This Week In Music History Jun 15-21The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! JUN 15: Happy birthday to Russell Hitchcock! With one of the most recognizable voices in pop music, Russell Hitchcock has captivated fans for decades as the lead singer of Air Supply. Born June 15, 1949, in Melbourne, Australia, Hitchcock's soaring tenor became the signature sound behind timeless hits like "Lost in Love," "All Out of Love," "Maki...
This Week In Music History Apr 20-26The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! APR 20: Sadly, late yesterday it was reported that Alan Osmond of The Osmonds passed away at age 76. He was best known as the leader of the family pop group The Osmonds, which rose to international fame in the late 1960s and 1970s. Born on June 22, 1949, in Ogden, Utah, he played guitar and helped guide the group’s clean-cut image and tight harmonies. Alan was also inst...
A Lost Art: 1970s-90s Record Store StandeesBefore streaming playlists and social media promotion, record labels had a much more physical way of grabbing fans’ attention: giant cardboard standees, hanging mobiles, oversized album displays, and elaborate in-store cutouts that transformed record shops into miniature music museums. During the 1970s and 1980s in particular, these promotional displays became a defining part of music retail culture. Walk into a mall record store in 1974 and you might see a towering Queen standee near shelves...
This Week In Music History Apr 13-19The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! APR 14: Happy birthday to Ritchie Blackmore, one of rock’s most influential and enigmatic guitarists. Born in England in 1945, he rose to fame as the founding guitarist of Deep Purple, where his powerful riffs and classical-inspired solos helped define hard rock and early heavy metal. Songs like “Smoke on the Water” showcased his iconic playing style and remain staples ...
Iconic Labels: Interscope RecordsThis is the eighth in our series of profiles of iconic record labels, exploring the label's history and some interesting stories about the artists they signed, and music they released. Look for more label profiles coming up soon and check them all out here. Few record labels have shaped modern popular music as dramatically as Interscope Records did, starting in the 1990s. From gangsta rap and alternative rock to pop superstars and streaming-era hitmakers, Interscope has consistently been...
This Week In Music History Apr 6-12The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! AUG 6: Today in 1998, Tammy Wynette passed away at age 55. Wynette was one of country music’s most influential and emotionally expressive vocalists. Born Virginia Wynette Pugh in Mississippi in 1942, she rose from humble beginnings to become known as the “First Lady of Country Music.” Wynette achieved major success in the late 1960s and 1970s with hits like “Stand by Yo...
This Week In Music History May 4-10The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! MAY 8: Happy birthday Alex Van Halen! He helped redefine hard rock drumming with explosive energy, precision, and unforgettable grooves. Born May 8, 1953, in the Netherlands and raised in California, Alex formed Van Halen with his brother Eddie Van Halen, creating one of the biggest rock bands of all time. From massive hits like “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Hot for Teacher,” ...
This Week In Music History Apr 27-May 3The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! APR 27: Happy birthday Sheena Easton! She burst onto the global music scene in the early ’80s with a voice that could glide from sweet pop to sultry soul effortlessly. Born April 27, 1959, in Scotland, she became one of the few artists to score Top 5 hits on multiple Billboard charts, proving her versatility across pop, R&B, and dance. Songs like “Morning Train (9 t...
How A Machine Got A RIAA Award: The Story Of Steely Dan's GauchoRecorded in 1978-79 and released on November 21, 1980, Gaucho stands as one of the most meticulously crafted albums in popular music history. Created by Steely Dan—the studio-focused partnership of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker—the record represents both the peak of their perfectionism and a turning point in music production technology. At the center of its story is an unlikely “musician”: A custom-built drum machine named Wendel, invented by late recording engineer Roger Nichols (1944-2011)...
Funny Record Award Incidents: From Dropped Awards To ExcessWinning a Gold or Platinum record is supposed to be a serious honor. After all, it means an artist sold enough albums or singles to earn a permanent place in music history. But behind many of those shiny framed awards are stories that are downright hilarious, bizarre, or completely unexpected. From awards getting dropped to rock stars abusing them in unusual ways, the music industry has produced countless funny tales connected to record awards over the decades. One story involves members of L...
The Most Iconic Live Music Venues: Pt. 1This is Part 1 in our series on iconic music venues. Check out Part 2 here. Certain places where people have enjoyed live music have become more than brick and mortar — they become mythology. The most iconic music venues are not just stages; they are proving grounds, cultural crossroads, and sacred spaces where movements are born. From psychedelic ballrooms to gritty punk clubs, these venues helped shape modern music history. Here are some of those places, in no particular order: Fillmore A...
February 1964: Beatlemania Hits America And Births A Cultural RevolutionLooking back 62 years ago this month, in February 1964 The Beatles arrived in the United States and ignited a cultural explosion that would permanently reshape popular music. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on February 7, greeted by an estimated 3,000 screaming fans. Their arrival marked the true beginning of the “British Invasion,” a wave of UK acts who would dominate American charts throughout the deca...
This Week In Music History Jun 15-21
The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! JUN 15: Happy birthday to Russell Hitchcock! With one of the most recognizable voices in pop music, Russell Hitchcock has captivated fans for decades as the lead singer of Air Supply. Born June 15, 1949, in Melbourne, Australia, Hitchcock's soaring tenor became the signature sound behind timeless hits like "Lost in Love," "All Out of Love," "Maki...
This Week In Music History Apr 20-26
The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! APR 20: Sadly, late yesterday it was reported that Alan Osmond of The Osmonds passed away at age 76. He was best known as the leader of the family pop group The Osmonds, which rose to international fame in the late 1960s and 1970s. Born on June 22, 1949, in Ogden, Utah, he played guitar and helped guide the group’s clean-cut image and tight harmonies. Alan was also inst...
A Lost Art: 1970s-90s Record Store Standees
Before streaming playlists and social media promotion, record labels had a much more physical way of grabbing fans’ attention: giant cardboard standees, hanging mobiles, oversized album displays, and elaborate in-store cutouts that transformed record shops into miniature music museums. During the 1970s and 1980s in particular, these promotional displays became a defining part of music retail culture. Walk into a mall record store in 1974 and you might see a towering Queen standee near shelves...
This Week In Music History Apr 13-19
The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! APR 14: Happy birthday to Ritchie Blackmore, one of rock’s most influential and enigmatic guitarists. Born in England in 1945, he rose to fame as the founding guitarist of Deep Purple, where his powerful riffs and classical-inspired solos helped define hard rock and early heavy metal. Songs like “Smoke on the Water” showcased his iconic playing style and remain staples ...
Iconic Labels: Interscope Records
This is the eighth in our series of profiles of iconic record labels, exploring the label's history and some interesting stories about the artists they signed, and music they released. Look for more label profiles coming up soon and check them all out here. Few record labels have shaped modern popular music as dramatically as Interscope Records did, starting in the 1990s. From gangsta rap and alternative rock to pop superstars and streaming-era hitmakers, Interscope has consistently been...
This Week In Music History Apr 6-12
The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! AUG 6: Today in 1998, Tammy Wynette passed away at age 55. Wynette was one of country music’s most influential and emotionally expressive vocalists. Born Virginia Wynette Pugh in Mississippi in 1942, she rose from humble beginnings to become known as the “First Lady of Country Music.” Wynette achieved major success in the late 1960s and 1970s with hits like “Stand by Yo...
This Week In Music History May 4-10
The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! MAY 8: Happy birthday Alex Van Halen! He helped redefine hard rock drumming with explosive energy, precision, and unforgettable grooves. Born May 8, 1953, in the Netherlands and raised in California, Alex formed Van Halen with his brother Eddie Van Halen, creating one of the biggest rock bands of all time. From massive hits like “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Hot for Teacher,” ...
This Week In Music History Apr 27-May 3
The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! APR 27: Happy birthday Sheena Easton! She burst onto the global music scene in the early ’80s with a voice that could glide from sweet pop to sultry soul effortlessly. Born April 27, 1959, in Scotland, she became one of the few artists to score Top 5 hits on multiple Billboard charts, proving her versatility across pop, R&B, and dance. Songs like “Morning Train (9 t...
How A Machine Got A RIAA Award: The Story Of Steely Dan's Gaucho
Recorded in 1978-79 and released on November 21, 1980, Gaucho stands as one of the most meticulously crafted albums in popular music history. Created by Steely Dan—the studio-focused partnership of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker—the record represents both the peak of their perfectionism and a turning point in music production technology. At the center of its story is an unlikely “musician”: A custom-built drum machine named Wendel, invented by late recording engineer Roger Nichols (1944-2011)...
Funny Record Award Incidents: From Dropped Awards To Excess
Winning a Gold or Platinum record is supposed to be a serious honor. After all, it means an artist sold enough albums or singles to earn a permanent place in music history. But behind many of those shiny framed awards are stories that are downright hilarious, bizarre, or completely unexpected. From awards getting dropped to rock stars abusing them in unusual ways, the music industry has produced countless funny tales connected to record awards over the decades. One story involves members of L...
The Most Iconic Live Music Venues: Pt. 1
This is Part 1 in our series on iconic music venues. Check out Part 2 here. Certain places where people have enjoyed live music have become more than brick and mortar — they become mythology. The most iconic music venues are not just stages; they are proving grounds, cultural crossroads, and sacred spaces where movements are born. From psychedelic ballrooms to gritty punk clubs, these venues helped shape modern music history. Here are some of those places, in no particular order: Fillmore A...
February 1964: Beatlemania Hits America And Births A Cultural Revolution
Looking back 62 years ago this month, in February 1964 The Beatles arrived in the United States and ignited a cultural explosion that would permanently reshape popular music. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on February 7, greeted by an estimated 3,000 screaming fans. Their arrival marked the true beginning of the “British Invasion,” a wave of UK acts who would dominate American charts throughout the deca...
