September 29 has been an important date in music history, with major album releases, chart-topping singles, memorable performances, and milestones involving some of the biggest names in music.
On September 29, 2023, U2 made history as the first band to perform at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The massive, circular venue features an immersive wraparound LED screen designed to make audiences feel as though they are experiencing another world.
U2 launched a 40-show residency at the futuristic venue, creating a landmark moment for both the band and live entertainment.
But U2’s Sphere debut is only one of many notable events connected to September 29.
From Stevie Wonder and Prince to Nirvana, Alicia Keys, Paramore, NSYNC, and today’s biggest stars, the date is packed with Top 40 history.
Breakthrough Hits and Major Music Milestones
September 29 has been associated with influential albums, breakthrough singles, and chart successes spanning several decades.
1980: Stevie Wonder Releases Hotter Than July
Stevie Wonder released his 19th studio album, Hotter Than July, on September 29, 1980.
The album produced the Top 40 singles “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” and “I Ain’t Gonna Stand for It.” It became a major international success, reaching No. 2 in the U.K. and No. 3 in the United States.
1984: Prince and The Revolution Top the Billboard Hot 100
Prince and The Revolution reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Let’s Go Crazy.”
The song served as the opening track on Prince’s landmark album Purple Rain, which became one of the defining releases of the 1980s.
1990: Nelson Scores Its First No. 1
American rock duo Nelson reached the top of the charts with “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection.”
The song became the group’s first and only No. 1 hit.
1991: Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Makes Its MTV Debut
MTV aired the music video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in 1991.
The song helped propel Nirvana into the mainstream and became one of the defining recordings of the grunge era. Within weeks, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was climbing the charts.
1992: Alice in Chains Releases Dirt
Alice in Chains released its sophomore studio album, Dirt, on September 29, 1992.
The album reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and produced several of the band’s best-known songs, including “Down in a Hole,” “Them Bones,” “Rooster,” and “Angry Chair.”
1998: Jay-Z Releases Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life
Jay-Z released Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life in 1998.
The album became his most commercially successful release at the time, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
The record also helped establish Jay-Z as one of hip-hop’s leading commercial and cultural figures of the late 1990s.
2001: Alicia Keys Reaches the Top With “Fallin'”
Alicia Keys was at the top of the charts with “Fallin'” in 2001.
The song appeared on her debut album, Songs in A Minor, and became one of her signature recordings.
Keys went on to win three GRAMMY Awards for “Fallin’,” including Song of the Year.
2009: Paramore Releases Brand New Eyes
Paramore issued its third studio album, Brand New Eyes, through Fueled by Ramen in 2009.
The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and produced songs including “Brick by Boring Brick” and “The Only Exception.”
“The Only Exception” reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
2009: Lynyrd Skynyrd Releases Gods & Guns
Lynyrd Skynyrd also released its 13th studio album, Gods & Guns, in 2009.
The record included “Still Unbroken,” “Unwrite That Song,” and “Simple Life.”
Gods & Guns reached No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and broke into the Top 10 on the Top Rock Albums chart.
2017: Miley Cyrus Releases Younger Now
Miley Cyrus released Younger Now in 2017.
The album produced the Top 10 hit “Malibu” and featured guest vocals from Dolly Parton. The project reached the Top Five in several markets, including the United States, Australia, and Ireland.
Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images
Cultural Milestones in Music History
September 29 has also marked important birthdays, personal milestones, business ventures, and moments that became part of popular music culture.
1935: Jerry Lee Lewis Is Born
Rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis was born in Louisiana on September 29, 1935.
Known by the nickname “The Killer,” Lewis placed more than 20 singles in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
His chart-topping songs included “There Must Be More to Love Than This” and “To Make Love Sweeter for You.”
1987: Joshua Farro Is Born
Joshua Farro was born in New Jersey in 1987.
A self-taught musician, Farro co-founded Paramore and co-wrote several of the band’s early hits, including “Misery Business.”
He and his brother Zac left Paramore in 2010, with Joshua citing differences involving the band’s artistic direction.
1994: Halsey Is Born
Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, professionally known as Halsey, was born in 1994.
Halsey later scored two No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “Closer,” recorded with The Chainsmokers, and “Without Me.”
2012: Patrick Stump Gets Married
Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump married his longtime partner, Elisa Yao, in Chicago in 2012.
Stump has helped lead Fall Out Boy to numerous successful singles, including “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” and “Dance, Dance.”
The couple have two sons, Declan and Antero Stump.
2021: Jamie Spears Is Removed as Britney Spears’ Conservator
In 2021, a judge removed Jamie Spears from his role as conservator of Britney Spears’ estate and finances.
He had held the position since 2008.
The court decision came during a highly publicized period surrounding Spears’ conservatorship and the #FreeBritney movement.
2021: Eminem Opens Mom’s Spaghetti in Detroit
Eminem joined forces with Union Joints Restaurant Group to open Mom’s Spaghetti in Detroit, Michigan, in 2021.
The restaurant’s name comes from the famous “mom’s spaghetti” lyric in Eminem’s 2002 hit “Lose Yourself.”
“Lose Yourself” spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Eminem’s signature songs.
2023: NSYNC Releases New Music
In 2023, NSYNC released music as a group for the first time since 2002.
The band recorded “Better Place” for the soundtrack to Trolls Band Together.
The release marked a notable return for one of the most successful pop groups of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Notable September 29 Recordings and Performances
September 29 has also produced plenty of memorable live-music moments.
From surprise appearances to major arena tours, artists have continued to make the date part of concert history.
1989: Bruce Springsteen Makes a Surprise Appearance
Bruce Springsteen pulled up to Matt’s Saloon in Prescott, Arizona, on his motorcycle in 1989.
Once inside, Springsteen joined the house band and performed several of his best-known songs, including “I’m on Fire” and “Born in the U.S.A.”
1994: Oasis Has an Onstage Altercation
Oasis members Liam and Noel Gallagher were involved in an argument and altercation onstage in Los Angeles in 1994.
The incident contributed to tensions surrounding the band, which temporarily split before eventually reconciling later in the tour.
2012: Justin Bieber Performs in Glendale
Justin Bieber performed an 18-song set at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona, in 2012.
The concert was part of his Believe Tour, supporting his No. 1 album Believe.
The setlist included “As Long As You Love Me,” “All Around the World,” and “Never Say Never.”
2017: The Weeknd Takes the Stage in Denver
The Weeknd brought his Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour to the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, in 2017.
The 23-song set included major hits such as “The Hills” and “Can’t Feel My Face.”
2017: Kesha Brings the Rainbow Tour to Atlanta
Kesha’s Rainbow Tour stopped at Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta in 2017.
Her set included hits such as “TiK ToK” and “We R Who We R.”
The international tour supported her third studio album, Rainbow, which reached No. 1.
The tour included dates across Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia.
2021: Harry Styles Performs in Nashville
Harry Styles brought his Love On Tour to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2021.
The former One Direction member performed songs including “Adore You,” “Watermelon Sugar,” and “What Makes You Beautiful.”
2023: U2 Makes History at The Sphere
One of the biggest September 29 music milestones came in 2023, when U2 became the first band to perform at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The venue’s enormous LED display and immersive design provided a new setting for live music.
U2’s residency ultimately included 40 shows, making the band’s Sphere performances a significant chapter in the history of Las Vegas entertainment.
2024: Sabrina Carpenter Headlines Madison Square Garden
Sabrina Carpenter headlined Madison Square Garden during her Short n’ Sweet Tour in 2024.
The performance came just one week after her album was certified Platinum.
The show added another chapter to September 29’s long list of notable concert events.
Why September 29 Matters in Music History
From classic rock and R&B to hip-hop, pop, grunge, and modern alternative music, September 29 has produced an unusually diverse collection of musical milestones.
Stevie Wonder released Hotter Than July. Prince and The Revolution reached No. 1 with “Let’s Go Crazy.” Nirvana introduced “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to MTV audiences, while Alicia Keys later dominated the charts with “Fallin’.”
The date also connects generations of artists, from Jerry Lee Lewis and Bruce Springsteen to U2, Eminem, NSYNC, Harry Styles, The Weeknd, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Whether you remember September 29 for Purple Rain, Dirt, Songs in A Minor, Trolls Band Together, or U2’s groundbreaking Sphere residency, the date has earned its place in music history.