This Day in Top 40 History: March 7

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1975: David Bowie dropped his ninth studio LP, Young Americans. It cracked the Top 10 in both the U.S. and the U.K., peaking at No. 9 and No. 2, respectively. The album's lead single, the title track "Young Americans", landed in the Top 30 on the U.K. Singles chart and the Billboard Hot 100. 
• 2005: Kaiser Chiefs launched Employment, their debut studio album. This 14-track project peaked at No. 2 in the U.K. and charted for over 100 weeks. It spawned some Top 10 hits as well, including “Oh My God” and “I Predict a Riot.”
• 2011: R.E.M released their 15th and final album, Collapse Into Now, featuring “It Happened Today,” “Mine Smell Like Honey,” and “Oh My Heart.” Although the record stalled at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, it soared to the summit of the Top Rock Albums chart. In the U.K., Collapse Into Now also landed at No. 5. 
• 2019: Singer Shawn Mendes started his world tour with an appearance in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. His back-to-back shows sold out.
• 2020: Bruno Mars played MGM's Park Theater in Las Vegas as part of his Las Vegas residency.
• 2023: For her SOS tour, singer SZA appeared at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the first time the Grammy-nominated SZA had performed in a sizable arena.

Cultural Milestones

• 1943: Chris White was born in Barnet, England. As a member of The Zombies, he co-wrote and contributed to hits such as “Time of the Season” and “Tell Her No.” While at it, White has teamed up with big names such as Colin Bluntstone, Jim Rodford, and Rod Argent. 
• 1952: Ernie Isley was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known as a member of The Isley Brothers, who have placed over 10 Top 40 singles on Billboard's Hot 100. That list features “It's  Your Thing,” “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You),” and “Love The One You're With.”
• 1962: Taylor Dayne was born in Manhattan, New York. She stepped into the music world after completing her high school education and sang with bands such as Felony and Next. Her big moment, however, came when she joined Arista Records and released her 1987 hit, "Tell It to My Heart.” The track's success made way for her to release other smashes, including her chart-topping “Love Will Lead You Back.”
• 1985: The single "We Are the World" was released, raising thousands of dollars to aid Africa. It still raises money today after the release of the documentary The Greatest Night in Pop. 
• 2025: Lady Gaga's seventh studio album, Mayhem, which followed a companion project she and Joaquin Phoenix created for the film Joker: Folie à Deux, was released. She's teased the album lyrics with mysterious floating letters on her website. Lady Gaga continues to break barriers in the music industry with her appearances, performances, and crossovers into the acting business.

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 1998: Madonna's "Frozen" went to No. 2 on the Billboard Eurochart and No. 1 on the U.K. chart. This song was from her Ray of Light album.
• 1996: Mariah Carey set the stage on fire at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, performing “Always Be My Baby,” “Hero,” and “I Don't Wanna Cry.” She was on her Daydream World Tour, which supported her No. 1 1995 album of the same name.
• 2014: Usher performed at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The rodeo fans were thrilled to have such a big name play at this show.
• 2018: Demi Lovato performed at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
• 2019: P!NK took her Beautiful Trauma World Tour to Colombia, South Carolina, and performed at the Colonial Life Arena. This event promoted her album of the same name, which featured “What About Us,” “Beautiful Trauma,” and “Revenge.” 
• 2024: After canceling his It's All a Blur tour, Drake rescheduled with new dates, one of them on March 7 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 2001: The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) shared the top 10 songs on the list of their top 365 hits of the 20th century. That pool featured Aretha Franklin's “Respect,” Bing Crosby's “White Christmas,” and The Andrews Sisters' “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” 
• 2013: Peter Banks died of heart failure in his home in London. He was a founding member of Yes, which has delivered No. 1 records such as Tales From Topographic Oceans and Going For the One in the U.K. After leaving the band, Banks joined Flash and helped to place their “Small Beginnings” in the Top 40 on the Hot 100.
• 2014: Singer Ke$ha left a rehab center after treatment for an eating disorder. She restyled her name to Kesha and thanked her fans for their support during her challenging time.
• 2024: Singer and actress Selena Gomez shared a TikTok video about getting over a breakup with a crush. The video also featured her Only Murders in the Building co-star Steve Martin.