On this day in 1983: Michael Jackson started a three week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with ‘Beat It.’ It was produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. Quincy Jones encouraged Jackson to include a rock song on the album, though Jackson had never previously shown an interest in the genre. Jackson later […]
Category: Charlie’s 80s Blog
This Day In Music, April 27th
On this day in 1985: A snapshot of the top ten from the U.S. singles chart 35 years ago today! What’s your favorite song in the Top 10? USA for Africa would spend one more week at #1 before Madonna’s ‘Crazy For You’ would take over the top of the chart.
This Day In Music, April 26th
On this day in 1980: Blondie were at #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Call Me’, the group’s fourth UK #1, featured in the Richard Gere movie ‘American Gigolo’, the track was also a #1 in the US where it became the band’s biggest selling single. Producer Giorgio Moroder originally asked Stevie Nicks from […]
This Day In Music, April 25th
On this day in 1982: Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder were at #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Ebony And Ivory.’ This was McCartney’s 24th #1 hit single as a songwriter. The title was inspired by McCartney hearing Spike Milligan say “Black notes, white notes, you need to play the two to make harmony […]
This Day In Music, April 24th
On this day in 1980: Blondie was enjoying her second week at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with ‘Call Me.’ ‘Call Me’ would spend a total of SIX weeks at #1 and would not give up the top spot on the charts until late May when ‘Funkytown’ by Lipps Inc. would take the top […]
This Day In Music, April 23rd
On this day in 1983: U2 kicked off their 48-date ‘War’ North American tour at The Carolina Concert For Children benefit in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Also on this day in 1983: David Bowie started a three week run at #1 on the UK album chart with the Nile Rodgers produced ‘Let’s Dance’, featuring the […]
This Day In Music, April 22nd
On this day in 1985: “We Are the World” by USA for Africa was enjoying its third week at #1 on the U.S. singles chart. It would spend one more week at #1 before giving up its top spot to Madonna’s ‘Crazy For You’ in early May. On this day in 1989: Madonna started a […]
This Day In Music, April 21st
On this day in 1982: Clash front man Joe Strummer disappeared for three weeks, which resulted in the group canceling a tour. The singer was found living in Paris, France. On this day in 1983: Dexy’s Midnight Runners were enjoying their first and only week at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Come On […]
This Day In Music, April 20th
On this day in 1980: 84 year old George Burns, who starred in the movie ‘Oh God’ with John Denver, became the oldest person to have a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when ‘I Wish I Was 18 Again’ peaked at #49. When asked if he wished he were 18 again, Burns replied “I […]
This Day In Music, April 19th
On this day in 1980: R.E.M. played their first gig as R.E.M. at the 11:11 Koffee Club, Athens, Georgia to 150 people. The show ended at 2am when police closed it down due to the venue being unlicensed. Here’s a concert clip from about a year later…. Also on this day in 1980: 32 year […]