October 10 is a big day in music history. From chart-topping hits to unforgettable live moments, this date has seen it all. Elvis made waves, Neil Diamond hit No. 1 for the first time, Radiohead changed the music business forever, and even Aerosmith had a wild night they’ll never forget.
Breakthrough Hits
Several major songs made their mark on this day:
1956: Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” entered the Billboard Top 100. It later climbed to No. 1, cementing his place as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
1959: The Miracles’ “Bad Girl” debuted at No. 98 on the Hot 100—Motown’s first-ever chart entry.
1964: The Shangri-Las released “Leader of the Pack,” a defining girl group anthem and their biggest hit.
1970: Neil Diamond topped the charts for the first time with “Cracklin’ Rosie.”
2002: Jay-Z dropped “’03 Bonnie and Clyde” featuring Beyoncé, marking the start of one of music’s most powerful partnerships.
- 2007: Radiohead released In Rainbows with a revolutionary “pay-what-you-want” model that changed the way fans consumed music.
Cultural Moments
October 10 also brought unforgettable moments off the charts:
1954: David Lee Roth was born—he’d go on to front Van Halen and become a rock icon.
1967: Goo Goo Dolls drummer Mike Malinin was born.
1977: Chaos erupted at an Aerosmith concert when a fan threw an M-80 firecracker, injuring Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
1992: Slash from Guns N’ Roses married actress Renee Suran.
1999: A Las Vegas auction of Elvis memorabilia fetched massive bids from devoted collectors.
2009: Fans were shocked by the sudden passing of Stephen Gately from Boyzone at just 33.
2014: Taylor Swift was named Billboard’s Woman of the Year—for the second time.
Notable Recordings
A few key sessions and performances also happened on this date:
1963: Elvis recorded “Kissin’ Cousins.”
1997: Davy Jones performed “Daydream Believer” on Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
2001: U2 live-streamed a concert, giving fans around the world a front-row experience years before it became the norm.
Final Note
From Elvis’s early success to Radiohead’s digital revolution, October 10 remains one of the most dynamic days in music history. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock, pop icons, or experimental sounds, this date proves that music never stops evolving.