This Day in Top 40 History: October 7
Oct. 7 isn’t just another date on the calendar. On this day, Judy Garland recorded a song that became part of Hollywood history, the Rolling Stones headlined a festival that…
Oct. 7 isn't just another date on the calendar. On this day, Judy Garland recorded a song that became part of Hollywood history, the Rolling Stones headlined a festival that broke the bank, and many milestones unfolded in between.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Oct. 7 has a long tradition of singles and albums that launched artists' careers or marked defining peaks:
- 1971: Michael Jackson released "Got to Be There," his debut solo single. It proved he could command the spotlight solo and gave fans their first real taste of the megastar he'd grow into.
- 1989: Paula Abdul's debut album, Forever Your Girl, finally hit No. 1 in America 64 weeks after its release. She set a record for the longest climb to the top, but would eventually enjoy a full-blown pop takeover.
- 1995: Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill reached No. 1 in the U.S. The album's confessional lyrics captured the mood of the mid-1990s.
Cultural Milestones
Beyond the charts, Oct. 7 has delivered moments that shaped pop culture through film, television, and the personal stories of the artists we know best:
- 1938: Judy Garland recorded "Over the Rainbow" for The Wizard of Oz. At just 16, she recorded a ballad that defined her career and went on to become one of the most unforgettable songs in movie and music history.
- 1950: CBS premiered The Frank Sinatra Show, giving Ol' Blue Eyes his first experience of a television variety program. It only lasted two seasons, but it proved how quickly music stars were moving into TV to broaden their reach.
- 1951: John Mellencamp was born in Indiana. Surviving spina bifida thanks to experimental surgery, he later became a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and a voice of heartland America.
- 1975: John Lennon won his immigration battle on this day when a U.S. court overturned his deportation order. This legal victory secured his life in New York.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Some key recordings and performances also landed on this date:
- 1960: Elvis Presley recorded "Flaming Star," tying his music career to his growing Hollywood presence. The track was cut for the Western film of the same name, part of Presley's run of movie roles that kept him in front of fans even when he wasn't touring.
- 2014: Weezer's ninth studio album, Everything Will Be Alright in the End, dropped. It brought producer Ric Ocasek back into the fold, reconnecting Weezer with the magic of their Blue Album days.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Behind the hits, Oct. 7 has also been a date when the business side of music has taken center stage:
- 1988: The documentary Imagine: John Lennon opened in theaters, commissioned by Yoko Ono. Built from archival clips, the film painted a fuller picture of Lennon's life and showed how much influence families can have over an artist's legacy.
- 2016: The Rolling Stones headlined Desert Trip alongside Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Roger Waters, and The Who. The six-day festival grossed $160 million, breaking records.
From Elvis to Alanis to Judy Garland, Oct. 7 has delivered a little bit of everything. It's a date that proves music is about the moments when the industry, culture, and artists collide.
