June 4th: The Biggest Music Headlines

Scroll down the page to see all the music headlines, stories and events for June 4 throughout music history

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Bruce Springsteen Releases ‘Born in the U.S.A.’

On this day in music, June 4, 1984, Bruce Springsteen released his seventh studio album, Born in the U.S.A.. One of the best-selling albums of all time, Born in the U.S.A. found “The Boss” taking a more pop-forward approach to his songwriting, particularly with hits like “Dancing in the Dark,” the synth-driven “I’m on Fire,” and the title track. The album produced an astonishing seven Top Ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including the aforementioned tracks (all three of which also landed in the UK Top Ten). Often ranked among the greatest albums of all time, Born in the U.S.A. remains Springsteen’s biggest commercial success, with more than 30 million copies sold, worldwide.

In 2019, Jay-Z was named the world’s first “Hip-Hop Billionaire.” In addition to his best-selling music career, the rapper also had a variety of entrepreneurial ventures, including his clothing line, Rocawear, his entertainment agency and label, Roc Nation, and his 40/40 sports bar chain. At the time, Jay-Z had also recently acquired the music streaming service, TIDAL, through a private holding company.

In 1983, The Police scored their fifth and final No.1 hit in the UK with “Every Breath You Take.” The Grammy and Ivor Novello-winning song also became the British group’s sole chart-topper in the US. It remained three for eight weeks.

In 1997, the body of the late singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley was recovered in the Mississippi River. On May 29, Buckley disappeared after going for a swim. The artist had recently relocated to Memphis, where he was recording a follow-up to his acclaimed debut album, Grace.

In 1967, The Beatles began a 23-week run at the top of the UK album chart with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The broadly influential concept album also topped charts around the globe, including in the US, Australia, Canada, and West Germany.

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Keep scrolling for all of the headlines for June 4.

BORN ON JUNE 4:

1937: Freddy Fender
1944: Michelle Phillips (Mamas and the Papas)
1945: Gordon Waller (Peter and Gordon)
1954: Mickey Dread
1974: Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band)
1976: Kasey Chambers
1987: Mollie King (The Saturdays)
1990: Zachary Farro (Paramore)

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Keep scrolling for all of our June 4 birthdays.

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June 4th

On this day in music

4 Jun 2022 Bassist Alec John Such died at the age of 70. He was a founding member of Bon Jovi playing with them from 1983 to 1994, when they had such hits as 'You Give Love a Bad Name', 'Livin' on a Prayer' and 'Bad Medicine'.
4 Jun 2020 English musician, songwriter and record producer Rupert Hine died age 72. He produced albums for artists including Rush, Kevin Ayers, Tina Turner, Howard Jones, Bob Geldof, Thompson Twins, Stevie Nicks, Chris de Burgh and Suzanne Vega. Hine was also a member of the band Quantum Jump.
4 Jun 2020 Steve Priest, the bassist and co-founder of glam rock band Sweet, died at the age of 72. He was known for his playful humour and outrageous costumes when Sweet played hits like "Blockbuster", "Teenage Rampage" and "Little Willy" on Top of the Pops. The group was originally called Sweetshop.
4 Jun 2019 Jay Z was crowned the first hip hop billionaire after building up a huge business empire. The rapper had stakes in fashion, a sports management company and the taxi app Uber and as a part owner of the streaming service Tidal, showed according to Forbes his net worth ‘conservatively totals’ $1billion (£789million).
4 Jun 2015 According to the BPI's Music Market 2015 report British acts accounted for 1 in 7 albums sold worldwide. With 13.7% of worldwide sales, it's the highest British share since the BPI began recording figures in 2000. Albums by One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Sam Smith and Pink Floyd all made the top ten list of the world's biggest-sellers of 2014.
4 Jun 2014 Handwritten letters, notes, poems and sketches by John Lennon all exceeded pre-sale estimates at an auction at Sotheby's in New York. The Fat Budgie, a nonsensical poem, sold for $143,000 (£85,000), having been valued at up to $35,000 (£21,000). A handwritten manuscript called I Sat Belonely went for $137,000 (£82,000), four times its estimate. The pieces, part of an 89 lot sale, came from Lennon's books In His Own Write and A Spaniard in the Works.
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4 Jun 2013 The former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos was bailed after being arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. She was accused by a newspaper, who said she had introduced their reporter to a drug dealer. Before joining The X Factor, Tulisa rose to fame with the band N-Dubz.
4 Jun 2013 American singer Cornelius Harp died age 73. He was the original lead singer with The Marcels who scored the 1961 US and UK No.1 with a doo-wop cover of the ballad 'Blue Moon' that began with the bass singer singing, "bomp-baba-bomp-ba-bomp-ba-bomp-bomp... vedanga-dang-dang-vadinga-dong-ding...". The record sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.
4 Jun 2012 Herb Reed, bass singer and founder member with American doo-wop group The Platters died aged 83. The Platters scored four No.1's in the late 50s: The Great Pretender, My Prayer, Twilight Time and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. Reed is credited with coming up with the group's name - inspired by disc jockeys who referred to their records as "platters".
4 Jun 2006 Sandi Thom was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker, (with flowers in My Hair'). The song was originally released in October 2005 by Viking Legacy records, where it reached No.55.
4 Jun 2002 George Michael was jeered and heckled by the audience of a CNN news show as he took part in a phone interview. George was defending the content of the video to his new single 'Shoot The Dog' in which US President George Bush was shown in bed with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. George said this was an attack on Blair and not President Bush.
4 Jun 2002 Wyclef Jean was one of ten people arrested for disorderly conduct in a New York rally protesting cuts to education. Jean was arrested and led away in handcuffs following an attempt to perform, which was forbidden by the event’s permit. P. Diddy, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Erykah Badu, Foxy Brown and the Wu-Tang Clan were also at the rally to show their support and protest a proposed $1.2 billion (‘0.7 billion) cut to New York’s public education system.
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4 Jun 1997 Former Small Faces, and Faces member and leader of Slim Chance, Ronnie Lane died aged 51 after a 20-year battle with multiple sclerosis. Slim Chance had the 1974 UK No.5 single 'How Come'.
4 Jun 1997 Jeff Buckley's body was discovered floating in the Mississippi River. Buckley had disappeared when swimming on May 29th in Wolf River Harbor, while wearing boots, all of his clothing, and singing the chorus of 'Whole Lotta Love' by Led Zeppelin. A roadie in Buckley's band, had remained on shore. After moving a radio and guitar out of reach of the wake from a passing tugboat, he looked up to see that Buckley had vanished.
4 Jun 1996 Crowded House announced they had split up. Brothers Neil and Tim Finn from the group were both awarded OBE's in 1993 for their service to their native New Zealand.
4 Jun 1994 Wet Wet Wet started a fifteen-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with Love Is All Around from the film 'Four Weddings & A Funeral'. The song was written by Reg Presley of The Troggs and was a former Top 10 hit for his band in 1967.
4 Jun 1993 Kurt Cobain was arrested after a dispute at his house in Seattle; the disagreement allegedly concerned the Nirvana's guitarist's collection of firearms.
4 Jun 1992 The US Postal Service announced the results of a poll conducted to see which picture of Elvis Presley should be used on a commemorative stamp. The young Elvis beat the (older and larger) Vegas Elvis.
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4 Jun 1992 Iron Maiden played a gig at the Oval pub, Norwich before 400 fans as The Nodding Donkeys, as a thank you to the pub's landlord Chris Hiles.
4 Jun 1990 American punk rock singer Stiv Bators of the Dead Boys and The Lords of the New Church died after being hit by a taxi in Paris, France. Bators had been out drinking when he was hit by a taxi while crossing the road; he was taken to hospital but left before seeing a doctor. He died in his sleep as the result of a concussion.
4 Jun 1986 The first of a six date Conspiracy of Hope tour was held at Cow Palace, San Francisco, California. The benefit concerts on behalf of Amnesty International were held to increase awareness of Amnesty on the 25th anniversary of its work for human rights. The shows were headlined by U2 and Sting, and also featured Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Joan Baez, and The Neville Brothers.
4 Jun 1985 Elton John began a high court battle with Dick James Music, seeking the rights to early songs and recordings plus damages estimated at more than £30 million ($51 million). The singer lost a six-month court battle to recover the copyright to 169 songs however, the court ordered Dick James to cough up millions in unpaid royalties.
4 Jun 1984 Bruce Springsteen released the album, 'Born In The USA', which became the best-selling album of 1985 in the United States (and also Springsteen's most successful album ever). The album produced a record-tying string of seven Top 10 singles (tied with Michael Jackson's Thriller and Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814).
4 Jun 1983 The Police started a four week run at No.1 in the UK with 'Every Breath You Take' the group's fifth and final No.1 single. Taken from the bands album Synchronicity, Sting won Song of the Year and The Police won Best Pop Performance for the song at the 1984 Grammy Awards.
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4 Jun 1977 The Jam's debut single 'In The City' made No.40 on the UK singles chart. They went on to score 18 consecutive Top 40 singles in the United Kingdom, from their debut in 1977 to their break-up in December 1982, including four No.1 hits.
4 Jun 1976 The Sex Pistols appeared at The Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England. The now legendary night is regarded as a catalyst to the punk rock movement. In the audience was, Morrissey, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook (soon to form Joy Division) and Mark E Smith, (The Fall). Tickets cost £1.
4 Jun 1976 Live recordings were made at the new wave venue GBGB's of performances from Blondie, Mink DeVille, Talking Heads, Laughing Dogs and Tuff Darts. The tracks featured on the album 'Live At CBGB'S New York'.
4 Jun 1969 In Glenrowan, Australia, hundreds of people signed a petition protesting against the casting of Mick Jagger in the role of the Australian folk hero Ned Kelly in the film of the same name. The film, directed by Tony Richardson, was released in October 1970.
4 Jun 1969 Seven years after his first hit Tommy Roe was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Dizzy' his only No.1 hit. Also a UK No. 1 for Vic Reeves and Wonder Stuff in 1991.
4 Jun 1967 The Beatles started a 23 week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Recorded over a 129-day period beginning in December 1966, the album widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, includes songs such as 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' and 'A Day in the Life'.
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4 Jun 1967 The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Procol Harum, Denny Laine and The Chiffons all appeared at The Saville Theatre, London. Both Paul McCartney and George Harrison were in the audience to see Hendrix perform the title track from Sgt. Pepper which had been released just three days earlier.
4 Jun 1964 The Beatles played two performances at the KB Hallen, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark on the first date of a 27-day world tour. Drummer Jimmy Nicol replaced Ringo Starr who was ill in hospital.

Born on this day in music

4 Jun 1999 American singer-songwriter Nicky Youre, best known for his 2021 single 'Sunroof'.
4 Jun 1990 Zachary Farro, drummer, from American rock band Paramore, who had the 2009 UK No.1 album Brand New Eyes and their 2013 self-titled fourth studio album hit No.1 on the US chart.
4 Jun 1987 Mollie King, best known for being a member of girl group The Saturdays who scored the 2013 UK No.1 hit single 'What About Us' featuring Sean Paul.
4 Jun 1984 British guitarist and songwriter Lee Malia of the rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Their sixth studio album Amo (2019) became their first UK chart-topper. They have received four Kerrang! Awards, including two for Best British Band and one for Best Live Band and have been nominated for two Grammy Awards.
4 Jun 1976 Kasey Chambers, Australian country musician who has scored three successive Australian No.1 albums.
4 Jun 1974 Stefan Lessard, bassist with the Dave Matthews Band who had the 1998 US No.1 album 'Before These Crowded Streets' and the 2001 US No.1 album 'Everyday'. Dave Matthews Band are the first group to have six consecutive studio albums debut at the top of the US charts.
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4 Jun 1964 Chris Kavanagh, drums, Sigue Sigu Sputnik, Big Audio Dynamite, who scored the 1986 UK No.11 single 'E=MC2.
4 Jun 1962 Steve Grimes, of Liverpool-based group The Farm who had the 1990 UK No.4 single 'All Together Now'.
4 Jun 1958 Selwyn Brown, from roots reggae group Steel Pulse who had the 1978 UK hit single 'Prodigal Son'. Steel Pulse were the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
4 Jun 1956 Reeves Gabrels, American guitarist, songwriter and record producer who worked with David Bowie from 1987 to 2000. He has been a member of The Cure since 2012.
4 Jun 1954 Raphael Ravenscroft, musician, composer and author. Ravenscroft played the sax riff on the Gerry Rafferty hit 'Baker Street'. He was only paid £27.50 for the 'Baker Street' session, and it has been reported that the cheque bounced and that it was kept on the wall of Ravenscroft's solicitors; by contrast the song is said to have earned Rafferty £80,000 a year in royalties. Ravenscroft died on 19th October 2014.
4 Jun 1954 Jamaican singer, producer, and broadcaster Mikey Dread who was one of the most influential performers and innovators in reggae music. Lee "Scratch" Perry produced his signature tune 'Dread at the Controls' and he collaborated with former Guns N' Roses. guitarist Izzy Stradlin on a duet entitled 'Can't Hear 'Em.' Dread died on 15 March 2008 from a brain tumour.
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4 Jun 1952 Jimmy McCulloch, guitarist, who was a member of the Glasgow psychedelic band One in a Million. With Thunderclap Newman he had the 1969 UK No.1 single 'Something In The Air'. He also worked with Wings, John Entwistle, Stone The Crows and The Bluesbreakers. McCulloch died on September 27 1979 aged 26.
4 Jun 1945 Gordon Waller, British singer, songwriter, guitarist with Peter and Gordon who had the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'A World Without Love'. Waller died aged 64 of a heart attack on 17 July 2009.
4 Jun 1944 Roger Ball, saxophonist, with Scottish funk and R&B group the Average White Band who scored the 1975 US No.1 and UK No.6 single 'Pick Up The Pieces'.
4 Jun 1944 Michelle Gilliam, from American folk rock vocal group The Mamas & the Papas who had the 1965 hit 'California Dreamin'', the 1966 US No.1 single 'Monday Monday' and the 1967 hit 'Dedicated to the One I Love'.
4 Jun 1940 Cliff Bennett, singer with British rhythm and blues beat group Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers who scored the 1966 UK No.6 cover of The Beatles track 'Got To Get You Into My Life', first released on the album Revolver .
4 Jun 1937 American Tejano, country and rock and roll musician Freddy Fender, (Baldemar Huerta), who scored the 1975 US No.1 single 'Before The Next Teardrop Falls'. He died on 14th Oct 2006 age 69.
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4 Jun 1931 Grammy-winning English pianist, orchestrator, music producer and songwriter Jeremy Lubbock. He moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1977, and worked on Joni Mitchell's album Mingus, and Minnie Riperton's final album Minnie. In following years, he worked with David Foster, Quincy Jones, Chicago, and many others. He won Grammy Awards for his arrangements on Chicago's ‘Hard Habit to Break’ in 1984, and for Celine Dion's ‘When I Fall in Love’. He died on 29 January 2021.