On This Day in Music History – March 11

The Beatles released Let It Be in 1970, marking their final single before breaking up. In 1985, We Are the World was released to help fight hunger in Africa, featuring stars like Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Paul McCartney received a knighthood in 1997 for his contributions to music.

Many famous artists were born on this day. Bobby McFerrin, known for Don’t Worry, Be Happy, was born in 1950. Nina Hagen, a German punk singer, was born in 1955. Lisa Loeb, famous for Stay (I Missed You), was born in 1968.

Some great albums were also released on March 11. Pink Floyd released The Final Cut in 1983, their last album with Roger Waters. Bruce Springsteen’s Wrecking Ball came out in 2012.

Many legendary musicians passed away on this day. Richard Manuel of The Band died in 1986. Earl King, a famous blues guitarist, passed in 2003.

Several hit songs reached No. 1 on March 11. The Beatles’ Let It Be topped the charts in 1970. Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You was a massive hit in 1993.

Major Events in Music History (March 11)

1. The Supremes Make History (1967) – The Supremes became the first girl group to have a No. 1 album on the U.S. charts with The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland.
2. The Beatles Release Their Final Single (1970) – The Beatles released Let It Be, their last single before breaking up. The song became one of their most iconic hits.
3. USA for Africa Releases We Are the World (1985) – A group of famous artists, including Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, released We Are the World to raise money for famine relief in Africa.
4. Paul McCartney Becomes Sir Paul (1997) – Former Beatles member Paul McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to music.
5. Blink-182 Announces a Hiatus (2005) – Pop-punk band Blink-182 shocked fans by announcing an indefinite break from music.
6. Billboard Introduces the Top 100 Chart (1955) – Billboard magazine launched its new ranking system, which later became the Hot 100, the most recognized music chart.
7. Adele’s 21 Hits No. 1 in the U.S. (2011) – Adele’s album 21 reached the top of the U.S. charts, marking her first No. 1 album in America.
8. Otis Redding Reaches No. 1 Posthumously (1968) – Otis Redding’s song (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay became the first posthumous No. 1 single in U.S. history.
9. Les Misérables Opens on Broadway (1986) – The musical Les Misérables debuted on Broadway and went on to become one of the longest-running musicals in history.
10. Janet Jackson Signs Record-Breaking Deal (1993) – Janet Jackson signed an $80 million contract with Virgin Records, making her one of the highest-paid artists of all time.
11. Bat Out of Hell Becomes a Best-Seller (1978) – Meat Loaf’s album Bat Out of Hell continued its rise to becoming one of the best-selling albums in history.
12. R.E.M. Releases Losing My Religion (1991) – R.E.M. released their hit song Losing My Religion, which became a major success and helped bring alternative rock into the mainstream.
13. Tom Jones Gets His First No. 1 (1965) – Tom Jones’ song It’s Not Unusual reached No. 1 in the UK, launching his long and successful career.
14. John Lennon’s Troubadour Incident (1974) – John Lennon was thrown out of The Troubadour club in Los Angeles for being too drunk and heckling the Smothers Brothers comedy act.
15. Pink Releases Stupid Girls (2006) – Pink’s song Stupid Girls criticized the media’s portrayal of women and became a feminist anthem.
16. Death of Irving Berlin (1959) – Legendary songwriter Irving Berlin, known for God Bless America and White Christmas, passed away.
17. Cyndi Lauper Hits No. 1 with Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1989) – Cyndi Lauper’s song became a worldwide hit and an anthem for women’s empowerment.
18. Ariana Grande Makes Billboard History (2019) – Ariana Grande became the first artist since The Beatles to hold the No. 1, 2, and 3 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously.
19. The Rolling Stones Record Paint It Black (1966) – The Rolling Stones recorded Paint It Black, which later became one of their most famous and influential songs.
20. Soundgarden Releases Superunknown (1994) – Soundgarden released their breakthrough album Superunknown, featuring the hit song Black Hole Sun, which defined the grunge era.

Notable Birthdays in Music (March 11)

1. Bobby McFerrin (1950) – American jazz singer and musician best known for the hit song Don’t Worry, Be Happy.
2. Nina Hagen (1955) – German punk and new wave singer known for her powerful voice and unique style.
3. LeToya Luckett (1981) – Singer and former member of Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.
4. Lisa Loeb (1968) – American singer-songwriter famous for her hit song Stay (I Missed You) from the movie Reality Bites.
5. Mark Stein (1947) – Keyboardist and singer for Vanilla Fudge, a band known for its psychedelic rock sound.
6. David LaFlamme (1941) – Violinist and singer for the band It’s a Beautiful Day, known for the song White Bird.
7. Vinnie Paul (1964) – Drummer and co-founder of heavy metal band Pantera, known for his powerful drumming.
8. Bruce Watson (1961) – Guitarist for the Scottish rock band Big Country, famous for their hit In a Big Country.
9. Jimmy Fortune (1955) – Country singer and songwriter, known for being a member of The Statler Brothers.
10. Thornton James “Pookie” Hudson (1934) – Lead singer of the R&B group The Spaniels, best known for Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite.
11. Holly Williams (1981) – Country singer-songwriter and granddaughter of country music legend Hank Williams.
12. Samuli Ponsimaa (1977) – Finnish guitarist known for playing in the metal band Ensiferum.
13. Harold “Hal” Blaine (1929) – Legendary session drummer who played on countless hits by The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and more.
14. David Andersson (1975) – Guitarist for Swedish metal band Soilwork and rock band The Night Flight Orchestra.
15. Ruy de Carvalho (1927) – Portuguese actor and singer with a long career in theater and music.
16. Bobby Curtola (1943) – Canadian pop singer known for his 1960s hits Fortune Teller and Aladdin.
17. Benji Madden (1979) – Guitarist and backing vocalist for pop-punk band Good Charlotte.
    
18. Kevin Ridel (1969) – American musician, best known for his work in the alternative rock band AM Radio.
19. Charles Tucker III “Charlie” (1971) – Singer and songwriter, known for his work in country and rock music.
20. John Barrowman (1967) – Scottish-American singer, actor, and entertainer known for musical theater and TV roles.

Music Legends We Lost (March 11)

1. Claude Debussy (1918) – French composer known for his beautiful piano music, including Clair de Lune.
2. Richard Manuel (1986) – Pianist and singer for The Band, known for classic songs like The Weight and Up on Cripple Creek.
3. Earl King (2003) – Blues guitarist and songwriter famous for Come On, later covered by Jimi Hendrix.
4. Johnny Moore (1998) – Singer of The Drifters, the voice behind Under the Boardwalk and Save the Last Dance for Me.
5. Babe Stovall (1974) – American blues guitarist and singer known for his country blues style.
6. Howard Greenfield (1986) – Songwriter who wrote hits for Neil Sedaka, including Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.
7. Tommy Tucker (1982) – Blues singer famous for the song Hi-Heel Sneakers.
8. Harry Von Tilzer (1946) – Early American songwriter known for A Bird in a Gilded Cage.
9. Merrill Womach (2014) – Gospel singer and music producer who overcame severe burns to continue his career.
10. Joaquín Rodrigo (1999) – Spanish composer famous for Concierto de Aranjuez, a classical guitar masterpiece.
11. Bob Eberly (1981) – Big band singer known for his work with Jimmy Dorsey and hits like Green Eyes.
12. Eddie Durham (1987) – Jazz guitarist and trombonist, one of the pioneers of the electric guitar.
13. Clyde Lensley McPhatter (1972) – R&B singer and founding member of The Drifters, known for Money Honey.
14. Gene Ammons (1974) – Jazz saxophonist known for his soulful and bluesy playing style.
15. Tony Williams (1997) – Jazz drummer who played with Miles Davis and helped shape modern jazz drumming.
16. Ben Ali Gant (1969) – Blues musician known for playing in the Delta blues style.
17. Juan de Marcos González (2004) – Cuban musician and arranger, worked on the Buena Vista Social Club project.
18. Alan Barton (1995) – Singer for Smokie and Black Lace, died in a car accident.
    
19. Hank Ballard (2003) – R&B singer and songwriter who wrote The Twist, a song that changed dance music forever.
20. Barbara Colby (1975) – Singer and actress known for her work in musical theater before her tragic murder.

Notable Albums Released (March 11)

1. Pink Floyd – The Final Cut (1983) – A powerful album by Pink Floyd, often considered a follow-up to The Wall. It was the last album with Roger Waters.
2. Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball (2012) – A mix of rock and folk, this album was inspired by the economic struggles in the U.S.
3. Anthrax – Attack of the Killer B’s (1991) – A collection of B-sides, live tracks, and rare recordings from the famous thrash metal band.
4. Nas – The Lost Tapes 2 (2019) – A compilation of unreleased songs from Nas, featuring his classic storytelling rap style.
5. John Mayer – Battle Studies (2009) – A soft rock and blues-influenced album, featuring hits like Heartbreak Warfare and Half of My Heart.
6. Bryan Adams – Room Service (2004) – A rock album featuring songs like Open Road and Flying, recorded while touring.
7. Jethro Tull – Stormwatch (1979) – A folk rock album with a darker tone, featuring themes of war and environmental issues.
8. Bobby Womack – The Bravest Man in the Universe (2012) – A comeback album for the legendary soul singer, blending electronic and soul music.
9. Modest Mouse – Strangers to Ourselves (2015) – An indie rock album that featured the hit Lampshades on Fire.
10. Toto – Toto XIV (2015) – A return to the band’s classic sound, featuring a mix of rock, jazz, and pop.
11. Morrissey – Years of Refusal (2009) – A bold and energetic album from the former lead singer of The Smiths.
12. Goldfrapp – Head First (2010) – A synth-pop album inspired by 1980s music, featuring the hit Rocket.
13. The Fray – Scars & Stories (2012) – A piano-driven rock album with emotional lyrics and strong melodies.
14. Avantasia – The Mystery of Time (2013) – A symphonic metal album with a fantasy-based story.
15. Fefe Dobson – Sunday Love (2006) – A pop-rock album that gained a cult following after being shelved for years.
16. Mayday Parade – Black Lines (2015) – A more aggressive rock album from the pop-punk band.
17. Evergrey – Hymns for the Broken (2014) – A progressive metal album filled with deep emotions and powerful storytelling.
    
18. Kenny Chesney – The Big Revival (2014) – A country album with hits like American Kids and Til It’s Gone.
19. The Raconteurs – Help Us Stranger (2019) – A garage rock album from Jack White’s side band, featuring raw energy and classic rock vibes.
20. R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now (2011) – The final studio album from the legendary alternative rock band before they disbanded.

Chart-Topping Hits (March 11)

1. Let It Be (1970) by The Beatles – One of The Beatles’ most famous songs, it reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts after the band announced their breakup.
2. Because You Loved Me (1996) by Celine Dion – A beautiful ballad that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of her biggest hits.
3. Yeah! (2004) by Usher feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris – A club hit that stayed at No. 1 for weeks and became one of Usher’s most successful songs.
4. Stop! In the Name of Love (1965) by The Supremes – One of the biggest hits of the Motown era, this song topped the Billboard charts.
5. Livin’ on a Prayer (1987) by Bon Jovi – A rock anthem that reached No. 1 in the U.S. and became one of Bon Jovi’s signature songs.
6. Lose Yourself (2003) by Eminem – The first rap song to win an Academy Award, it also hit No. 1 and stayed there for 12 weeks.
7. I Will Always Love You (1993) by Whitney Houston – A record-breaking hit that spent 14 weeks at No. 1, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
8. Someone Like You (2011) by Adele – A heart-wrenching ballad that became a No. 1 hit in multiple countries.
9. Work (2016) by Rihanna feat. Drake – A dancehall-influenced song that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for several weeks.
10. Candle in the Wind 1997 (1997) by Elton John – A tribute to Princess Diana that became the best-selling single of all time.
11. Just the Way You Are (2010) by Bruno Mars – A romantic pop song that reached No. 1 and won a Grammy.
12. What’s Love Got to Do with It (1984) by Tina Turner – A career-defining hit that went to No. 1 and won multiple awards.
13. Honky Tonk Women (1969) by The Rolling Stones – A bluesy rock hit that topped the charts in the U.S. and UK.
14. Billie Jean (1983) by Michael Jackson – One of the most famous songs of all time, it dominated the charts and changed pop music forever.
15. Dark Horse (2014) by Katy Perry – A genre-blending hit that spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
16. Like a Prayer (1989) by Madonna – A controversial yet powerful song that became a worldwide No. 1 hit.
    
17. God’s Plan (2018) by Drake – A chart-topping hit that stayed at No. 1 for 11 weeks and became one of Drake’s most-streamed songs.
18. Blinding Lights (2020) by The Weeknd – This hit set records for spending the most weeks in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
19. Stayin’ Alive (1978) by Bee Gees – A disco classic that became a No. 1 hit and defined the sound of the 1970s.
20. Bad Romance (2009) by Lady Gaga – A dance-pop anthem that became a No. 1 hit in over 20 countries.