On This Day, August 1 in Music History
EVENTS ON AUGUST 1 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day August 1 in 1963 – With ‘(You’re the) Devil in Disguise’, Elvis Presley topped the UK singles chart. The single also reached No.1 in Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
1964 – The Beatles went to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. The song was a worldwide hit and it topped the charts in twelve countries, including the UK and Canada.
1970 – Seven years later on the same day August 1, Elvis Presley started a six-week stint at number one on the UK Singles chart with his rendition of ‘The Wonder of You’.
1971 – George Harrison‘s ‘Concert for Bangladesh’ was held at Madison Square Garden in New York. This was the first big charity concert that paved the way for future events such as Live Aid.
1972 – Rock band the Eagles released their second single ‘Witchy Woman’ on this day August 1 in music history. It reached No.9 in the United States and No.8 in Canada.
1980 – Hard rock band Def Leppard performed for the first time in the US. They were the opening act for AC/DC at a show in New York City.
1981 – Australian singer Rick Springfield scored his first and only number one single in the US with ‘Jessie’s Girl’ on this day August 1. Also a chart-topper in his home country of Australia.
1981 – With his version of ‘Green Door’, Welsh singer Shakin’ Stevens started a four-week run at No.1 in the UK.
1987 – Bob Seger scored his first and only No.1 single on the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Shakedown’ on this day August 1. The song reached No.1 in Canada as well and it featured in the action comedy film ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’ starring Eddie Murphy.
1987 – The compilation album ‘Hits 6’ released by the record labels CBS, BMG, and WEA started a four-week stint at No.1 in the UK. It features songs by artists such as George Michael, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Starship, Whitesnake, Fleetwood Mac, Madonna, etc.
1987 – Los Lobos topped the UK Singles chart with ‘La Bamba’. The theme song to the film of the same name was an international hit that year and it went to No.1 in eleven countries worldwide, including the US.
1988 – Soundgarden released their second extended play (EP) ‘Fopp’ through Sub Pop Records on this day August 1 in music history.
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1996 – American songwriter Bill Buchanan died at the age of 66 from cancer. Best remembered as the co-creator of the sound collage ‘The Flying Saucer’.
1998 – The Beastie Boys started a three-week run at No.1 in the US with their fifth studio album ‘Hello Nasty’ on this day August 1. The album was an international hit and it also topped the charts in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the UK.
1998 – Girl group Spice Girls scored their seventh number one single in the UK with ‘Viva Forever’. Also a chart-topper in New Zealand.
2009 – Rock band Daughtry went to number one in the US with their second studio album ‘Leave This Town’ on this day August 1. The album features the chart-topping singles ‘Life After You’ and ‘No Surprise’.
2015 – English singer and TV presenter Priscilla White also known professionally as Cilla Black died at the age of 72. Best remembered for her chart-topping singles ‘You’re My World’ and ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’.
2015 – American rapper Tyrese scored his first No.1 on the US Billboard 200 chart with his sixth studio album ‘Black Rose’ on this day August 1 in music history.
2019 – Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello hit No.1 in the UK with ‘Senorita’ for the first of five consecutive weeks. The song was a huge hit and it reached No.1 on 49 charts worldwide.
2019 – English keyboardist Ian Gibbons died on this day August 1 at the age of 67. Best remembered as a member of the rock band The Kinks.
BORN ON AUGUST 1 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1938 – Co-founder and leader of the group The Chieftians, Paddy Moloney was born on this day August 1 in Dublin, Ireland.
1942 – American musician Jerome “Jerry” Garcia was born in San Francisco, California on this day August 1 in music history. Best known as a founding member, songwriter, lead guitarist, and vocalist of the rock band Grateful Dead.
1946 – British singer, guitarist, and bassist Raymond “Boz” Burrell was born in Holbeach, England. Best known for his work with the bands King Crimson and Bad Company.
1946 – American musician Erick “Rick” Coonce was born on this day August 1 in Los Angeles, California. He rose to fame as the drummer of the rock band The Grass Roots from 1966 until 1972.
1951 – Canadian guitarist and singer Timothy “Tim” Bachman was born on this day in Winnipeg. Best known for his work with the rock bands Brave Belt and Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
1951 – Guitarist and songwriter Thomas “Tommy” Bolin was born in Sioux City, Iowa on this day August 1 in music history. Best known for playing with bands such as Zephyr, The James Gang, and Deep Purple.
1953 – Five-time Grammy Award-winning blues guitarist and singer Robert Cray was born on this day in Columbus, Georgia.
1958 – American singer-songwriter and composer Michael Penn was born on this day August 1 in Greenwich Village, New York. Best known for his hit single ‘No Myth’.
1958 – Founding member and guitarist of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs, Robert Buck was born in Jamestown, New York.
1959 – Founding member and frontman of the hard rock band Def Leppard, Joseph Elliott was born on this day August 1 in Sheffield, England.
1960 – Rapper, singer and songwriter Carlton Douglas Ridenhour also known professionally as Chuck D. was born on Long Island, New York. He rose to fame as the co-founder and frontman of the hip hop group Public Enemy.
1960 – Co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the punk rock band L7, Suzanne Gardner was born in Altus, Oklahoma on this day August 1 in music history.
1963 – American rapper and producer Artis Leon Ivey Jr. also known professionally as Coolio was born in Compton, California. Best known for hit singles such as ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ and ‘Fantastic Voyage’.
1964 – Co-founder and frontman of the rock band Counting Crows, Adam Duritz was born on this day in Baltimore, Maryland.
1968 – American multi-instrumentalist and record producer Daniel Donegan was born on this day August 1 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He rose to fame as a member of the heavy metal and Disturbed.
1978 – British singer-songwriter, composer, and producer Dhani Harrison was born in Windsor, England. He’s also the son of George Harrison.