On This Day, August 20 in Music History
EVENTS ON AUGUST 20 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day August 20 in 1973 – The Rolling Stones released ‘Angie’, the lead single of their studio album ‘Goats Heads Soup’. The single was a big hit and it topped the charts in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the US.
1977 – Pop group Brotherhood of Man scored their second No.1 single in the UK with ‘Angelo’. It also topped the singles charts in Ireland, Japan, Rhodesia, and South Africa.
1977 – R&B vocal group The Emotions started a four-week stint at No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with ‘Best of My Love’ on this day August 20 in music history.
1979 – Bob Dylan released his 19th studio album ‘Slow Train Coming’ through Columbia Records. As he had recently converted to Christianity at the time, the album’s theme is of a Christian/religious nature. It topped the charts in Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, and was a Top 3 hit in the UK and US.
1983 – Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 started a three-week run at No.1 in the UK with the compilation album ’18 Greatest Hits’ on this day August 20.
1988 – Steve Winwood scored his first and only No.1 album on the US Billboard 200 chart with his fifth solo studio release ‘Roll with It’.
1990 – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Prince released his twelfth studio album ‘Graffiti Bridge’. The album peaked at No.1 in the UK and it also served as the soundtrack to the film of the same name in which he starred.
1991 – Rock band Spin Doctors released their debut studio album ‘Pocket Full of Kryptonite’ on this day August 20. The album was a commercial success and it reached No.1 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and was a Top 3 hit in the US and UK.
2005 – Country music singer Faith Hill scored her third number one album in the US with ‘Fireflies’ on this day August 20 in music history. The single ‘Like We Never Loved at All’ won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration.
2009 – American keyboardist and bassist Lawrence “Larry” Knechtel died at the age of 69. Best remembered for his work with the music collective The Wrecking Crew.
2011 – Singer and co-founder of the male vocal quartet The Four Freshmen, Ross Barbour died at the age of 82.
2011 – Electronic music trio Nero scored their first number one single in the United Kingdom with ‘Promises’ on this day August 20.
2011 – Adele returned to number one in the US with her second studio album ’21’. The album reached No.1 in over 30 countries and became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
2015 – With his debut single ‘Marvin Gaye’, singer-songwriter Charlie Puth featuring Meghan Trainor topped the UK Singles chart.
2015 – Rapper and record producer Dr. Dre hit number one in the UK with his third studio album ‘Compton’ on this day August 20. The album topped the charts in Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, New Zealand, and Switzerland as well that year.
2016 – With his ninth studio album ‘Major Key’, DJ Khaled topped the US Billboard 200 chart. The album features a dozen guest appearances, including the likes of J. Cole, Jay-Z, Kendric Lamar, Nas, Drake, and Lil Wayne among others.
2018 – American soul musician Eddie “Chank” Willis died on this day August 20 in music history, aged 82. Best remembered for his work with The Funk Brothers.
2021 – Country music singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Thomas Hall also known professionally as Tom T. Hall committed suicide at the age of 85. Best remembered for writing twelve chart-topping songs, including ‘I Love’ and ‘Harper Valley PTA’.
BORN ON AUGUST 20 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1923 – American country and pop music singer-songwriter Jim Reeves was born on this day August 20 in Galloway, Texas.
1931 – Jazz drummer Francis Cappuccio also known professionally as Frank Capp was born in Worcester, Massachusetts.
1934 – Country rock musician and songwriter Peter Kleinow also known by his stage name Sneaky Pete was born in South Bend, Indiana.
1937 – English drummer Clemente “Clem” Cattini was born in North London. He rose to fame as a member of The Tornados and later established himself as a prolific session musician appearing on over 40 No.1 UK singles.
1941 – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist David “Dave” Brock was born in Isleworth, England. Best known as the founder and leader of the rock band Hawkwind.
1942 – American singer, songwriter, composer, and actor Isaac Hayes was born on this day August 20 in Covington, Tennessee. Best known for songs such as ‘Soul Man’ and ‘Theme from Shaft’.
1946 – Multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer, and co-founder of the electronic music band Kraftwerk, Ralf Hutter was born in Krefeld, Germany.
1947 – Trombone player, songwriter, and co-founder of the rock band Chicago, James Pankow was born in St. Louis, Missouri.
1948 – Founding member and frontman of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant was born on this day August 20 in West Bromwich, England.
1949 – Irish singer-songwriter, bassist, and producer Phil Lynott was born in West Bromwich, England. Best known as a founding member and frontman of the hard rock band Thin Lizzy.
1952 – American multi-genre singer-songwriter John Hiatt was born on this day August 20 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
1952 – American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Douglas “Doug” Fieger was born in Oak Park, Michigan. He came to prominence as a member of the rock band The Knack.
1966 – Co-founder and guitarist of the heavy metal band Pantera, Darrell Abbott also known as Dimebag Darrell was born in Ennis, Texas.
1970 – Founder and frontman of the nu metal band Limp Bizkit, Fred Durst was born in Jacksonville, Florida on this day August 20 in music history.
1979 – English jazz and pop music singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jamie Cullum was born in Rochford.
1985 – American musician and songwriter Michael Shuman also known by his stage name Mikey Shoes was born in Los Angeles, California. He came to prominence as a member of the rock band Queens of the Stone Age.
1992 – American singer-songwriter and actress Demi Lovato was born on this day August 20 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.