Once Upon A Summer 2026

Summer Of 2003 – July 21th COLDPLAY’S Frontman CHRIS MARTIN Was A Bad Boy Once

Posted on by JL

21 July 2026


Credit: Coldplay FB

Good boy CHRIS MARTIN, frontman of English pop giants Coldplay was a bad boy
once upon a time – on 21 July 2003 – when he was charged with malicious damage
in Australia after he allegedly attacked a photographer’s car after he had taken
pictures of him surfing at Seven Mile Beach.

Martin admitted he had lost his temper due to the constant harassment by
that journalist, and consequently smashed his windscreen and let the air out
of his tyres.

Fix it, Chris.

Summer Of 1986 – July 20th – Dramatic Punk Movie ‘SID & NANCY’ Premiered In London Today 40 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

20 July 2026

The dramatic film SID & NANCY portrays the destructive romance of the infamous
punk couple, Sid Vicious, bassist with the Sex Pistols, and his American Nancy Spungen, that ended in both their deaths.

Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb played the fateful couple.

The movie premiered in London on 20 July 1986, forty years ago today.

Summer Of 1988 – July 19th BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Plays Historic Concert Behind The Iron Curtain In East Berlin

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

19 July 2026

On 19 July 1988, 36 years ago, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN played a historic concert. It was his first ever in East Berlin behind the Iron Curtain in front of 180,000 people. The show was broadcast on East German TV.

Full show.

Summer Of 1982 – 14 July PINK FLOYD’s Movie THE WALL Premiere In London

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

14 July 2026

PINK FLOYD‘s mentally dramatic movie, about a troubled rock star who descends
into madness in the midst of his physical and social isolation from everyone, named
THE WALL premiered in London on 14 July 1982.

Bob Geldof, frontman of The Boomtown Rats‘ and
later co-organiser of Live Aid 1985 had the lead role.

The film blended live action with animation and was based on the prog-rock supremos’ 1979 album of the same name. It was a commercial success on both sides of the Atlantic, and earned two BAFTA Awards and remains a cult favorite among the band’s fans.

David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Nick Mason of the band all attended the event,
alongside Pete Townshend, Sting, and Queen’s Roger Taylor, among other stars.

The movie’s trailer.

Summer Of 1969 – July 13th THE BEATLES Single Banned In The USA

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

13 July 2026

On the day, 13 July 1969, that THE BEATLES released their UK No.1 single THE BALLAD OF JOHN AND YOKO, which tells the story of the eventful days of the marriage of John and his muse Yoko Ono, over 100 US radio stations instanly banned it because of its lyrics.

Christ, you know it ain’t easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They’re gonna crucify me

Summer Of 1954 – July 12th 19-Year-Old ELVIS Signs His First Label Contract

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

12 July 2026

On 12 July 1954, a 19-year-old singer named ELVIS AARON PRESLEY signed
a contract with the legendary Memphis-based record label Sun Records (also
the first label for giants like Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins,
and Johnny Cash).

He also gave in his notice at his day
job at The Crown Electric Company.

Sun Records‘ boss Sam Phillips originally wanted to use the young
man to make demos of songs meant for other artists, but he soon
realized that the 19-year-old could bridge the gap between white
and black performances.

That’s Alright was Elvis debut single with Sun Records.

Summer Of 1968 – July 10th – Supergoup CREAM Call It A Day

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

10 July 2026

Legendary British band CREAM was one of the first supergroups ever. It featured
guitarist Eric Clapton (now aged 80), bass player Jack Bruce (1943-2014) and drummer Ginger Baker (1939-2019). They got together in 1966 after already making a name for themselves with their previous bands.

They recorded/released 4 LPs.

It was Clapton who announced on
10 July 1968 that the band split up.

Below here, their best-known song.

Discography

Summer Of 1977 – July 9 – Career Switch For DECLAN PATRICK MACMANUS

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

9 July 2026

On 9 July 1977, this day 49 years ago, Declan Patrick MacManus (now aged 71 years)
quit his day job as a computer programmer, aged 23, to become a full-time musician under the moniker ELVIS COSTELLO. The rest is history.

Thank you, Elvis, for the career switch.
You really pumped it up afterwards.

All Albums

Summer Of 1981 – July 8 – R.E.M. Released Brilliant Debut Single ‘RADIO FREE EUROPE’ Today 45 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

8 July 2026

R.E.M. (1980–2011, 15 albums) released superb debut single
RADIO FREE EUROPE, today 45 years ago, on 8 July 1981.

It peaked at #25 in the US.

In 1983, the band re-recorded the song
for their debut album Murmur.

“We’re calling out in transit
Calling out in transit
Radio Free Europe”

Discography

Summer Of 1991 – July 7 – PEARL JAM Released Debut Single ‘ALIVE’ Today 35 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

7 July 2026

On 7 July 1991, today 35 years ago, grunge giants PEARL JAM released
their epic debut single ALIVE (more than 711 million streams on Spotify).

It appeared on their debut album Ten.
It peaked at #16 both in the UK & US.

All together now!

“I, oh, I’m still alive
Hey, I, hey, I’m still alive
Hey, I, hey, I’m still alive
Yeah, I, ooh, I’m still alive
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah”

PJ – Discography