Musical Finale
Jan 11 John Du Prez and Eric Idle's musical "Spamalot", based on the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," and starring Tim Curry and Davis Hyde Pierce, closes at the Shubert Theatre, NYC, after 1,575 and 3 Tony Award wins
"We Are One"
Jan 18 "We Are One" concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington prior to Barack Obama's inauguration attracts an estimated crowd of 400,000; performers include: Beyoncé, Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, John Legend, Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen, U2, and Stevie Wonder
Blame It
Jan 26 "Blame It (On the Alcohol)" single released by Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain (Billboard Song of the Year 2009)
- Jan 26 "I Run to You" single by Lady Antebellum is released (Grammy Award Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal 2009, Billboard Song of the Year 2009)
"Working On A Dream"
Jan 27 Columbia Records releases Bruce Springsteen's 16th studio album "Working On A Dream", made with the E Street Band
RuPaul's Drag Race" Premieres
Feb 2 "RuPaul's Drag Race" hosted by RuPaul premieres on Logo TV
"Violin Concerto"
Feb 6 "Violin Concerto", by Jennifer Higdon premieres, in Indianapolis, Indiana (Pulitzer Prize for Music 2010) [1]
Rihanna Cancels
Feb 8 Singer Rihanna cancels performance at the Grammys after being assaulted by boyfriend Chris Brown
Stevie Wonder Receives Gershwin Prize
Feb 25 American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder receives Library of Congress Gershwin Prize at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Billy Corgan Testifies
Mar 10 Billy Corgan testifies in front of Congress, on behalf of the musicFIRST Coalition, in support of H.R. 848, the Performance Rights Act
- Mar 31 "Boom Boom Pow" single released by The Black Eyed Peas (Grammy Award for Best Music Video 2010, Billboard Song of the Year 2009)
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Apr 4 24th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Jeff Beck; Little Anthony and the Imperials; Metallica; Run-D.M.C.; Bobby Womack; Wanda Jackson; Bill Black; DJ Fontana; and Spooner Oldham
Phil Spector Found Guilty
Apr 13 US record producer Phil Spector is found guilty of second-degree murder of actress Lana Clarkson in 2003
- May 16 54th Eurovision Song Contest: Alexander Rybak for Norway wins singing "Fairytale" in Moscow
- Jun 24 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, and Blur headline; other performers include Fleet Foxes, Tom Jones, Spinal Tap, Lady Gaga, and The Script
She Wolf
Jul 13 "She Wolf", the lead single from Shakira's eighth album, premieres
Tik Tok
Aug 7 Single "Tik Tok" released by Kesha (Billboard Song of the Year 2010)
- Aug 11 "Need You Now" album released by Lady Antebellum (Billboard Album of the Year 2010)
- Aug 24 "Love Like Crazy" single released by Lee Brice (Billboard Song of the Year 2010)
Oasis Splits Up
Aug 28 British pop-rock band Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher quits the band, citing inability to be with his brother Liam
The List
Oct 6 Manhattan Records releases "The List", the twelfth studio album by singer Rosanne Cash, with song selections culled from a list of 100 titles that her father compiled and gave her when she decided to pursue a career in music.; the album features guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Tweedy, Elvis Costello, and Rufus Wainwright
Birgit Nilsson Prize
Oct 14 Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo is awarded the first $1 million Birgit Nilsson Prize
Fela!
Nov 23 "Fela!", based on music and lyrics by Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, opens on Broadway
I Dreamed a Dream
Nov 23 Susan Boyle releases her debut album “I Dreamed a Dream” (biggest selling album worldwide 2009, 2010 Billboard Album of the Year)
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