Today in Music History

Elton John reached No. 1 on the British singles chart with "Are You Ready For Love". The song was recorded in 1977 and released in 1979, when it reached No. 42. It was later used in Sky TV advertisements for the new football season.

English singer and actor Carl Wayne, best known as the lead singer of The Move, died at the age of 61 from esophageal cancer. He sang lead vocals on the group's songs "Blackberry Way" and "I Can Hear the Grass Grow" and also performed with The Hollies.

Green Day released the title track from their new album "American Idiot" as a single three weeks before the album's release. Both the song and album were highly successful and widely acclaimed; both were nominated for several Grammy Awards, and the album won the award for Best Rock Album. "American Idiot" later became a successful musical.

Ray Charles' album "Genius Loves Company" was released posthumously by Concord Records. It was the last album Charles recorded and completed before his death in June 2004. It featured recordings with guest musicians including Natalie Cole, Elton John, James Taylor, Norah Jones, B. B. King, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and won eight Grammy Awards in 2005, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year.

The British medical journal Thorax warned music fans that listening to loud music in a car could cause a collapsed lung. A 19-year-old man was treated in Bristol after his left lung collapsed while listening loudly to music from a 1,000-watt speaker in his Fiat Panda.

Toby Keith announced that he was founding his own record company, Show Dog Nashville Records.

The Times published an article about rock stars' demands while on tour. Ozzy Osbourne required a doctor specializing in the eyes, ears, nose and throat at every venue. The Beach Boys required a licensed masseur, Meat Loaf a mask and a small oxygen tank, David Bowie a dressing-room temperature between 14 and 18°C, Paul McCartney a large arrangement of Casablanca white lilies, and Mick Jagger a reading device containing the lyrics to all the songs that also reminded him of the name of the city where they were performing.

Lil Wayne signed Nicki Minaj to his Young Money label, where Drake was also based. As Wayne predicted, Minaj later became a star and broke through in 2010 with a series of collaborations and the album "Pink Friday", which debuted at No. 1.

Noel Gallagher confirmed his departure from Oasis, saying that he could no longer work with his brother Liam.

Elton John and Leon Russell released the first single from their forthcoming joint album, "The Union". The song "If It Wasn't For Bad" featured vocals from both artists, with Russell on piano.

Papa Roach released their first live album, "Time for Annihilation". In addition to nine live tracks, it contained five new studio recordings and reached No. 23 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

Eddie Van Halen was urgently taken to hospital for surgery on his digestive system due to severe diverticulitis. Van Halen's concert dates were postponed while he recovered.

Entertainer Max Bygraves died after a battle with Alzheimer's disease in Hope Island, Queensland, Australia, at the age of 89.

Luke Bryan reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 for the first time with his fourth studio album, "Crash My Party".

The Raskins, who had paid $1 million for the opportunity to accompany Mötley Crüe on tour, were attacked during their performance at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center by members of the headliner's crew, who came onto the stage and poured urine on them. The group subsequently filed a lawsuit.

Van Morrison performed two concerts on Cyprus Avenue in Belfast on his 70th birthday. The street had inspired him to write the song "Cyprus Avenue".

Aretha Franklin's funeral was held at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit. Performers included Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Ronald Isley, Jennifer Hudson, Faith Hill, Fantasia and Yolanda Adams.

Eminem released his tenth studio album, “Kamikaze”, without prior announcement. The album features guest appearances by Joyner Lucas, Royce da 5'9", and Jessie Reyez, among others. It reached number one on the charts in 21 countries and became the best-selling hip-hop album of 2018.

Eminem released the single “Fall”, which was featured on his tenth studio album, “Kamikaze”. The song features vocals by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. “Fall” later became one of the album’s singles, and Eminem also released a music video for the song.

Ellie Goulding married art dealer Caspar Jopling at York Minster Cathedral in England. Guests included Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Tracey Emin, Sienna Miller, James Blunt, Princess Eugenie and Sarah, Duchess of York.

Songwriter LaShawn Daniels, who wrote hits for Destiny's Child and Brandy, died at the age of 41.

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with "Senorita". The song became an international hit and topped more than 50 charts around the world.

Rapper Young Thug reached No. 1 on the U.S. albums chart with his debut studio album, "So Much Fun".

Ed Sheeran was at No. 1 on the British singles chart with "Bad Habits", the lead track from his fifth studio album, "=". The song spent eleven consecutive weeks at the top of the British and Irish singles charts and became the best-selling single of the year in both countries. In the United States, it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.