On This Day, August 8 in Music History
EVENTS ON AUGUST 8 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day August 8 in 1953 – Les Paul and Mary Ford started a nine-week run at No.1 in the US with ‘Vaya con Dios (May God Be with You)’.
1960 – Bryan Hyland topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with ‘Its Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’. The song was a worldwide hit that year and it also went to No.1 in Belgium, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and South Africa.
1963 – With their rendition of ‘Sweets for My Sweet’, Merseybeat band The Searches topped the UK Singles chart. The song was also issued in the US but it failed to chart.
1970 – Blood, Sweat & Tears started a two-week run at No.1 on the US Billboard 200 chart with their third studio album ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears 3’ on this day August 8 in music history.
1975 – American jazz alto saxophonist Julian Edwin “Cannonball” Adderley died at the age of 46 after suffering a stroke a few weeks earlier. Best remembered for his hit single ‘Mercy, Mercy, Mercy’.
1987 – Irish rock band U2 scored their second number one single in the US with ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ on this day August 8.
1988 – Hip hop group N.W.A. released their debut studio album ‘Straight Outta Compton’ on this day August 8 in music history. The LP was a commercial success and it went on to sell over 3 million copies.
1992 – Madonna scored her tenth number one single in the US with ‘This Used to Be My Playground’. The song also reached No.1 in Canada, Italy, Mexico, and Sweden.
1992 – Eurodance group Snap! started a six-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ on this day August 8. The song was an international hit and it topped the charts in thirteen countries. Also a hit in America where it peaked at No.5.
2009 – The Black Eyed Peas topped the UK Singles chart with ‘I Gotta Feeling’. The song was a big worldwide hit and it went to No.1 in twenty-three countries, including the US.
The Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
2009 – With her second studio album ‘Here We Go Again’, Demi Lovato went to No.1 for the first time on the US Billboard 200 chart on this day August 8.
2013 – American singer, songwriter, and record producer Jack Hederson Clement died on this day at the age of 82.
2015 – American rapper Future scored his first number one album in the US with ‘DS2′ (Dirty Sprite 2)’. Also a hit in Canada where it peaked at No.5.
2017 – American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and TV host Glen Campbell died on this day at the age of 81. Best remembered for scoring twenty-nine Top 10 songs, including hits such as ‘Southern Nights’, ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’, and ‘Galveston’.
2020 – Taylor Swift started a six-week run at No.1 on the US Billboard 200 chart with her eighth studio album ‘Folklore’. The LP reached No.1 in fourteen countries worldwide and it won her a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. She also topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart on this day with ‘Cardigan’, her sixth domestic chart-topper.
2022 – British-Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John died at the age of 73. She is best remembered for starring in popular movies such as ‘Grease’ and ‘Xanadu’ and for selling over 100 million records worldwide.
BORN ON AUGUST 8 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1907 – Jazz multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, and bandleader Bennet Lester Carter was born in The Bronx, New York City.
1921 – Honky-tonk music singer, songwriter and guitarist Webb Pierce was born in West Monroe, Louisiana. Best known for his chart-topping single ‘In the Jailhouse Now’.
1935 – American singer-songwriter Yusuf Hazziez also known professionally as Joe Tex was born on this day August 8 in Rogers, Texas. Best known for hit songs such as ‘Hold What You’ve Got’, ‘Skinny Legs and All’, and ‘I Gotcha’.
1942 – British bass guitarist and singer Johnny Gustafson was born in Liverpool, England. Best known for his work with the bands Roxy Music, Quatermass, and the Ian Gillian Band among others.
1944 – American singer-songwriter and guitarist Michael Johnson was born in Alamosa, Colorado on this day August 8 in music history. Best known for his hit songs ‘Bluer Than Blue’i, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder’, and ‘Give Me Wings’.
1950 – Pop and rock music drummer Liberatori “Liberty” DeVitto was born this day in New York City. Best known for his work with Billy Joel.
1956 – English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and composer Christopher Foreman also known as Chrissy Boy was born in London. He rose to fame as a member of the ska band Madness.
1957 – Founding member and keyboardist of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs, Dennis Drew was born on this day August 8 in Jamestown, New York.
1961 – Founding member and drummer of the rock band Poison, Richard Ream also known by his stage name Rikki Rockett was born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
1961 – Irish multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter David Evans also known as The Edge was born in Barking, England on this day August 8 in music history. He rose to fame as a founding member of the rock band U2.
1962 – American rapper Mohandas Dewese also known professionally as Kool Moe Dee was born on this day in New York City.
1973 – Co-founder and frontman of the rock band Creed, Scott Slippen also known as Scott Stapp was born in Orlando, Florida.
1976 – Singer, songwriter, and record producer Joshua Scott “JC” Chasez was born on this day August 8 in Bowie, Maryland. He came to prominence as a member of the boy band NSYNC.
1976 – American singer and actor Andrew Lachey was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Best known as a member of the pop and R&B Group 98 Degrees.
1981 – British rapper, singer, and producer Bradley McIntosh was born in London on this day August 8 in music history. He rose to fame as a member of the pop group S Club 7.
1998 – Canadian singer and songwriter Shawn Mendes was born in Pickering, Ontario. Best known for hit singles such as ‘Treat You Better’, ‘In My Blood’, and ‘Senorita’.