This Day in Top 40 History: June 20
From hit songs and band milestones to lucrative performances and the births and deaths of notable artists, June 20 has been a significant date in Top 40 history, contributing memorable…
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 26: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally converted to black and white.) Musician Brain Wilson performs Pet Sounds at the Pantages Theatre on May 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
From hit songs and band milestones to lucrative performances and the births and deaths of notable artists, June 20 has been a significant date in Top 40 history, contributing memorable moments that have shaped the music industry. Continue reading to learn why and for some interesting facts about this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Mariah Carey and Neil Young can add these June 20 events to their achievements:
- 1975: Tonight's the Night, Neil Young's sixth studio album and one of Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, debuted. While Young recorded the album in 1973, its release was delayed for two years.
- 1992: "I'll Be There" was a No. 1 hit for the Jackson 5 before Mariah Carey's cover made it to the top spot on the Billboard 100. She performed the song as a duet with Trey Lorenz on her MTV Unplugged special in March of 1992.
Cultural Milestones
These influential Top 40 cultural milestones occurred decades apart on June 20:
- 1969: The Newport Pop Festival was launched at what is now a part of California State University, Northridge. Jimi Hendrix headlined the show and was paid $125,000, the largest sum paid to an artist for a single set at that time.
- 2003: Lionel Richie was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on his 54th birthday. The singer-songwriter has an accomplished career that includes more than 125 million record sales.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Some artists recorded songs and performed concerts on June 20 that have helped shape the music you love:
- 1969: David Bowie recorded "Space Oddity" at Trident Studios in London, marking a shift in the musician's sound. He released the song just days before the Apollo 11 moon landing.
- 2004: Paul McCartney performed his 3,000th show at the Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia. To prevent rain during the show, organizers paid jets to spray dry ice over the venue at a cost of more than $50,000.
Industry Changes and Challenges
These music icons were either born or died on June 20:
- 1942: Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson was born in Inglewood, California, at Centinela Hospital Medical Center. He was the oldest of three children born to Audrey Neva and Murry Wilson.
- 1997: Lawrence Payton, singer for the Four Tops, died of liver cancer at the age of 59. He was with the Motown group for 44 years.
June 20 has been a significant day in the music industry, marked by several major events that have influenced songs, recordings, performances, and other aspects of the music industry. Take a moment today to appreciate the musical contributions from this day in Top 40 history.
