This Day in Top 40 History: July 29

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1985: Madonna's "Into the Groove" hit No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. Though not originally released as a single in the U.S., its popularity led to heavy radio play and boosted her Like a Virgin album sales.
• 1989: Hall & Oates' ninth studio album, Voices, was released. Peaking at No. 17 on the Billboard 200, this record delivered four Top 40 singles on the Hot 100. Some of these were the chart-topping “Kiss on My List,” “You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling,” and “How Does It Feel to Be Back.”
• 1997: Matchbox Twenty's "Push" entered the Billboard Hot 100, beginning its climb that would help solidify the band's spot in late '90s Top 40 radio. Ironically, this song gained traction again the very same week in 2023 when used by Ryan Gosling in the Barbie movie.
• 2000: NSYNC released "It's Gonna Be Me," which would go on to become the group's first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a defining track of 2000s pop.
• 2014: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers issued their 13th and final studio effort, Hypnotic Eye, featuring “American Dream Plan B,” “U Get Me High,” and “Forgotten Man.” Reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200, it became their only chart-topping record in the U.S. The album made it into the Top 10 in the U.K. as well, reaching No. 7. 
• 2019: "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X became the longest-running No. 1 in U.S. chart history, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 17 weeks and breaking records held by "Despacito" and "One Sweet Day."
• 2022: Beyoncé released her seventh solo album, Renaissance, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album earned nine GRAMMY nominations, won four awards, and helped Beyoncé become the most awarded person in GRAMMY history.

Cultural Milestones

• 1953: Geddy Lee of Rush was born. While Rush is rooted in progressive rock, their influence and Lee's recognition as a vocalist and musician have impacted artists across genres, including pop and AC.
• 1977: Brian Joseph Burton, better known as Danger Mouse, was born in White Plains, New York. As part of Gnarls Barkley, he contributed to the smash hit “Crazy,” which peaked at No. 1 and No. 2 on the U.K. Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. Additionally, Danger Mouse has worked with many Top 40 artists as a producer, including The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Norah Jones, and U2. 
• 1987: Madonna was in the middle of her Who's That Girl world tour. It would become one of the highest-grossing tours of the 1980s and further cement her status as a pop icon. On July 29, she performed in St. Paul, Minnesota, as part of her U.S. leg of the tour.
• 2001: Michelle Branch released her debut album, The Spirit Room, led by the Top 40/AC hit "Everywhere," which would become a teen pop anthem of the early 2000s.
• 2005: An anonymous buyer paid $1 million for the original handwritten lyrics to The Beatles' “All You Need Is Love.” Penned by John Lennon, the song, which was released in July 1967, reached No. 1 in both the U.K. and the U.S. It appealed to many of the band's fans because of its simple lyrics and psychedelic musical structure. 
• 2014: After 36 years of marriage, Neil Young filed for divorce from his second wife, Pegi Young. The couple shared two children, Amber and Ben. Over the years, the “Heart of Gold” singer and Pegi had also built a working relationship, with the latter becoming a backing vocalist for the former. 

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 1973: Helen Reddy recorded "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)," which would become another hit in her string of feminist-forward anthems dominating both AC and pop charts.
• 2005: After winning American Idol, Kelly Clarkson still had a lot to prove to America that she was a talent worth discovering. She performed "Since U Been Gone" live at the MuchMusic Video Awards, a performance showcasing her vocal power. This performance was pivotal in her crossover into rock-leaning Top 40 territory. 

Industry Changes and Challenges 

• 1974: Cass Elliot died at 32. Contrary to the popular belief that she choked on a sandwich, Elliot died of heart failure. She was a member of The Mamas & the Papas, who placed a number of Top 10 hits on Billboard's Hot 100, including “Monday, Monday,” “California Dreamin',” and “I Saw Her Again.” Elliot also built a solo career and scored a few successful singles, including “Make Your Own Kind of Music,” which cracked the Top 20 in the U.K.
• 1990: Elton John checked into the Parkside Lutheran Hospital in Chicago to treat his addictions, which, at the time, included alcohol, drugs, and food. According to sources, the “I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That” singer had battled the issues for many years. Previously, John had tried to seek help in Los Angeles, but no facility could treat bulimia, drug, and alcohol addiction at the same time. 
• 2015: At the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City, Louisiana, The Eagles performed their last show with co-founder Glenn Frey, running through a 27-song setlist that featured chart-toppers “Hotel California,” “Heartache Tonight,” and “New Kid in Town.”  They were on their History of The Eagles Tour, which promoted the band's documentary of the same name. Frey died of pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis nearly six months later.