On This Day in Music History – November 28

On This Day in Music History – November 28

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For many music lovers, there are plenty of reasons to cherish November 28. Historically, this day has marked significant chart achievements by popular songs, historic performances by popular bands, and significant concerts. Over the years, popular songs have topped the charts and musicians have staged significant performances on November 28.

Additionally, it has remained a day to remember legends who have come and gone, and albums that have first been released. In fact, the day has remained significant in every genre, including rock, pop, hip-hop, and soul music.

In the sections that follow, we highlight significant events in the music industry that have occurred on November 28, popular musicians who have birthdays on November 28, loved ones who have died, albums first released, and popular songs that topped the chart.

Music of today covers all genres and all nations around the globe, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Each year presents something new or significant happening on November 28. Keep reading to get an insight into some of the highlights in the history of music that took place on this day.

Major Events in Music History (November 28)

  • In 1974 John Lennon joined Elton John onstage in New York City, surprising the audience with a duet of “Whatever Gets You Through the Night” after betting Elton the song would reach #1.
  • In 1992 Whitney Houston began a record-breaking 14-week run at #1 on the US charts with her cover of “I Will Always Love You.”
  • In 1987 R.E.M. scored their first US Top 10 hit on this day when “The One I Love” peaked in the Top Ten.
  • On November 28, 1987, Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley’s duet “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing hit #1 in the US.
  • In 1964 the Shangri-Las reached #1 in the US with their teen tragedy hit “Leader of the Pack” on this date.
  • On this day in 1960, Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” hit #1 in America.
  • Winifred Atwell became the first black female artist to top the UK charts on Nov 28, 1954, with the piano instrumental “Let’s Have Another Party.”
  • In 1970 Dave Edmunds hit #1 in the UK with “I Hear You Knocking” on this day – the very first release on the MAM Records label.
  • R.E.M.’s full-band appearance on US TV’s Late Night helped “The One I Love” climb the charts on Nov 28, 1987.
  • Madonna returned to the British concert stage on Nov 28, 2000, playing London’s Brixton Academy – her first UK show in seven years.
  • On Nov 28, 2004, Metallica closed their world tour at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, marking one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time.
  • Oasis launched their “Be Here Now” tour in 1997, performing at Birmingham’s NEC on Nov 28.
  • In 1999 Cliff Richard grabbed the UK Christmas #1 with the charity single “Millennium Prayer,” announced on this date.

Notable Birthdays in Music (November 28)

  • Berry Gordy (born 1929, USA) – Founder of Motown Records, born Nov 28, 1929.
  • Randy Newman (born 1943, USA) – Singer-songwriter known for film scores like Toy Story, born Nov 28, 1943.
  • Matt Cameron (born 1962, USA) – Drummer for Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, born Nov 28, 1962.
  • Chamillionaire (born 1979, USA) – Grammy-winning rapper known for “Ridin’,” born Nov 28, 1979.
  • Rostam Batmanglij (born 1983, USA) – Multi-instrumentalist and producer, co-founder of Vampire Weekend, born Nov 28, 1983.
  • Trey Songz (born 1984, USA) – R&B singer (“Say Aah”), born Nov 28, 1984.
  • Paul Shaffer (born 1949, Canada/USA) – TV bandleader and musical director for David Letterman’s shows, born Nov 28, 1949.
  • Beeb Birtles (born 1948, Australia) – Singer-songwriter, co-founder of Little River Band, born Nov 28, 1948.
  • David Van Day (born 1958, UK) – Singer in the pop duo Dollar, born Nov 28, 1958.
  • David Jaymes (born 1954, UK) – Bassist and songwriter for Modern Romance, born Nov 28, 1954.
  • Hugh McKenna (born 1949, UK) – Keyboardist for the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, born Nov 28, 1949.
  • Bruce Channel (born 1940, USA) – Singer of 1962 hit “Hey! Baby,” born Nov 28, 1940.
  • Clem Curtis (born 1940, Trinidad/UK) – Lead singer of The Foundations (“Build Me Up Buttercup”), born Nov 28, 1940.
  • Richard Grossman (born 1959, Australia) – Bassist for Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus, born Nov 28, 1959.
  • R.B. Greaves (born 1943, USA) – Singer of “Take a Letter Maria,” born Nov 28, 1943.

Music Legends We Lost (November 28)

  • Ray Columbus (1939–2016, New Zealand) – Singer of “She’s A Mod,” died Nov 28, 2016.
  • Jerry Edmonton (1948–1993, Canada/USA) – Original drummer for Steppenwolf, died Nov 28, 1993.
  • Tony Meehan (1943–2005, UK) – Founding drummer of The Shadows, died Nov 28, 2005.
  • Dave “Snaker” Ray (1927–2002, USA) – Blues guitarist and singer, died Nov 28, 2002.
  • Bob Keane (1922–2009, USA) – Record producer and founder of Del-Fi Records (Ritchie Valens’ label), died Nov 28, 2009.
  • Papa Lightfoot (1924–1971, USA) – Delta blues harmonica player, died Nov 28, 1971.
  • Jean Knight (1943–2023, USA) – Soul singer (“Mr. Big Stuff”), died Nov 28, 2023.
  • Frances “Frances” Nero (1943–2014, USA) – Soul/jazz singer (Motown artist), died Nov 28, 2014.
  • Havergal Brian (1876–1972, UK) – English classical composer, died Nov 28, 1972.
  • Abraham “Abe” Schwartz (1890–1963, USA) – Klezmer bandleader and composer, died Nov 28, 1963.

Notable Albums Released (November 28)

  • Isaac Hayes – …To Be Continued (1970) – Groundbreaking soul/funk album released Nov 28, 1970.
  • Slade – Play It Loud (1970) – Glam rock album by the British band, released Nov 28, 1970.
  • Jay-Z – The Black Album (2003) – Hip-hop album (his “farewell” record), released Nov 28, 2003.
  • The Darkness – One Way Ticket to Hell… and Back (2005) – Glam rock album, released Nov 28, 2005.
  • Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury (2006) – Critically acclaimed hip-hop album, released Nov 28, 2006.
  • Faith No More – Sol Invictus (2014) – Comeback rock album for the band, released Nov 28, 2014.
  • AC/DC – Rock or Bust (2014) – Hard rock album released Nov 28, 2014, featuring songs like “Play Ball.”
  • Echolyn – Suffocating the Bloom (1992) – Progressive rock album, released Nov 28, 1992.
  • Mac Miller – Spotify Singles (Live from Space) (2018) – Live two-song release, issued Nov 28, 2018.
  • The Rolling Stones – Metamorphosis (1975) – Compilation album of rarities, released late Nov 1975 (often cited on Nov 28 in UK press).

Chart-Topping Hits (November 28)

  • Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You” (1992) – Began a 14-week run at #1 on the US charts on Nov 28, 1992.
  • Shangri-Las – “Leader of the Pack” (1964) – Reached #1 in the US on Nov 28, 1964.
  • Elvis Presley – “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” (1960) – Hit #1 in the US on this date in 1960.
  • Winifred Atwell – “Let’s Have Another Party” (1954) – Topped the UK chart on Nov 28, 1954.
  • Dave Edmunds – “I Hear You Knocking” (1970) – Reached #1 in the UK on Nov 28, 1970.
  • R.E.M. – “The One I Love” (1987) – Climbed into the US Top 10 (and later the top 10) after their Nov 28, 1987 performance.
  • Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley – “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” (1987) – Hit #1 on US charts on Nov 28, 1987.
  • Cliff Richard – “Millennium Prayer” (1999) – Began a week at #1 on UK charts on Nov 28, 1999.
  • Madonna – “Nothing Really Matters” (1999) – Though not a #1, it was a notable single released around Nov 28, 1999 (in Japan).
  • Avril Lavigne – “Complicated” (2002) – Topped the US Pop songs chart; it was dominating the airwaves in late Nov 2002 (peaked earlier).
  • Metallica – None, but their album “Hardwired…” charted in 2016 on Nov 28.

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