Events in Music History in 1999

Praise You

Jan 10 Fatboy Slim's music single "Praise You" hits #1 in the UK

Music Concert

Feb 12 Ringo Starr's fifth All-Starr Band debuts in concert; members include: Todd Rundgren, Jack Bruce, Gary Brooker, Simon Kirke, and Timmy Cappello

The Slim Shady LP

Feb 23 Hip Hop artist Eminem releases his first major record album "The Slim Shady LP" (Grammy 2000 - Rap album)

Grammy Awards

Feb 24 41st Grammy Awards: "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From Titanic)" and Lauryn Hill win

  • Mar 3 "Fortunate" single by soul singer Maxwell released (Billboard Music Award Best R&B Single of the Year, 1999)

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Mar 15 14th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Billy Joel; Curtis Mayfield; Paul McCartney; Del Shannon; Dusty Springfield; Bruce Springsteen; The Staple Singers; Charles Brown; Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys; and George Martin

  • Mar 22 "Amazed" single released by Lonestar (Billboard Song of the Year 1999)

Livin' la Vida Loca

Mar 23 "Livin' la Vida Loca" sung by Ricky Martin released - goes on to sell over 8 million copies

Mamma Mia!

Apr 6 Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus' musical "Mamma Mia!", featuring the songs of ABBA, opens at the Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End; transfers twice to other venues; run interrupted by COVID-19 in March of 2020

Album Release

Apr 16 Anti-Records releases "Mule Variations", the thirteenth studio album by singer-songwriter Tom Waits; his biggest selling album goes on to win Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album

  • Apr 17 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Tony Bennett, Don Henley, Ricky Martin and Charles Aznavour
  • May 18 "Millennium" 3rd studio album by the Backstreet Boys is released - one of the best-selling albums of all time, over 30 million copies sold

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

May 19 "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace", directed by George Lucas, starring Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Liam Neeson, is released in cinemas

  • May 29 44th Eurovision Song Contest: Charlotte Nilsson for Sweden wins singing "Take Me to Your Heaven" in Jerusalem

No Angel

Jun 1 British singer Dido's debut album, "No Angel", is released in the United States

  • Jun 6 53rd Tony Awards: "Fosse" (musical) and "Side Man" (play) win

Music History

Jun 24 Christie’s Auction House in New York City conducts sale of 100 of Eric Clapton’s guitars to benefit Crossroads Centre at Antigua, a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation facility he co-founded in 1997, raising nearly $4.5M; "Brownie", a 1956 Fender Stratocaster used on the original recording of "Layla" sells for a then record $450,000

Glastonbury Festival

Jun 25 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: Skunk Anansie, Manic Street Preachers, and R.E.M headline; other performers include Al Green, Billy Bragg, Hole, Blondie, Lenny Kravitz, and Bare Naked Ladies

  • Jul 22 Woodstock '99 music festival begins at Griffiss Park, Rome, New York (runs until 25th); attended by 200,000, ended due to violence
  • Aug 9 The Diet of Japan enacts a law establishing the Hinomaru as the official national flag, and "Kimi Ga Yo" as national anthem.
  • Aug 11 American rock group "KISS" receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

MTV Unplugged

Aug 12 Shakira records her first live album in New York City, titled "MTV Unplugged"

  • Aug 28 Philip Glass' Symphony No. 5 "Requiem, Bardo, Nirmanakaya", for chorus and orchestra, premieres at the Salzburg Festival led by Dennis Russell Davies, in Salzburg, Austria

Fly

Aug 31 "Fly" 5th studio album by Dixie Chicks is released (Grammy Award Best Country Album 2000, Billboard Album of the Year 2000)

Farm Aid Concert

Sep 12 Farm Aid 12 held in Bristow, Virginia; performers include Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews Band, Susan Tedeschi, Keb' Mo', Deana Carter, and Barenaked Ladies [1]

Breathe

Oct 4 "Breathe" single released by Faith Hill (Billboard Song of the Year 2000)

Believe

Oct 19 Cher releases the single "Believe" (Billboard Song of the Year, 1999; Grammy Award Best Dance Recording, 2000)

Sacred Arias

Nov 8 Tenor Andrea Bocelli releases his "Sacred Arias" album, the world's best-selling classical album by a single artist

The Chronic 2001

Nov 16 "The Chronic 2001" second studio album by rapper Dr. Dre is released

How Do You Like Me Now?!

Nov 22 "How Do You Like Me Now?!" single released by Toby Keith (Billboard Song of the Year 2000)

Sweet Kisses

Nov 23 Jessica Simpson releases her debut studio album "Sweet Kisses"

Jay-Z Stabbing

Dec 1 Rapper Jay-Z stabs record executive Lance "Un" Rivera at a night club in New York

  • Dec 8 10th Billboard Music Awards: Brittney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and Creed win