On Aug. 10, 1963, 13-year-old Stevie Wonder reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Fingertips Pt. 2.” The achievement made Wonder the youngest singer to top the U.S. pop charts at the time, while the live recording became the first live recording to reach No. 1.
From chart-topping singles and landmark albums to memorable concerts and influential artists, Aug. 10 has produced plenty of memorable moments in music history.
Breakthrough Hits and Chart Milestones
While pop music can act as a time capsule, the greatest hits often live on for generations. Here are some of the notable chart milestones associated with Aug. 10:
- 1959: Elvis Presley’s “A Big Hunk O’ Love” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song had been recorded during Presley’s military service in the U.S. Army.
- 1974: Back Home Again, John Denver’s eighth studio album, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album included the hit singles “Annie’s Song” and “Back Home Again.”
- 2013: Katy Perry released “Roar” to U.S. radio. The song went on to reach No. 1 and became one of Perry’s biggest hits.
Cultural Milestones
Aug. 10 also marks the birthdays and releases of artists whose work helped shape popular music.
- 1909: Clarence Leonidas “Leo” Fender was born in Orange County, California. He founded Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and helped revolutionize popular music with his electric guitars. Fender instruments would become closely associated with artists ranging from Buddy Holly and The Beach Boys to Eric Clapton.
- 1943: Veronica Bennett, better known as Ronnie Spector, was born in New York City. She rose to fame as the lead singer of The Ronettes alongside her sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley. The group scored major hits including “Be My Baby” and “Walking in the Rain.”
- 1979: Michael Jackson released his fifth solo studio album, Off the Wall. The groundbreaking album, produced by Quincy Jones, became a major turning point in Jackson’s career. It ultimately produced four Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles, a first for a solo artist’s album.
- 1984: The Red Hot Chili Peppers released their self-titled debut album. Although it did not initially chart, the band would later become one of rock’s most commercially successful acts with albums such as Californication and Stadium Arcadium.
- 1985: Madonna’s Like a Virgin became a major commercial milestone. The album helped cement Madonna’s status as one of pop’s biggest stars.
- 2016: Chance The Rapper joined the viral #SoGoneChallenge, sharing a freestyle video about his girlfriend. The social-media trend encouraged people to create their own verses over the beat of Monica’s hit “So Gone.”
Notable Recordings and Performances
Aug. 10 has also been a memorable date for live performances and major concert events.
- 1970: Elvis Presley performed the first night of his Summer Festival at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
- 1976: Elton John began a 10-night run of concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The shows broke the previous box-office record set by the Rolling Stones.
- 2005: The Rolling Stones surprised Toronto fans with an intimate concert at a venue that held about 1,000 people. Tickets cost just $10 as the band prepared for its upcoming tour.
- 2010: The Jonas Brothers performed at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Demi Lovato joined the group onstage for a medley that included “Wouldn’t Change a Thing” and “This Is Me.”
- 2013: Taylor Swift brought The Red Tour to Soldier Field in Chicago. The tour supported her No. 1 album Red, which included hits such as “We Are Never Getting Back Together,” “Everything Has Changed” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music industry has continually changed, and Aug. 10 has been connected to several notable moments involving artists, performers and industry figures.
- 1972: Paul McCartney and his wife, Linda McCartney, were arrested backstage for possession of marijuana. The couple later posted $1,200 bail.
- 2006: Singer Barbara George died at age 63 in Chauvin, Louisiana. She became known for her 1961 hit “I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More),” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart.
- 2008: Isaac Hayes died at age 65 in Memphis, Tennessee. Known for his distinctive baritone voice and songwriting talents, Hayes worked with artists including Otis Redding and Sam & Dave. His signature recording, “Theme From Shaft,” won both a Grammy Award and an Academy Award.
- 2013: Eydie Gormé died at age 84 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Known for her work as both a solo performer and a member of the duo Steve & Eydie with her husband, Steve Lawrence, Gormé scored a major solo hit with “Blame It on the Bossa Nova.”
- 2018: Doja Cat released “Mooo!” on YouTube.
The quirky song quickly went viral, becoming a social-media sensation and an early example of the internet’s growing influence on music discovery.
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
August 10’s Lasting Impact on Music History
From Stevie Wonder’s historic chart achievement and Elvis Presley’s No. 1 hit to Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall and unforgettable live performances, Aug. 10 has produced a remarkable collection of music milestones.
These events show how music history is shaped not only by chart-topping songs and bestselling albums, but also by the artists, performances and cultural moments that influence generations of listeners.