May 1 has been a significant day for music, hosting the Billboard Music Awards and featuring big winners like Drake. Over the years, this date has seen chart-topping hits and memorable performances. Joe Jonas tied the knot in Las Vegas on this day, while Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson had to credit a 1970s band for their work.
In 1975, James Taylor released his sixth album, “Gorilla,” which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, outperforming his previous album, “Walking Man.” Glorilla also made waves with a Top 10 single. Fast forward to 2007, Björk launched her seventh album, “Volta,” which reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200, marking her first Top 10 entry in the U.S.
The 2019 Billboard Music Awards took place at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, where Drake took home 12 awards, including Top Artist. BTS won Top Duo/Group, Juice WRLD was named Top New Artist, and Ariana Grande received accolades for Top Female Artist. In 2021, Silk Sonic, featuring Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, while Polo G’s song held the No. 1 spot for a second week.
Cultural milestones on May 1 include the birth of Judy Collins in 1939, known for her influential albums and GRAMMY wins. Tim McGraw, born in 1967, has sold over 80 million records and boasts more than 55 Top 10 hits in country music.
Notable performances on this day include James Brown’s debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1966, where he showcased some of his biggest hits.
