Pick a Day

Music History Events: Debut Albums

June 2, 2017 Luke Combs, who majored in criminal justice at Appalachian State University, releases his debut album, This One's For You. Music suits him: He wins the CMA for New Artist Of The Year and becomes a top concert draw.

May 12, 2017 Harry Styles becomes the second One Direction member (following Zayn Malik) to release a solo album. The eponymous album is a departure from his boy band material in 1D, with meaty songs like "Sign of the Times" and "Sweet Creature." It goes to #1 in many countries (including the US and UK) and establishes Styles as a solo artist.

July 3, 2016 Maren Morris releases her first major-label album, Hero. It goes to #1 on the Country chart and includes one of her most enduring songs, "My Church."

May 5, 2015 After years working in Nashville as a songwriter and as a member of the bands The SteelDrivers and The Jompson Brothers, Chris Stapleton, 37, releases his debut album, Traveller, with a rootsy sound that harkens back to the days of Hank Williams. It wins the Grammy for Best Country Album and both the ACM and CMA awards for Album Of The Year.

September 4, 2012 Imagine Dragons release their debut album, Night Visions, which takes off thanks to bombastic rockers like "Radioactive" and "Demons."

July 17, 2012 The soundtrack album to the film The Dark Knight Rises is released, destined to debut at #8 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It also scores #10 on the Canadian albums chart. Composer Hans Zimmer becomes an overnight sensation, frequently compared with former golden soundtrack star John Williams.

July 10, 2012 Frank Ocean releases his highly acclaimed debut album, Channel Orange, which goes on to win the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Standout tracks include "Lost" and "Thinkin About You."

April 9, 2012 Alabama Shakes release their debut album, Boys & Girls, featuring "Hold On." Led by powerhouse singer Brittany Howard, they bring a rootsy, organic sound to the landscape that helps earn them a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

March 13, 2012 One Direction, already superstars in their native UK with the #1 single "What Makes You Beautiful," establish boy band dominance in America with the release of their debut album, Up All Night.

November 19, 2010 Nicki Minaj, already established thanks to her verse on Kanye West's "Monster" and features on tracks by Lil Wayne, Christina Aguilera and Usher, drops her debut album, Pink Friday. It includes her Eminem duet "Roman's Revenge," a meet-up of their unhinged alter egos, Slim Shady and Roman Zolanski.

October 4, 2010 Bruno Mars releases his debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, with the #1 hits "Grenade" and "Just The Way You Are."

March 19, 2010 Justin Bieber, who turned 16 three weeks earlier, releases his debut album, My World 2.0, with the hit "Baby." The album debuts at #1, setting the stage for a massive tour and 3D concert film, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.

September 15, 2009 Kid Cudi releases his debut album, Man On The Moon: The End Of Day. Contributors include Kanye West, Common, and MGMT. The first single is the languid "Day 'N' Nite."

July 3, 2009 Florence + the Machine release their debut album, Lungs, introducing us to the mystical, theatrical Florence Welch. Thanks to tracks like "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" and "Dog Days Are Over," it makes a huge impact in their native UK, where it goes to #1.

November 18, 2008 American Idol winner David Cook releases his self-titled debut album.

August 19, 2008 After two years performing in the New York City club scene, 22-year-old Lady Gaga releases her debut album, The Fame, a look at how fame is all about attitude. Thanks to the hits "Just Dance" and "Poker Face," it makes her famous worldwide, not just in her mind.More

March 15, 2008 The musical I Am Who I Am, based on the life of singer Teddy Pendergrass, opens in Chicago.

November 15, 2007 The first episode of Daryl Hall's show Live From Daryl's House airs on the web, with Hall performing from his home in Millerton, New York. The series gains traction and gets picked up by the Palladia network. Over the years, Smokey Robinson, Joe Walsh, Cee Lo Green, Rob Thomas and many other musical luminaries appear, performing a mix of their own songs, covers and Hall & Oates tracks.

September 12, 2005 The Pussycat Dolls, which started 10 years earlier as a burlesque dance troupe, release their debut album, PCD. "The whole Pussycat Doll thing is a movement," lead singer Nicole Scherzinger says. "A whole concept and a thing unto itself."More

August 30, 2005 Rihanna, 17, releases her first album, Music Of The Sun. The lead single is the hit "Pon De Replay," which draws on her Bajan heritage with Caribbean rhythms.

December 28, 2004 On his 26th birthday, John Legend releases his debut solo album, Get Lifted. The lead single is the kiss-off song "Used to Love U," but the second single, the tender ballad "Ordinary People," is the most enduring song. The album is the first released on Kanye West's GOOD Music label.

November 23, 2004 Robert Downey, Jr. releases his debut studio album, The Futurist.

October 26, 2004 Sugarland's debut album, Twice the Speed of Life, is released. It is the only Sugarland album to feature Kristen Hall, who leaves the band in 2005.

April 19, 2004 A stage musical version of the Elvis Presley film Jailhouse Rock opens in London.

September 16, 2003 Joss Stone, 16, releases her debut album, a covers collection called The Soul Sessions. The first single is "Fell In Love With A Boy," her take on "Fell In Love With A Girl" by The White Stripes.

September 14, 2003 The Australian band Jet release their debut album, Get Born, which includes the hit "Are You Gonna Be My Girl," used in a popular iPod commercial. The band is part of a wave of young rock acts with a back-to-basic sound that includes The Strokes and The White Stripes.

July 14, 2002 The Australian rock band The Vines release their debut album, Highly Evolved, earning raves from both NME and Rolling Stone, which put them on their covers and compare them to Nirvana.

June 25, 2002 Maroon 5 release their debut album, Songs About Jane, Jane being lead singer Adam Levine's ex-girlfriend. It slowly finds and audience and becomes a surprise hit over a year later thanks to the songs "Harder To Breathe," "She Will Be Loved" and "This Love."

June 4, 2002 Avril Lavigne, 17, releases her debut album, Let Go, which goes to #1 in her native Canada and sells over 7 million copies in America.More

May 21, 2002 Little Big Town release their disastrous self-titled debut through Sony's Monument Records. Although the album produces a couple minor hits on the Country chart, the group is denigrated by critics as a fake country band, devoid of substance. LBT proves them wrong with their acclaimed 2005 album, The Road to Here.