This Day in Top 40 History: August 16
On Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died tragically at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. The entire music industry was shaken by the loss of the King, who was just…
On Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died tragically at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. The entire music industry was shaken by the loss of the King, who was just 42. In the years since, people have gathered for marches, tributes, and concerts in his memory. Keep reading for more Top 40 history from Aug. 16.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Some hit singles last a lifetime, while others enjoy 15 minutes of fame. Judge for yourself with these Aug. 16 successes:
- 1962: Little Stevie Wonder released his first single, "I Call It Pretty Music (But The Old People Call It The Blues)." The drummer on the song was none other than Marvin Gaye.
- 1979: "My Sharona" by The Knack received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The single was a smash hit that summer, selling half a million copies.
- 1986: Madonna kicked off two weeks at No. 1 with her song "Papa Don't Preach." She also reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart with True Blue on the same day.
Cultural Milestones
It's always amazing to look back and see how much music has changed over the years. Here are just a couple of big moments from Aug. 16:
- 2018: Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76. Franklin landed 20 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, 18 GRAMMY Awards, and countless other accolades during her incredible soul career.
- 2024: Post Malone released F-1 Trillion, marking his transition from rap to country music. It reached No. 1 later that month and included singles "I Had Some Help" and "Pour Me a Drink."
Notable Recordings and Performances
These live performances set artists apart and opened the door to new opportunities:
- 1968: The Jackson 5 opened for Diana Ross and The Supremes in Los Angeles, a major moment in the sibling group's rise to fame.
- 1997: On the 20th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, a tribute concert took place in Memphis, Tennessee. At the show, Presley's daughter Lisa Marie unveiled a music video for "Don't Cry Daddy."
- 2024: For the first time on the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift sang "London Boy," a popular track from the Lover era, during her second consecutive night at Wembley Stadium. Delighting fans, she even swapped a lyric to say "I enjoy playing Wembley."
Industry Changes and Challenges
Seemingly insignificant moments can become part of music history, and Aug. 16 has seen a few:
- 1968: In New Jersey, a blues trio performed at a coffeehouse. The frontman was an 18-year-old named Bruce Springsteen.
- 2024: Lisa Jeanine Findley, from Missouri, was arrested for organizing a scheme to defraud Elvis Presley's family. Findley had fabricated loan documents in an attempt to auction off Graceland.
- 2024: Hozier released Unaired, an EP with three new songs not included on his 2023 album, Unreal Unearth. This EP was the second that Hozier had released since dropping his album — the first was called Unheard.
Whether you love a classic or you're here for modern pop, there's a piece of history for everyone on Aug. 16.
