Music
Throwback Thursday: Rock Icon Janis Joplin Performs In London
1945
One of the world’s first great R&B labels, Modern Records, is formed by Saul and Jules Bihari in Los Angeles. It would prove to be the launching pad for everyone from John Lee Hooker to Etta James.
1958
The Platters’ “Twilight Time” hits No. 1.
1965
The Beach Boys appear on today’s episode of Shindig! on ABC-TV, performing their version of Bobby Freeman’s “Do You Wanna Dance?”
1969
On April 21, 1969, American rock icon Janis Joplin electrified English audiences at what would be her only headline solo concert in England, at the Royal Albert Hall. With English rock band Yes supporting, Joplin gave a performance that would live in memory as one of the most exciting “happenings” of the 1960s countercultural era, as part of her European tour.
1969
Simon & Garfunkel’s single “The Boxer” was released.
1970
The trio that became Elton John’s touring band for the next 20 months, bassist Dee Murray, drummer Nigel Olsson, and Elton at the piano, made their debut on April 20, 1970, on BBC Radio, and played their first public concert at The Roundhouse in London the following evening (April 21st). They opened for T. Rex.
1977
The original Broadway musical production of Annie opened at the Alvin Theatre on April 21, 1977. It starred Andrew McArdle as Annie, Reid Shelton as Daddy Warbucks, Dorothy Loudon as Miss Hannigan, and Sandy Faison as Grace Farrell.
1984
Phil Collins started a three week run at No.1 in the US singles chart with the theme from “Against All Odds”. It was Phil’s first US No.1, a No. 2 in the UK.
1990
Paul McCartney sets a new world record for attendance at a concert by a single artist when his tour-ending concert at the Maracana Stadium in Rio draws 184,000 people.
2014
Robin Thicke’s controversial hit single “Blurred Lines” was named the UK’s most-downloaded song of all time. The song had sold 1.54 million copies since it was released in May 2013, despite criticisms of its explicit lyrics.