, MTV: Music Television goes on the air for the first time ever, with the words (spoken by one of MTV’s creators, John Lack): “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.” 

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

Music History Today: July 13, 2020

July 13, 1985: The first Live Aid concerts were held at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia and Wembley Stadium in London. 

On July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium in London, Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially open Live Aid, a worldwide rock concert organized to raise money for the relief of famine-stricken Africans. 

Desktop Wallpaper

Music History Today: July 12, 2020

July 12, 1971: Radio stations start running a Coke commercial called "I'd Like To Buy The World A Coke."

In 1971 Coca-Cola launched one of its very first in-color TV commercials. 

Desktop Wallpaper

Music History Today: May 10, 2020

May 10, 1970: David Bowie was awarded an Ivor Novello Award for Best Original Song 'Space Oddity.'

David Bowie is known to be one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century. He was an English singer and songwriter who has also worked as an actor in Hollywood. 

Music History Today: May 2, 2020

May 2, 1991: The REM song "Losing My Religion" video was banned in Ireland because of its religious imagery.  

Twenty-five years ago, R.E.M. released Out of Time, which eventually sold over four million copies in the United States and transformed longtime college radio darlings into a mainstream concern.