On This Day in Music History – March 10

On this day in 1964, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel recorded The Sound of Silence, which later became a folk-rock classic. In 1973, Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon in the US, an album that stayed on the charts for over 700 weeks. Sadly, March 10 also marks the passing of Andy Gibb in 1988 and LaVern Baker in 1997.

Many famous musicians were born on this day, including Timbaland, a legendary producer who worked with Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott. Carrie Underwood, an American Idol winner and country superstar, was also born on March 10.

Several notable albums were released on this day, such as Madonna’s Like a Prayer (1989) and Foo Fighters’ Wasting Light (2011). Chart-topping hits from this day include Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 by Pink Floyd, Vogue by Madonna, and Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.

Major Events in Music History (March 10)

1. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel record The Sound of Silence (1964) – The duo recorded the song, which later became a folk-rock classic. It initially failed but gained popularity after being remixed with electric instruments.
2. Pink Floyd releases The Dark Side of the Moon in the US (1973) – One of the greatest albums in history, it became a massive success and stayed on the charts for more than 700 weeks.
3. Andy Gibb passes away at age 30 (1988) – The youngest of the Gibb brothers (Bee Gees) died due to heart problems. He was a popular solo artist in the late 1970s.
4. Tina Turner records River Deep – Mountain High (1966) – Produced by Phil Spector, the song became a classic but did not initially perform well in the US. It later gained recognition as one of the greatest songs ever.
5. Kim Carnes records Bette Davis Eyes (1981) – The song became a huge hit, staying at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks.
6. Carl Perkins gets into a serious car accident (1956) – Perkins was injured while heading to perform Blue Suede Shoes on TV. The accident slowed his career, allowing Elvis Presley’s version of the song to gain more attention.
7. James Brown records Mother Popcorn (1969) – The song became a funk anthem, showing off Brown’s signature energetic style.
8. The Sex Pistols sign a new record deal (1977) – After being dropped by EMI, the punk band signed with A&M Records, but they were dropped again within days due to bad behavior.
9. Big Records drops Johnny Cash (1958) – Cash’s first label let him go because he was not selling enough records. He later became a country music legend with Sun Records.
10. LaVern Baker passes away (1997) – The R&B singer, known for hits like Tweedle Dee and Jim Dandy, died at age 67.
11. Rihanna cancels an appearance after an altercation with Chris Brown (2009) – Following a violent incident, Rihanna skipped the Grammy Awards and the case became a widely discussed event in the music industry.
12. Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain tops the charts (1972) – The song, famous for its mystery about who it was written about, became one of the biggest hits of the 1970s.
13. Van Halen’s Jump hits No. 1 (1984) – The song was a breakthrough hit for the band, featuring a catchy keyboard riff that made it one of their most famous songs.
14. Gorillaz release Plastic Beach (2010) – The virtual band led by Damon Albarn released their third album, which became a critical and commercial success.
15. Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive reaches No. 1 (1979) – The song became a disco anthem and one of the most famous songs about resilience and empowerment.
16. Eazy-E announces he has AIDS (1995) – The N.W.A. rapper shocked the world with his announcement. He passed away later that month.
17. Brad Delp of Boston is found dead (2007) – The lead singer of the rock band Boston, known for hits like More Than a Feeling, died in an apparent suicide.
18. Chuck Berry records School Days (1957) – One of Berry’s most famous songs, it captured the teenage spirit of the rock ‘n’ roll era.
19. Prince releases The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (1994) – The song became a huge hit and was one of Prince’s biggest chart successes.
20. Patsy Cline is laid to rest (1963) – The country music legend, who died in a plane crash, was honored at a funeral attended by many music stars.

Notable Birthdays in Music (March 10)

1. Timbaland (1972) – The famous music producer and rapper was born on this day. He created hit songs for artists like Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, and Aaliyah.
2. Tom Scholz (1947) – The founder and guitarist of the rock band Boston, known for songs like More Than a Feeling, was born on this day.
3. Emeli Sandé (1987) – The British singer-songwriter, famous for Next to Me and Heaven, was born on this day.
4. Neneh Cherry (1964) – The Swedish singer and rapper, known for Buffalo Stance and 7 Seconds, was born on this day.
5. Carrie Underwood (1983) – The country music superstar and American Idol winner, known for Before He Cheats and Jesus, Take the Wheel, was born on this day.
6. Dean Torrence (1940) – A member of the duo Jan and Dean, famous for surf rock hits like Surf City, was born on this day.
7. Edie Brickell (1966) – The singer-songwriter, best known for What I Am, was born on this day.
8. Robin Thicke (1977) – The singer and songwriter, famous for Blurred Lines, was born on this day.
9. Shannon Brown (1973) – The country music singer, known for Corn Fed, was born on this day.
10. Blue Mitchell (1930) – The jazz trumpeter, known for his work with Horace Silver and his solo career, was born on this day.
11. Bix Beiderbecke (1903) – A jazz cornetist and composer from the early 20th century, known for his influence on jazz music, was born on this day.
12. Rita Quinlan (1952) – A lesser-known but talented country music singer, born on this day.
13. Jeff Ament (1963) – The bassist for the rock band Pearl Jam, known for hits like Alive and Jeremy, was born on this day.
14. Mitchy Collins (1987) – A singer-songwriter and member of the indie pop band Lovelytheband, was born on this day.
    
15. Tina Charles (1954) – The British pop singer, famous for the disco hit I Love to Love, was born on this day.
16. Samuel Barber (1910) – A classical composer, known for Adagio for Strings, was born on this day.
17. Paul Hester (1959) – The drummer for the Australian rock band Crowded House, known for Don’t Dream It’s Over, was born on this day.
18. Chris Carrabba (1975) – The lead singer of Dashboard Confessional, known for emotional songs like Hands Down, was born on this day.
19. Norman Blake (1938) – A bluegrass musician known for his guitar skills and folk music contributions, was born on this day.
20. Gary Louris (1955) – The lead vocalist and guitarist for the rock band The Jayhawks, was born on this day.

Music Legends We Lost (March 10)

1. Andy Gibb (1988) – The youngest brother of the Bee Gees, known for hits like Shadow Dancing and I Just Want to Be Your Everything, passed away at age 30 due to heart problems.
2. LaVern Baker (1997) – The R&B singer, famous for songs like Tweedle Dee and Jim Dandy, died at age 67.
3. Paul Hester (2005) – The drummer for Crowded House, known for Don’t Dream It’s Over, passed away at age 46.
4. Bix Beiderbecke (1931) – A jazz cornetist and composer, considered one of the greatest early jazz musicians, died at age 28.
5. Samuel Barber (1981) – A classical composer best known for Adagio for Strings, passed away at age 70.
6. Danny Joe Brown (2005) – The lead singer of Molly Hatchet, known for Flirtin’ with Disaster, died at age 53 due to complications from diabetes.
7. Bob Crosby (1993) – The jazz singer and bandleader, younger brother of Bing Crosby, passed away at age 79.
8. Bob Wills (1975) – The “King of Western Swing,” known for San Antonio Rose, passed away at age 70.
9. Lloyd Price (2021) – The R&B singer behind Personality and Lawdy Miss Clawdy passed away at age 88.
10. Clyde McPhatter (1972) – A founding member of The Drifters and a solo R&B star, known for A Lover’s Question, died at age 39.
11. Johnny Horton (1960) – The country singer, famous for The Battle of New Orleans, died in a car crash at age 35.
12. Keith Emerson (2016) – The keyboardist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, known for Lucky Man and Karn Evil 9, passed away at age 71.
    
13. Ronnie Montrose (2012) – The guitarist behind the band Montrose, known for Rock Candy, died at age 64.
14. Richard Manuel (1986) – The singer and pianist of The Band, known for The Weight and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, passed away at age 42.
15. Ray Collins (2012) – A founding member of The Mothers of Invention, led by Frank Zappa, died at age 76.
16. George Scott (1980) – A member of The Blind Boys of Alabama, known for their gospel music, passed away at age 53.
17. Gene Ammons (1974) – A jazz saxophonist known for Red Top, passed away at age 49.
18. Roy Brown (1981) – The R&B pioneer who wrote Good Rockin’ Tonight, a song that helped shape rock and roll, died at age 55.
19. Sherman Garnett (1994) – The soul singer known for his work with The Spinners, passed away at age 58.
20. Mike Porcaro (2015) – The bassist for the rock band Toto, known for Africa and Rosanna, passed away at age 59 due to ALS.

Notable Albums Released (March 10)

1. Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) – One of the most famous albums in rock history, it stayed on the charts for over 700 weeks and features classics like Money and Time.
2. Madonna – Like a Prayer (1989) – A powerful pop album that mixed religious and personal themes. The title track became one of her biggest hits.
3. Tupac Shakur – R U Still Down? (Remember Me) (1997) – A posthumous album featuring unreleased tracks that showed his storytelling and deep lyrics.
4. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light (2011) – A hard-hitting rock album recorded in Dave Grohl’s garage, featuring hits like Rope and Walk.
5. The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death (1997) – Released just days after his tragic passing, this album became one of the best-selling rap albums ever.
6. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (2010) – A creative mix of alternative rock and electronic music, featuring artists like Snoop Dogg and Lou Reed.
7. The Strokes – Angles (2011) – The band’s fourth album, known for songs like Under Cover of Darkness, brought back their signature sound.
8. Nas – God’s Son (2002) – A personal and emotional album reflecting on the rapper’s life and struggles, with hits like Made You Look.
9. Bruce Springsteen – We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006) – A folk-inspired album covering songs by Pete Seeger, bringing traditional American music to a new audience.
10. Pearl Jam – Pearl Jam (2006) – Also known as the “Avocado Album,” this was a return to their raw rock sound with songs like World Wide Suicide.
11. David Bowie – Reality (2003) – One of Bowie’s later albums, featuring deep lyrics and a mix of rock and electronic sounds.
    
12. Kendrick Lamar – Untitled Unmastered (2016) – A collection of raw, unfinished tracks from his To Pimp a Butterfly sessions, giving fans a deeper look into his creative process.
13. Green Day – Awesome as F (Live)* (2011)** – A live album capturing the energy of the band’s performances from their 21st Century Breakdown tour.
14. Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I-IV (2008) – An experimental instrumental album that was released independently, featuring eerie and atmospheric sounds.
15. Nicki Minaj – Beam Me Up Scotty (Re-Release) (2021) – A mixtape that was re-released with new tracks, including Seeing Green featuring Lil Wayne and Drake.
16. The Kinks – Percy (1971) – A unique album that served as a soundtrack for a British comedy film, featuring the band’s classic rock sound.
17. Bon Jovi – The Circle (2009) – An album that returned to the band’s rock roots, featuring songs like We Weren’t Born to Follow.
18. Fleetwood Mac – The Dance (Live) (1997) – A legendary live album that marked the band’s reunion and included a stunning performance of Landslide.
19. Marvin Gaye – In Our Lifetime (1981) – A soulful album where Gaye reflected on love, spirituality, and his personal struggles.
20. Johnny Cash – American III: Solitary Man (2000) – A haunting album in which Cash covered songs by U2 and Tom Petty, showing his raw emotion.

Chart-Topping Hits (March 10)

1. Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 (1980) by Pink Floyd – This song hit No. 1 on the charts, becoming the band’s biggest commercial success with its rebellious school lyrics.
2. Vogue (1990) by Madonna – A huge dance hit that reached No. 1 and became one of Madonna’s most iconic songs.
3. Hypnotize (1997) by The Notorious B.I.G. – This song went to No. 1 just before Biggie’s tragic passing, becoming one of the most famous rap songs ever.
4. Dark Horse (2014) by Katy Perry – This hit stayed at No. 1 for several weeks, blending pop and hip-hop with a unique, hypnotic beat.
5. What’s Love Got to Do with It (1984) by Tina Turner – A defining song of the 80s, this track became her first No. 1 hit as a solo artist.
6. Black or White (1991) by Michael Jackson – This song, with its strong message about racial unity, topped the charts worldwide.
7. Livin’ on a Prayer (1987) by Bon Jovi – This rock anthem hit No. 1 and became one of the band’s most famous songs.
8. My Heart Will Go On (1998) by Celine Dion – The Titanic theme song ruled the charts and became one of the best-selling singles ever.
9. When Doves Cry (1984) by Prince – A groundbreaking hit that topped the Billboard Hot 100 and changed the sound of pop music.
10. Let It Be (1970) by The Beatles – This timeless song hit No. 1, marking one of the band’s final chart-topping moments.
    
11. I Will Always Love You (1993) by Whitney Houston – One of the biggest hits of all time, this song stayed at No. 1 for 14 weeks.
12. Candle in the Wind 1997 (1997) by Elton John – A tribute to Princess Diana, this song became the best-selling single of all time.
13. Someone Like You (2011) by Adele – This emotional ballad reached No. 1 and made millions cry with its heartbreaking lyrics.
14. We Belong Together (2005) by Mariah Carey – One of the biggest R&B hits of the 2000s, spending 14 weeks at No. 1.
15. Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) (2008) by Beyoncé – This dance anthem hit No. 1 and became famous for its music video.
16. Lose Yourself (2002) by Eminem – This powerful rap song from 8 Mile stayed at No. 1 for 12 weeks.
17. Umbrella (2007) by Rihanna (feat. Jay-Z) – This hit ruled the summer and stayed at No. 1 for weeks.
18. Blinding Lights (2020) by The Weeknd – One of the biggest songs of the decade, staying on the charts for over a year.
19. Uptown Funk (2015) by Bruno Mars – A funky pop song that dominated the charts and won multiple awards.
20. Shape of You (2017) by Ed Sheeran – This song topped the charts worldwide and became one of the most streamed songs ever.