Ringo Starr officially joined The Beatles on August 18, 1962, after being recruited to replace the band’s original drummer, Pete Best. It marked an important moment in Beatles history and brought John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Starr together as a band.
Keep reading for more Top 40 music history and memorable moments from August 18.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Music from the 1970s and 1980s continues to influence pop culture today. Here are several important chart and recording milestones from August 18.
1971: John Denver’s country classic “Take Me Home, Country Roads” was certified Gold in the United States. In 2014, the song became one of West Virginia’s four official state anthems.
1973: Diana Ross’ “Touch Me in the Morning” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became her second chart-topping single as a solo artist.
1979: CHIC’s “Good Times” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The disco classic later earned a place on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
1987: Debbie Gibson released her debut studio album, Out of the Blue. The record peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for nearly 90 weeks. It also produced four Top Five Billboard Hot 100 singles, including “Only in My Dream” and the No. 1 hit “Foolish Beat.”
1998: Kid Rock released his fourth studio album, Devil Without a Cause. The record climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and produced the Top 40 Hot 100 hit “Only God Knows Why.” “Bawitdaba” and “Cowboy” also became Top 40 hits on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.
Cultural Milestones
Music history is also shaped by events that reach beyond the charts. These August 18 moments left their mark on popular culture.
1953: Marvin Isley was born to O’Kelly and Sally Isley in Cincinnati, Ohio. He became known as a member of the Isley Brothers, whose U.S. Top 40 hits included “It’s Your Thing,” “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You),” and “I Turned You On.” In 1984, Marvin joined his brother Ernie Isley and Chris Jasper to form Isley-Jasper-Isley. The group’s biggest hit was “Caravan of Love,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart.
1977: Close friends and family attended a private funeral for Elvis Presley at Graceland. Thousands of fans gathered outside the Memphis mansion to pay their respects.
1979: Nick Lowe and Carlene Carter, the daughter of June Carter and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, married. The couple later divorced in 1990.
1982: The city of Liverpool, England, named four streets in honor of The Beatles. All four members of the legendary group were born and raised in Liverpool.
1992: Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love welcomed their only child, Frances Bean Cobain, in Los Angeles. Frances later pursued creative work as an artist, model, and musician.
1997: The Rolling Stones drove across the Brooklyn Bridge in a 1955 Cadillac before a press conference announcing their upcoming Bridges to Babylon tour. The bridge was temporarily closed for the publicity event.
2017: Taylor Swift removed all of the content from her social media accounts as part of the marketing campaign for her forthcoming single. Three days later, she posted a video featuring a snake to promote “Look What You Made Me Do.”
Notable Recordings and Performances
Albums and live performances provide another important chapter in music history. These August 18 events showcase artists from rock, pop, metal, and alternative music.
1984: The Red Hot Chili Peppers released their self-titled debut studio album. The band would go on to achieve multiple Top Five albums on the Billboard 200.
1986: Bon Jovi released its third studio album, Slippery When Wet. The record went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became one of the band’s defining releases.
2013: Selena Gomez performed “Come & Get It,” “Love Will Remember,” and “Like a Champion” at the Credit Union Center in Saskatoon, Canada. The performance was part of her Stars Dance Tour, which supported her debut studio album, Stars Dance.
2023: Addison Rae released her debut EP, AR, which included a collaboration with Charli XCX.
Photo by Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images
2023: Hozier released his third studio album, Unreal Unearth. Later that day, he performed at the Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn as part of his tour. His set included songs such as “Francesca” and “I, Carrion (Icarian).”
2024: Bruce Springsteen performed a 29-song set at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the Springsteen & E Street Band World Tour. The set included “Born to Run,” “Glory Days,” and “I’m on Fire.”
2024: Metallica performed “The Day That Never Comes” and “Until It Sleeps” at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The performance was part of the band’s M72 World Tour in support of 72 Seasons.
August 18 in Top 40 Music History
From Ringo Starr joining The Beatles to chart-topping singles, landmark albums, major performances, and unforgettable cultural moments, August 18 music history offers plenty for music fans to remember.
These events show how artists have shaped the charts and popular culture across generations. Keep checking back for more Top 40 music history, music anniversaries, and memorable moments from the world of popular music.