On This Day In History January 8th, 1997, The Spice Girls hit the USA

Already a hit in the UK, the Spice Girls’ first single, ‘Wannabe,’ is released in the US and will top the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. The group’s debut album will go on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide as they become one of the biggest pop music acts of the ’90s.

Otis Redding – On The Dock Of The Bay

On This Day In History: December 10th, 1967. Otis Redding and 6 other musicians, were flying into Madison, Wisconsin, to play at a nightclub, when the small plane, owned by Otis, they were flying in, crashed into a lake, 4 miles short of the runway. All, but one person, were killed including Otis Redding. A …

Jigsaw – Sky High (1975)

This song, Sky High, by British band Jigsaw was a hit in the UK, where it reached number 9 and in the USA, where it reached number 3, towards the end of 1975. It was also a hit in a lot of other countries.

On this day in history, 1997

Spice Girls release ‘Wannabe’ in the US Already a hit in the UK, the Spice Girls’ first single, ‘Wannabe’, is released in the US and will top the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. The group’s debut album will go on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide as they become on of the …

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)

On this day in history, September 10th, 1991, the first hit by American Grunge Rock band, Nirvana, was released. The rest is history…

On This Day In History: August 1st, 1981, MTV launches

MTV was launched on August 1st, 1981. The first video that was played was Video Killed The Radio Star, by The Buggles. Remember when they used to actually play music videos. ?

Gerry & The Pacemakers – You’ll Never Walk Alone (1964)

I recently managed to find a copy of this song, on vinyl, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, by British band, Gerry & The Pacemakers. It reached number 1, in the UK, in 1964, but never charted on the Billboard Hot 100. This song is a huge football (soccer) anthem, in the UK, particularly in Liverpool, where …

Betty Wright – Clean Up Woman (1971)

To mark the death of US Funk, Soul and R&B singer, Betty Wright on May 10th, 2020, here is her hit “Clean Up Woman” from 1971. It reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, but did not chart, in the UK.

Little Richard – Tutti Frutti (1955)

To mark the death of US Rock And Roll singer, Little Richard on May 9th, 2020, here is his hit “Tutti Frutti” from 1955. It reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 29, on the chart, in the UK. It has charted multiple times since then, of course.

Millie Small – My Boy Lollipop (1964)

To mark the death of reggae and ska pioneer Millie Small, on May 5th, 2020, here is her only big hit “My Boy Lollipop” from 1964. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, also number 2, in the UK, that year. I remember we had this record, at home, growing up, in the …