2008 Music Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2008 Music Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 04 Jan Warner Bros. abandons HD DVD for Blu-ray: On January 4, 2008, Warner Bros. announced it would stop releasing films in the HD DVD format, opting to support Blu-ray exclusively. This decision significantly impacted the format war between HD DVD and Blu-ray, favoring the latter. source: nytimes.com
- 10 Feb 50th Grammy Awards: The 50th Grammy Awards ceremony was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, celebrating outstanding achievements in music.
- 13 Feb Death of Henri Salvador: Henri Salvador, a celebrated French singer and musician, died. A significant figure in French popular music, Salvador was known for his charming and versatile musical style spanning multiple decades.
- 25 Feb New York Philharmonic Performs in North Korea: The New York Philharmonic becomes the first American musical ensemble to perform in North Korea, marking a significant cultural diplomacy moment during a period of high international tension.
- 27 Feb Death of Ivan Rebroff: Ivan Rebroff, a notable German singer born in 1931, passed away. Known for his unique vocal range and musical contributions, Rebroff was a significant figure in the music world.
- 02 Mar Death of Jeff Healey, Canadian Musician: Jeff Healey, a renowned Canadian blues-rock musician known for his unique guitar playing style and blindness, passed away. Healey was a celebrated artist who significantly influenced the music scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- 03 Mar Death of Giuseppe Di Stefano: Giuseppe Di Stefano, a renowned Italian operatic tenor who significantly influenced 20th-century classical music, passed away. Born in 1921, he was known for his exceptional vocal range and emotive performances.
- 11 Mar Plácido Domingo Honored: Renowned opera singer Plácido Domingo was named 'The King of Singers' by BBC Music Magazine, based on votes from 16 distinguished opera critics for the April 2008 issue.
- 16 Mar Rock Musical 'Next to Normal' Premieres: The innovative rock musical 'Next to Normal', composed by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, makes its Off-Broadway debut at the Second Stage Theatre in New York, marking a significant moment in contemporary musical theatre.
- 03 Apr Mariah Carey Breaks Music Record: Mariah Carey makes music history by overtaking Elvis Presley's record of 17 No. 1 US hits with her 18th single 'Touch My Body', positioning herself behind only The Beatles in chart-topping achievements.
- 05 May Neil Diamond Releases 'Home Before Dark': Neil Diamond released his twenty-seventh studio album 'Home Before Dark' through American/Columbia Records, achieving top chart positions in the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
- 10 May Death of Leyla Gencer, Renowned Turkish Soprano: Leyla Gencer, a celebrated Turkish soprano known for her exceptional operatic performances, passed away. Born in 1928, she was a significant figure in classical music who made substantial contributions to opera during her career.
- 11 May John Rutsey's Death: Death of John Rutsey, notable musician or public figure.
- 13 May Jason Mraz Album Release: Jason Mraz released his third studio album, 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.'
- 18 May Academy of Country Music Awards: The 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards was held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kenny Chesney was named Entertainer of the Year.
- 21 May David Cook Wins American Idol: Rock singer David Cook was crowned the winner of the final episode of American Idol, marking a significant moment in the popular music competition's history.
- 23 May Russia Wins Eurovision Song Contest: At the Belgrade Arena in Serbia, the Eurovision Song Contest concluded with Russian singer Dima Bilan winning the competition with his ballad 'Believe'. This marked Russia's first victory in the prestigious international music competition, signaling the country's growing cultural presence in European entertainment.
- 08 Jun Death of Faban Bajramovic: Faban Bajramovic, a notable Serbian musician, passed away at the age of 72.
- 15 Jun Tony Awards honor Stephen Sondheim: The Tony Awards on June 15, 2008, celebrated the contributions of Stephen Sondheim, a legendary composer and lyricist in musical theater. Sondheim's work has had a profound impact on Broadway and continues to influence artists today. source: nytimes.com
- 19 Jun Ringo Starr's Tenth All-Starr Band Debuts: Ringo Starr launches his tenth All-Starr Band in concert, featuring musicians Billy Squier, Colin Hay, Edgar Winter, Gary Wright, Hamish Stuart, and Gregg Bissonette.
- 27 Jun Glastonbury Festival 2008 Opens: The renowned Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England, opened with headline performances by Kings Of Leon, Jay-Z, and The Verve, showcasing a diverse musical lineup.
- 20 Jul Loveparade Dortmund Draws Massive Crowd: The Loveparade in Dortmund, Germany, attracted an impressive crowd of 1,600,000 people, showcasing the popularity of electronic dance music and the event's significant cultural impact.
- 25 Jul Jazz saxophonist Johnny Griffin dies at 80: Renowned jazz saxophonist Johnny Griffin passed away at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy in the jazz music world. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Aug Katy Perry Tops US Charts: Katy Perry's hit song 'I Kissed A Girl' was the number one song in the United States on August 9, 2008, representing a significant moment in pop music culture.
- 10 Aug Death of Isaac Hayes: Renowned American singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes passed away at his Memphis home at the age of 65, marking the end of a significant musical era.
- 15 Aug Jerry Wexler Remembered: Legendary American music producer Jerry Wexler, born in 1917, passed away. Wexler was a pivotal figure in the music industry, instrumental in developing rhythm and blues and rock and roll genres.
- 30 Aug Rihanna's 'Disturbia' Tops Charts: Rihanna's hit song 'Disturbia' was the number one song in the United States on August 30, 2008, showcasing the pop star's musical dominance during this period.
- 07 Sep RENT Closes on Broadway: Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking rock musical 'RENT' concludes its historic Broadway run after 12 years, becoming the 7th longest-running Broadway show with 5,123 performances.
- 15 Sep Pink Floyd Founder Richard Wright Dies: Richard Wright, a founding member of the iconic rock band Pink Floyd, passed away at age 65 after a long battle with cancer. Wright was a crucial musical architect of the band's progressive sound and contributed significantly to albums like 'The Dark Side of the Moon'.
- 16 Sep Richard Wright of Pink Floyd Dies: Richard Wright, founding keyboard player of the legendary rock band Pink Floyd, passed away at age 65 after a battle with cancer. Wright was a crucial member of the band, contributing significantly to their iconic sound and musical innovation.
- 18 Sep Death of Mauricio Kagel, Argentine Composer: Mauricio Kagel, a renowned Argentine composer and influential avant-garde musician, passed away. Known for his experimental and innovative musical compositions that challenged traditional musical forms, Kagel was a significant figure in 20th-century contemporary classical music.
- 20 Sep Farm Aid 21 Concert: Farm Aid 21 was held in Mansfield, Massachusetts, featuring a star-studded lineup of musicians including Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, and others, raising awareness and support for family farmers.
- 25 Oct Death of Muslim Magomayev, Azerbaijani Singer: Muslim Magomayev, a renowned Azerbaijani singer and cultural icon, passed away. Born in 1942, he was a significant figure in the musical landscape of Azerbaijan and the Soviet Union.
- 01 Nov Death of Yma Sumac, legendary Peruvian soprano: Yma Sumac, the celebrated Peruvian soprano known for her extraordinary vocal range and unique style, died on November 1, 2008. She gained fame in the 1950s and was known for her performances that showcased traditional Andean music. Her legacy continues to influence artists today. source: nytimes.com
- 10 Nov Death of Miriam Makeba: Renowned South African singer and anti-apartheid activist Miriam Makeba, known as 'Mama Africa', dies of a heart attack after performing at a concert in Italy at the age of 76. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable musical and political career that spanned decades.
- 12 Nov Death of Mitch Mitchell: John 'Mitch' Mitchell, the legendary drummer of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, passed away at the age of 62, marking the loss of a significant figure in rock music history.
- 23 Nov Guns N' Roses Release 'Chinese Democracy': Geffen Records released Guns N' Roses' sixth studio album, 'Chinese Democracy', after an extraordinary 8-year production period with reported costs exceeding $100 million.
- 01 Dec Death of Mikel Laboa, Basque Cultural Icon: Mikel Laboa, a renowned Basque singer, songwriter, and cultural figure, passed away at the age of 74. Known for his significant contributions to Basque music and cultural preservation.
- 02 Dec Death of Odetta, Legendary American Folk Singer: Odetta Holmes, a pivotal figure in the American folk music scene and civil rights movement, passed away. Known as the 'Voice of the Civil Rights Movement', she was a significant influence on musicians like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
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