Jun. 11, 2025: Brian Wilson died at 82. The Beach Boys visionary helped shape modern pop with classics like "Surfin'", Pet Sounds, and Smile. His music defined the California sound and continues to inspire generations. Love & Mercy. 💙

Jun. 11, 1988: The Free Nelson Mandela Concert rocked Wembley Stadium. Featuring stars like Peter Gabriel, Whitney Houston, Sting and Stevie Wonder, the event reached an estimated 600 million viewers worldwide and helped spotlight the movement to end apartheid. Nelson Mandela was freed in 1990.

Jun. 11, 1986: "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" opened in theatres. Despite what many viewers believed, the Ferrari launched through the garage wasn't a real 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. It was a replica — though plenty of angry letters from car enthusiasts followed anyway! 🚗

Jun. 11, 1982: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial landed in theatres. Steven Spielberg's beloved alien adventure became the highest-grossing movie of all time, holding the record until Jurassic Park surpassed it in 1993. Coincidentally, both films opened on June 11th. 👽🚲

Jun. 11, 1982: Grease 2 arrived in theatres starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield. The sequel was a critical and box office flop, and its soundtrack peaked at just no. 71 in the U.S. Still, it's since developed a passionate cult following. 🎶🏍️

Jun. 10, 2007, The Sopranos ended with one of TV's most famous cut-to-black moments. As Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" played, the screen went dark on the lyric "Don't Stop." Steve Perry reportedly insisted on learning the ending before approving the song's use—and kept the secret.

Jun. 10, 2004, Ray Charles died at age 73. A pioneer of soul music, Ray blended R&B, gospel, jazz and country into a sound all his own. His legacy includes classics like What'd I Say, Georgia On My Mind and I Can't Stop Loving You. Later that year, Jamie Foxx portrayed him in the biopic Ray.

Jun. 10, 1978: John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's "You're The One That I Want" hit no. 1 in the U.S. The breakout duet from Grease helped turn the film into a global sensation and remains one of the most beloved movie soundtrack songs of all time.

Jun. 9, 1986: Genesis released Invisible Touch. The album became the band's biggest commercial success, and the title track gave Genesis their only U.S. no. 1 hit. Its playful MTV video helped make it one of the defining songs of the '80s.

Jun. 9, 1978: The Rolling Stones released Some Girls, their first album with Ronnie Wood as an official member. The hit album's original cover sparked legal threats from several celebrities whose images appeared without permission, leading to a redesigned version.

Jun. 9, 1934: Jackie Wilson was born in Detroit. "Mr. Excitement" helped transform R&B into soul with a four-octave voice and unforgettable performances. Hits like "Lonely Teardrops" and "Higher and Higher" remain classics, and his influence is still felt across popular music today.

Jun. 9, 1915: Les Paul was born. His influence went far beyond the guitar that bears his name. Les helped pioneer solid-body electric guitars, multitrack recording, and overdubbing—innovations that helped shape modern music. A true game-changer. 🎸

Jun. 8, 1991: Bruce Springsteen married Patti Scialfa. Friends, bandmates, and partners for more than three decades, Bruce and Patti have built one of rock's great love stories. Happy 35th anniversary to The Boss and his boss, Patti! ❤️🎸

Jun. 8, 1974: Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" reached no. 1 on the country chart. She repeated the feat in '82 with the same song, a chart first. Whitney Houston's iconic 1992 version then spent 14 weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Jun. 8, 1940: Nancy Sinatra was born. She hit no. 1 in 1966 with “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” and racked up 10 U.S. Top 40 hits in just three years, including the father-daughter classic “Somethin’ Stupid” with Frank Sinatra. Happy Birthday, Nancy! 👢🎂

Jun. 7, 1958: Prince Rogers Nelson was born on this day in 1958 in Minneapolis. A musical visionary, Prince scored 30 Billboard Top 40 hits, won 7 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar, and influenced countless artists across generations. Gone since 2016, but his legacy remains timeless.

Jun. 7, 1940: Tom Jones was born in Pontypridd, Wales. From "It's Not Unusual" to topping the UK album chart at age 80 with Surrounded by Time, Tom has enjoyed one of the longest and most successful careers in popular music. Seven decades on, he's still got it.

Jun. 7, 1917: Dean Martin was born. Known as "The King of Cool," he charmed audiences with hits like "That's Amore" and "Everybody Loves Somebody," starred alongside Jerry Lewis, and became a Vegas legend. 30 years after his passing, Dean's music and style remain timeless.

Jun. 6, 2006: Billy Preston passed away at age 59. From gospel prodigy to solo star and Beatles collaborator, Preston helped shape some of the most memorable music of the 20th century. His keyboard work on "Get Back" earned him a unique place in Beatles history—and in music history itself.

Jun. 6, 1987: Heart released Bad Animals. The album featured their massive no. 1 hit "Alone" and earned the band a Grammy nomination. One of the defining rock albums of the late '80s.

Jun. 6, 1985: Perfect hit theatres. The John Travolta/Jamie Lee Curtis film was panned by critics, but Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner said its portrayal of the magazine was "dead-on accurate." Quentin Tarantino later called it a greatly underappreciated movie.

Jun. 6, 1969: Elton John released his debut album, Empty Sky. No big hits came from it, but it included "Skyline Pigeon," the first Elton John/Bernie Taupin song they were truly proud of. More than five decades later, their songwriting partnership is still going strong — and still making music.

Jun. 6, 1965: The Rolling Stones released "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" in the U.S. The song became the band's first no. 1 hit, despite some broadcasters being uneasy about its suggestive lyrics. Today it sounds tame, but in 1965 it was considered downright rebellious.

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Jun. 5, 1993: Country music icon Conway Twitty died at age 59. Originally a rock 'n' roll star with the 1958 hit "It's Only Make Believe," Conway later became one of country music's biggest stars, earning 41 no. 1 country singles during his career. His legacy remains as strong as ever.

Jun. 5, 1968: Robert F. Kennedy was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, a tragedy that stunned America. The event inspired musical responses including "Long Time Gone," "Abraham, Martin & John," and "If I Can Dream." A heartbreaking chapter in one of history's most turbulent years.

Jun. 5, 1956: Elvis Presley set off a national stir with his performance of "Hound Dog" on The Milton Berle Show. His hip-shaking stage moves shocked critics, who claimed he'd never succeed in the music business. Turns out they were watching the birth of a legend. 👑

Jun. 4, 1992: The USPS selected the image for its Elvis Presley commemorative stamp. Voters chose young Elvis over older Elvis by a wide margin. The stamp was released on January 8, 1993, on what would have been his 58th birthday. Yep — I still have some in my collection! 👑📬

Jun. 4, 1984: Bruce Springsteen released Born in the U.S.A. The title track is often mistaken for a patriotic anthem, but it's actually a sharp commentary on the struggles of Vietnam veterans and working-class America. More than 40 years later, it's still one of rock's most misunderstood songs.

Jun. 4, 1969: Johnny Cash recorded At San Quentin inside California's San Quentin State Prison. The raw, electric performance featured the first performance of "A Boy Named Sue." The album topped both the country and pop charts and became one of the greatest live records ever made.

Jun. 4, 1962: The Beach Boys released "Surfin' Safari." The surf-rock classic became a hit even in landlocked cities far from any beach. I got to see the band live in Buffalo in 1995, arriving in style in a red '56 Thunderbird before a set packed with hits. Any Beach Boys on your summer playlist?

Jun. 4, 1944: Michelle Phillips was born. A co-founder of The Mamas & The Papas and co-writer of "California Dreamin'," she helped create some of the most enduring sounds of the 60s. She later enjoyed a successful acting career and remains the last surviving member of the legendary group.

Jun. 3, 1992: Bill Clinton stopped by The Arsenio Hall Show and played "Heartbreak Hotel" on saxophone. The appearance became a defining moment of the campaign, helping him connect with younger voters and showing a side of a politician that audiences weren't used to seeing.

Jun. 3, 1977: Bob Marley & the Wailers released Exodus. Home to "Jamming," "One Love," and "Three Little Birds," it remains one of the most influential albums ever made. Time magazine later named it the Album of the Century.

Jun. 3, 1970: Ray Davies flew from New York to London—and back again—just to change one word in The Kinks' "Lola." The BBC objected to the original Coca-Cola reference, so "cherry cola" was born. The song went on to reach no. 2 in the UK and the Top 10 in the U.S.

Jun. 3, 1967: The Doors released "Light My Fire." The radio version made it a no. 1 hit, but the full 7-minute album cut revealed the band's true magic. A defining song of the Summer of Love with a darker edge that still sounds timeless today.

Jun. 2, 1989: Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones married Mandy Smith. The marriage lasted only nine months, but the later marriage between Wyman's son and Smith's mother created a family tree puzzle that still leaves people scratching their heads. Truth really is stranger than fiction.

Jun. 2, 1987: Whitney Houston released her second album, Whitney. The album debuted at no. 1, produced four no. 1 singles, and sold an estimated 20 million copies worldwide. Led by "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," it confirmed Whitney as one of the biggest stars on the planet.

Jun. 2, 1983: Men Without Hats topped the Billboard Dance chart with the remix of "The Safety Dance." Club DJs embraced it first, then MTV made the quirky medieval-themed video a pop culture staple. The song would later reach no. 3 on the Hot 100 and become the band's signature hit.

Jun. 2, 1978: Peter Gabriel released his second solo album, nicknamed Scratch. Produced by Robert Fripp, it showcased a darker, more experimental sound with songs like "On the Air," "D.I.Y.," and "Mother of Violence." An early look at Gabriel's fearless creative evolution.

Jun. 2, 1978: Bruce Springsteen released Darkness on the Edge of Town. A tougher, darker follow-up to Born to Run, the album traded fame and glory for stories of hard work, determination, and survival. Nearly 50 years later, it still hits just as hard.

Jun. 1, 1985: A-ha released Hunting High and Low. "Take On Me" became a worldwide smash thanks to its unforgettable MTV video, while "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." proved the band was more than a one-hit wonder. A-ha would go on to become international pop icons.

Jun. 1, 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded "Give Peace a Chance" during their Montréal Bed-In for Peace. Released by the Plastic Ono Band, the song reached the U.S. Top 20 and became one of the most recognizable anti-war anthems of its era.

Jun. 1, 1934: Pat Boone was born in Jacksonville, FL. A major pop star of the '50s and '60s, Boone landed 60 U.S. chart hits and six no. 1 singles. Known for his smooth vocals, clean-cut image, and iconic white buck shoes, he remains active today as a SiriusXM host and recording artist.

May 31, 1962: Corey Hart was born in Montréal. The Canadian music icon sold over 16 million records worldwide and scored massive hits with “Sunglasses at Night,” “Never Surrender,” and “Boy in the Box.” A Grammy nominee, Juno winner, and Hall of Fame inductee, Corey turns 64 today.

May 31, 1961: Jimi Hendrix enlisted in the U.S. Army. His military career lasted just over a year after an ankle injury during a parachute jump led to an honourable discharge. Hendrix reportedly spent far more time focused on guitar than soldiering. Rock history thanks him for it.

May 31, 1948: Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham was born. “Bonzo” became one of rock’s most influential drummers thanks to his massive sound and unmistakable groove. After his death in 1980 at just 32, Led Zeppelin disbanded rather than replace him. Some drummers keep time. Bonham moved mountains.

May 30, 1992: Paul Simon married Edie Brickell after the two met backstage at Saturday Night Live in 1989. More than 30 years later, they’re still together — which might be the most shocking celebrity headline of all! Happy anniversary, Paul & Edie!

May 30, 1973: George Harrison released Living In The Material World. “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” became his second U.S. no. 1 single and famously replaced Paul McCartney & Wings at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 — the only time two ex-Beatles held the top two spots.

May 30, 1966: Dolly Parton married Carl Dean in Georgia after meeting him at a Nashville laundromat. Carl avoided the spotlight during their nearly 60-year marriage while Dolly became an icon. After Carl passed away in 2025, Dolly released the tribute song “If You Hadn’t Been There” in his memory.