On This Day, April 20 in Music History
EVENTS ON APRIL 20 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day April 20 in 1968 – The Rolling Stones recorded ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ at the Olympic Studios in London. It was released as a single on May 24 and it became a chart-topper in the UK, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, while in the US it peaked at No.3.
1968 – Heavy metal pioneers Deep Purple billed as Roundabout played their first ever live gig at a music venue in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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1969 – American drummer William “Benny” Benjamin also known as Papa Zita died on this day April 20 in music history, aged 43. Best known as a member of the Motown studio band The Funk Brothers.
1970 – Elvis Presley released his rendition of ‘The Wonder of You’ on RCA Records. The song peaked at No.9 in the US and it became his most successful single in the UK where it stayed at No.1 for six consecutive weeks.
1974 – Studio musicians MFSB ft.vocal group The Three Degrees topped the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)’, the theme for the musical TV program ‘Soul Train’.
1985 – The charity single ‘We Are the World’ by the supergroup USA For Africa was at number one in the UK. It became a chart-topper in over 15 countries worldwide and it raised more than $63 million (equivalent to $156 million in 2023) for humanitarian aid in Africa and America.
1991 – English guitarist, singer and songwriter Stephen Marriott died at the age of 44 when a fire broke out in his home while he was sleeping. Best remembered as the co-founder of the rock bands Small Faces and Humble Pie.
1991 – Pop rock band Wilson Phillips reached the top spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘You’re in Love’ on this day April 20.
1992 – A benefit and tribute concert organized by the remaining members of Queen to celebrate the life and legacy of Freddie Mercury was held at the Wembley Stadium in London. The event also raised money for AIDS research and it featured performances by the likes of Elton John, David Bowie, Guns N’ Roses, Tony Iommi, George Michael, Robert Plant, Metallica, Seal, Def Leppard, Roger Daltrey, and others.
1992 – American blues singer and guitarist Johnny Shines died at the age of 76. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
1993 – Rock band Aerosmith released their eleventh studio album ‘Get A Grip’ through Geffen Records. The album reached No.1 in the US and Finland and it became the group’s best-selling record with over 20 million copies sold worldwide.
1996 – The No.1 single in the United Kingdom on this day April 20 in music history was ‘Return of the Mack’ by the R&B singer Mark Morrison.
2002 – R&B singer Ashanti started a ten-week stint at No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Foolish’. She also reached No.1 on the US Billboard 200 with her self-titled debut studio album.
2002 – Traditional pop and rock and roll singer Alan Dale died at the age of 76. Best known for his hit songs ‘Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White’ and ‘(The Gang that Sang) Hear of My Heart’.
2003 – American jazz tenor saxophonist Theodore ‘Teddy’ Edwards died at the age of 78. Best known for his work with musicians such as Charlie Parker, Tom Waits, Dexter Gordon, Wynonie Harris, and others.
2013 – Alternative rock group Paramore went to number one in the UK with their self-titled fourth studio album. The LP also became a chart-topper in the US, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Ireland, and New Zealand that year.
2013 – With ‘When I Was Your Man’, Bruno Mars scored his second chart-topping single of the year in America. He previously topped the Billboard Hot 100 in January with ‘Locked Out of Heaven’.
2017 – Lead singer of the soul group The Main Ingredient, Cuba Gooding Sr died on this day April 20 at the age of 72. He was also the father of actor Cuba Gooding Jr.
2017 – Singer and songwriter Harry Styles went to number one in the UK with his debut solo single ‘Sign of the Times’.
2018 – Swedish DJ and record producer Tim Bergling better known by his stage name Avicii committed suicide at the age of 28. Best remembered for hit songs such as ‘Levels’, ‘Wake Me Up’, ‘Hey Brother’, ‘Addicted to You’, etc.
2019 – The number one album in the United States on this day was ‘Free Spirit’ by the R&B singer Khalid.
BORN ON APRIL 20 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1908 – American jazz multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Lionel Hampton was born in Louisville, Kentucky. Best known for his work with musicians such as Teddy Wilson, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Quincy Jones, Buddy Rich, etc.
1923 – Instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer Ernesto ‘Tito’ Puente dubbed ‘The King of Latin Music’ was born in New York City. Best known for the song ‘Oye Como Va’.
1935 – American multi-genre pianist, composer, and educator Ran Blake was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.
1939 – Singer and songwriter Johnny Tillotson was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Best known for hit songs such as ‘Without You’, ‘Poetry in Motion’, and ‘It Keeps right On a-Hurtin”.
1945 – English instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and actor Jimmy Winston was born James Langwith in London. He came to prominence as a founding member of the rock band Small Faces.
1948 – Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Craig Frost was born in Flint, Michigan. Best known for his work with Grand Funk Railroad and the Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band.
1948 – American Multi-instrumentalist Robert Rothstein also known as Rob Stoner was born in Manhattan, New York. He has collaborated with musicians such as Chuck Berry, Ringo Starr, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Don McLean, and many others.
1951 – Singer-songwriter and record producer Luther Vandross was born in Manhattan, New York. Best known for his hit renditions of ‘Never Too much’, ‘I Can Make It Better’, ‘Superstar’, ‘Endless Love’, ‘Any Love’, etc.
1960 – American pianist, composer, producer, arranger, and record label owner John Alternburgh was born in Wausau, Wisconsin.
1970 – Israeli jazz double bassist, vocalist, arranger and composer Avishai Cohen was born in Kibbutz Kabri, Israel.
1971 – Bassist, vocalist, and artist Michael ‘Mikey’ Welsh was born in Syracuse, New York. Best known as a member of the rock bands Weezer and Homie.
1972 – Jamaican singer, guitarist, and producer Stephen Marley was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He’s the son of reggae musician Bob Marley.
1978 – American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Douglas ‘Clay’ Cook was born in Snellville, Georgia. He rose to fame as a member of the Zac Brown Band.