Aug. 12 in Music History: Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Boy Bands and More
On Aug. 12, 1968, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham played together during a rehearsal in the West End of London. Just one month later, they officially became known as Led Zeppelin. The legendary band went on to earn seven No. 1 albums.
Keep reading for more Top 40 history from Aug. 12.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Aug. 12 was a big day for some of music’s biggest artists and albums.
- 1981: Luther Vandross released his debut solo studio album, Never Too Much. The album reached No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It also produced a Top 40 hit with the title track, which reached No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
- 1988: New Kids on the Block released Hangin’ Tough, their second studio album. The project featured two No. 1 hits: “Hangin’ Tough” and “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever).”
- 1991: Metallica released its fifth studio album, the self-titled Metallica, better known as The Black Album. It spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Three songs from the album reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Enter Sandman” and “The Unforgiven.”
- 1997: The Backstreet Boys released their self-titled debut album in the United States. It became a massive commercial success, eventually selling more than 14 million copies.
- 2008: The Jonas Brothers’ album A Little Bit Longer debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album featured early hits such as “Burnin’ Up” and “Lovebug.”
Cultural Milestones
Music has always been a powerful cultural connector. These Aug. 12 events show just how far music’s influence can reach.
- 1963: Anthony Ray, better known as Sir Mix-a-Lot, was born in Seattle, Washington. His most successful album, Mack Daddy, broke into the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. It also produced his signature hit, “Baby Got Back.” The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and earned him a GRAMMY for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1993.
- 1982: New York’s Museum of Modern Art opened a new exhibition called Performance Video. The exhibition explored how musicians present their work in front of a camera, including the emerging art form of music videos.
- 1984: Lionel Richie performed a nine-minute version of “All Night Long” during the closing ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympics.
- 1997: MTV aired Fleetwood Mac’s reunion special, The Dance. It marked the band’s first time performing together on stage since 1982. The concert included two soundstage performances recorded earlier that year.
- 2001: Shania Twain and Robert “Mutt” Lange welcomed their son, Eja D’Angelo Lange. The couple later moved to Switzerland to raise their son. Twain and Lange separated in 2008 and finalized their divorce in 2010. Twain later married Frédéric Thiébaud, the former husband of Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
- 2015: Billy Joel and his fourth wife, Alexis Roderick, welcomed their first child, Della Rose. The couple later had another daughter, Remy Anne, born in October 2017. Joel also has a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, with his former wife, Christie Brinkley.
- 2015: Elvis Presley was honored with a second U.S. postage stamp bearing his likeness. The black-and-white image was released as part of the Postal Service’s Music Icon series, which began in 2013.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Can you imagine being one of the 700 lucky fans who saw Mick Jagger perform on Aug. 12, 1989? From new albums to unforgettable concerts, Aug. 12 has produced plenty of memorable moments.
- 1985: Neil Young released his 14th album, Old Ways. Although Young is widely celebrated, the album received a less enthusiastic response than many of his other releases.
- 1989: The Rolling Stones surprised 700 fans with an intimate concert at Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, before their tour officially began.
- 1994: Woodstock ’94 kicked off in New York with more than 350,000 people in attendance. Sheryl Crow and Violent Femmes were among the performers on the first day.
- 2010: Justin Bieber’s My World Tour stopped at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bieber performed 18 songs, including “Up,” “Never Say Never” and “One Less Lonely Girl.” Sean Kingston also joined him on stage for their Top 20 hit “Eenie Meenie.” The My World Tour supported Bieber’s debut studio album, My World 2.0, which spent four weeks at No. 1 in the United States.
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images
- 2018: During The Aubrey & The Three Migos Tour, Drake performed hits including “Nice for What,” “God’s Plan” and “Hotline Bling.” Migos also appeared during the concert. The tour celebrated the artists’ collaborative history and grossed more than $100 million after more than 50 dates across North America.
- 2018: Justin Timberlake performed a 25-song set at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany. The show included “CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!,” “Cry Me a River,” “Mirrors” and “Say Something.” The concert was part of Timberlake’s Man of the Woods Tour, which supported his No. 1 album of the same name.
- 2023: The Jonas Brothers kicked off their Five Albums, One Night tour at New York’s Yankee Stadium. The lengthy setlist featured 66 songs from the band’s five studio albums.
Aug. 12 Is Packed With Music History
Whether you’re a diehard pop music fan or simply appreciate great music, Aug. 12 has something to offer. From Led Zeppelin’s earliest days to landmark albums, chart-topping singles and memorable performances, this date is packed with important moments in music history.