This Day in Top 40 History: August 25
Aug. 25 has delivered everything from timeless hits to unforgettable controversies. It has seen both the rise of stars like Bruce Springsteen and Lauryn Hill as well as heartbreaking tragedies….
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Aug. 25 has delivered everything from timeless hits to unforgettable controversies. It has seen both the rise of stars like Bruce Springsteen and Lauryn Hill as well as heartbreaking tragedies. Some of music history's most memorable highs and lows have taken place on this date.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Some of the most important hits and albums came out on this date:
- 1962: Little Eva was just 17 when she reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “The Loco-Motion.” The song would be covered and revived for decades to come.
- 1975: Bruce Springsteen released his breakthrough third studio album, Born to Run. It was the song that transformed him into a superstar.
- 1998: Lauryn Hill released The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album went on to win five GRAMMYs and sell more than 20 million copies. It officially established Hill as an artist to watch out for.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Aug. 25 is also remembered for the culturally significant shows:
- 1970: Elton John had his first performance in the U.S. at The Troubadour. This concert was part of a six-day venue commitment that month.
- 1991: Jazz icon Miles Davis gave what would be his last live performance at the Hollywood Bowl. He passed away just over a month later.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Not all of the headlines on Aug. 25 have been happy ones. Some highlighted the darker side of fame and the industry:
- 1993: Snoop Dogg was linked to a gang shooting when his passenger shot and killed a rival gang member in Los Angeles' Woodbine Park. The rapper was charged with murder but was acquitted in 1996.
- 2001: 22-year-old R&B star Aaliyah was killed along with eight others in a tragic plane crash. They had just finished filming her “Rock the Boat” music video in the Bahamas. The small plane was overloaded and crashed shortly after takeoff.
- 2009: Chris Brown was sentenced to five years' probation and six months of community labor after his February assault on Rihanna. He was also ordered to complete a year of domestic violence counseling and to stay away from her for the next five years.
Aug. 25 is remembered for both milestones and misfortunes. It delivered landmark successes for articles like Elton John and Bruce Springsteen. It also stands as the date of Aaliyah's passing and high-profile scandals.
