EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY OCTOBER 31 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day October 31 in 1960 – The Drifters with Ben E. King on lead vocals returned to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’. Also a chart-topper in New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa, and a No.2 hit in the UK that year.
1963 – With their version of the show tune ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, Gerry and the Pacemakers started a four-week run at No.1 on the US Singles chart.
1964 – With ‘Baby Love’, The Supremes started a four-week run at No.1 on the US Singles chart on this day October 31 in music history. It reached number one in New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK as well.
1964 – Barbra Streisand hit No.1 on the US Billboard 200 chart for the first of five consecutive weeks with her fourth solo studio album ‘People’.
1970 – Matthews Southern Comfort went to No.1 in the US on this day October 31 for the first of three consecutive weeks with their version of Joni Mitchell‘s song ‘Woodstock’.
1970 – The fourth edition of the compilation album ‘Motown Chartbusters Vol.4’ released by EMI Records was at No.1 in the UK. The album features songs by various artists, including Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and others.
1970 – Led Zeppelin hit No.1 on the US Billboard 200 for the first of five consecutive weeks with their third studio album ‘Led Zeppelin III’ on this day October 31. The album was a hit worldwide and it also topped the national album charts in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, and the UK.
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1975 – Queen released their now-iconic song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ as a single through EMI Records. It became one of the best-selling and most revered songs in rock music history.
1981 – Synth-pop band The Human League scored their first No.1 album in the UK with their third studio LP ‘Dare’ on this day October 31.
1987 – With their fourteenth studio album ‘Tango in the Night’, Fleetwood Mac reached number one in the United Kingdom.
1988 – Grunge pioneers Soundgarden released their debut studio album ‘Ultramega OK’ on SST Records on this day October 31 in music history.
1992 – With ‘End of the Road’, vocal harmony group Boyz II Men started a three-week run at number one on the UK Singles chart. Also a chart-topper in Australia, the Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, and the US.
1998 – Cher scored her third number one single in the UK on this day October 31 when ‘Believe’ rose atop the Singles chart for the first of seven consecutive weeks. The song was a massive hit worldwide reaching No.1 in 20 countries and selling over 10 million copies.
Cher – Believe
2002 – One half of the R&B vocal duo Don and Juan, Claude “Juan” Johnson also known as Sonny died on this day October 31, aged 67.
2009 – With her debut solo single ‘Fight for This Love’, Cheryl Cole reached No.1 on the UK Singles chart and stayed on top for two weeks straight.
2009 – The winner of The X Factor music competition Alexandra Burke hit number one in the UK with her debut studio album ‘Overcome’ on this day October 31 in music history.
2013 – American blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter Robert “Bobby” Parker died at the age of 76. Best known for the song ‘Watch Your Step’.
2015 – Selena Gomez topped the US Billboard 200 with her second studio album ‘Revival’ on this day October 31.
2019 – With their sixth studio LP ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 2’, rock band Foals scored their first No.1 on the UK Albums chart.
BORN ON THIS DAY OCTOBER 31 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1937 – American folk music singer-songwriter and guitarist Thomas “Tom” Paxton was born in Chicago, Illinois on this day October 31 in music history.
1940 – English musician Eric Griffiths was born in Denbigh, Wales. Best known as a founding member of the group The Quarrymen which later became The Beatles.
1945 – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Russell “Russ” Ballard was born on this day October 31 in Waltham Cross, England.
1945 – American singer-songwriter and guitar player John David “Moon” Martin was born on this day in Altus, Oklahoma.
1952 – Bassist, singer, songwriter, producer, and co-founder of the disco/funk band Chic, Bernard Edwards was born on this day October 31 in Greenville, North Carolina.
1961 – Drummer and co-founder of the rock band U2, Lawrence “Larry” Mullen Jr. was born in Dublin, Ireland.
1963 – Guitarist, songwriter, and singer Johnny Marr was born John Martin Maher in Manchester, England on this day October 31 in music history. He rose to fame as a member of the band The Smiths.
1963 – Drummer Micael Delaoglou better known by his stage name Mikkey Dee was born on this day in Gothenburg, Sweden. Best known for his work with the bands Motorhead and Scorpions.
1964 – Co-founder and drummer of the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine, Colm Ó Cíosóig was born on this day October 31 in Dublin, Ireland.
1966 – American rapper and guitarist Adam Horovitz also known as Ad-Rock was born in New York City. He came to prominence as a member of the hip hop group Beastie Boys.
1967 – American musician and founding member of the bands Ivy, Fountains of Wayne, and Tinted Windows, Adam Schlesinger was born on this day October 31 in New York City.
1967 – American rapper and actor Robert Matthew Van Winkle also known professionally as Vanilla Ice was born in Dallas, Teaxs.
1970 – Founding member and guitarist of the rock band Blind Melon, Rogers Stevens was born on this day October 31 in West Point, Mississippi.
1970 – Pop music singer and songwriter Malin “Linn” Berggren was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. She rose to fame as a member of the band Ace of Base.
1980 – Founding member of the indie rock band Florence and the Machine, Isabella Summers was born in Hackney, England on this day October 31 in music history.
1981 – Guitarist and vocalist Frank Lero was born on this da in Belleville, New Jersey. Best known for his work with the bands My Chemical Romance and Leathermouth.