Articles

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 decade. The Beatles arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport on February 7, 1964 and were greeted by 3,000 fans and...

The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! JAN 27: Today at #1 in 1972 on the Billboard Hot 100: “American Pie,” by Don McLean! Released in 1971, it is one of the most iconic and enigmatic songs in American popular music. Inspired in part by the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson—an event McLean famously called “the day the music died”—the song expands into a sweeping reflection on the loss of innocence in American culture. Spanning over eight...

In the music industry, record awards have been a barometer of success and a tangible symbol of achievement since they were introduced in the mid-50s. But do they mean much to the artists themselves? Most artists, even very accomplished ones, express appreciation for awards since they know they are a reflection of their fans buying and enjoying their music. As a result record awards continue to hold powerful meaning. Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum certifications—presented by organizations such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and similar bodies worldwide—remain tangible symbols of commercial achievement. For many music artists, these plaques...

The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! JAN 19: Happy 80th birthday to Dolly Parton one of the most beloved and influential figures in American music and popular culture! Born on January 19, 1946, in rural Tennessee, she grew up in a poor but close-knit family, where music and storytelling were central to daily life. Her early experiences in the Smoky Mountains deeply shaped her songwriting, giving her music its emotional honesty and vivid detail. Parton rose to fame in the late 1960s as a regular performer...

This is the sixth 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. Columbia Records stands as one of the oldest and most influential record labels in the history of recorded music. With roots stretching back to the dawn of the phonograph era, Columbia has continually reinvented itself, shaping popular music across genres and generations. Its story mirrors the evolution of the music industry itself—from wax cylinders and shellac...