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The following is a list of notable music events and releases that occurred in 2008 in the United States.
Notable events
January
- 6 – "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" by Soulja Boy became the first song ever to sell over 3 million digital copies in the United States.[1]
- 15 – The Magnetic Fields released their first studio album in four years, Distortion.[2]
- 29 — Course of Nature released their first studio album in six years, and also their final album, Damaged.[3]
- Decrepit Birth released their first studio album in over four years, Diminishing Between Worlds.
- Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla released his solo debut studio album, Field Manual.[4]
- The Helio Sequence released their first studio album in four years, Keep Your Eyes Ahead.
- Idina Menzel released her first studio album in four years, I Stand.[5]
- Classical soprano singer Margaret Truman, the only child of President Harry S. Truman, died at the age of 83.
February
- 3 – Jordin Sparks performed the National Anthem and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed the halftime show during Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
- 5 – Lenny Kravitz released his first studio album in four years, It Is Time for a Love Revolution.[6]
- 10 – The 50th Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Amy Winehouse took home the most awards with five including Record and Song of the Year with "Rehab". Herbie Hancock won Album of the Year with River: The Joni Letters.
March
- 3 – The Black Crowes released their first studio album in seven years, Warpaint.
- 25 – Counting Crows released their first studio album in nearly six years, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings.
- 31 – R.E.M. released their first studio album in almost four years, Accelerate.
April
- 3 – 14 years after their breakup, Donnie Wahlberg confirmed that New Kids on the Block were reuniting along with a new album and tour.[7]
- 8 – Stone Temple Pilots announced their reunion after five years apart with a tour beginning in May 2008.[8]
- 14 – The CMT Music Awards took place at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee.[9]
- 15 – Phantom Planet released their first studio album in four years, Raise the Dead. The band then announced a hiatus later in the year.
- 17 – Danny Federici, founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died at the age of 58 due to melanoma.[10]
- 19 – LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, died at the age of 46 due to injuries he sustained from an ATV accident on his farm.
- 23 – Jane's Addiction played their first show after a four year break at the NME Awards. This was the band's first performance with original bassist Eric Avery since 1991.
May
- 13 – Usher released his first studio album in four years, Here I Stand.
- Filter released their first studio album in six years, Anthems for the Damned.
- 18 – The 43rd Academy of Country Music Awards took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley won the most awards with two each.
- 21 – David Cook won the seventh season of American Idol. David Archuleta was named runner-up. This is the last season where the judging panel consisted of only Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, as songwriter Kara DioGuardi joined the panel the following season.
June
- 3 – Journey released Revelation, their first studio album with new lead singer, Arnel Pineda.
- 10 – Emmylou Harris released her first studio album in five years, All I Intended to Be.[11]
- N.E.R.D. released their first studio album in four years, Seeing Sounds.
- 11 – The Offspring released their first studio album in nearly five years, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace.
- 29 – "Low" by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain became the first song ever to sell four million digital copies in the United States.[12]
July
- 1 – G-Unit released their first studio album in five years, T·O·S (Terminate on Sight).
- 5 – Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the 1,000th No. 1 song of the rock era.[13]
August
- 10 – Issac Hayes died at the age of 65 at his home in Memphis, Tennessee.
- 12 – Michelle Williams released her first studio in four years, Unexpected.
- 26 – Jimmy Wayne released his first studio album in five years, Do You Believe Me Now.[14]
- Slipknot released their first studio album in four years, All Hope Is Gone.
- Solange released her first studio album in six years, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams.
September
- 2 – New Kids on the Block released their first studio album in fourteen years, The Block.
- 6 – T.I. broke the Billboard Hot 100 record for a song's biggest jump to number 1 with "Whatever You Like". It jumped from number 71–1.[15]
- 7 – The MTV Video Music Awards took place at Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. Britney Spears won the most awards with 3.
- 12 – Metallica released their first studio album in five years, Death Magnetic. It is also their first album with bassist Robert Trujillo, who replaced longtime bassist Jason Newsted in 2003 following Newsted's departure from the band in 2001.
- 30 – The Archies released their first studio album in 37 years, The Archies Christmas Album.[16]
October
- 17 – Levi Stubbs, lead singer and founding member of the Four Tops, died at the age of 72.
- 18 – T.I. broke his own Billboard Hot 100 record for a song's biggest jump to number 1 with "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna. In went from number 80–1.[17]
- 23 – The BET Hip Hop Awards took place at the Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
- 25 – Britney Spears's "Womanizer" breaks the Billboard Hot 100 record for a song's biggest jump to number 1, going from 96–1. She held the record until February 7, 2009, when Kelly Clarkson reclaimed it with "My Life Would Suck Without You".[18]
November
- 4 – Q-Tip released his sophomore solo album, The Renaissance. It was also his first studio album in nine years.
- 12 – The CMA Awards took place at the Sommett Center in Nashville, Tennessee. George Strait, Brad Paisley and Sugarland took home the most awards with three each.
- 13 – The 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards took place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
- 23 – The American Music Awards took place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Chris Brown won the most awards with 3.
- 25 – Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland released his first solo album in 10 years, "Happy" in Galoshes.
December
- 5 – Brandy released her first studio album in four years, Human.
- 20 – Rock and blues singer-guitarist Bo Diddley died at the age of 80.
- 25 – Singer and actress Eartha Kitt died in her home in Connecticut at the age of 81 due to colon cancer.[19]
Bands formed
Bands reformed
|
Bands on hiatus
Bands disbanded
List of albums released
January
February
| Date | Album | Artist | Genre(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Detours | Sheryl Crow | |
| Rhythm & Romance | Kenny G | ||
| It Is Time for a Love Revolution[6] | Lenny Kravitz | Rock | |
| District Line | Bob Mould | Alternative rock | |
| Lucky | Nada Surf | ||
| 18 | Shallow Believer (EP) | The Used | |
| 19 | A Twist in My Story | Secondhand Serenade | |
| My Life's Been a Country Song | Chris Cagle | Country | |
| Shh, Just Go with It | Every Avenue | ||
| 26 | Backwoods Barbie | Dolly Parton | Country |
| You're Awful, I Love You | Ludo |
March
April
May
| Date | Album | Artist | Genre(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | The Slip | Nine Inch Nails | Industrial rock |
| 6 | On My Way Here | Clay Aiken | Pop |
| From First to Last | From First to Last | ||
| Acoustic EP | Motion City Soundtrack | Acoustic | |
| Spread the Rumors | Socratic | ||
| 8 | Nouns | No Age | |
| 12 | Narrow Stairs | Death Cab for Cutie | |
| We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things | Jason Mraz | ||
| 13 | Division | 10 Years | |
| Anthems for the Damned | Filter | ||
| Twelve Angry Months | Local H | ||
| With Arrows, With Poise | The Myriad | ||
| Honestly, I'm Doing Okay (EP) | The Spill Canvas | ||
| Here I Stand | Usher | R&B | |
| 20 | 3 Doors Down | 3 Doors Down | |
| Julianne Hough | Julianne Hough | Country | |
| Departure | Jesse McCartney | ||
| It's All Happening (EP) | The Takeover UK | Alternative rock | |
| 21 | Wires...and the Concept of Breathing | A Skylit Drive | |
| 27 | Bring Ya to the Brink | Cyndi Lauper | Dance-pop |
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
| Date | Album | Artist | Genre(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Circus | Britney Spears | |
| 9 | Universal Mind Control | Common | Hip hop |
| ...And a Happy New Year (EP) | The Maine | ||
| 11 | Ghetto Love (EP) | Spinnerette | |
| 16 | When the World Comes Down | The All-American Rejects | |
| Human | Brandy | ||
| Folie à Deux | Fall Out Boy | ||
| Snoop Dogg Presents Christmas in tha Dogg House | Snoop Dogg | ||
| Secret Valentine (EP) | We the Kings | Pop-punk | |
| Christmas with Weezer (EP) | Weezer |
Top songs on record
Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Songs
- "Bleeding Love" – Leona Lewis (4 weeks)
- "Disturbia" – Rihanna (2 weeks)
- "I Kissed a Girl" – Katy Perry (7 weeks)
- "Live Your Life" – T.I. featuring Rihanna (5 weeks)
- "Lollipop" – Lil Wayne featuring Static Major (5 weeks)
- "Love in This Club" – Usher featuring Young Jeezy (3 weeks)
- "Low" – Flo Rida featuring T-Pain (10 weeks)
- "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" – Beyoncé (2 weeks)
- "So What" – Pink (1 week)
- "Take a Bow" – Rihanna (1 week)
- "Touch My Body" – Mariah Carey (2 weeks)
- "Viva La Vida" – Coldplay (1 week)
- "Whatever You Like" – T.I. (5 weeks)
- "Womanizer" – Britney Spears (1 week)
Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 Hits
All songs that reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the year, complete with peak chart placement.
- "4 Minutes" – Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland (#4)
- "7 Things" – Miley Cyrus (#7)
- "American Boy" – Estell featuring Kanye West #9)
- "A Mili" – Lil Wayne (#6)
- "Better in Time" – Leona Lewis (#11)
- "Bleeding Love" – Leona Lewis (#1)
- "The Boss" – Rick Ross featuring T-Pain (#17)
- "Burnin' Up" – Jonas Brothers (#5
- "Bust It Baby Pt.2" – Plies featuring Ne-Yo (#7)
- "Bye Bye" – Mariah Carey (#19)
- "T-Pain" – T-Pain featuring Lil Wayne (#7)
- "Change" – Taylor Swift (#10)
- "Circus" – Britney Spears (#3)
- "Closer" – Ne-Yo (#7)
- "Crush" – David Archuleta (#2)
- "Damaged" – Danity Kane #10)
- "Disturbia" – Rihanna (#1)
- "Don't Stop the Music" – Rihanna (#3)
- "Dream Big" – David Cook (#15)
- "Elevator" – Flo Rida (#16)
- "Fearless" – Taylor Swift (#9)
- "Feedback" – Janet Jackson (#19)
- "Forever" – Chris Brown (#2)
- "Get Like Me" – David Banner featuring Chris Brown (#16)
- "Got Money" – Lil Wayne featuring T-Pain (#10)
- "Gotta Be Somebody" – Nickelback (#10)
- "Heartless" – Kanye West (#4)
- "Hot n Cold" – Katy Perry (#3)
- "I Kissed a Girl" – Katy Perry (#1)
- "If Today Was Your Last Day" – Nickelback (#19)
- "I'm Yours" – Jason Mraz (#6)
- "Independent" – Webbie featuring Lil Boosie and Lil Phat (#9)
- "In the Ayer" – Flo Rida (#9)
- "It's Not My Time" – 3 Doors Down (#17)
- "Just Stand Up!" – Various artists (#11)
- "Last Name" – Carrie Underwood (#19)
- "Leavin'" – Jesse McCartney (#10)
- "Let It Rock" – Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne (#5)
- "Light On" – David Cook (#17)
- "Like You'll Never See Me Again" – Alicia Keys (#12
- "Live Your Life" – T.I. featuring Rihanna (#1)
- "Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)" – Three 6 Mafia featuring Project Pat, Yung D and SuperPower (#18)
- "Lollipop" – Lil Wayne featuring Static Major (#1)
- "Love in This Club" – Usher featuring Young Jeezy (#1)
- "Love Like This" – Natasha Bedingfield featuring Sean Kingston (#5)
- "Love Lockdown" – Kanye West (#3)
- "Love Song" – Sara Bareilles (#4)
- "Love Story" – Taylor Swift (#5)
- "Low" – Flo Rida featuring T-Pain (#1)
- "Miss Independent" – Ne-Yo (#7)
- "Mrs. Officer" – Lil Wayne featuring Bobby Valentino and Kidd Kidd (#16)
- "No Air" – Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown (#3)
- "One Step at a Time" – Jordin Sparks (#17)
- "Our Song" – Taylor Swift (#16)
- "Paper Planes" – M.I.A. (#4)
- "Put On" – Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West (#12)
- "Right Now (Na Na Na)" – Akon (#7)
- "Realize" – Colbie Caillat (#20)
- "Right Now (Na Na Na)" – Akon (#7)
- "Say" – John Mayer (#12)
- "See You Again" – Miley Cyrus (#10)
- "Sensual Seduction" – Snoop Dogg (#7)
- "Sexy Can I" – Ray J featuring Yung Berg (#3)
- "Shadow of the Day" – Linkin Park (#15)
- "Shake It" – Metro Station (#10)
- "Shawty Get Loose" – Lil Mama featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain (#10)
- "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" – Beyoncé (#1)
- "So What" – Pink (#1)
- "Sorry" – Buckcherry #9)
- "Stop and Stare" – OneRepublic (#12)
- "Superstar" – Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos (#10)
- "Suffocate" – J. Holiday (#18)
- "Swagga Like Us" – T.I. featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne (#5)
- "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" – Wyclef Jean featuring Akon, Lil Wayne and Niia (#12)
- "Take a Bow" – Rihanna (#1)
- "Teardrops on My Guitar" – Taylor Swift (#13)
- "The Time of My Life" – David Cook (#3)
- "Touch My Body" – Mariah Carey (#1)
- "Viva La Vida" – Coldplay (#1)
- "What About Now" – Daughtry (#18)
- "What You Got" – Colby O'Donis featuring Akon #14)
- "Whatever You Like" – T.I. (#1)
- "When I Grow Up" – The Pussycat Dolls #9)
- "White Horse" – Taylor Swift #13)
- "With You" Chris Brown (#2)
- "Womanizer" – Britney Spears (#1)
- "When I Grow Up" – The Pussycat Dolls #9)
Deaths
- January 5 – Irene Reid, 77, jazz singer
- January 8 – Clyde Otis, 83, songwriter, producer, A&R
- January 11 – Pete Candoli, 84, jazz trumpeter
- January 18 – Frank Lewin, 82, composer
- January 19 – Ken Nelson, 96, record producer
- John Stewart, 68, folk and pop singer, songwriter, guitarist, banjo player
- January 29 – Margaret Truman, 83, classical soprano singer, actress, writer
- February 4 – Chris Anderson, 81, jazz pianist
- February 9 – Scot Halpin, 54, rock drummer
- February 13 – Roger Voisin, 89, classical trumpeter
- February 19 – Teo Macero, 82, jazz saxophonist, composer, record producer
- February 20 – Allen Strange, 84, composer
- February 24 – Phil Bodner, 90, jazz clarinetist, studio musician
- Larry Norman, 60, Rock and Christian rock musician, songwriter, producer
- February 25 – Static Major, 33, R&B and hip hop singer, rapper, producer, songwriter
- February 26 – Buddy Miles, 60, composer, drummer, guitarist, singer, producer (The Electric Flag, Buddy Miles Express, Band of Gypsies)
- March 4 – Leonard Rosenman, 83, film and television composer
- March 10 – Charles Wayne Day, 65, guitarist, bassist, blues performer
- March 21 – Patti Bown, 77, jazz pianist, singer, composer
- March 24 – Chalmers "Spanky" Alford, 52, gospel, jazz, neo-soul guitarist
- April 15 – Sean Costello, 28, blues singer, guitarist
- April 17 – Danny Federici, 58, rock organist, accordionist, glockenspieler (E Street Band)
- April 21 – Al Wilson, soul singer
- April 22 – Pail Davis, 60, singer, songwriter
- April 26 – Henry Brant (94), composer
- May 1 – Jimmy Hagger, 66, country singer, actor (Hager Twins)
- May 5 – Jerry Wallace, 79, country and pop singer
- May 8 – Eddy Arnold, 89, country and pop singer
- Larry Levine, 80, audio engineer
- May 11 – Dottie Rambo, 74, southern gospel singer-songwriter
- May 15 – Alexander Courage, 88, composer, arranger
- Walt Dickerson, 80, jazz vibraphonist
- May 24 – Utah Phillips, 73, folk singer, songwriter
- May 26 – Earle Hagen, 88, composer
- May 28 – Jerry Cole, 68, guitarist, arranger
- June 4 – Bill Finegan, 80, jazz bandleader, pianist, composer
- June 7 – Bill Coday, 66, singer, musician
- June 12 – Danny Davis, 83, country music band leader, trumpeter, vocalist, producer (Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass)
- June 17 – Cyd Charisse, 86, singer, actress
- June 27 – Leonard Pennario, 83, pianist, composer
- July 6 – Bobby Durham, 71, jazz drummer
- July 16 – Jo Stafford, 90, pop singer
- July 20 – Artie Traum, 65, folk guitarist, songwriter, producer
- July 22 – Joe Beck, 62, jazz and session guitarist
- July 24 – Norman Dello Joio, 95, composer, classical organist and pianist
- July 25 – Hiram Bullock, 52, jazz and funk guitarist
- Johnny Griffin, 80, jazz saxophonist
- August 3 — Erik Darling, 74, folk singer-songwriter (The Weavers)
- August 5 – Robert Hazard, 59, singer, songwriter
- August 10 – Issac Hayes, 65, soul singer, songwriter, actor
- August 11 – Don Helms, 81, steel guitarist (Drifting Cowboys)
- August 12 – Donald Erb, 81, composer
- August 15 – Jerry Wexler, 91, producer
- August 18 – Pervis Jackson, 70, R&B singer (The Spinners
- August 19 – Clea Bradford, 67, jazz singer
- LeRoi Moore, 46, saxophonist (Dave Matthews Band)
- August 21 – Jerry Finn, 39, punk-rock producer, audio engineer
- Buddy Harman, 79, country music drummer, percussionist
- August 23 – Jimmy Cleveland, 82, jazz trombonist
- September 1 – Jerry Reed, 71, country music singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor
- September 3 – Matthew Peaceman, 56, oboist, composer, conductor
- September 7 – Richard "Popcorn" Wylie, 69, pianist, bandleader, songwriter, producer,
- September 12 – Charlie Walker, 81, country singer
- September 16 – Earl Palmer, 83, drummer
- Norman Whitfield, 68, songwriter, producer
- September 20 – Nappy Brown, 78, R&B singer, songwriter
- September 22 – Connie Haines, 87, singer, actress
- October 1 – Nick Reynolds, 75, folk musician
- October 8 – Gidget Gein, 39, heavy metal bassist and guitarist (Marilyn Manson)
- October 11 – Neal Hefti, 85, jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger
- October 12 – Cliff Nobles, 67, soul singer
- October 15 – Edie Adams, 81, singer, actress
- October 17 – Levi Stubbs, 72, R&B singer, actor (Four Tops)
- October 18 – Dee Dee Warwick, 66, soul singer
- October 24 – Moshe Cotel, 64, composer, pianist
- Merle Saunders, 74, organist and pianist
- October 28 – George Sopkin, 94, cellist
- October 29 – Mike Baker, 45, heavy metal singer and bassist (Shadow Gallery)
- November 1 – Jimmy Carl Black, 70, singer, drummer (The Mothers of Invention)
- Nathaniel Mayer, 64, R&B singer
- Shakir Stewart, 34, record producer, executive
- November 16 – Rusty Gill, 89, singer
- November 26 – De'Angelo Wilson, 29, rapper, actor
- December 2 – Odetta, 77, folk and blues singer, guitarist, actress
- December 7 – Dennis Yost, 65, singer (Classics IV)
- December 19 – Page Cavanaugh, 86, jazz and pop pianist
- Kenny Cox, 68, jazz pianist
- December 20 – Dorothy Sarnoff, 94, operatic soprano, actress
- Bo Diddley, 80, rock and blues singer, guitarist
- December 25 –Eartha Kitt, 81, singer, actress
- December 27 – Delaney Bramlett, 69, singer, guitarist
- December 29 - Freddie Hubbard, 70, jazz trumpeter
See also
References
- ^ Paul Grein (January 7, 2011). "Chart Watch Extra: Thank You, Daniel Powter". Yahoo Music (Chart Watch). Archived from the original on October 3, 2012.
- ^ a b Newlin, Jimmy (January 13, 2025). "Review: The Magnetic Fields, Distortion". Slant Magazine. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b "Interview with Mark Wilkerson of Course of Nature". Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Klein, Joshua (January 31, 2008). "Field Manual – Chris Walla". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Ennever, Lizzie (January 31, 2008). "Idina Menzel - I Stand Review". BBC Music. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Graff, Gary. "It Is Time for a Love Revolution". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 3, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ "New Kids on the Block to Reunite, new album in works". CNN. April 3, 2008. Archived from the original on April 7, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ "MTV | Homepage - Shows & Schedules". MTV. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008.
- ^ "2008 CMT Music Awards". CBS. April 15, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "Danny Federici". Brucespringsteen.net. April 17, 2008. Archived from the original on January 30, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Cohen, Jonathan (April 7, 2008). Billboard Bits: New Kids/Zootopia, River To River, Emmylou Harris. Billboard. Retrieved on January 4, 2025.
- ^ Paul Grein (January 7, 2011). "Chart Watch Extra: Thank You, Daniel Powter". Yahoo Music (Chart Watch). Archived from the original on October 3, 2012.
- ^ Bronson, Fred (June 26, 2008). "Chart Beat: Katy Perry, Kathy Griffin, Miley Cyrus". Billboard. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Hackett, Vernell (November 14, 2014). "Jimmy Wayne, 'Do You Believe Me Now' - Story Behind the Song". The Boot. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ Pietroluongo, Silvio (August 27, 2008). "T.I. Sets New Record With Hot 100 No. 1 Jump". Billboard magazine. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
- ^ a b "The Archies Christmas Party - The Archies - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (October 8, 2008). "T.I.'s 'Paper Trail' Leads To No. 1 On The Billboard 200". Billboard magazine. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (October 8, 2008). "T.I. Maintains No. 1 Album While Britney Spears Zooms to No. 1 on the Hot 100". Billboard magazine. Archived from the original on October 18, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
- ^ "Singer-actress Eartha Kitt dies at 81". MSNBC. December 26, 2008. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
- ^ Yancey, Bryne (January 11, 2008). "Teenage Bottlerocket - Warning Device (2008)". PunkNews.org. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ Poweell, Mike (March 21, 2008). "Dengue Fever: Venus on Earth". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
