On July 15, 2002, Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney became the highest-earning music star of the year so far thanks to his successful US tour. Read on to learn about more transformative and industry-shaping moments from this date in history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Influential album releases and successes from July 15 include:
- 1972: Elton John’s Honky Chateau hit No. 1 in the U.S. following the hit single “Rocket Man.” This kick-started John’s success in the States, as his next five albums also reached No. 1 on the charts.
- 1978: The Rolling Stones’ album Some Girls began a two-week run at No. 1 in the U.S. The band’s 14th studio album was a worldwide hit that drew on the growing disco trend.
- 1997: Missy Elliot’s debut album, Supa Dupa Fly, was released. It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and has continued to influence rap and R&B ever since.
Cultural Milestones
The events of July 15 have shaped the music industry and culture, with milestones including:
- 2010: After leaving the band in 1995, Robbie Williams rejoined Take That for the band’s sixth album, Progress. While the album and associated tour were a huge success, Williams didn’t return for the band’s next two albums.
- 2011: For the 50th anniversary of its Adult Contemporary chart, Billboard published a list of the top 100 adult contemporary songs of all time. “Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden took the No. 1 spot.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Memorable live music and new releases from this day in history include:
- 1983: Staying Alive debuted in movie theatres, with the Bee Gees releasing five new songs as part of the soundtrack.
- 1989: Pink Floyd performed a free concert in Venice. A crowd of 200,000 watched the spectacle in person, and 100 million watched the live broadcast.
- 1997: Just 10 days after starting the Lilith Fair music festival, Sarah McLachlan released her fourth studio album, Surfacing. The singles “Angel” and “Adia” peaked at No. 4 and No. 3 on the charts, respectively.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music industry is always adapting and changing, with July 15 seeing dramatic moments including:
- 1986: After 28 years, Columbia Records removed Johnny Cash from its roster of musicians. As a result, Cash signed with Mercury Records.
- 2007: Prince’s new album, Planet Earth, was given away for free in the U.K. with the Mail on Sunday newspaper. Despite the negative public reaction to the stunt, Prince kicked off a slew of 21 concerts in London only two weeks later.
From monumental moments of change to works that stand the test of time, music continues to evolve and grow. Events from July 15 demonstrate the dynamic and adaptive nature of the industry, keeping us wondering what’s to come.
