July 18: Elton John's Secret Duet and a Bluegrass Prodigy
About this episode
The episode discusses significant events in music history on July 18, including Elton John's hit duet and the backdrop of Woodstock.
On July 18, 1969, one of the strangest and most talked about moments in rock history quietly unfolded, though its aftermath would dominate headlines for years. That was the day after Mary Jo Kopechne died in the car driven by Senator Ted Kennedy at Chappaquiddick, and while that event itself sits outside music history, the ripples of that same turbulent summer set the stage for something else entirely. Just weeks later, Woodstock would take over a muddy field in Bethel, New York, and on this very date, festival organizers were scrambling behind the scenes, finalizing last minute logistics, sound equipment deliveries, and performer contracts for what would become the defining musical gathering of a generation. But if we zero in on July 18 itself in music history, one truly delightful and often overlooked event stands out. On this day in 1976, Elton John was busy proving just how untouchable he was on the pop charts. His hit "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," a duet with Kiki Dee, held strong at the top of the charts around this time, marking one of the most beloved pop pairings of the decade. The song was actually released under fake names during recording sessions to avoid tipping off…
More episodes of Music History Daily
- When Roger Waters Tore Down The Wall in Berlin
- July 20th: When Space Exploration and Music History Collided
- July 19th: Sting Goes Solo, Beatles Go Animated
- Telstar Satellite Inspires Iconic British Instrumental Hit
- The Night Disco Died at Comiskey Park
- Beatles Transform Album Art with Sgt Pepper Release
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Music History Daily podcast page.