On July 21, 1994, Oasis played its first-ever concert in the United States, performing for an intimate crowd of roughly 500 people. Just one month later, the British rock band released its debut album, Definitely Maybe, and by the end of the summer had become one of the biggest new acts in America.
Now, 31 years later, Oasis has reunited and is once again touring the world, performing for millions of fans.
That milestone is just one of many memorable events that make July 21 a significant day in Top 40 music history. From chart-topping hits and legendary recordings to unforgettable live performances and industry-changing moments, here’s what happened on this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several artists reached career-defining milestones on July 21.
- 1958: Elvis Presley topped the Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart with “Hard Headed Woman,” remaining No. 1 for two weeks.
- 1973: Jim Croce’s “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- 1987: Madonna released “Who’s That Girl,” the title song from her film of the same name. It later reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- 1998: Cam’ron released his debut album, Confessions of Fire, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. The album featured collaborations with Usher, Kenny Greene, Brotha, and Jermaine Dupri and produced the hit singles “Confessions” and “Horse & Carriage.”
- 2017: Tyler, The Creator released Flower Boy, a critically acclaimed album blending hip-hop, neo-soul, and jazz rap. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and showcased his artistic growth through themes of love and loneliness.
- 2017: Lana Del Rey released Lust for Life, featuring collaborations with The Weeknd, Stevie Nicks, A$AP Rocky, and Sean Lennon. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned praise for its hopeful, socially conscious songwriting.
- 2023: The Barbie movie soundtrack arrived, featuring songs by Lizzo, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and more. Billie Eilish later won the GRAMMY Award for “What Was I Made For?”
Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images
Notable Recordings and Performances
July 21 has also featured landmark recordings and unforgettable concerts.
- 1969: The Beatles recorded “Come Together” in a single day at Abbey Road Studios. The song would become the opening track on Abbey Road.
- 1971: Black Sabbath released Master of Reality, their third studio album, which reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified double platinum.
- 1976: KISS released The Originals, a box set containing the band’s first three albums. It reached No. 36 on the Billboard 200.
- 1987: Guns N’ Roses released their debut album, Appetite for Destruction. Although sales started slowly, the album eventually became one of the best-selling records of all time, with more than 30 million copies sold worldwide.
- 1990: More than 200,000 people gathered at the former Berlin Wall for a massive benefit concert featuring Roger Waters, Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, and Sinéad O’Connor.
- 1990: Madonna brought her Blond Ambition World Tour to London’s Wembley Stadium, performing favorites including “Vogue,” “Express Yourself,” “Like a Virgin,” and “Material Girl.”
- 2022: Lady Gaga performed at Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, during The Chromatica Ball Tour, delivering fan favorites such as “Bad Romance,” “Shallow,” and “Hold My Hand.”
- 2024: The Rolling Stones thrilled fans at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri, with a 20-song set that included “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Tumbling Dice,” and “Before They Make Me Run” during their Hackney Diamonds Tour.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Several important birthdays, controversies, and industry developments also took place on July 21.
- 1948: Singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, later known as Yusuf Islam, was born in London. He recorded more than 10 U.S. Top 40 hits, including “Morning Has Broken” and “Moonshadow.”
- 1981: Romeo Santos was born in The Bronx, New York. As the frontman of Aventura and later as a solo artist, he became one of Latin music’s biggest stars.
- 1989: During a concert in Connecticut, Milli Vanilli experienced a notorious lip-syncing malfunction when “Girl You Know It’s True” skipped repeatedly. The incident foreshadowed the scandal that ultimately ended the duo’s career.
- 1999: MP3.com went public with a valuation exceeding $6 billion. The company later faced lawsuits from major record labels over its music-sharing service.
- 2015: Drake and Meek Mill’s highly publicized feud began after Meek Mill accused Drake of using ghostwriters following a dispute over album promotion.
A Memorable Day in Music History
From Oasis launching its American journey to The Beatles recording one of rock’s greatest songs and Madonna, Lady Gaga, and The Rolling Stones delivering unforgettable performances, July 21 has earned its place in music history.
Every year adds another chapter to the story, making July 21 a date that continues to resonate with music fans across generations.