Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to step outside, turn up your favorite songs, and soak up the sun with your Top 40 playlist. June 21 is a significant date in Top 40 history, and here’s why it matters to music fans.
On this day, several breakthrough hits and milestones have shaped the music scene. In 1952, Fats Domino scored his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, marking his rise as an R&B and rock ‘n’ roll legend. Fast forward to 1975, when Captain and Tennille’s song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, winning a GRAMMY for Record of the Year and becoming the best-selling single of that year. In 1999, The Chemical Brothers released their album Surrender, which hit No. 1 in the U.K. and produced three Top 40 singles. Then in 2011, “Weird Al” Yankovic released Alpocalypse, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and featured several popular tracks. Most recently, in 2019, Hot Chip released A Bath Full of Ecstasy, reaching No. 11 on the U.K. charts.
June 21 also marks important cultural milestones. In 1950, Joey Kramer, the drummer of Aerosmith, was born in the Bronx. The band has since released numerous Top 40 hits. In 1982, the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, initiated World Music Day, which now celebrates free music in over 120 countries. Additionally, in 1985, Lana Del Rey was born in Manhattan, eventually achieving massive success with her albums. Lastly, in 1990, Little Richard received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to his legendary status.
