This Day in Top 40 History: September 3

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1990: George Michael released his second solo album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Like its commercially successful predecessor, Faith, released three years earlier, the project debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. The album would be reissued in the UK in October 2017, once again reaching No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. 
• 1991: Canadian progressive rockers Rush released their fourteenth album, Roll the Bones, which featured the singles “Dreamline,” “Roll the Bones,” and “Ghost of a Chance.” It was met with widespread critical acclaim, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. 
• 2001: Jamiroquai released their fifth album, A Funk Odyssey, in the UK, through the label Sony Soho Square. It peaked at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and at No. 6 on the UK R&B Albums Chart. The album would be released in the US a week later, where it would peak at No. 44 on the Billboard 200.
• 2006: Justin Timberlake and Timbaland got their sexy on when they topped the U.K. charts with "SexyBack." The song was an international success, winning the GRAMMY for Best Dance Recording and earning the title of one of the year's biggest Billboard Hot 100 hits.
• 2021: Lady Gaga released Dawn of Chromatica, a remix album that featured international collaborations with up-and-coming artists. The album reached No. 1 on the US Top Dance Albums chart.
• 2021: Heavy metal pioneers Iron Maiden's seventeenth album, Senjutsu, was released on Parlophone and BMG. It went to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was also highlighted as one of the best of 2021 by several publications, including Rolling Stone, Kerrang!, and Loudwire.

Cultural Milestones

• 1942: Al Jardine was born in Lima, Ohio. He is the co-founder of the legendary rock band the Beach Boys, for whom he played guitars and sang vocals. He famously sang lead on the hit singles “Then I Kissed Her” and “Help Me, Rhonda.” He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the group in 1988. 
• 1955: Steve Jones was born in Shepherd's Bush, London, England. He shot to fame as guitarist for the English punk band Sex Pistols until their split in 1978. He has also performed and collaborated with numerous icons in the rock and pop music world, including Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Thin Lizzy, and Billy Idol. 
• 1960: Perry Bamonte of The Cure was born in London, England. He joined the band in 1990, playing keyboards and guitars, following the departure of keyboardist Roger O'Donnell. He first made his appearance on the band's ninth album, Wish (1992), which would become their most commercially successful record. It debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
• 1968: Ringo Starr rejoined The Beatles after taking a two-week hiatus. He was welcomed back with open arms, and the band resumed the recording of The White Album.
• 2009: Friends, family, and loved ones paid their final respects to the late Michael Jackson. Over 200 guests attended the funeral ceremony, including Elizabeth Taylor and Macaulay Culkin.

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 2002: The Rolling Stones kicked off their 40th anniversary Licks tour at Boston's Fleet Center. The world tour involved over 100 shows and was seen by about 2.5 million fans.
• 2022: Various musicians joined the Foo Fighters onstage to pay tribute to the late Taylor Hawkins, including Queen, Kesha, Paul McCartney, and Liam Gallagher of Oasis. It was the band's first performance since Hawkins passed.

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 1970: Alan Wilson, affectionately known as ‘Blind Owl,' died at the age of 27 of a barbiturate overdose that has come to be regarded by many as a suicide. He was the co-founder, guitarist, and primary songwriter for the blues rock band Canned Heat, known for singles such as “Going Up the Country” and “On The Road Again.”
• 1992: David Bowie and his wife Iman appeared on the cover of Architectural Digest as part of a feature about their home on Mustique. Bowie was the first person to appear on the magazine cover in four years.
• 2017: Walter Becker passed away from esophageal cancer at the age of 67. He was the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter for Steely Dan, which he formed in the early 70s with Donald Fagen. The jazz rock duo are widely considered one of the most influential and important bands of the 20th century and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. 
• 2022: Get Back, The Beatles' documentary series, took home five Emmy Awards. The series followed the band's 1969 recording sessions for their album Let It Be.