April 22 is Earth Day, a global celebration focused on environmental protection. Just like sustainability brings communities together, music unites people through performances and recordings.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is the ultimate spring festival, where fans enjoy music under the sunny Southern California sky. Over the years, many iconic albums and performances have marked this day.
In 1985, Prince released “Around the World in a Day,” his seventh studio album, which topped the Billboard 200 for weeks and produced several Top 40 hits. In 1997, Mary J. Blige’s “Share My World” also reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and featured multiple successful singles.
Fast forward to 2017, Coachella showcased major acts like Lady Gaga, Bon Iver, and The Head and the Heart, along with Gucci Mane and ScHoolboy Q. The following year, Eminem, ODESZA, and Cardi B were the highlights, with Vance Joy and King Krule also performing. In 2022, Harry Styles, Lil Baby, and Phoebe Bridgers took the stage, while fans danced to NIKI and Baby Keem. Most recently, in 2023, ROSALÍA, Kid LAROI, and boygenius headlined, with Eric Prydz and Underworld also making appearances.
Earth Day has also seen cultural milestones in music. In 1969, John Lennon changed his name to John Ono Lennon, reflecting his bond with Yoko Ono. In 1972, the first Human Kindness Day honored Roberta Flack, attracting around 25,000 attendees. By 1978, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi debuted as The Blues Brothers on Saturday Night Live, with their hit climbing to No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 by early 1979.
