This Day in Top 40 History: October 6
Oct. 6 has a lot to offer in Top 40 history. Numerous chart-topping singles, high-profile lawsuits, star-studded weddings, and personal milestones featured in the tabloids have marked this date as…
Oct. 6 has a lot to offer in Top 40 history. Numerous chart-topping singles, high-profile lawsuits, star-studded weddings, and personal milestones featured in the tabloids have marked this date as significant. Few dates showcase the blend of pop's successes and drama as vividly as this.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Many singles have risen to No. 1, new sounds have broken through, and careers have shifted into high gear on Oct. 6:
- 1973: Cher topped the Billboard Hot 100 with "Half-Breed" and remained there for two weeks. The defiant anthem, paired with her iconic headdress and TV performances, turned the single into a cultural flashpoint and one of her signature solo hits.
- 1979: Robert John's "Sad Eyes" claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The smooth ballad became a late '70s radio staple and marked John's most significant career success.
Cultural Milestones
This day has also brought significant celebrity moments and pop-cultural landmarks:
- 1947: Gene Autry released "Here Comes Santa Claus," a novelty holiday tune that became a perennial radio favorite and helped link pop stars to holiday tradition.
- 1951: Kevin Cronin, future lead singer of REO Speedwagon, was born. He's the voice behind such pop-rock staples as "Keep on Loving You."
- 1991: Michael Jackson gave Elizabeth Taylor away at her wedding to Larry Fortensky, held at Jackson's Neverland Ranch. Many celebrities attended, and the event made global headlines.
- 2004: Britney Spears and Kevin Federline officially legalized their surprise wedding from weeks earlier. The paperwork included a prenuptial agreement, which proved critical when the pair divorced in 2007.
- 2016: Prince's legendary Paisley Park officially opened its doors to fans. Visitors could finally get a glimpse into the world of one of pop's most enigmatic icons.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Oct. 6 has brought landmark releases and stage moments that left their mark on pop music:
- 1982: Madonna released her debut single, "Everybody." It ignited one of the most influential pop careers of all time.
- 1983: Barry Manilow transformed London's Royal Festival Hall into a glamorous setting reminiscent of a society page for a charity concert, which Prince Charles and Princess Diana attended. The evening demonstrated that pop stars could mingle with high-society circles and still raise funds for a worthy cause.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Pop history also included events that have occurred in boardrooms, court filings, and the private lives of the stars themselves:
- 1978: ABBA's Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad got married in Sweden. While it delighted fans, their relationship also highlighted how tying romantic dynamics to a band's future can lead to vulnerability.
- 1980: The Bee Gees launched a $136 million lawsuit against their former manager, Robert Stigwood, for withholding royalties. The case was eventually settled out of court.
Oct. 6 has featured multiple pop milestones — Cher's chart-topping drama, Madonna's first single, and Michael Jackson playing best man at a celebrity wedding. In pop music, the headlines offstage can be just as riveting as the songs themselves.
