Welcome to This Day In The History Of Music. Enjoy the read, dear friend. 1.) On this day in 1607, Claudio Monteverdi's opera "L'Orfeo" premieres in Mantua, the oldest opera still regularly performed. At the time, opera was not a fully formed genre; Monteverdi helped to realize the style and move it from what was called an intermedio, or musical sequences between acts of a non-musical play, into a full integration of music and drama. The elements that the composer used to create his opera -- such as the aria, the strophic song, recitative, choruses, dances, and dramatic musical interludes -- were already in existence, but Monteverdi combined them in new ways to create a unified whole. The opera’s initial reception history is cloudy, but historians know that, at least locally, L’Orfeo was well-liked but forgotten upon his death. This changed with a revival of interest in the works of Monteverdi in the 19th century, and by the late 1900s, L’Orfeo was being widely performed around the world. 2.) On this day in 1955, Cole Porter's final Broadway musical "Silk Stockings", loosely based on Melchior Lengyel's "Ninotchka", opens at the Imperial Theatre, NYC; runs for 478 performances. Silk Stockings is a musical with a book by George S. Kaufman, Leueen MacGrath, and Abe Burrows and music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The musical is loosely based on the Melchior Lengyel story Ninotchka and the 1939 film adaptation it inspired. It ran on Broadway in 1955. This was the last musical that Porter wrote for the stage. 3.) On this day in 1964, the single "My Heart Skips a Beat" was released by Buck Owens (Billboard No. 1 U.S. Hot Country Singles, 1964) 4.) On this day in 1968, Fleetwood Mac released their debut studio album (also known as Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac), a mixture of blues covers and originals penned by guitarists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer, which peaked at No.4 on the UK chart and stayed on the charts for 37 weeks. This is the only album by the band not to feature keyboardist, vocalist Christine McVie in any capacity. 5.) On this day in1969, The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their last British performance when they appeared at the Royal Albert Hall, London. During the encore of 'Purple Haze' and 'Wild Thing', the stage was invaded by fans, police, bouncers, floor managers, and practically the entire audience. 6.) On this day in 1973, Roberta Flack had her second US No.1 when Killing Me Softly With His Song, started a five-week run at the top of the charts. The song was written in collaboration with singer-songwriter Lori Lieberman and was born of a poem she wrote after experiencing a strong reaction to the Don McLean song 'Empty Chairs.' Roberta Flack first heard the song during a flight. She performed it for the first time live when supporting Marvin Gaye, who told her she had to record a version before playing it live again. 7.) On this day in 1973, The Byrds made their final live appearance when they played at The Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey. (The then-current incarnation of the Byrds, which included Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, John York, and Gene Parsons). 8.) On this day in 1975, Led Zeppelin released their sixth album, Physical Graffiti, in the UK. Recording sessions had been disrupted when bassist and keyboard player John Paul Jones had proposed quitting the band, supposedly to become choirmaster at Winchester Cathedral, England, although in reality, he just needed time to rest after Zeppelin's demanding tour schedule. The group decided on a double album so they could feature songs left over from their previous albums, Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin IV, and Houses Of The Holy. 9.) On this day in 1976, The Eagles 'Greatest Hits became the first album to be certified platinum by the R.I.A.A. New certifications represented sales of 1 million copies for albums and two million for singles. The RIAA has now certified the album 38 times platinum, indicating sales of 38 million copies in America alone, which would make Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) the best-selling album of the 20th century in the United States. 10.) On this day in 1982, The Police won best British group at the first annual Brit Awards held in London, Adam And The Ants won best album for 'Kings Of The Wild Frontier', Cliff Richard won British Male Solo Artist, Randy Crawford won British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act went to The Human League, British Producer was Martin Rushent and Outstanding Contribution went to John Lennon. 11.) On this day in 1982, Winners at the Grammy Awards included John Lennon with Yoko Ono for Album of the Year with Double Fantasy, Kim Carnes for Song of the Year with 'Bette Davis Eyes', Quincy Jones won producer of the Year, and Sheena Easton won best new artist. 12.) On this day in 1990, American singer, songwriter, pianist Johnnie Ray died of liver failure at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He scored over 20 Top 40 singles between 1952 & 1960, including a 1956 UK No.1 & US No.2 single, 'Just Walking In The Rain'. Dexys Midnight Runners' name checked Ray in the lyrics to their 1982 hit 'Come On Eileen'. 13.) On this day in 1992, Kurt Cobain married Courtney Love in Waikiki, Hawaii. The bride, who became pregnant with daughter Frances Bean four months after they began dating, wore a white satin and lace dress that was previously owned by tragic actress (and Cobain muse) Frances Farmer. The groom wore green and white flannel pyjamas for a group of eight guests, including his Nirvana bandmate Dave Grohl. 14.) On this day in 1997, The Spice Girls won best single with 'Wannabe' at this year's Brit Awards held in London. Other winners included Best Group for Manic Street Preachers, Best Dance Act went to The Prodigy, George Michael won Best Male, Best Female went to Gabrielle, Best Newcomer was won by Kula Shaker, International Male was Beck, International Female was Sheryl Crow, and Best International Group was The Fugees. 15.) On this day in 2000, Carlos Santana won eight awards at this year's Grammy Awards for his Supernatural album. Before Supernatural, the guitarist had not had a Top 10 album since 1981. Supernatural was a huge commercial success worldwide, reaching No. 1 in eleven countries, including the US, for 12 non-consecutive weeks. The first of six singles from the album, 'Smooth' featuring Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas, was a No.1 success worldwide and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 12 weeks. Sting won two awards, one for best pop album and another for best male pop vocalist. Sir Elton John won the Legend award, and Phil Collins the best soundtrack award for Tarzan. 16.) On this day in 2004, Estelle Axton, who helped create the legendary US soul music label Stax, died in a hospital in Memphis, aged 85. Stax was home to Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Isaac Hayes, and Booker T and the MG's, and the Stax studio, 'Soulsville USA', was second only to Motown in its production of soul hits during its 1960s heyday. 17.) On this day in 2009, the United States Mint launched a new coin featuring American composer, pianist, and bandleader Duke Ellington. This made him the first African American to appear by himself on a circulating US coin. Later in 1999, he was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize Special Award for music. 18.) On this day in 2010, the personal assistant to former Ramones manager Linda Stein was convicted in a New York court of bludgeoning her boss to death at her Manhattan apartment on 30 October 2007. Prosecutors said Natavia Lowery, 28, stole more than $30,000 (£19,500) from Stein, then clubbed her with a piece of exercise equipment. Jurors spent less than a day reaching a second-degree murder verdict. 19.) On this day in 2020, American guitarist, songwriter, and producer David Roback, best known as the founding member of the duo Mazzy Star, died at the age of 61 from metastatic cancer. The American alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989 from remnants of the group Opal. They were best known for the song 'Fade into You', which brought the band some success in the mid-1990s and was the group's biggest mainstream hit. (enjoy the song Fade Into You ) 20.) On this day in 2024, Beyoncé became the first Black woman to top the Billboard Country Singles chart when 'Texas Hold 'Em' went to No.1. Titled after the poker game variant, "Texas Hold 'Em," the track was an international commercial success and marked several historical achievements. In the United States, it topped the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Beyoncé's ninth solo No.1 single. Before Beyoncé, only seven black women had charted on the country chart. The previous highest-ranking song by a solo Black woman was Linda Martell's 'Color Him Father', which peaked at No. 22 in 1969. 21.) On this day in 2025, American singer Roberta Flack died of cardiac arrest on her way to a hospital in Manhattan. She was 88 years old. She had the 1972 US No.1 single 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'. Clint Eastwood chose the song for the soundtrack of his directorial debut, Play Misty for Me. The song was written by British political singer/songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger, who later became his wife. Flack also had the 1973 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'. Flack was the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in two consecutive years: 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' won in 1973 and 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' won in 1974. For 40 years, Flack had an apartment in The Dakota building in New York City that was right next door to the apartment of Yoko Ono and John Lennon; their son, Sean, grew up calling her "Aunt Roberta". Born On This Day In The Music World: 1.) Born on this day in 1704, Hubert Renotte, Flemish composer and organist, born in Liège, Prince-Bishopric of Liège, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1745). 2.) Born on this day in 1709, Jacques de Vaucanson, French inventor of the automaton (Flute Player), was born in Grenoble, France (d. 1782). 3.) Born on this day in 1766, Samuel Wesley, British organist and composer referred to as "The English Mozart" (Exultate Deo), was born in Bristol, England (d. 1837). 4.) Born on this day in 1771, Johann Baptist Cramer, German-British pianist, composer, and music publisher, was born in Mannheim, Electorate of the Palatinate, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1858). 5.) Born on this day in 1842, Arrigo Boito, Italian opera composer (Mefistofele), and librettist (Verdi's "Falstaff"; Ponchielli's "La Gioconda"), born in Padua, Italy (d. 1918). 6.) Born on this day in 1910, Clyde Hart, American swing and bebop jazz piano player and arranger (Stuff Smith; Lionel Hampton; Roy Eldridge), was born in Baltimore, Maryland (d. 1945). 7.) Born on this day in 1931, Dominic Chianese, American actor, singer, and musician (The Sopranos, The Godfather Part II), was born in The Bronx, New York City. 8.) Born on this day in 1933, David "Fathead" Newman, American jazz saxophonist (Ray Charles - "The Right Time"), born in Corsicana, Texas (d. 2009). 9.) Born on this day in 1941, American singer and actress Joanie Sommers. Her 1962 single 'Johnny Get Angry reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'Don't Pity Me', released in 1965, was a Northern soul hit in the UK, often featured on Northern soul top lists. The single record routinely changes hands among collectors at over $500 a copy. 10.) Born on this day in 1942, English singer, actor, harmonica player, radio personality, and television presenter Paul Jones, from British group Manfred Mann, who had the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy. Jones is also a member of The Blues Band. 11.) Born on this day in 1947, Lonnie Turner, American bassist with the Steve Miller Band, who had the 1974 US No.1 & 1990 UK No.1 single 'The Joker', the 1976 hit 'Fly Like an Eagle,' and the 1982 US No.1 hit 'Abracadabra'. Turner died from lung cancer on 28 April 2013. 12.) Born on this day in 1947, British-American composer, singer-songwriter Rupert Holmes, who had the 1980 US No.1 & UK No. 23 single 'Escape (The Pina Colada Song) and the1980 hit 'Him'. He is also known for his musicals, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which earned him two Tony Awards, and Curtains, and for his television series Remember WENN. 13.) Born on this day in 1950, George Thorogood, American musician, singer, and songwriter. His high-energy boogie-blues sound became a staple of 1980s rock radio, with hits like his original songs 'Bad to the Bone' and 'I Drink Alone'. (Here is a treat for you, enjoy the song Bad To The Bone 14.) Born on this day in 1959, Colin Farley, British bassist with Cutting Crew, who had the 1987 US No.1 & 1986 UK No.4 single 'I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight'. 15.) Born on this day in 1974, American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Chad Hugo, one-half of the music production and writing duo The Neptunes. His partner is Pharrell Williams, who has produced numerous No.1 hits for Mystikal, Jay-Z, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, and Nelly. 16.) Born on this day in 1989, American musician Trace Cyrus, the son of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus and brother of recording artists Miley Cyrus and Noah Cyrus. He is the backing vocalist and guitarist of the band Metro Station. Have a blessed day, take care, and GOD bless.
... View more