This Day in Top 40 History: July 26
With group successes, groundbreaking concerts, and major cultural markers, July 26 has seen some memorable moments in Top 40 history over the years. Join us to find out some of…
With group successes, groundbreaking concerts, and major cultural markers, July 26 has seen some memorable moments in Top 40 history over the years. Join us to find out some of the beginnings, ends, and surprises that took place on this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
From the very beginnings of a career to just one of many hit albums, some iconic groups have seen success on July 26:
- 1968: Even the biggest names in music history had to start somewhere — on this day, sibling group The Jackson 5 signed their first one-year contract with Motown Records. The group released their first single, "I Want You Back," the following year.
- 1975: With their album One of These Nights, The Eagles finally broke into the big time, starting off a five-week run at the top of the U.S. album charts and sealing international success.
- 1980: The Rolling Stones kicked off seven weeks at No. 1 in the U.S. with their album Emotional Rescue. It was the band's eighth time reaching the top of the U.S. album chart, and it wouldn't be their last.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Music is often bound up with other parts of our lives — on July 26, those other parts have included movies and world history:
- 1986: The soundtrack to the hit movie Top Gun began a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album charts. The record included popular songs such as "Danger Zone" and "Take My Breath Away."
- 1987: Billy Joel started the Soviet leg of his The Bridge tour with a show in Moscow, far behind the Iron Curtain. He later released a live album recorded during his concerts in the Soviet Union.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The events of July 26 in past years have done their bit in shaping the music industry into what it is today, including how we share and enjoy our favorite music:
- 2000: Napster, a popular site that allowed people to trade copyrighted files, was ordered by a court to cease operations. This was a result of Metallica suing Napster for copyright infringement and racketeering.
- 2006: The iconic BBC show Top of the Pops completed recording on its final installment. Countless artists had performed on the show during its run, including Madonna, the Spice Girls, and The Rolling Stones.
From the contract that kick-started Michael Jackson's career to the end of a music-sharing service and a TV legend, July 26 has certainly left its mark on music. Join us again tomorrow for another day in the busy world of Top 40 history.
