On This Day, April 9 in Music History
EVENTS ON APRIL 9 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day April 9 in 1966 – The Righteous Brothers reached number one in the United States with ‘(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration’ for the first of three weeks. Also a hit in Canada where it peaked at No.2 while in the UK it reached No.15.
1969 – Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan released his ninth studio album ‘Nashville Skyline’ through Columbia Records. The album was a commercial success reaching No.1 in the UK and No.3 in the US.
1976 – American singer- songwriter and instrumentalist Philip Ochs committed suicide on this day April 9 in music history, aged 35. Best remembered for his protest songs, including ‘The War Is Over’, ‘I Ain’t Marching Anymore’, and ‘Love Me, I’m a Liberal’ among others.
1977 – Swedish pop group ABBA scored their first and only US Billboard Hot 100 number one single with ‘Dancing Queen’. The song was a big hit worldwide and it reached No.1 in fourteen other countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and even the Soviet Union.
1983 – Singer-songwriter David Bowie topped the UK Singles chart with ‘Let’s Dance’. The song was an international hit that year and it reached No.1 in eleven other countries, including the US and Canada.
1988 – Billy Ocean topped the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car’ on this day April 9. The song peaked at number one in seven other countries worldwide.
1988 – American singer and songwriter Benjamin Peay better known by his stage name Brook Benton died at the age of 56. Best remembered for hit songs such as ‘It’s Just a Matter of Time’, ‘Rainy Night in Georgia’, and ‘Endlessly’.
1988 – With ‘Heart’, synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys hit No.1 on the UK Singles chart for the first of three consecutive weeks. It was their fourth and last chart-topper.
1988 – Soul and R&B singer David Prater died in a single-car accident, aged 50. Best remembered as one half of the vocal duo Sam & Dave.
1992 – Rapper and producer Dr. Dre released his debut solo single ‘Deep Cover’ also known as ‘187’. The song also features fellow rapper Snoop Dogg.
1994 – With ‘Bump n’ Grind’, R. Kelly started a four-week run at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
1994 – With their fourteenth studio album ‘The Division Bell’, Pink Floyd started a four-week stint at No.1 in the UK. The album was an international hit that year and it became a chart-topper in nineteen other countries.
1994 – ‘Everything Changes’ became Take That‘s fourth consecutive single to debut at number one in the UK on this day April 9 in music history.
1994 – Heavy metal band Pantera scored their first and only US Billboard 200 number one album with ‘Far Beyond Driven’.
1997 – Rock band Soundgarden announced they were disbanding. They eventually reunited in 2010 and continued making music until the untimely death of frontman Chris Cornell.
15 Chris Cornell Facts You May Have Not Known
2000 – Electronic musician Moby went to No.1 in the UK with his fifth studio album ‘Play’. The album also became a chart-topper in New Zealand, Ireland, France, and Australia.
Moby – Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?
2009 – American R&B/soul singer Randal “Randy” Cain died at the age of 63. Best known as a member of the vocal group The Delfonics.
2011 – Katy Perry and Kanye West hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with ‘E.T.’ for the first of three weeks straight.
2011 – With his fourth studio album ‘F.A.M.E (Forgiving All My Enemies)’, R&B singer Chris Brown reached No.1 in the US on this day April 9.
2011 – American singer Jennifer Lopez featuring rapper Pitbull started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK Singles chart with ‘On the Floor’.
2016 – Gwen Stefani scored her first number one album on the US Billboard 200 as a solo artist with ‘This Is What the Truth Feels Like’.
2020 – With their fourth studio album ‘Calm’, Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer took the top spot on the UK Albums chart.
2021 – American rapper Earl Simmons better known professionally as DMX died at the age of 50. Best remembered for hit songs such as ‘Party Up (Up In Here)’, ‘Where the Hood At?’, ‘X Gon’ Give It to Ya’, etc.
2022 – With his sixth studio album ‘Mainstream Sellout’, rapper and singer Machine Gun Kelly went to number one in the US.
BORN ON APRIL 9 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1932 – American singer-songwriter and guitarist Carl Perkins was born in Tiptonville, Tennessee. Best known for hit songs such as ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, ‘Matchbox’, and ‘Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby’ which earned him the nickname the King of Rockabilly.
1941 – Country music singer Kay Adams was born in Knox City, Texas. Best known for her 1966 hit song ‘Little Pink Mack’ which gives a female point of view of driving a truck.
1943 – American producer, manager, singer, and songwriter Richard Terrance Knapp also known by his stage name Terry Knight was born in Lapeer, Michigan.
1944 – Multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and engineer Gene Parsons was born in Morongo Valley, California. He came to prominence as a member of The Byrds.
1945 – American drummer and session musician Stephen “Steve” Gadd was born in Irondequoit, New York.
1946 -Singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Leslie “Les” Gray was born in Carshalton, Surrey. He rose to fame as a founding member of the glam rock band Mud.
1948 – Bassist and singer David Ryan also known professionally as Chico Bo-Wico was born in Arlington, Massachusetts. Best known for his work with the groups The Happenings and Sha Na Na.
1953 – Country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist Hal Ketchum was born in Greenwich, New York. Best known for hit songs such as ‘Small Town Saturday Night’, ‘Hearts Are Gonna Roll, and ‘Past the Point of Rescue’.
1961 – Irish keyboardist and backing vocalist Mark Kelly was born in Dublin, Ireland. Best known as a member of the neo-progressive rock band Marillion.
1969 – Founding member and frontman of the rock band Candlebox, Kevin Martin was born in Elgin, Illinois. He is also known for his work with the bands The Hiwatts and The Gracious Few.
1977 – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and comic book writer Gerard Way was born in Summit, New Jersey. He came to prominence as the co-founder and lead vocalist of the rock band My Chemical Romance.
1980 – Guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, and co-founder of the rock band The Strokes, Albert Hammond was born in Los Angeles, California.
1999 – American rapper and singer Montero Lamar Hill better known professionally as Lil Nas X was born in Lithia Springs, Georgia.