On This Day in Music History - 5/22/2025

• 1813: German composer Richard Wagner, whose operas revolutionized Western music, was born in Leipzig. His works, such as The Ring Cycle and Tristan und Isolde, introduced innovative harmonic structures and dramatic storytelling, influencing countless composers.

• 1958: Jerry Lee Lewis arrived in the UK for a tour, accompanied by his 13-year-old wife, Myra Gale Brown, his third cousin. The revelation of their marriage sparked outrage, leading to the cancellation of his tour after three shows and a significant setback to his rock 'n' roll career, as radio stations banned his music and public appearances dwindled.

• 1968: Cream’s album Disraeli Gears was certified gold in the US. Featuring hits like “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew,” the album reached #4 on the Billboard 200 and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 for its influence on psychedelic rock.

• 1971: The Rolling Stones achieved a rare feat with their album Sticky Fingers and single “Brown Sugar” both hitting #1 in the US. The album, featuring Andy Warhol’s iconic zipper cover art, is considered one of their finest works and marked a high point in their career.

• 1976: Paul McCartney and Wings topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Silly Love Songs,” a response to critics who called his music lightweight. The song became the biggest hit of 1976 in the US, holding the #1 spot for five weeks and solidifying McCartney’s solo success.

• 1992: Ralph Tashjian became the first person convicted under the US payola law, pleading guilty to distributing cash and cocaine to radio stations for airplay of records by artists like Bruce Springsteen and Laura Branigan. This highlighted ongoing issues of corruption in the music industry.

• 1993: Janet Jackson’s “That’s the Way Love Goes” was in its second of eight weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, introducing a smoother, sensual sound that defined her janet. era and cemented her as a pop icon.

• 2004: Usher’s “Burn” hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the third consecutive top-10 single from his album Confessions, which dominated the charts and earned critical acclaim, reinforcing his R&B dominance.

• 2017: A tragic suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena, UK, killed 22 people and injured over 60, shaking the music community. The attack led to increased security measures at live events and prompted Grande to organize the One Love Manchester benefit concert.