Music Facts & Trivia

While 'Video Killed the Radio Star' was the first video on MTV (1981), the first music video ever produced was by Queen in 1975 for 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

Elvis Presley holds the record for the most certified gold and platinum records of any solo artist — over 150 certifications from the RIAA.

Brian May famously used a sixpence coin instead of a guitar pick to create the distinctive texture of the iconic Bohemian Rhapsody guitar solo.

Mariah Carey's 1994 holiday classic continues generating approximately $2.5 million annually in royalties, making it one of the most valuable songs ever written.

The song 'Happy Birthday to You' was under copyright protection until 2016, meaning technically, commercial uses required paying royalties for nearly a century.

Ludwig van Beethoven had almost completely lost his hearing by 1820, yet he composed his magnificent Ninth Symphony (including 'Ode to Joy') by 1824.

Metallica holds the unique record of performing live concerts on all seven continents, including a 2013 show in Antarctica for competition winners.

Despite being considered one of the greatest guitarists in history, Jimi Hendrix never learned to read or write music — he created everything by ear.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote his Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major (K. 16) in 1764, at the age of just 8 years old.

Paul McCartney's 'Yesterday' holds the record for the most cover versions of any song, with over 2,200 recorded interpretations by artists worldwide.