This Day in Top 40 History: October 3
Oct. 3 has played a key role over the decades, marked by chart-toppers ruling the Billboard Hot 100, Elvis performing publicly for the first time, a TV premiere introducing future…
Oct. 3 has played a key role over the decades, marked by chart-toppers ruling the Billboard Hot 100, Elvis performing publicly for the first time, a TV premiere introducing future pop stars, a shocking Sinéad O'Connor performance, and the debut of a popular artist. Read on to learn about these and other events that shaped mainstream pop music.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
The following singles dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart on Oct. 3:
- 1964: "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison and The Candy Men was at No. 1, with Manfred Mann's "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and The Newbeats' "Bread and Butter" close behind, giving a snapshot of the British Invasion and U.S. pop vying for the top.
- 1970: Diana Ross held No. 1 with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," underscoring Motown's chart power in mainstream pop.
- 1981: One of the juggernauts of early-'80s pop balladry, "Endless Love," by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, remained at No. 1.
Cultural Milestones
Off the charts, Oct. 3 brought moments that shifted the focus in pop culture:
- 1901: The Victor Talking Machine Company was incorporated. It later merged into RCA Victor and become a major pop label. It's best known for its recordings of Elvis.
- 1955: The first Mickey Mouse Club premiered on ABC. It launched a franchise that later nurtured major stars, including Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.
- 1967: Chris Collingwood, future Fountains of Wayne frontman, known for the hit single "Stacy's Mom," was born in the U.K. He became a defining voice in 2000s power pop music.
- 1969: Gwen Stefani was born in Fullerton, California. She went on to front No Doubt and created numerous solo hits. She became an influential figure in the pop music industry.
- 1971: Kevin Richardson from the Backstreet Boys, one of the top-selling pop acts of all time, was born in Lexington, Kentucky.
- 1992: Sinéad O'Connor tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live in protest. It sparked intense backlash and a lasting debate over pop activism on live TV.
- 2016: Nickelodeon premiered Kuu Kuu Harajuku, Gwen Stefani's animated series about a music-making girl group that further cemented her Harajuku aesthetic in mainstream pop.
Notable Recordings and Performances
These unforgettable performances and events on Oct. 3 have resonated throughout pop culture history:
- 1945: A 10-year-old Elvis Presley performed "Old Shep" in a Tupelo talent contest. It was among his first public performances, broadcast on the local radio.
- 1981: Rod Stewart brought Tina Turner out on Saturday Night Live to duet on "Hot Legs," helping reignite her career before her 1980s comeback.
From a boy named Elvis stepping onto a fairground stage to Sinéad's live-TV shock and Gwen Stefani's animated girl group, Oct. 3 captured unforgettable moments in pop history, including chart breakthroughs, TV premieres, and notable births.
