This Day in Top 40 History: August 28
On Aug. 28, 1963, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and many other artists performed at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom demonstration. The participation of Baez and Dylan had…
On Aug. 28, 1963, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and many other artists performed at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom demonstration. The participation of Baez and Dylan had been expected, as they were foundational to the countercultural movement of the day and known for writing protest songs, such as Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind." Keep reading for more Top 40 history from Aug. 28.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
A song that was almost a chart topper and an unusual release for Aug. 28:
- 1971: "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver peaked at No. 2 on the charts. The song, which is widely considered Denver's breakthrough hit, was kept in the No. 2 spot by "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?" by the Bee Gees.
- 2020: Katy Perry released Smile, her sixth album. In an interesting twist, the pop star released the album in tandem with the video game Katy's Quest.
Cultural Milestones
Who knew Bob Dylan helped with the inspiration for some of The Beatles' more psychedelic songs?
- 1964: Bob Dylan supplied marijuana to The Beatles after a show in New York. It was the first time Dylan had met the group, and the first time the group met marijuana — Dylan was shocked they hadn't enjoyed the substance before. Many consider this event to have been a turning point in the band's journey.
- 1988: A new pop princess entered the scene. Kylie Minogue's debut album, Kylie, became the biggest-selling album by a female artist in the U.K.
- 2021: Billie Eilish reached No. 1 with her sophomore album, Happier Than Ever. It topped charts around the world and received an astonishing seven GRAMMY Award nominations.
Notable Recordings and Performances
A record-breaking tour and a provocative start to an award ceremony from Aug. 28:
- 1984: The Jacksons' reunion tour became the most successful tour of all time, selling over a million tickets. This record is now held by none other than Taylor Swift.
- 2003: During the opening performance for the MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna and Britney Spears shared a passionate kiss. Later, Madonna also smooched with Christina Aguilera, but the camera quickly cut away from them to show Justin Timberlake's shocked reaction.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Not everything goes according to plan in the music industry:
- 1966: After playing a show at Dodger Stadium, The Beatles had planned to make a getaway in an armored truck, but they found the exit gate locked and had to reverse back to the Dodger dugout. They ended up being stuck there for hours, waiting for the crowds of fans to disperse.
- 1970: A security guard received a tip that Elvis Presley would be harmed during his four-week residency at a Las Vegas hotel. While the threats were taken seriously, Presley completed the run of shows unscathed.
- 2009: After 18 years, Oasis announced that they would be disbanding. Noel Gallagher posted the announcement on the band's website, and they were apart until their reunion in 2025.
Some were devastated by Oasis' decision to split, while others were excited to play Katy Perry's new video game — all in all, Aug. 28 has been a memorable day for music fans.
