Music History Today: May 31, 2023

May 31, 1999: VH1's Behind the Music began airing nightly. The premier show was The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Behind the Music.

Music History Today: December 21, 2022

December 21, 1985: Bruce Springsteen's album, Born in the USA, passed Michael Jackson's Thriller to become the second longest-lasting LP on the Billboard US Top 10. It stayed there for 79 weeks. Only The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews lasted longer at 109 weeks.

Music History Today: October 28, 2022

October 28, 2013: American Idol finalist Todrick Hall teamed up with Marlon Wayans' new company "What The Funny" to produce the viral Halloween video "Spell Block Tango."

Music History Today: February 12, 2022

February 12, 2008: Jason Mraz released the single "I'm Yours."

"I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 51st Grammy Awards.

Jason Mraz

Music History Today: November 8, 2021

November 8, 1986: "Amanda" by Boston becomes their only Number 1 hit in America.

“Amanda,” Boston’s only chart-topping single, came out late in 1986, but it was so perfectly ’70s that the song didn’t even have a music video. 

 

Music History Today: September 6, 2021

September 6, 1975:  "Main Title (Theme From “Jaws”)" by John Williams jumps from number 65 to 44 as the novelty tune "Mr. Jaws" by Dickie Goodman enters at Number 49  on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

What got you? The terrifying poster? That two-note theme music? The shot of that poor girl's legs from the shark's point of view? All of the above?

Music History Today: April 30, 2021

April 30, 2015: R&B legend Ben E. King passed away at 76. 

King was born Benjamin Earl Nelson in Henderson, North Carolina, in 1938, and sang with his church choir before the family moved to Harlem in 1947. In junior high, he began performing with a street corner doo wop group called the Four B's, which won second place in an Apollo Theater talent contest.

Ben E. King

Music History Today: April 22, 2021

April 22, 1967: "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tommy James & the Shondells peaked at Number 4 US music chart.

I Think We’re Alone Now was presented to me as a slow ballad by my producers, Richie Cordell and Bo Gentry. I was 19, but I heard the hook and thought it sounded like a hit. 

Music History Today: March 8, 2021

March 8, 1975: Styx' breakthrough hit "Lady" rose from Number 10 to it's highest point on the charts, Number 6.

A failed single from Styx' sophomore album, "Lady" got a second chance in 1975, when it landed at No. 6 on the Billboard charts.

Music History Today: November 23, 2020

November 23, 1981: AC/DC release the album For Those About to Rock We Salute You.

As immensely successful as AC/DC’s 1980 album Back in Black was (it has sold around 50 million copies worldwide), the band didn’t have a No. 1 record until their seventh North American release, For Those About to Rock We Salute You came out on Nov. 23, 1981.