On This Day
1963: The Beatles
The band released their seminal single “Please Please Me” in the UK. They also recorded their first national TV appearance on the show Thank Your Lucky Stars on this day in 1963.
1967: Jimi Hendrix
The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded the legendary track “Purple Haze” at De Lane Lea Studios in London.
1975: Led Zeppelin
The band performed their first concert in 18 months in Rotterdam, debuting future classics like “Kashmir” and “Trampled Under Foot”.
1941: Long John Baldry
The influential British blues singer was born today. He is famously credited with “saving Elton John’s life” by persuading him not to abandon his music career during a period of personal crisis in 1969.
1992: Nirvana
Their groundbreaking album Nevermind hit No. 1 in America, famously unseating Michael Jackson’s Dangerous.
Birthdays
Zayn Malik (33): Former One Direction member and global solo artist known for hits like “Pillowtalk”.
Melanie Chisholm / Mel C (52): Also known as “Sporty Spice” of the Spice Girls.
Amerie (46): R&B singer and actress famous for the 2005 hit “1 Thing“.
Ella Henderson (30): British singer-songwriter who rose to fame on The X Factor.
Rob Zombie (61): Metal musician and filmmaker; he rose to fame as the frontman of White Zombie before a prolific solo career.
Zack de la Rocha (56): Lead singer and lyricist for the influential rap-metal band Rage Against the Machine.
Per Gessle (67): Primary songwriter and member of the Swedish pop duo Roxette.
Blixa Bargeld (67): German musician and lead singer of Einstürzende Neubauten, also known for his work with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Raekwon (56): Born Corey Woods, he is a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Ricky Van Shelton (74): Multi-platinum country music artist with over 10 No. 1 singles in the late 80s and 90s.
William Lee Golden (87): Baritone singer for the legendary country and gospel group The Oak Ridge Boys.
Dan Haseltine (53): Lead singer for the Grammy-winning Christian rock band Jars of Clay.
International Music News
Eurovision 2026 to Be Held in Vienna
Vienna, Austria, has been selected to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, following Austrian singer JJ’s victory in 2025. The event will take place at the Wiener Stadthalle, with the final scheduled for May 16 and semi-finals on May 12 and 14. This marks the third time Vienna has hosted the contest.
New Releases
Jason Aldean – “Easier Gone” featuring Brittany Aldean
Multi-platinum award-winning artist and reigning country powerhouse Jason Aldean continues the rollout of his upcoming album, “Songs About Us,” with the release of three new tracks today. The songs offer fans a deeper look into the emotional breadth of his new 20-track album and include Aldean’s long-awaited duet with his wife. “Easier Gone” featuring Brittany Aldean, “Her Favorite Color,” and “What’s A Little Heartache” are available now ahead of the official release of “Songs About Us” on April 24, 2026.
Owen Riegling – “Born Again”
Rising country star Owen Riegling continues his bold new musical chapter with the release of his heartfelt new single “Born Again,” capturing his evolution as both an artist and storyteller.
Scene Notes & Industry Trends
Coachella 2026 Lineup Announced
The 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will feature headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. The festival is set for two weekends in April, with tickets going on presale starting Friday.
Indie Spotlight
Southall – “Southwestern Son”
PLATINUM Country-Rock standouts Southall unveil a brand new single entitled “Southwestern Son,” marking the beginning of their next era and signaling the arrival of more music on the horizon in 2026.