May 17 is an important date in Top 40 music history, marked by victories, losses, and cultural moments. This day has seen significant album releases, untimely deaths, and anniversaries that reflect the evolution of popular music.
In 1980, Blondie topped the Billboard Hot 100 with their hit, making them the first new wave band to achieve this. In 1989, the Doobie Brothers reunited to release their 10th album, Cycles, which reached No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and featured the Top 20 single “,” hitting No. 9 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart. Fast forward to 2004, The Streets released their second album, A Grand Don’t Come for Free, which soared to No. 1 in the U.K. and produced several hits, including “,” which peaked at No. 4, and “,” which reached No. 1. In 2014, John Legend’s ballad “,” also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Tyler, the Creator’s sixth album, IGOR, debuted in 2019, with the lead single “,” reaching No. 13 and the album hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Culturally, May 17 has seen its share of milestones. In 1969, Joni Mitchell appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone, a spot later graced by many Top 40 legends. In 2008, Ashlee Simpson married Pete Wentz, and they welcomed their son later that year. Sadly, in 2012, Donna Summer, the Queen of Disco, passed away at 63. More recently, in 2024, surveillance footage of Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura went viral after capturing a violent confrontation.
