1942 – Paul McCartney is born in Liverpool, England. The Beatles have 20 No. 1 songs, more than any other recording act, and McCartney by himself or in duets has another nine. His biggest post-Beatles hits are “Ebony and Ivory,” a duet with Stevie Wonder that stays at No. 1 for seven weeks, and “Say […]
2008 – Robbie Williams’ manager told The Times newspaper that the singer would refuse to make another album for his record label EMI, saying he was unhappy after the label was taken over by Terra Firma. Tim Clark told the paper Williams would not deliver a new album because he had no idea how the […]
2006 – Kazaa settles a lawsuit with the major record companies for $100 million. EMI Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group had sued the downloading service for copyright infringement.
2005 – With four awards, pop artist M is the big winner at the 20th edition of France’s Victoires de la Musique, held at the Zenith concert hall in Paris. The Delabel/EMI-signed artist wins the categories for best male, album for “Qui De Nous Deux”, performance and DVD.
2004 – The Grey Album, which mixes Jay-Z’s Black Album and the Beatles’ White Album, is made available for free download as part of a “Grey Tuesday” protest. DJ Danger Mouse was barred from releasing the record by EMI, who refused permission to use Beatles samples and threatened legal action.
2003 – The RIAA certifies AC/DC’s Back In Black as the world’s second-best-selling album of all time, behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Back in black I hit the sack It’s been too long I’m glad to be back Yes, I’m let loose From the noose That’s kept me hanging around I’ve been looking at the sky […]
2003 – Shares in EMI tumble after Robbie Williams’ album Escapology debuts at a disappointing No. 43 in the States. The British music giant signed the solo superstar to a $100 million contract in the hopes he could crack America.
2002 – Ailing music giant EMI – home to the Beatles and Norah Jones – announces it will cut 400 acts from its roster in an effort to save $140 million.
1999 – EMI Music Distribution begins offering retailers a $3 rebate on each unit sold of the latest Garth Brooks album “In… The Life Of Chris Gaines,” in order to boost sales. In exchange for the rebate, retailers are asked to lower the price of the Capitol album – which lists for $17.98 on CD […]
1999 – To promote Apple/EMI’s Sept. 14 release of the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” album, a Eurostar cross-Channel train custom-designed with artwork from the animated film leaves London’s Waterloo Station at 11:57 a.m. GMT for Paris.
1987 – Pink Floyd release A Momentary Lapse of Reason. The comeback album is the band’s first since the departure of Roger Waters and the subsequent lawsuit over the use of the band name. A Momentary Lapse of Reason is Pink Floyd’s 1987 album, the band’s first release after the departure of Roger Waters from […]
1980 – Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’, started a 15-week run at No.1 on the US album chart. The groups third US No.1, it went on to sell over 8 million copies. The Wall is a rock opera presented as a double album by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released in late 1979. It […]
