This Day in Top 40 History: June 23
Whether music is your passion or you just appreciate a good song, June 23 has played a vital role in shaping Top 40 history. From popular bands achieving chart-topping hits…
Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys after February 11 practice for 2006 Pro Bowl in Honolulu. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Whether music is your passion or you just appreciate a good song, June 23 has played a vital role in shaping Top 40 history. From popular bands achieving chart-topping hits to stars being born and icons undergoing surgery, this day has proved to be a memorable one for the music industry. Continue to read on for all the details and facts about the major Top 40 events from this date.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
The artists who contributed these June 23 hits and milestones likely had no idea they would contribute to Top 40 history:
- 1962: On the U.K. album chart, the West Side Story film soundtrack reached No. 1. It held the top spot for 13 non-consecutive weeks, but in the U.S., the record-breaking album was on top for 54 weeks.
- 1979: The Charlie Daniels Band released their single "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," and cemented their place in country music history. This song was a No. 1 hit and won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
Cultural Milestones
June 23 witnessed these events and milestones that altered Top 40 music history:
- 1929: In Maces Spring, Virginia, June Carter Cash was born Valerie June Carter. She was the legendary Johnny Cash's second wife and was well-known for her duets with the iconic country music performer.
- 2004: The University of St. Andrews in Scotland awarded Bob Dylan with an honorary Doctor of Music degree for his contributions to music and literary culture. This was Dylan's second honorary degree, with the first being from Princeton University in 1970.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Many significant recordings and performances occurred on June 23, including:
- 1968: Elvis Presley recorded "Memories" and "If I Can Dream" at Western Recorders, in Burbank, California. These songs were featured on his album Elvis, which was part of his return to performing live after spending seven years doing films.
- 1976: Paul McCartney and his band Wings played the final show of the Wings Over America tour at the Los Angeles Forum in California. Ringo Starr made an appearance during the show, delighting The Beatles fans in attendance.
Industry Changes and Challenges
These changes and challenges that happened on June 23 impacted Top 40 history:
- 2006: After 13 years with the group, Kevin Richardson announced his departure from Backstreet Boys on the group's official website. He said he wanted to pursue his own interests but working with the band had been a dream come true.
- 2010: Allman Brothers Band co-founder Gregg Allman underwent a successful liver transplant surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He suffered from liver damage caused by hepatitis C.
For decades, artists from all genres have been making Top 40 history. But the events, milestones, and achievements from June 23 are moments that won't soon be forgotten by the music industry.
