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The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! FEB 19: Happy birthday to Smokey Robinson! As one of the most influential figures in American popular music, he is renowned for his silky tenor voice, poetic songwriting, and pivotal role in shaping the Motown sound. Born William Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, he founded the group The Miracles in the 1950s. Their breakthrough hit, “Shop Around,” became Motown’s first million-selling single, establishing the label as a major force in popular music. As both an artist...

When MTV launched on August 1, 1981, it did more than introduce music videos to cable television—it permanently transformed how artists were marketed, perceived, and collected. The MTV era marked the moment when sound and image fused into a single commercial force. For memorabilia collectors, it represents the birth of modern music branding: a time when visuals, fashion, logos, and video iconography became as valuable as vinyl records. MTV launched its MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, with the "moon man" statuette for its' U.S. edition (above). In 1994 a Europe edition was added utilizing a "globe" trophy (below) Before...

The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! FEB 9: Happy birthday to Carole King! She is one of the most influential and enduring singer-songwriters in popular music history celebrated for her deeply personal lyrics and timeless melodies. Born Carol Joan Klein on February 9, 1942, in New York City, she showed prodigious musical talent early, studying piano and composition before entering the Brill Building songwriting scene while still a teenager. Alongside her then-husband Gerry Goffin, King co-wrote a remarkable string of hit songs in the early 1960s,...

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has long been one of music’s most prestigious honors, celebrating artists whose influence, innovation, and cultural impact have shaped popular music. To be eligible for nomination, an artist or band must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years ago — a rule that often broadens the ballot across different eras and genres.  The 2026 nominee list, revealed this week, includes 17 diverse artists and groups, from hip-hop trailblazers to classic rock icons and global pop sensations. The nominations reflect how “rock & roll” has evolved — extending beyond classic guitar bands...

As Elton John wound down his final farewell concert on July 8, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden, he delivered a heartfelt message to his fans. While announcing that he would not be going on tour again, he expressed that it has been his “pure joy” to have performed live for his fans for 52 years. The now 78-year-old legend also thanked his band and crew, dedicating his performance of “Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me” to them. The global superstar artist closed the show with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” for the final curtain call of his mammoth 330-show tour. The...