Aug. 21 has been an important date in music history, with major album milestones, memorable concerts, cultural moments and industry developments. From Harry Styles’ historic Madison Square Garden residency to career milestones for Kenny Rogers and Kacey Musgraves, the date has produced plenty of memorable moments.
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Continue reading for more Top 40 music history from Aug. 21.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several legendary songs, albums and artists made their mark on Aug. 21:
1961: Patsy Cline began recording her iconic cover of Willie Nelson’s “Crazy.” The song became a major success and spent 21 weeks on the U.S. Billboard charts.
1965: The Rolling Stones’ Out of Our Heads reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, replacing The Beatles’ Beatles VI at the top of the chart.
1993: The Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for one week. The album featured recordings by artists including Nat King Cole, Celine Dion and Harry Connick Jr.
2012: Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” sold 623,000 digital downloads during its first week, setting a then-record for a female artist.
2022: Harry Styles performed the second of 15 consecutive rescheduled concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York as part of his Love On Tour residency. The shows, originally postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, featured songs from Fine Line and Harry’s House.
Cultural Milestones
Music frequently intersects with movies, pop culture and major historical events. These Aug. 21 milestones demonstrate that connection:
1938: Kenny Rogers was born Kenneth Donald Rogers in Houston, Texas. After leaving his early group, the Scholars, Rogers pursued a solo career and went on to become one of country music’s most successful artists. His career included numerous No. 1 hits, including “Lady.”
1987: Dirty Dancing premiered in U.S. theaters. Its soundtrack later became a massive chart success, featuring such memorable songs as “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” and “Hungry Eyes.”
1988: Kacey Musgraves was born in Golden, Texas. She later collaborated with Zach Bryan on “I Remember Everything,” which became a major Billboard hit. Musgraves has also earned multiple Top 10 albums in the U.S., including Same Trailer Different Park and Pageant Material, and appeared in films including A Family Affair and Live By Night.
2017: Several locations along the path of totality for a solar eclipse hosted daytime concerts. Ozzy Osbourne performed at the Moonstock festival in Illinois, while Bonnie Tyler performed aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship with DNCE.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Aug. 21 has also produced memorable recording sessions and live performances from some of music’s biggest names:
- 1967: The Doors began recording Strange Days. The sophomore album was completed in about a month and eventually reached No. 3 on the U.S. charts.
- 2005: The Rolling Stones launched a two-year tour with a performance at Fenway Park in Boston. The trek generated more than $550 million and became the highest-grossing tour of its time.
- 2012: Lisa Marie Presley made her Grand Ole Opry debut, performing three songs from her album Storm & Grace.
- 2013: Metallica performed an 18-song set at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The set included “Nothing Else Matters” and “Master of Puppets” as part of the band’s 2013 Summer Tour.
- 2016: Rihanna’s Anti World Tour stopped at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, England. Her 24-song set included “Kiss It Better” and “Umbrella.” The tour supported her eighth studio album, ANTI, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
2021: Zac Brown Band performed “Colder Weather,” “As She’s Walking Away” and other songs at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The concert was part of The Comeback Tour, which marked the band’s return to live performances after its 2020 shows were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music business has experienced plenty of significant events on Aug. 21:
1994: John Denver’s 1963 Porsche crashed into a tree near his Aspen, Colorado, home. The incident occurred one year after Denver’s 1993 arrest for driving under the influence.
2000: Survivor filed a lawsuit against TVT Records following the release of a soundtrack associated with the reality television series Survivor. The court ultimately ruled in favor of the TV show.
2013: Sid Bernstein died in his sleep in Manhattan at age 95. The influential music promoter helped shape the careers of numerous major artists, including The Rolling Stones, Judy Garland, Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. He also booked The Beatles’ historic 1964 Carnegie Hall concert.
2014: Paul McCartney was identified as the richest bass player in a ranking that also included Sting, Gene Simmons, Roger Waters, Adam Clayton and Flea.
2021: Don Everly died at his Nashville home at age 84. As one half of The Everly Brothers, he helped create a remarkable string of hits, including “Walk Right Back,” “Crying in the Rain” and “Cathy’s Clown,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Why Aug. 21 Matters in Music History
Aug. 21 has produced an impressive collection of music milestones spanning decades and genres. The date connects chart-topping albums, legendary performers, major concerts, movie soundtracks and influential industry figures.
From Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden and Rihanna on the road to The Rolling Stones topping the charts, Kenny Rogers building a legendary career and Don Everly’s lasting legacy, Aug. 21 offers plenty for music fans to remember.