July 3 has produced plenty of memorable moments in Top 40 history.
In 2018, Cardi B made chart history when her single hit No. 1 in the U.S., making her the first female rapper to score two No. 1 hits.
Breakthrough albums and singles landed on July 3 as well. In 2007 Sara Bareilles released her second album, Little Voice, which reached No. 9 in the U.K. and No. 7 on the Billboard 200. Its biggest single, “Love Song,” climbed to No. 4 on both the U.K. Singles Chart and the Hot 100. That same year Velvet Revolver issued Libertad, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and spawning Mainstream Rock hits like “She Builds Quick Machines.” In 2009 Florence + the Machine released their debut LP Lungs. It spent years on the U.K. chart, hit No. 1 there, and delivered singles such as “Dog Days Are Over” and “You’ve Got the Love.” Lungs also reached No. 14 on the Billboard 200.
July 3 holds smaller but notable cultural milestones. In 1930 guitarist Tommy Tedesco was born; he became one of the most recorded session players, working with The Beach Boys, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley and more. In 1946 country singer Johnny Lee was born in Texas; after a stint in the Navy he rose to fame with No. 1 country hits like “Lookin’ for Love.” In 1975 the trio Labelle—Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx—became the first Black vocal group on Rolling Stone’s cover, best known for their smash “Lady Marmalade.” In 1986 U2 lost crew member Greg Carroll in a motorcycle accident; the band dedicated the song “One Tree Hill” to him. And in 1989 singer Elle King was born in California; she later broke into the Top 10 with “Ex’s & Oh’s.”
