Music History Today: March 13, 2023

March 13, 1984: The Cars released the album Heartbeat City.

About the album Heartbeat City, music critic Robert Christgau noted, "the glossy approach the Cars invented has made this the best year for pure pop in damn near twenty years."

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: October 11, 2022

October 11, 2003: Fountains of Wayne's break-out hit, "Stacy's Mom," entered Billboard's Hot 100 at Number 59.

Despite achieving moderate success, Fountains of Wayne had to consider their future after being dropped by Atlantic Records following 1999’s Utopia Parkway.

Fountains of Wayne

Music History Today: August 11, 2022

August 11, 1990: Snap! topped out at Number 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 with "The Power."

Snap! were the German Eurodance duo of Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti.

Music History Today: January 6, 2022

January 6, 1979: "My Life" by Billy Joel made it to the Top 3 singles in the US. 

"My Life," from his 52nd Street album, was Billy Joel's seventh Billboard Top 40 hit.

Music History Today: November 1, 2021

November 1, 1975: Elton John replaced his duet with Neil Sedaka, "Bad Blood," on top the Billboard chart with his own "Island Girl."

“Island Girl” is a song about a sex worker, a tall Jamaican woman who works a street corner near Times Square.

Elton John

Music History Today: June 11, 2021

 June 11, 1993: "What's Up?" by 4 Non Blondes was released.

 In 1992, the American rock group 4 Non Blondes released “What’s Up?” a song which has since become a queer anthem, popping up unexpectedly in an LGBTQ film, TV series and a viral video. 

4 Non Blondes

Music History Today: February 1, 2021

February 1, 1987: Journey wrapped up their Raised on Radio tour with a show in Anchorage, Alaska.

Journey were partway through a U.S. tour when they performed on Feb. 1, 1987 at the Sullivan Sports Arena in Anchorage. So it may even have come to a surprise to them that it was the last show they’d ever play with singer Steve Perry.

Music History Today: December 20, 2020

December 20, 1971:  The Rolling Stones released their first compilation album, Hot Rocks 1964-1971.

Hot Rocks 1964-1971 is the Rolling Stones’ most successful release, and they had nothing to do with it. Well, not nothing – they made the recordings, after all. 

Music History Today: September 20, 2020

September 20, 1975: David Bowie had the top tune on Billboard's singles chart with a song co-written by John Lennon, "Fame," Lennon can be heard singing near the end of the record.

Bowie wrote the song alongside Lennon and former James Brown guitarist Carlos Alomar as a direct middle finger to the business of rock and roll and, more notably, the middlemen at Mainman Management—Bowie’s former management company.