Every year, May 13 delivers unforgettable moments in Top 40 music history. From chart-topping hits and legendary performances to industry milestones and cultural breakthroughs, this date has helped shape modern music across generations.
Let’s take a closer look at the iconic events that made May 13 a memorable day in music history.
Breakthrough Hits and Chart Milestones
May 13 has produced major chart achievements that changed the careers of some of music’s biggest stars.
1985: New Order Released Low-Life
New Order released their third studio album, Low-Life, in 1985. The album reached No. 7 on the U.K. charts and featured fan-favorite tracks like “The Perfect Kiss,” “Sub-culture,” and “Love Vigilantes.”
2006: Rihanna Earned Her First No. 1 Hit
Rihanna scored her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 with “SOS.” The hit marked the beginning of her rise to global superstardom and established her as one of pop music’s defining artists.
2011: Adele Dominated the Charts
Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011. The song became one of the year’s biggest singles and helped cement Adele’s worldwide success.
2011: Katy Perry Continued Her Historic Run
Katy Perry’s “E.T.” featuring Kanye West remained a chart powerhouse. The single contributed to Perry’s record-setting achievement of five No. 1 hits from the album Teenage Dream.
2015: “See You Again” Connected With Fans Worldwide
Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with “See You Again.” The emotional tribute to actor Paul Walker became a global anthem and one of the decade’s biggest songs.
2016: Chance the Rapper Released Coloring Book
Chance the Rapper dropped his third mixtape, Coloring Book, featuring collaborations with Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Future, and Young Thug. The project reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and later won a GRAMMY Award.
2022: Kendrick Lamar Released Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Kendrick Lamar released his fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, in 2022. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became his fourth consecutive chart-topping album in the United States.
Cultural Milestones in Music
Several important cultural moments also took place on May 13.
1950: Stevie Wonder Was Born
Stevie Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Morris in Saginaw, Michigan. Despite being born blind, he developed his musical talent at an early age and joined Motown Records at just 11 years old.
Wonder went on to score 10 No. 1 hits in the U.S., including classics like “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”
1985: Bruce Springsteen Married Julianne Phillips
Bruce Springsteen married actress Julianne Phillips at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The private ceremony included close family members and Springsteen’s bandmates Clarence Clemons and Steven Van Zandt.
2011: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Honored Bob Marley
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon dedicated an entire week to celebrating the 30th anniversary of Bob Marley’s passing. Performers included Ziggy Marley, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Lenny Kravitz, and The Roots.
2014: Michael Jackson’s Xscape Was Released
Michael Jackson’s second posthumous album, Xscape, arrived in 2014 through Epic Records. The album featured eight previously unreleased songs and sold more than 1.4 million copies worldwide within four months.
2015: Nick Fradiani Won American Idol
Nick Fradiani became the Season 14 winner of American Idol. The finale featured performances from The Jacksons, Chic, Steven Tyler, Michael McDonald, and New Kids on the Block.
2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Welcomed Their First Son
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky welcomed their first son, RZA Athelston Mayers, on May 13, 2022. His name honors Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA.
Memorable Performances and Live Events
May 13 has also delivered unforgettable live performances and major concert moments.
1955: Elvis Presley Sparked Chaos in Florida
Before becoming a global icon, Elvis Presley performed in Jacksonville, Florida. During the concert, he reportedly told female fans he would “see them backstage,” causing an audience frenzy.
2010: Greyson Chance Went Viral
At just 12 years old, Greyson Chance performed a powerful cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The performance quickly went viral and led to him signing with Ellen DeGeneres’ record label, eleveneleven.
2022: Coldplay Played to More Than 42,000 Fans
Coldplay performed at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during their Music of the Spheres World Tour. More than 42,000 fans attended the concert.
Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images
2023: KCON Japan Highlighted K-Pop’s Global Growth
KCON Japan featured major K-pop acts including The Boyz, STAYC, and NiziU. The festival reflected K-pop’s growing influence in global Top 40 markets.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music industry has also experienced significant developments on May 13 over the years.
2006: Heatwave Singer Johnnie Wilder Jr. Died
Johnnie Wilder Jr., lead singer of Heatwave, died at age 56 in Ohio. He was known for Top 40 hits like “Boogie Nights” and “The Groove Line.”
2008: Frank Sinatra Honored With a Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service released a commemorative 42-cent stamp honoring Frank Sinatra. Approximately 200 million stamps were printed featuring Sinatra in his signature fedora.
2021: Synchtank Hosted the Data, Rights & Royalties Summit
Synchtank held its Data, Rights & Royalties Summit to address ongoing music industry challenges involving rights management and data standardization.
2025: Music Biz Conference Expanded to Atlanta
The Music Business Association hosted its annual Music Biz Conference in Atlanta for the first time, focusing on the future of the evolving music industry.
May 13’s Lasting Impact on Music History
From unforgettable chart-toppers and emotional tributes to groundbreaking albums and legendary performances, May 13 continues to stand out in music history.
Artists across pop, hip-hop, rock, and R&B have used this date to create moments that still resonate with fans around the world. As music continues to evolve, May 13 remains a powerful reminder of the creativity, influence, and cultural impact of Top 40 music.