Music History Today: March 2, 2023

March 2, 1965: The Sound of Music was released in the US.

When the Sound of Music was released in 1965, it took the world by storm, earning five Oscars.  Robert Wise, the director of the Hollywood movie, once explained it like this:

Music History Today: November 15, 2022

November 15, 1980: "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors entered the top 40 section of Billboard's Hot 100.

The best example of The Vapors’ sound, and their solitary hit, came with Turning Japanese.

 

Music History Today: September 15, 2022

September 5, 2014: Post-Modern Jukebox uploaded a cover of Meghan Trainor's "All About That [Upright] Bass" by Kate Davis. 

New York City pianist Scott Bradlee created Postmodern Jukebox to remake the pop hits of today into the classic sounds of the legends of yesterday. 

Music History Today: August 13, 2022

August 13, 1994: "I'll Stand by You" by The Pretenders entered the US music chart.

"I'll Stand by You" by The Pretenders was the second single from their album Last of the Independents.

The Pretenders

Music History Today: June 20, 2022

June 20, 1992: The Cure were guaranteed a US Top hit when "Friday I’m In Love" moved from Number 68 to 39.

The Cure

Music History Today: February 22, 2022

February 22, 1997: The Spice Girls' debut single, "Wannabe," took the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.

"Wannabe" is a moderately paced dance-pop song which features Mel B and Geri Halliwell rapping. 

Music History Today: January 26, 2022

January 26, 1988: Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Phantom of the Opera debuted on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre after a successful run on London's West End.

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera debuted in 1988, winning seven Tony Awards® including Best Musical.

Michael Crawford & Sarah Brightman 

Music History Today: July 12, 2021

July 12, 1986: Simply Red reached Number 1 with "Holding Back The Years."

Simply Red front-man Mick Hucknall wrote 'Holding Back the Years', while his former Frantic Elevators bandmate Neil Moss also has a songwriting credit.

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: September 15, 2020

September 15, 1973: Rod Stewart endures a rare flop record when his version of Sam Cooke's "Twisting The Night Away" stalls at Number 59 on the US Pop chart.

"Twistin' the Night Away" is a song written and recorded by Sam Cooke. In 1973, Rod Stewart released his version as the third single from Never a Dull Moment, his fourth album.