September 25 has been an eventful date in music history, with chart-topping singles, major album releases, historic performances, memorable birthdays, and significant moments in the music industry.
In 2022, the date was especially notable for Harry Styles. His film Don’t Worry Darling opened at No. 1 at the domestic box office, while his single “As It Was” was simultaneously sitting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The movie opened with more than $19 million domestically across 4,113 theaters.
Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
But Harry Styles wasn’t the only artist making history around September 25.
From Ciara’s early-2000s breakthrough to landmark releases from Foo Fighters and Machine Gun Kelly, here are some of the biggest moments in Top 40 and music history associated with September 25.
Breakthrough Hits and Chart Milestones
September 25 has been an important date for several artists who went on to become major names in popular music.
2004: Ciara’s “Goodies” Remains No. 1
Ciara was dominating the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2004 with her debut single, “Goodies,” featuring Petey Pablo.
On the September 25 chart, the song remained at No. 1 for another week, extending its run at the top. The song’s crisp production and distinctive rhythm helped establish Ciara as one of the breakout stars of the mid-2000s.
“Goodies” arrived during a period when R&B, hip-hop, and pop were increasingly crossing over on mainstream radio. Its success helped set the stage for Ciara’s long-running career.
2007: Foo Fighters Release Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
On September 25, 2007, Foo Fighters released their sixth studio album, Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.
The album eventually peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and included “The Pretender,” one of the band’s most recognizable songs.
“The Pretender” became a major rock-radio hit and spent 18 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative chart, further cementing Foo Fighters’ status as one of the defining rock acts of their era.
2010: Katy Perry Rules the Hot 100 With “Teenage Dream”
Katy Perry was at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Teenage Dream” in September 2010.
The song was the title track from her third studio album and became one of the defining pop hits of the early 2010s. Its success was part of an extraordinary run for Perry, whose Teenage Dream era produced multiple No. 1 singles.
2020: Machine Gun Kelly Scores a No. 1 Album
Machine Gun Kelly, also known as mgk, released his fifth studio album, Tickets to My Downfall, on September 25, 2020.
The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and marked a major shift toward pop-punk in his musical style.
Songs including “Bloody Valentine” and “my ex’s best friend” helped make the album one of the most recognizable pop-punk releases of the period. “my ex’s best friend,” featuring blackbear, later reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Cultural Milestones in Music History
September 25 is also connected to the birthdays and legacies of several influential performers.
1968: Will Smith Is Born
Will Smith was born on September 25, 1968, in West Philadelphia.
Before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Smith established himself as a rapper and television performer. As a solo artist, he scored Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits including “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” and “Wild Wild West.”
His career remains a notable example of an artist successfully crossing from music into television and film.
1980: John Bonham Dies
September 25, 1980, marked the death of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham at age 32.
Bonham was widely celebrated for his powerful and influential drumming style. Following his death, Led Zeppelin announced that the band would not continue without him.
His legacy remains deeply connected to the development of hard rock and heavy metal drumming.
1980: T.I. Is Born
Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., better known as T.I., was born on September 25, 1980, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The rapper became one of the leading figures in Southern hip-hop during the 2000s. His catalog includes major hits such as “Whatever You Like,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
T.I. also appeared on “Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke’s 2013 global hit featuring Pharrell Williams.
1983: Childish Gambino Is Born
Donald Glover was born on September 25, 1983, in Edwards, California.
Performing music under the name Childish Gambino, Glover eventually became a Grammy-winning recording artist while also building a successful career as an actor, writer, producer, and filmmaker.
His 2018 single “This Is America” became a cultural phenomenon and spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also earned multiple Grammy Awards.
1992: Rosalía Is Born
Spanish singer and songwriter Rosalía was born on September 25, 1992, in Catalonia, Spain.
She has become one of the most internationally recognized Spanish-language artists of her generation. Her catalog includes Billboard-charting songs such as “LA FAMA” and “DESPECHÁ.”
Rosalía has also collaborated with major international artists including The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, and Travis Scott.
Notable Recordings and Performances
September 25 has also been associated with important recording sessions and memorable live performances.
1964: The Temptations Begin Recording “My Girl”
The Temptations began recording “My Girl” with Motown in September 1964.
Written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, the song went on to become one of the group’s signature recordings and their first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.
“My Girl” has since become one of the most recognizable songs in the Motown catalog.
1982: Queen Appears on Saturday Night Live
Queen made its only appearance as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on September 25, 1982.
The band performed “Under Pressure” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” during the episode.
The appearance remains a notable entry in Queen’s live-performance history and in the band’s relationship with American television audiences.
2015: Foo Fighters Perform in Phoenix
Foo Fighters brought their Sonic Highways World Tour to the Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 25, 2015.
The band performed several of its biggest songs, including “Best of You” and “Learn to Fly.”
The tour supported the band’s 2014 album Sonic Highways, which reached the Top 10 of the Billboard 200.
2017: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Play Their Final Concert
September 25, 2017, became an especially significant date in Tom Petty’s career.
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers performed at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as part of their 40th Anniversary Tour.
The concert ultimately became the band’s final performance. Petty died less than two weeks later, on October 2, 2017.
2019: Khalid Brings the Free Spirit Tour to Belfast
Khalid’s Free Spirit World Tour stopped in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in September 2019.
The singer performed an extensive set featuring songs such as “Talk,” “Better,” and “Young Dumb & Broke.”
The tour supported his album Free Spirit, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
2022: Mary J. Blige Performs in Chicago
Mary J. Blige brought her Good Morning Gorgeous Tour to Chicago’s United Center in September 2022.
Her set featured fan favorites including “Family Affair,” “Share My World,” and “You Remind Me.”
The tour supported her album Good Morning Gorgeous, which earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year and continued Blige’s decades-long presence in R&B and popular music.
2025: Keith Urban Performs in Chicago
Keith Urban performed a 20-song set at Chicago’s United Center in 2025 as part of his High and Alive World Tour.
The set included recognizable favorites such as “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “Somebody Like You.”
The tour supported High, an album that reached No. 38 on the Billboard 200 and No. 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Music history isn’t only about chart positions and concerts. The industry itself has continually changed, and September 25 has been connected to several examples of that evolution.
1981: The Rolling Stones Embrace Corporate Tour Sponsorship
The Rolling Stones’ 1981 U.S. tour included sponsorship from Jovan, a fragrance company.
The company’s branding appeared on tickets and promotional materials for the tour, providing an early high-profile example of corporate sponsorship becoming part of a major rock tour’s marketing strategy.
The partnership reflected a broader shift toward commercial relationships between musicians, brands, and large-scale live entertainment.
2013: Kurt Cobain’s Childhood Home Goes on the Market
In 2013, members of Kurt Cobain’s family put his childhood home in Aberdeen, Washington, up for sale.
The property later became associated with Cobain’s legacy and was designated a historical landmark.
Cobain’s connection to Aberdeen remains an important part of the story surrounding the Nirvana frontman’s early life and career.
2020: Van Morrison Releases “Born to Be Free”
Van Morrison released “Born to Be Free” in 2020, a song that criticized COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the United Kingdom.
The release was the first of several songs in which Morrison publicly expressed opposition to pandemic-related restrictions.
The songs sparked debate about the role of musicians in public discussions surrounding government policies and public health.
2025: Chris Dreja Dies
Chris Dreja, best known as a founding member of The Yardbirds, died in 2025 at age 78.
Dreja was an important part of the British rock group’s early history. The Yardbirds produced influential recordings including “For Your Love” and “Shapes of Things.”
His death marked the passing of another musician connected to one of the foundational bands of the British rock era.
Why September 25 Matters in Music History
Looking across the decades, September 25 offers a fascinating snapshot of how popular music has evolved.
The date connects Motown classics with British rock, hip-hop with pop, and major album releases with unforgettable live performances. It also highlights how artists can leave their mark in very different ways — through chart success, songwriting, touring, cultural influence, or innovation.
From Ciara’s “Goodies” ruling the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004 to Harry Styles dominating both music and movie headlines in 2022, September 25 has repeatedly produced memorable moments in entertainment.
And with artists such as John Bonham, Will Smith, T.I., Childish Gambino, and Rosalía connected to the date, its place in music history extends well beyond a single chart or genre.