On This Day, June 18 in Music History
EVENTS ON JUNE 18 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day June 18 in 1976 – The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded Electric Light Orchestra a Gold plaque for their compilation album ‘Ole ELO’ which sold half a million units in its first week of release.
1977 – Fleetwood Mac topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first and only time with ‘Dreams’. The song reached No.1 in Canada as well that year, while in the UK it peaked at No.24.
1977 – The Beatles reached No.1 in the UK with their live album ‘The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl’. The album features performances from three separate shows recorded at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater in August 1964 and 1965. It was a chart-topper in Japan as well, and peaked at No.2 in the US.
1977 – Country music singer Kenny Rogers topped the UK Singles chart with ‘Lucille’ on this day June 18. The song also reached No.1 in Canada, South Africa, and Yugoslavia that year, and peaked at No.5 on the Hot 100.
1985 – Weird Al Yankovic released his third studio album ‘Dare to Be Stupid’. Its a comedy album that features a dozen parodies of popular songs of that era. Including the hit spoofs ‘Eat It’ (Michael Jackson – ‘Beat It’) and ‘Like a Surgeon’ (Madonna – ‘Like a Virgin’).
1988 – The number one single in the United Kingdom on this day June 18 was the novelty song ‘Doctorin’ the Tardis’ by the electronic band Timelords.
1988 – English singer-songwriter Rick Astley scored his second number one single of the year in the United States with ‘Together Forever’. He previously topped the Billboard Hot 100 on March 2 with his iconic hit ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.
1992 – Australian singer-songwriter and pianist Peter Woolnough also known professionally as Peter Allen died on this day June 18 in music history at the age of 48.
1993 – The annual travelling music festival Lollapalooza opened on this day and lasted until August 7. Music acts such as Alice in Chains, Tool, Rage Against the Machine, Arrested Development, Primus, Fishbone, and The Verve among many others performed at the event.
1994 – With their fourth studio album ‘Ill Communication’, hip hop group Beastie Boys topped the US Billboard 200 on this day June 18.
1994 – Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited went to number one in the United Kingdom with their third studio album ‘Real Things’.
1995 – English singer Louise Dean died in a hit and run accident at the age of 24. Best known as a member of the dance band Shiva.
2005 – Pop rock band Coldplay scored their third consecutive chart-topper on the UK Albums chart with their studio LP ‘X&Y’. The album was a huge international hit that year and reached No.1 in 32 countries around the world.
2007 – American singer and record producer Henry ‘Hank’ Medress died on this day June 18 in music history, aged 68. Best remembered for his work with the doo-wop band The Tokens.
The Tokens – The Lion Sleeps Tonight
2011 – With their fourth studio release ‘Suck It and See’, rock band Arctic Monkeys scored their fourth consecutive number one album in the UK.
2011 – American multi-instrumentalist and actor Clarence Clemons also known as The Big Man died at the age of 69 on this day June 18. Best remembered as the saxophonist of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band from 1972 until his death.
2011 – Singer Elliot Gleave better known professionally as Example topped the UK Singles chart with ‘Changed the Way You Kiss Me’.
2015 – The 46th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards ceremony was held on this day June 18 in New York. Inductees – Willie Dixon, Cyndi Lauper, Linda Perry, Robert Hunter, Bobby Bradock, Jerry Garcia, and Toby Keith.
2016 – Drake topped the US Billboard 100 chart with ‘One Dance’. An international hit song that reached No.1 in a dozen countries.
2018 – American rapper Jahseh Onfroy better known by his stage name XXXTentacion was murdered on this day June 18 in music history at the age of 20.
2020 – English singer and entertainer Vera Lynn died at the age of 103. She rose to fame with patriotic songs during World War II and had numerous hits throughout the decades. In 2009, aged 92, Lynn became the oldest artist to top the UK Albums chart.
BORN ON JUNE 18 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1884 – Blues singer Sara Martin also known by her stage names Margaret Johnson and Sally Roberts was born in Louisville, Kentucky.
1903 – American singer and actress Jeanette MacDonald was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1910 – Jazz drummer, singer and bandleader Ray McKinley was born in Fort Worth, Texas. Best known as the original leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
1913 – Lyricist, songwriter and pianist Samuel “Sammy” Cahn was born in New York City. Best known for co-writing the hit song ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’.
1925 – British composer, pianist and orchestra leader Johnny Pearson was born in Plaistow. Best known for leading the orchestra on the music chart TV show Top of the Pops.
1942 – American bassist Carl Radle was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Best known for his work with the likes of Derek and the Dominos, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, etc.
1942 – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool, England. Best known for his work with The Beatles, Wings and for his illustrious solo career.
1944 – American singer Sandra Posey also known professionally as Sandy Posey was born in Jasper, Alabama. She rose to fame with hit singles such as ‘Single Girl’ and ‘Born a Woman’.
1953 – Guitarist and founding member of the KC and the Sunshine Band, Jerome Smith was born in New York City.
1961 – English singer and songwriter Alison Moyet was born in Billericay. She has sold over 23 million records worldwide and is best known for songs such as ‘That Ole Devil Called Love’, ‘Love Letters’, ‘Is This Love’, etc.
1963 – American keyboardist Darren “Dizzy” Reed was born in Hinsdale, Illinois. He came to prominence as a member of the hard rock band Guns N’ Roses.
1971 – Singer and founding member of Boyz II Men, Nathan Morris was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1975 – American rapper and actor Vyshonn Miller better known by his stage name Silkk the Shocker was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.
1976 – Country music singer Blake Shelton was born in Ada, Oklahoma. Best known for scoring over 30 singles.
1988 – Drummer and one half of the musical duo Twenty One Pilots, Joshua “Josh” Dun was born in Columbus, Ohio.
1994 – American rapper Kirshnik Ball also known professionally as Takeoff was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He rose to fame as a member of the hip hop trio Migos.
1999 – American rapper Trippie Redd was born Michael Lamar White II in Canton, Ohio.