On this day in 1984: As The Olympic Games came to a close, Lionel Richie performed, ‘All Night Long’ live from Los Angeles to an estimated television audience of 2.6 billion people around the world.
On this day in 1986: Prince started a run of five nights at Wembley Arena, London, his first U.K. shows in five years.
On this day in 1989: Richard Marx started a three week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Right Here Waiting.”
It was released on June 29, 1989, as the second single from his second album, Repeat Offender. The song was a global hit, topping charts throughout the world, including the U.S. where it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA.
“Right Here Waiting” was the second single from Repeat Offender, after “Satisfied.” Marx wrote the song on the road as a love letter to his wife, the actress Cynthia Rhodes,, who was in South Africa shooting a film. The track was arranged by Marx with Jeffery (C.J.) Vanston to feature none of the heavy drums and synthesizers popular at the time, with Marx’s vocal accompanied only by classical guitar (by Bruce Gaitsch) and keyboards (by Vanston).
“Right Here Waiting” entered the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at #44 the week of July 8, 1989, and became Marx’s third consecutive #1 single on August 12, 1989. The record spent three consecutive weeks at #1. The song was Marx’s first of several to go to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Certified Platinum on October 16, 1989, “Right Here Waiting” is Marx’s best-selling single.
Here’s a look at the Top 20 on the U.S. singles chart from this day back in 1989:
1 4 RIGHT HERE WAITING –•– Richard Marx – 6 (1)
2 2 ON OUR OWN –•– Bobby Brown – 10 (2)
3 1 BATDANCE –•– Prince – 9 (1)
4 3 SO ALIVE –•– Love And Rockets – 13 (3)
5 6 ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY –•– Great White – 14 (5)
6 9 COLD HEARTED –•– Paula Abdul – 8 (6)
7 8 I LIKE IT –•– Dino – 14 (7)
8 7 LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME –•– Bon Jovi – 11 (7)
9 14 DON’T WANNA LOSE YOU –•– Gloria Estefan – 6 (9)
10 5 TOY SOLDIERS –•– Martika – 13 (1)
11 17 HANGIN’ TOUGH –•– New Kids On The Block – 5 (11)
12 13 SECRET RENDEZVOUS –•– Karyn White – 12 (12)
13 19 FRIENDS –•– Jody Watley with Eric B. & Rakim – 9 (13)
14 21 THE END OF THE INNOCENCE –•– Don Henley – 8 (14)
15 15 I’M THAT TYPE OF GUY –•– L.L. Cool J – 10 (15)
16 10 IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW –•– Simply Red – 15 (1)
17 20 NO MORE RHYME –•– Debbie Gibson – 9 (17)
18 24 ANGEL EYES –•– Jeff Healey Band – 9 (18)
19 18 HEY BABY –•– Henry Lee Summer – 13 (18)
20 22 SACRED EMOTION –•– Donny Osmond – 9 (20)
