February 12 has delivered unforgettable moments in Top 40 history. On this day, Motown earned its first million-selling single, Adele swept the GRAMMY Awards, and Rihanna headlined one of the most-watched Super Bowl halftime shows ever.
From chart-topping albums to major cultural shifts, Feb. 12 continues to shape the music industry.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several chart-topping albums and career-defining achievements happened on February 12.
1977: Barbra Streisand’s A Star Is Born soundtrack hit No. 1 in the U.S., solidifying her dominance across film and music.
1981: Rush released Moving Pictures, their eighth studio album. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and became their highest-charting U.S. release at the time. The album produced rock staples “Limelight” and “Tom Sawyer,” both Top 10 hits on the Mainstream Rock chart.
1982: XTC dropped English Settlement, which reached No. 5 in the UK. The album included the Top 10 UK hit “Senses Working Overtime.”
1990: MC Hammer released Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ’Em. The album became a global success, landing in the Top 10 in both the U.S. and U.K. It generated multiple Top 20 hits, including “U Can’t Touch This,” “Pray,” and “Have You Seen Her.”
2006: Beyoncé made history as the first woman to have a No. 1 song (“Check On It”) and star in a No. 1 movie (The Pink Panther) at the same time. Only Prince and Eminem had achieved this before her.
2017: Adele dominated the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards, winning five awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Pop Solo Performance.
Cultural Milestones
February 12 also marks important birthdays, bold statements, and unforgettable performances.
1980: Gucci Mane was born in Bessemer, Alabama. He later scored a No. 1 hit with Rae Sremmurd on “Black Beatles” and collaborated with artists such as Bruno Mars, Selena Gomez, Migos, and Chris Brown.
1988: Mike Posner was born in Detroit, Michigan. His breakout single “Cooler Than Me” reached No. 6 on the Hot 100. He later scored a global smash with “I Took A Pill In Ibiza,” which cracked the Top Five.
1997: Snoop Doggy Dogg and Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs publicly attempted to ease tensions in the East Coast–West Coast rap rivalry. Tragically, The Notorious B.I.G. was killed just weeks later.
2015: “Weird Al” Yankovic became a guest editor for Mad magazine, bringing his signature satire to the iconic publication.
2023: Rihanna performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in a visually stunning set that became one of the most-watched halftime performances in history. Afterward, she revealed she was pregnant during the show, adding even more cultural significance to the moment.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Notable Recordings and Performances
Live shows and major releases also define February 12 in Top 40 history.
1977: Blondie and Tom Petty performed at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles alongside The Ramones and The Heartbreakers.
1997: David Bowie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2012: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band headlined the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Other performers included Adele, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, and Chris Brown.
2013: Soundgarden released “By Crooked Steps,” with a music video directed by Dave Grohl.
Industry Changes and Legal Challenges
The music industry has also seen its share of legal issues and somber farewells on this day.
1967: Rolling Stones members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were arrested in England on alleged drug charges, which the band claimed was a media setup.
2003: Aretha Franklin lost a breach-of-contract case after failing to appear for Broadway rehearsals due to her fear of flying.
2008: Roger Isley of The Isley Brothers had his 37-month prison sentence for tax evasion upheld.
2017: Jazz and R&B legend Al Jarreau died in Los Angeles at age 76, ending a five-decade career that included the Top 40 hits “Mornin’” and “We’re in This Love Together.”
2018: Judas Priest announced guitarist Glenn Tipton would stop touring due to Parkinson’s disease.
2023: Trugoy the Dove (David Jolicoeur), founding member of De La Soul, died at 54. The group is best known for the Top 40 hit “Me, Myself and I.”
February 12’s Lasting Impact on Music
From Motown’s first million-selling single to Adele’s GRAMMY triumph and Rihanna’s unforgettable Super Bowl performance, February 12 stands out in Top 40 history.
The day reflects the highs, challenges, and cultural shifts that continue to shape popular music today.