This Day in Top 40 History: July 20
On July 20, 1999, after a banner year, The Rolling Stones reported a gross income of $377 million. The band had spent nearly two years touring, played to over five…
On July 20, 1999, after a banner year, The Rolling Stones reported a gross income of $377 million. The band had spent nearly two years touring, played to over five million adoring fans, and only had 20 shows that weren't sold out. Continue reading for more Top 40 history from July 20.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
July 20 saw the release of several groundbreaking hits that had a significant impact on the music industry:
- 1965: "Do You Believe in Magic?" by The Lovin' Spoonful was released in the U.S. The song became a Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached the Top 40 again in 1978 when Shaun Cassidy brought out a cover.
- 1965: Bob Dylan released "Like a Rolling Stone." This long-winded, folksy single peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains influential.
- 1981: The album Escape by Journey was released. Featuring the massive hit single "Don't Stop Believin,'" it became the band's most popular album.
Cultural Milestones
Some moments in music history on July 19 are particularly iconic:
- 1940: Billboard magazine published its first singles chart. It included separate listings for songs based on different metrics, a significant development in tracking music popularity.
- 1961: The Beatles, known at the time as The Beat Brothers, announced their first recording contract.
- 1965: Frank Sinatra participated in a handprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Live performances often leave a strong impression on the audience:
- 1975: Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run tour opened in Providence, Rhode Island. Accompanied by the E Street Band, these concerts established the Springsteen persona we know and love today.
- 1983: Duran Duran headlined a benefit concert in London. After the show, they met the late Diana, Princess of Wales, a huge fan.
- 1986: All current and former members of Santana who were still living — 17 in total — joined forces to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary at a concert in San Francisco, California.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Events from July 20 reveal the challenges and constant changes artists face:
- 1974: Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers Band, The Doobie Brothers, and more were in the lineup for the inaugural The Bucolic Frolic rock concert in Knebworth, England. The ticket price was a mere £2.75, equal to about $38 today.
- 2011: New photographs from The Beatles' first U.S. concert in 1964 surfaced at an auction. The coveted photos sold for over $360,000.
- 2017: The frontman of Linkin Park, Chester Bennington, died by suicide. Fans around the world mourned the loss and reflected on the band's great success.
From legendary concerts to the release of instantly recognizable classics, the events of July 20 demonstrate the dynamic nature of this industry. Whether you're jamming to "Don't Stop Believin'" 44 years after its release or marveling at old ticket prices, it's easy to see how much the industry has changed over time.
