March 10 has been an eventful day in Top 40 music history. On this date, global superstar Bad Bunny was born, Andy Gibb of the Bee Gees passed away, and Miley Cyrus released another successful album.
Over the years, March 10 has also featured breakthrough performances, notable album releases, cultural milestones, and industry-changing moments involving some of the biggest names in pop music.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several important releases and performances in the Top 40 world have taken place on March 10.
In 2001, singer Pink performed at MTV Icon: Janet Jackson, a televised special honoring pop legend Janet Jackson in Los Angeles.
In 2017, British singer-songwriter Laura Marling released her sixth studio album Semper Femina. The album featured nine tracks, including “Wild Fire,” “Soothing,” and “Nothing, Not Nearly.” Although none of the songs reached the Top 40 in the U.S. or U.K., the album still peaked at No. 5 on the U.K. Albums Chart.
That same year, indie rock band The Shins released their fifth studio album Heartworms. The record reached No. 20 on the Billboard 200 and No. 19 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart. Tracks like “So Now What” and “Name For You” found success on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Alternative Airplay charts.
In 2020, Post Malone brought his Runaway Tour to the Frank Erwin Center at the University of Texas in Austin, performing for thousands of fans.
A major modern milestone arrived in 2023 when Miley Cyrus released her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation. The album’s lead single, Flowers, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the longest-running No. 1 single by a female solo artist in the U.K.
Cultural Milestones
March 10 has also produced several notable birthdays and cultural moments in pop music.
Singer-songwriter Robin Thicke was born on this day in 1977 to actor Alan Thicke and singer Gloria Loring. With his parents’ support, Thicke pursued music early in life and later achieved major success with hits like Blurred Lines, which topped the Billboard Hot 100.
n 1987, British singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé was born in Sunderland, England. She later wrote songs for artists such as Chipmunk and Alesha Dixon, while also scoring Billboard Hot 100 hits like Next to Me and Beneath Your Beautiful, her collaboration with Labrinth.
In 1994, global Latin music superstar Bad Bunny was born. Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, he quickly rose to prominence with chart-topping hits and eventually became one of the most influential artists in modern music.
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In 2009, singer-songwriter Ryan Adams married actress and singer Mandy Moore in Savannah, Georgia. The couple later separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce in 2016.
More recently, in 2023, pop singer Meghan Trainor released the music video for her song Mother, featuring reality TV star Kris Jenner.
In 2024, Justin Timberlake and actress Jessica Biel attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills alongside celebrities such as Ice Spice and Brazilian pop star Anitta.
Notable Recordings and Performances
March 10 has also been the setting for memorable studio sessions and live performances.
In 1966, The Beach Boys began recording their legendary song God Only Knows at Western Recorders in Hollywood. The song reached No. 2 in the U.K. and peaked at No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2000, legendary songwriter Bob Dylan delivered a standout performance at the Sun Theater in Anaheim during his famous Never Ending Tour, performing songs like Dignity and Things Have Changed.
In 2009, pop superstar Lady Gaga performed her breakout hit Just Dance on the television show The View.
Two years later, in 2011, Gaga continued her global rise with a performance at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio during her Monster Ball Tour.
In 2019, Mariah Carey was forced to cancel a concert at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu due to illness. Her previous Hawaii concerts in 2016 had sold more than 21,000 tickets across three shows.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music industry has also faced challenges and difficult moments on March 10.
In 1988, Andy Gibb, the younger brother of the Bee Gees, died from heart muscle inflammation. His heart had been weakened by years of cocaine addiction.
In 2003, country legend Johnny Cash was hospitalized in Nashville for pneumonia after years of health complications related to autonomic neuropathy. He was released in April but passed away later that year.
In 2005, pop icon Michael Jackson appeared in court during his highly publicized child molestation trial. The singer was ultimately acquitted of all charges in June 2005.
Broadway also felt the effects of the pandemic in 2020 when singer and actress Sabrina Carpenter made her Broadway debut in Mean Girls. She only performed for two nights before theaters shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In 2021, Mariah Carey attempted to trademark the phrase “Queen of Christmas” through her company Lotion LLC. However, singers including Elizabeth Chan opposed the filing, leading to the request being denied.
The years 2020 and 2021 were particularly challenging for Top 40 artists due to venue closures and canceled tours during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years that followed, however, the return of concerts and new releases from major stars helped bring energy and excitement back to the music world.