Throughout music history, various significant events, births, deaths, and milestones have shaped the industry, with certain dates holding particular importance. July 4th and June 29th have marked numerous notable occurrences, from the birth of jazz legends to groundbreaking concert tours and controversial incidents.

On June 29, 1888, Britain made its first musical recording at the Crystal Palace in London during the Handel Festival, utilizing Thomas Edison's cylinder phonograph. Decades later, on July 4, 1900, jazz trumpeter and singer Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was widely believed to have been born in New Orleans. However, a music historian in 1988 unearthed a baptismal certificate revealing his actual birth date was August 4, 1899. Armstrong, who learned the cornet in an orphanage, became one of the first musicians to popularize New Orleans jazz, working with figures like Kid Ory and King Oliver before forming his own group. He is credited with elevating the soloist's role in jazz and inventing scat singing. While his early career highlighted his trumpet prowess, his greatest fame arrived in 1964 with his million-selling novelty version of "Hello Dolly." Armstrong passed away on July 6, 1971.

Other musical figures born around these dates include singer Nelson Eddy (June 29, 1901), known for his duets with Jeanette MacDonald; conductor Mitch Miller (July 4, 1911), an accomplished oboist and key Columbia Records executive who later hosted the popular "Sing Along With Mitch" TV show; and singer Little Eva (June 29, 1944), who achieved a No. 1 hit with "The Loco-Motion" in 1962. Pianist Ignace Jan Paderewski died in wartime exile on June 29, 1941, his remains returned to Poland decades later in 1992.

The mid-20th century saw several iconic musical moments. Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" topped the U.S. charts for seven weeks starting June 29, 1955, after gaining popularity from its inclusion in the film "Blackboard Jungle." It also became the first record to sell one million copies in Britain. In 1963, Del Shannon recorded the first Beatles cover to hit the American charts with "From Me To You." The Beatles themselves faced controversy on July 4, 1966, when they experienced a hostile reception in Manila after refusing to attend a presidential palace invitation. Later, in 1985, their yellow Rolls-Royce was sold for $2.2 million.

The Rolling Stones also encountered legal issues when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were found guilty of drug possession on June 29, 1967, though their sentences were suspended on appeal. Years later, on July 4, 1985, Mick Jagger collaborated with David Bowie to record "Dancing in the Street." In 2019, The Rolling Stones performed a monumental concert at Burl's Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, captivating a crowd of 60,000.

Tragedy struck several artists in the late 1960s and 70s. Jimi Hendrix performed for the last time with "The Experience" on June 29, 1969. Motown singer Shorty Long died in a boating accident on June 29, 1969, at 29. Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson, co-founder of "Canned Heat" and known for hits like "On the Road Again," died of a drug overdose in 1970 on July 4. Donald McPherson, lead singer of "The Main Ingredient," died of leukemia at 29 on July 4, 1971. Folk singer Tim Buckley passed away from a heroin and morphine overdose on June 29, 1975, at 28. Lowell George, former lead singer of "Little Feat," died of an apparent heart attack on June 29, 1979, at 34. In a separate incident, six members of "The Montana Band" were among ten people killed in a plane crash on July 4, 1987. LeRoi Moore of the "Dave Matthews Band" died of complications from an ATV accident on August 19, 2008, following an injury on June 29.

Significant tour launches include Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." tour on June 29, 1984, and Diana Ross's first world solo tour on July 4, 1982. Madonna's record-setting "Sticky and Sweet" tour began its fourth leg on July 4, 2009, eventually grossing over $408 million.

The world of music history also records unusual events. On July 4, 1983, a controversy arose when U.S. Interior Secretary James Watt attempted to ban "The Beach Boys" from the White House Independence Day party, deeming they would attract the "wrong element"; they were replaced by Wayne Newton, but returned to the program the following year after Watt's departure. In 1986, Willie Nelson presided over "Farm Aid Two," an 18-hour concert to help U.S. farmers. On July 4, 1995, "Hole" singer Courtney Love was involved in an assault incident with "Bikini Kill's" Kathleen Hanna backstage at Lollapalooza.

Media and industry changes are also highlighted. Casey Kasem launched his weekly countdown show, "American Top 40," on July 4, 1970. He hosted it until 1988, returned in 1998, and broadcast his final weekly countdown on July 4, 2009. Ryan Seacrest took over the show in 2004. Canadian country radio station CFGM in Richmond Hill, Ontario, changed its format after 30 years on June 29, 1990. In 2011, Justin Timberlake partnered to purchase MySpace, aiming to revitalize the social network. The Recording Industry Association of America certified Dolly Parton for 100 million albums worldwide on June 29, 2014. Drake's album "Scorpion," released June 29, 2018, set one-day worldwide streaming records on Apple Music and Spotify.

Other notable moments include guitarist Pat Metheny attracting 100,000 people to a free performance at the Montreal International Jazz Festival on July 4, 1989. Garth Brooks became the decade's biggest-selling recording artist in the U.S. by July 4, 1993, with 24 million albums sold. "The Irish Rovers" founder Will Millar launched a lawsuit against his former bandmates on July 4, 1995. Saskatchewan-born singer Buffy Sainte-Marie was appointed to the Order of Canada on July 4, 1997. Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation," remixed by Junkie XL, hit No. 1 on July 4, 2002, 25 years after his death. Barry White, the velvet-voiced R&B crooner, died on July 4, 2003, at 58. Rosemary Clooney, singer and actress, passed away on June 29, 2002, at 74. Canada Post issued its first Canadian Recording Artists stamp series on June 29, 2007, honoring Anne Murray, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and Paul Anka. In 2010, a bronze statue of jazz virtuoso Oscar Peterson was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa on June 29. Javier Colon won the inaugural season of NBC's "The Voice" on June 29, 2011. The long-lost John Coltrane album "Both Directions At Once" was released on June 29, 2018. Jazz pianist Freddy Cole, Nat King Cole's younger brother, died on June 29, 2020, at 88. Alessia Cara was the top winner at the Juno Awards on June 29, 2020, during a virtual ceremony. Finally, Billy Joel married Alexis Roderick in a surprise ceremony during his annual Independence Day party on July 4, 2015.