September 28 has produced plenty of memorable moments in popular music history, from chart-topping singles and landmark albums to major concerts, cultural milestones, and the loss of influential artists.
On September 28, 2019, Lizzo was at the top of the charts for the fourth consecutive week with her international hit “Truth Hurts.” The song ultimately spent 20 weeks on the chart and helped Lizzo become just the third female rapper to reach No. 1 with a solo song.
“Truth Hurts” also earned three GRAMMY Award nominations and won Best Pop Solo Performance.
Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images
But Lizzo’s milestone is only one chapter in the story.
From The Beatles and Stevie Wonder to David Bowie, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and other major names, September 28 has been an important date in music history.
Here’s a look at some of the most notable Top 40 moments associated with September 28.
Breakthrough Hits and Major Music Milestones
September 28 has featured the release of influential albums, major chart achievements, and important moments for some of music’s biggest artists.
1968: The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” Hits No. 1
The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” reached No. 1 in the United States on September 28, 1968.
The song became the band’s longest-running No. 1 single, spending nine weeks at the top of the U.S. charts. It remains one of the defining recordings of the Beatles’ career.
1976: Stevie Wonder Releases Songs in the Key of Life
Stevie Wonder released Songs in the Key of Life in 1976.
The album was his 18th studio release and included enduring songs such as “Isn’t She Lovely.” It became one of the most celebrated albums of Wonder’s career.
1999: Creed Releases Human Clay
Creed launched its sophomore studio album, Human Clay, in 1999.
The album eventually reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced the band’s chart-topping hit “With Arms Wide Open.”
2010: Bad Religion Releases The Dissent of Man
Punk rock veterans Bad Religion issued The Dissent of Man in 2010.
The album included tracks such as “The Day That the Earth Stalled,” “Wrong Way Kids,” and “Turn Your Back on Me.” It reached No. 35 on the Billboard 200 and No. 11 on the Top Rock Albums chart.
2018: Lil Wayne Releases Tha Carter V
Lil Wayne released Tha Carter V in 2018.
The 23-track album featured appearances from artists including Ashanti, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Nicki Minaj. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
2018: Cher Releases Dancing Queen
Cher released her 26th studio album, Dancing Queen, in 2018.
The record featured songs including “SOS,” “Fernando,” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).” The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
Cultural Milestones in Music History
Music history extends well beyond chart positions and album releases. September 28 also connects to television, film, country music, and the broader influence of popular culture.
1901: Ed Sullivan Is Born
Ed Sullivan was born in Harlem, New York, in 1901.
As host of The Ed Sullivan Show, Sullivan became one of television’s most influential music personalities. His program helped introduce major acts to American audiences, including The Jacksons, The Supremes, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Elvis Presley.
1987: Hilary Duff Is Born
Pop star and actress Hilary Duff was born in Texas in 1987.
Duff first achieved widespread recognition as an actress before launching her music career. Her debut album, Metamorphosis, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
1991: Garth Brooks Makes Billboard History
Garth Brooks’ Ropin’ the Wind became the first country album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 1991.
The achievement reflected the growing presence of country music in the mainstream market and helped establish Brooks as one of the era’s biggest crossover stars.
2002: Madonna Tops a VH1 Poll
In 2002, more than 70,000 music fans participated in a VH1 poll that named Madonna the “greatest female singer of all time.”
The seven-time GRAMMY winner placed ahead of artists including Kylie Minogue, Kate Bush, and Diana Ross in the poll
2004: Yusuf Islam Writes About His Detention
In 2004, The Los Angeles Times published an editorial titled “Something Bad Has Begun” by Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens.
The “Morning Has Broken” singer used the piece to provide his first-person account of being detained by FBI agents.
2012: Pitch Perfect Brings A Cappella to the Big Screen
The musical comedy Pitch Perfect premiered in theaters in 2012.
The film centered on a college a cappella group and helped fuel renewed mainstream interest in a cappella performance. Its soundtrack also featured a wide range of recognizable pop songs.
Notable Concerts and Live Performances
Recorded music may dominate the charts, but live performances have always played an important role in popular music.
September 28 has been associated with memorable concerts involving artists from David Bowie to Olivia Rodrigo.
1972: David Bowie Sells Out Carnegie Hall
Following the success of his tour as Ziggy Stardust, David Bowie sold out Carnegie Hall in 1972.
The performance came during an important period in Bowie’s rise to international stardom. Bowie would eventually place 28 songs on the Billboard Hot 100.
2001: Celine Dion Performs at a 9/11 Benefit Concert
In 2001, Celine Dion performed at Montreal’s Molson Centre, now known as the Bell Centre, during an American Red Cross concert benefiting victims of the September 11 attacks.
The event also featured other prominent performers, including Peter Gabriel.
2019: Ariana Grande Performs in Hamburg
Ariana Grande performed in Hamburg, Germany, in 2019 as part of her Sweetener World Tour.
The tour supported her successful Sweetener era and became one of the most significant concert tours of her career.
2022: Carly Rae Jepsen Performs at Radio City Music Hall
Carly Rae Jepsen took the stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York in 2022.
Her set included fan favorites such as “Call Me Maybe” and “I Really Like You.” The performance was part of The So Nice Tour, which supported her album The Loneliest Time.
2024: Olivia Rodrigo Performs in Tokyo
Olivia Rodrigo performed the second of two shows in Tokyo, Japan, in 2024.
The concerts were part of her GUTS World Tour, supporting her acclaimed album GUTS and its singles.
Industry Changes, Challenges and Losses
Music history also includes moments of controversy, loss, and major changes in the industry.
September 28 has been connected to several such events.
1963: Jim Morrison Is Arrested
Jim Morrison, the frontman of The Doors, was arrested in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1963 on charges that included public drunkenness, disturbing the peace, and resisting arrest.
Morrison would encounter additional legal problems during his career, including charges and allegations involving indecency, inciting a riot, and public profanity.
1991: Jazz Legend Miles Davis Dies
Jazz pioneer Miles Davis died in 1991 at age 65.
Davis left an enormous mark on jazz and popular music through his innovative approach to composition, performance, and recording. He was later inducted posthumously into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
2019: José José Dies at 71
José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, better known as José José, died in 2019 at age 71 following a battle with cancer.
The Mexican singer earned six GRAMMY Award nominations and placed four No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. Among them was “Como Tú,” which spent 10 weeks at No. 1.
2021: Taylor Swift Offers Signed Fearless (Taylor’s Version) CDs
In 2021, Taylor Swift began selling limited-edition autographed CDs of Fearless (Taylor’s Version).
The release was part of Swift’s broader effort to revisit and re-record her earlier albums. The re-recording project also created new opportunities for fans to collect alternate editions and merchandise.
2022: Coolio Dies at 59
Coolio, best known for the GRAMMY-winning hit “Gangsta’s Paradise,” died in Los Angeles in 2022 at age 59.
According to reports, his death was attributed to complications involving multiple drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.
2024: Kris Kristofferson Dies at 88
Country music legend Kris Kristofferson died at his home in Maui, Hawaii, in 2024 at age 88.
One of his best-known songs, “Why Me,” reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Kristofferson also enjoyed a successful acting career. Among his film credits was the 1976 romantic musical drama A Star Is Born.
Why September 28 Matters in Top 40 History
From The Beatles and Stevie Wonder to Lizzo and Olivia Rodrigo, September 28 connects several generations of popular music.
The date highlights the many ways artists can leave their mark. Some reach the top of the charts. Others reshape genres, introduce new sounds, sell out legendary venues, influence television and film, or inspire generations of listeners.
It is also a reminder that music history isn’t limited to one genre.
Rock, pop, hip-hop, country, jazz, Latin music, and musical theater all appear in the story of September 28. Together, these milestones show how constantly music evolves while certain songs, performances, and artists remain part of the cultural conversation.
September 28: A Date to Remember in Music History
September 28 was certainly one for the history books.
Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” provides one of the day’s most memorable modern chart milestones, while earlier moments involving The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Garth Brooks, Madonna, and other influential artists demonstrate the remarkable breadth of music history.
And for Taylor Swift fans, the date also brings back memories of the Fearless (Taylor’s Version) era and its collectible autographed CDs.
From historic No. 1 singles to groundbreaking albums and unforgettable performances, September 28 offers plenty of reasons to look back at the artists and songs that shaped popular music.