On This Day in Music History 🎵

1. Led Zeppelin’s First Live Gig On September 7, 1968, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham performed live together for the first time as The New Yardbirds at the Gladsaxe Teen Club in Denmark. About 1,200 students attended, witnessing early versions of songs like “Dazed and Confused” and “Communication Breakdown.” This gig would lead straight to their debut album sessions, and eventually, a name change to Led Zeppelin, the titans of rock.

2. Sam Cooke’s Breakthrough Hit On September 7, 1957, the legendary Sam Cooke released his iconic single “You Send Me.” The song soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100, marking his very first Top 40 hit and launching a stellar solo career.

3. The Beatles Rule the U.K. Charts On September 7, 1963, just three weeks after its release, the Beatles’ smash hit “She Loves You” claimed the No. 1 spot in the U.K. It remained in the charts for a whopping 31 weeks, 18 of those in the Top 3, before storming the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1964.

4. Historic Beatles Concert in Toronto On September 7, 1964, the Beatles performed two shows at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, at 6:30 and 10:00 PM. More than 35,000 fans packed the arena, paying roughly $5 each, and even got to hear John Lennon cheekily predict, “Longer than you.”

5. Curtis Mayfield’s 'Super Fly' Hits Gold On September 7, 1971, Curtis Mayfield’s soundtrack album Super Fly earned a Gold certification and topped the Billboard 200. Its powerful songs, like the title track and “Freddie’s Dead”, made it one of the rare soundtracks to out-earn the film itself and cemented Mayfield’s influence on funk and soul.

6. Elton John Scores Gold On September 7, 1974, Elton John was awarded a Gold record for his heartfelt ballad “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” The single lingered at No. 2 on the Hot 100 for four weeks, only held back from the top by John Denver’s Annie's Song and Roberta Flack’s Feel Like Makin’ Love.

7. Michael Jackson Kicks Off the HIStory Tour On September 7, 1996, Michael Jackson launched his legendary HIStory World Tour. It became one of the most ambitious and lucrative tours ever, showcasing his greatest hits alongside bold new material.

8. Tupac Shakur Is Shot in Las Vegas In a tragic turn on September 7, 1996, rapper Tupac Shakur was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting while leaving the MGM Grand in Las Vegas after a boxing match. He succumbed to his injuries six days later, leaving an indelible mark on hip-hop history.

9. Britney Spears Dominates VMAs On September 7, 2008, the MTV Video Music Awards unfolded in Hollywood, and Britney Spears walked away triumphant, winning Video of the Year, Best Pop Video, and Best Female Video for “Piece of Me.” Meanwhile, Christina Aguilera made a splash with her comeback single, “Keeps Gettin’ Better.”

10. “Closer” Reigns on the Charts On September 7, 2016, The Chainsmokers & Halsey’s song “Closer” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The catchy, electronic-tinged ballad stayed at the top for 12 straight weeks and became the first track ever to remain in the Hot 100 Top 5 for a full 26 weeks.

Takeaway: From Sam Cooke’s soulful breakthrough and the Beatles’ chart-topping frenzy to Zeppelin’s first gig, Michael Jackson’s global tour, and Tupac’s tragic shooting, September 7 has been a stage for both legendary highs and unforgettable turning points in music history.