Oct 11th in Pop History
On this day, October 11th, in:
• 1997 - Elton John went to # 1 on the US singles chart with Candle In The Wind 97, a re-write of his 1974 hit about Marilyn Monroe. This version was raising funds for the Diana, Princess of Wales charity, following her death in Paris.
Elton John performing at Diana’s memorial service — Westminster Abbey
After being released, Candle in the Wind 1997 entered at number one on the UK Singles Chart, John's fourth UK number-one single, and became the best-selling single in UK chart history. In October it became John's ninth US # 1 single, where it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks, and is the best-selling single in Billboard history; it was the first single certified Diamond in the US (Diamond means 10 million plus in record sales). The song also topped the German Singles Chart for seven weeks, the Australian Singles Chart for six weeks, and many other music charts around the world.
As Princess of Wales, Diana was celebrated in the media for her unconventional approach to charity work. Her patronages initially centered on children and the elderly but she later became known for her involvement in two particular campaigns, that involving the social attitudes towards and the acceptance of AIDS patients, and the campaign promoted through the International Red Cross for the removal of landmines. She also raised awareness and advocated ways to help people affected with cancer and mental illness.
The Princess was initially noted for her shyness, but her charisma and friendliness endeared her to the public and helped her reputation survive the acrimonious collapse of her marriage. Considered to be very photogenic, she was a leader of fashion in the 1980s and 1990s. Diana’s death in a car crash in Paris led to extensive public mourning and global media attention. Her legacy has had a deep impact on the royal family and British society. She was only 36.
This record (Candle In The Wind 97) is sometimes mistakenly reported as having become the biggest selling single of all time. This is incorrect however - because that distinction still belongs to the late great Bing Crosby with the song White Christmas, which as of 1954 had already sold in excess of 50 million copies (Elton’s song has sold an estimated 33 million to date). Still, Candle In The Wind 97 is an amazing song and a wonderfully fitting tribute to the Princess of Wales. The world was in shock 24 years ago, and Elton’s lyrics gave words to much of the grief so many were feeling. 24 years ago today it was the # 1 song.
Candle In The Wind 97
Elton John on Spotify:
And continuing on October 11th, in…
• 1957 - Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar was released in the US. The singer's debut album contained four of his hit singles: I Walk the Line, Cry! Cry! Cry!, So Doggone Lonesome, and Folsom Prison Blues. This was the first LP ever issued on the Memphis Sun Records label (btw this was the fairly small label that launched Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison)
• 1962 - The Beatles made their first showing on the UK singles chart with Love Me Do, which peaked at # 4
Also, on this day in…
• 1974 - John Denver made # 1 on the charts with Annie's Song. The song was a tribute to his wife and was written in 10 minutes while he was sitting on a ski lift
• 1983 - Lionel Ritchie releases his second solo album, Can't Slow Down, which goes on to sell over 10 million copies in America.
