2009 Music Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2009 Music Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 10 Jan David Bowie's death: David Bowie, the iconic musician and cultural figure, passed away on January 10, 2009, after a battle with cancer. His death was widely mourned, and tributes poured in from fans and fellow artists around the world. source: bbc.com
- 14 Jan Lady GaGa Tops Music Charts: 'Just Dance' by Lady GaGa is the number one song in the United States for the week of January 12-18, 2009, marking the rising popularity of the then-emerging pop star.
- 26 Jan Jamie Foxx Music Release: Jamie Foxx releases the single 'Blame It (On the Alcohol)' featuring T-Pain, a popular music track from the year.
- 28 Jan Lynyrd Skynyrd Keyboardist Dies: Billy Powell, the renowned keyboard player for rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away at 56 from a suspected heart attack in Florida, marking a significant loss for the music community.
- 29 Jan John Martyn Dies: Renowned singer-songwriter John Martyn passed away in an Irish hospital at the age of 60, marking the loss of a significant musical talent.
- 08 Feb Grammy Awards Highlights: The 51st Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles recognized Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for their album 'Raising Sand', marking a significant musical achievement.
- 09 Feb Kelly Clarkson Tops US Music Charts: Kelly Clarkson's hit song 'My Life Would Suck Without You' reached the number one position on the US music charts for the week of February 9-15, 2009, demonstrating her continued popularity in the pop music scene.
- 14 Feb Bruce Springsteen Album Tops Billboard Chart: Bruce Springsteen's album "Working on a Dream" reaches No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, showcasing the artist's continued musical relevance and popularity.
- 21 Feb The Fray's Self-Titled Album Tops Charts: The Fray's self-titled album reached the number one position on the Billboard album chart, marking a significant achievement for the band.
- 05 Mar Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' Show Announced: Michael Jackson announces his planned concert series 'This Is It' in London, which would later become a posthumous documentary.
- 08 Mar Death of country music singer Hank Locklin: On March 8, 2009, country music singer Hank Locklin passed away at the age of 91. Known for hits like "Please Help Me, I'm Falling," Locklin was a prominent figure in the country music scene for over five decades. source: nytimes.com
- 29 Mar Death of Maurice Jarre: Maurice Jarre, renowned French composer and conductor, passed away at the age of 84. Known for his influential film scores and classical compositions, Jarre was a significant figure in 20th-century music.
- 05 Apr 44th Academy of Country Music Awards: The prestigious country music awards ceremony was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, with Carrie Underwood being named Entertainer of the Year, recognizing her significant contributions to the country music genre.
- 20 Apr 2009 Pulitzer Prizes Announced: The prestigious Pulitzer Prizes for achievements in journalism, literature, and music are revealed for the year 2009.
- 20 May Kris Allen Wins American Idol: Kris Allen was crowned the winner of the popular television singing competition American Idol, marking a significant moment in his musical career.
- 24 May Tragic Stampede at Mawazine Festival: A deadly stampede occurs at the Mawazine world music festival in Rabat, Morocco, resulting in eleven fatalities.
- 30 May Triple J's One Night Stand Music Event: Triple J's annual music festival, One Night Stand, was held in Victoria, Australia, featuring live performances and entertainment.
- 07 Jun Tony Awards Highlights: At the 63rd Tony Awards, 'Billy Elliot, the Musical' won Best Musical, while 'God of Carnage' was named Best Play, celebrating outstanding achievements in theater.
- 20 Jun Dave Matthews Band Tops Billboard Chart: The Dave Matthews Band reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart with their album 'Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King', marking a significant achievement in their musical career.
- 24 Jun Oldest musical instrument discovery: Archaeologists announced the discovery of a 35,000-year-old flute made from a bird bone and mammoth ivory in Germany. This find is considered the oldest known musical instrument, providing insights into prehistoric music and culture. source: bbc.com
- 02 Aug Fatal stage collapse at music festival: On August 2, 2009, during the Indiana State Fair in the United States, a stage collapsed due to high winds, killing five people and injuring dozens. The incident raised concerns about event safety and emergency response protocols. source: cbsnews.com
- 21 Aug Music Chart Snapshot: The Black Eyed Peas' 'I Gotta Feeling' tops the U.S. music charts for the week of August 17-23, 2009.
- 09 Sep Beatles Day Celebration: A worldwide celebration of 'Beatles Day' marked the release of remastered albums and 'The Beatles Rock Band' video game, reigniting global interest in the iconic band.
- 25 Sep Death of Alicia de Larrocha, Renowned Spanish Pianist: Alicia de Larrocha, a world-famous Spanish classical pianist known for her exceptional interpretations of Spanish composers like Granados and Albéniz, passed away. She was a highly respected musician who significantly contributed to classical music in the 20th century.
- 04 Oct Mercedes Sosa, Argentine Folk Singer, Dies: Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa passed away on October 4, 2009, at the age of 74. Known as "La Negra," she was celebrated for her powerful voice and contributions to Latin American music, particularly the Nueva Canción movement. source: nytimes.com
- 13 Oct Death of Al Martino, American Singer and Actor: Al Martino, a renowned American singer and actor who was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, passed away. Born in 1927, Martino was known for his contributions to music and film.
- 14 Oct Plácido Domingo Receives Birgit Nilsson Prize: Renowned Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo is awarded the prestigious Birgit Nilsson Prize, which includes a $1 million award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to classical music.
- 26 Oct Elton John Cancels Concert: Renowned musician Elton John cancels his third consecutive concert due to illness.
- 11 Nov Country Music Awards Highlights: The 43rd Country Music Association Awards featured notable wins by Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley.
- 13 Nov Music Chart Snapshot: On November 13, 2009, 'Whatcha Say' by Jason DeRulo was the number 1 song in the United States.
- 23 Nov Susan Boyle's Debut Album Release: On November 23, 2009, Scottish singer Susan Boyle released her debut album, 'I Dreamed a Dream.' The album quickly became a commercial success, topping charts worldwide and breaking several sales records. source: bbc.com
- 28 Dec Death of Musician James 'The Rev' Sullivan: James 'The Rev' Sullivan, an American musician, died from an accidental overdose at the age of 28, shocking the music community.
What happened in 2009?
Discover what the world looked like in 2009: