The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com.
Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history!
OCT 27: Happy birthday to Simon Le Bon, born today in 1958! The singer, songwriter, and musician is best known as the lead vocalist for the British new wave band Duran Duran. Le Bon joined Duran Duran in 1980, bringing his distinctive voice and charismatic presence to the forefront of the band. Duran Duran quickly rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Rio," and "Girls on Film," becoming a major force in pop music and MTV culture. Le Bon’s voice, with its unique tone and range, complemented the band's infectious melodies and synth-driven sound, helping to define the era’s pop-rock aesthetic.
Beyond his music, Le Bon is known for his adventurous spirit. He has a passion for sailing and was involved in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race in 1985, an endeavor that nearly ended in tragedy when his yacht capsized. He has also been active in charity work, using his influence to support causes related to environmental protection and cancer research.
With a career spanning over four decades, Le Bon continues to perform and record with Duran Duran, captivating audiences worldwide with his energy and passion, proving himself a timeless figure in popular music.
Photo: Raph_PH [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en][cropped]
NOV 1: Happy birthday to Mags Furuholmen, born today in 1962! The musician, songwriter, and visual artist is best known as the keyboardist and co-founder of the iconic synth-pop band a-ha. Furuholmen formed a-ha in 1982 alongside vocalist Morten Harket and guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy. The band's breakout single, "Take on Me," became a global hit in 1985, propelled by Furuholmen’s distinctive keyboard riff and an innovative, animated music video. The song reached No. 1 in several countries and helped define the sound of the '80s, making a-ha one of the decade's most successful bands.
Furuholmen continued to contribute to a-ha's string of hits, including "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.," "Hunting High and Low," and "Stay on These Roads." Known for his melodic sensibility and lush synthesizer arrangements, he has been instrumental in crafting a-ha’s signature sound, which blends pop and melancholic undertones.
Beyond a-ha, Furuholmen has released solo music, including the albums Past Perfect Future Tense (2004) and A Dot of Black in the Blue of Your Bliss (2008), exploring more personal and experimental sounds. An accomplished visual artist, Furuholmen's art exhibits around the world, showcasing his creative talents across multiple mediums. He remains an influential figure in pop music and the arts.
Photo: Tore Saetre [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en]
Want more content like this? Subscribe to our free MusicGoldmine newsletter which comes out every two weeks. Go here to sign up.
Be the envy of all your friends! Get MusicGoldmine.com Music History in your Facebook feed each day. Just follow us on Facebook here
