This Day in Top 40 History: September 23
On Sept. 23, 2006, Justin Timberlake was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “SexyBack,” a song inspired by David Bowie, David Byrne, and James Brown. It was part…
On Sept. 23, 2006, Justin Timberlake was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "SexyBack," a song inspired by David Bowie, David Byrne, and James Brown. It was part of Timberlake's second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds. The track also received the GRAMMY Award for Best Dance Recording. Here are more events from this day in Top 40 history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
These chart-toppers defined their own eras of music on Sept. 23:
- 1974: John Lennon released "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night" in the U.S. The song was Lennon's only No. 1 hit in the U.S. as a solo artist.
- 1977: David Bowie released "Heroes," which was widely considered one of Bowie's most influential songs, resonating as an anthem of resilience.
- 2000: Madonna spent the second of two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Music," a song inspired by a Sting concert.
Cultural Milestones
Music legends Ray and Bruce were born on Sept. 23, while Justin had an eventful night out:
- 1930: Ray Charles, who was born in Georgia on Sept. 23 and went blind at age 7, was a legendary musician who laid the foundations for the soul and rock genres.
- 1949: Born in New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen has had 11 No. 1 albums and 12 Hot 100 Top 10 hit songs.
- 2011: As a thank-you gift for selling out The Staples Center multiple times, Justin Bieber received a private showing of Titanic and a candlelit dinner, accompanied by his then-girlfriend Selena Gomez.
Notable Recordings and Performances
These titans of the music industry left their mark on Sept. 23:
- 1973: Elvis Presley recorded "Are You Sincere?" and "I Miss You" at his residence in Palm Springs, California.
- 1980: Bob Marley performed for the last time at the Stanley Theatre in Pittsburgh.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music industry is constantly evolving, but artists need to remember what truly matters:
- 1998: The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Elvis Presley posthumously. It was momentous because of Presley's beginnings in Tennessee, and the fact that the Grand Ole Opry once rejected him.
- 2010: Sesame Street pulled a segment that featured Katy Perry bantering with Elmo after complaints about the modesty of her outfit. Perry later made fun of the incident on Saturday Night Live.
From new Elvis songs to final performances, Sept. 23 had plenty of significant moments in Top 40 history. Bob Marley performed for the last time at the Stanley Theatre in Pittsburgh, while Elvis Presley recorded "Are You Sincere?" and "I Miss You."
