On This Day, October 7 in Music History
EVENTS ON OCTOBER 7 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day October 7 in 1939 – Actress and singer Judy Garland recorded a studio version of ‘Over the Rainbow’ which was later released as a single via Decca Records and featured in the popular film “The Wizard of Oz”.
1959 – American tenor and actor Mario Lanza died at the age of 38 while undergoing a controversial weight loss program. Best remembered for his million-selling hits ‘Be My Love’ and ‘Because You’re Mine’.
1966 – American R&B singer and guitarist Overton Amos Lemons also known professionally as Smiley Lewis died at the age of 53.
1966 – English singer-songwriter and frontman of Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, Johnny Kidd died in a car crash at the age of 30.
1978 – The soundtrack album ‘Grease’ of the musical film of the same name starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta started an incredible thirteen-week run at No.1 in the UK. Just like the movie, the album was a worldwide hit as well and it topped the charts in twelve other countries.
1978 – After a two-week break from the top spot, rock band Boston returned to number one on the US Billboard 200 with their second studio album ‘Don’t Look Back’.
1989 – With ‘Miss You Much’, Janet Jackson started a four-week run at No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
1989 – Pop rock band Tears for Fears went to number one in the United Kingdom with their third studio album ‘The Seeds of Love’.
1989 – The number one album in the United States on this day was ‘Forever Your Girl’ by Paula Abdul. It was her debut album and it also topped the charts in Australia and Canada, while in the UK it peaked at No.3.
1995 – Canadian singer Alanis Morissette topped the US Billboard 200 with her third studio album ‘Jagged Little Pill’. It was her first album to be released outside of North America, and it reached No.1 in thirteen countries worldwide.
Alanis Morissette – You Oughta Know
1995 – Mariah Carey reached number one in the UK with her fifth studio album ‘Daydream’. The LP was also a chart-topper in Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the US.
2000 – With her eighth studio album ‘Music’, Madonna went to number one in the United States. The album was a worldwide hit and it topped the national charts in over 20 countries.
2009 – American composer of TV and film scores Victor “Vic” Mizzy died at the age of 93. Best remembered for composing the themes of the sitcoms ‘The Addams Family’ and ‘Green Acres’.
2014 – Rock band Weezer released their ninth studio album ‘Everything Will Be Alright in the End’. It peaked at No.5 in America.
2017 – Cardi B became the second solo female rapper to top the US Billboard Hot 100 when her debut single ‘Bodak Yellow’ reached the top spot on the chart.
2017 – Rock band The Killers scored their first number one album in the US with their fifth studio release ‘Wonderful Wonderful’. Also a chart-topper in the UK that year.
2021 – The number one album in the UK on this day was the debut studio album ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’ by the indie rock band The Lathums.
BORN ON OCTOBER 7 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1911 – American jazz drummer and band leader Jonathan Jones also known as Papa Jo Jones was born in Chicago, Illinois.
1911 – American trumpeter, big band leader and baritone singer Vaughn Monroe was born in Akron, Ohio.
1927 – American singer and actor Jasper Cini better known professionally as Al Martino was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1937 – Singer-songwriter and guitarist Chester “Chet” Powers also known by the stage names Dino Valenti and Jessee Oris Farrow was born in Danbury, Connecticut.
1944 – Singer and songwriter Judith “Judee” Still was born in Los Angeles, California.
1945 – English musician Kevin Godley was born in Prestwich, Lancashire. He came to prominence as the singer and drummer of the band 10cc.
1949 – Bassist and founding member of the rock band Kansas, David Hope was born in Topeka, Kansas.
1951 – American singer-songwriter and guitar player John Mellencamp also known as John Cougar was born in Seymour, Indiana.
1952 – Bass guitarist Ricky Phillips was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Best known for his work with the bands Styx, The Babys, and Bad English.
1953 – American musician Hector “Tico” Torres was born in New York City. He rose to fame as the drummer and songwriter of the rock band Bon Jovi.
1967 – R&B singer Toni Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland. She’s one of the best-selling female artists with over 70 million records sold worldwide.
1968 – British musician Leeroy Thornhill also known by his stage names Longman and Flightcrank was born in London, England. Best known for his work with the electronic music group The Prodigy.
1968 – Founding member and frontman of the rock band Radiohead, Thomas “Thom” Yorke was born in Wellingborough, England.
1978 – English singer, songwriter, and rapper Alesha Dixon was born in Welwyn Garden City. She rose to fame as a member of the group Mis-Teeq.
1996 – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lewis Capaldi was born in Glasgow, Scotland.