🎶 Iconic Music Moments
January 15 has delivered some unforgettable moments in Top 40 music history. From chart-topping hits to legendary performances and impactful album releases, this date has left a lasting mark on pop culture. See some standout events below.
🎤 Bruno Mars Tops the Charts (2013)
On January 15, 2013, Bruno Mars released “Locked Out of Heaven” from his top-selling album Unorthodox Jukebox. It soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for more than 30 weeks, cementing Mars as one of pop music’s biggest stars of the decade.
(Cover pic: Al Powers/Powers Imagery/Invision /AP)
🎶 The Supremes Sign With Motown (1961)
In 1961, Berry Gordy Jr. signed The Supremes to Motown Records. Originally known as The Primettes, the group became one of the most successful African American vocal groups of all time, earning at least 12 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Where Did Our Love Go.” They also scored several Top Five albums, such as The Supremes A’ Go-Go.
📺 The Rolling Stones on The Ed Sullivan Show (1967)
On this date in 1967, The Rolling Stones performed on The Ed Sullivan Show, showcasing songs from their Top Five album Between the Buttons. Their performance of “Ruby Tuesday”—a No. 1 hit—became iconic, even requiring lyric changes for broadcast standards, much to Mick Jagger’s annoyance.
🌊 Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope (2005)
In 2005, music’s biggest stars came together for Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope. Artists including Tim McGraw, Christina Aguilera, and Madonna helped raise more than $18 million for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
💿 Notable Album Releases
Several major albums were released on January 15:
1990: The Sundays debuted with Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, featuring a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart.
2013: A$AP Rocky released his debut album LONG.LIVE.A$AP, featuring Drake and Kendrick Lamar, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
🕊️ Remembering Music Legends
January 15 also marks the loss of influential music figures:
Harry Nilsson passed away in 1994, remembered for classics like “Without You.”
In 2015, legendary producer Kim Fowley, known for his work with KISS and Alice Cooper, died at age 75.
In 2018, Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan dies in London at age 46.
🎼 A Day That Shaped Top 40 History
January 15 stands as a significant day in Top 40 music history, filled with chart milestones, cultural moments, and legendary artists who shaped the sound of popular music.