April 30 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by Formula One racing driver Roland Ratzenberger is killed in a…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 55 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined April 30 across the 1990s.
Formula One racing driver Roland Ratzenberger is killed in a crash during the qu…
Formula One racing driver Roland Ratzenberger is killed in a crash during the qualifying session of the San Marino Grand Prix run at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari outside Imola, Italy.
Maung Maung Kha, Burmese colonel and politician, 8th Prime Minister of Burma (bo…
Maung Maung Kha, Burmese colonel and politician, 8th Prime Minister of Burma (born 1920)
Neo-Nazi David Copeland carries out the last of his three nail bombings in Londo…
Neo-Nazi David Copeland carries out the last of his three nail bombings in London at the Admiral Duncan gay pub, killing three people and injuring 79 others.
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Aaron Neville (host), Garth Brooks, Bonnie Raitt, Ben E. King · Gaywatch + 7 more
9 episodes aired on April 30, 1994: "Aaron Neville (host), Garth Brooks, Bonnie Raitt, Ben E. King", "Gaywatch", "Chapter and Verse", "Indianapolis, IN #1", and 5 more.
Sherman of Arabia · Weddings; children's jokes + 4 more
6 episodes aired on April 30, 1995: "Sherman of Arabia", "Weddings; children's jokes", "Round Springfield", "School for Murder", and 2 more.
Arianna Huffington · Judith Krantz + 9 more
11 episodes aired on April 30, 1996: "Arianna Huffington", "Judith Krantz", "The Gathering (2)", "Ballroom Blitz", and 7 more.
You Bette Your Life · Pennies from Heaven + 9 more
11 episodes aired on April 30, 1997: "You Bette Your Life", "Pennies from Heaven", "Distant Origin", "Drew vs. Mimi, Part II", and 7 more.
The One With the Worst Best Man Ever · Rescue Me + 7 more
9 episodes aired on April 30, 1998: "The One With the Worst Best Man Ever", "Rescue Me", "When Darkness Falls", "Of Past Regret and Future Fear", and 5 more.
TRL Countdown — 1999
Total Request Live was the center of the pop universe. Teens were burning up the phone lines to vote, and the countdown from Times Square was the most-watched 30 minutes on MTV.
The reigning #1 — retired from the countdown after an extended run at the top.
Korn's "Freak On A Leash" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Britney Spears's "...Baby One More Time" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
*NSYNC's "I Drive Myself Crazy" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Eminem's "My Name Is" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Sugar Ray's "Every Morning" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
98 Degrees's "The Hardest Thing" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Brandy & Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Limp Bizkit's "Nookie" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Music
From chart-toppers to birthdays to passings — what the music world was up to on April 30 across the decade.
Mac DeMarco, Canadian singer-songwriter
Mac DeMarco, Canadian singer-songwriter · Paula Ribó, Spanish singer-songwriter and actress
Travis Scott, American rapper and producer
Travis Scott, American rapper and producer
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from April 30 across the 1990s.
Kaarel Kiidron, Estonian footballer
Kaarel Kiidron, Estonian footballer
Marc-André ter Stegen, German footballer
Marc-André ter Stegen, German footballer
Tommy Caton, English footballer (born 1962)
Tommy Caton, English footballer (born 1962)
Adam Ryczkowski, Polish footballer
Adam Ryczkowski, Polish footballer
Full Events Archive
Highlights
The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Jonny Brownlee
Jonny Brownlee, English triathlete
Chris Kreider
Chris Kreider, American ice hockey player
Martin Fuksa
Martin Fuksa, Czech canoeist
Chae Seo-jin
Chae Seo-jin, South Korean actress
Formula One racing driver Roland Ratzenberger is killed in a crash during the qualifying session of the San Marino Grand Prix run at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari outside Imola, Italy.
Maung Maung Kha, Burmese colonel and politician, 8th Prime Minister of Burma (born 1920)
Neo-Nazi David Copeland carries out the last of his three nail bombings in London at the Admiral Duncan gay pub, killing three people and injuring 79 others.
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
Mac DeMarco
Mac DeMarco, Canadian singer-songwriter
Paula Ribó
Paula Ribó, Spanish singer-songwriter and actress
Travis Scott
Travis Scott, American rapper and producer
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Kaarel Kiidron
Kaarel Kiidron, Estonian footballer
Marc-André ter Stegen
Marc-André ter Stegen, German footballer
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Almost Live
"Gaywatch" (Season 10, Episode 23) aired on 1994-04-30.
Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?
"Chapter and Verse" (Season 1, Episode 9) aired on 1994-04-30.
Cops
"Indianapolis, IN #1" (Season 6, Episode 36) aired on 1994-04-30.
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
"The Abduction (1)" (Season 2, Episode 22) aired on 1994-04-30.
"Aaron Neville (host), Garth Brooks, Bonnie Raitt, Ben E. King" (Season 1994, Episode 16) aired on 1994-04-30.
"Not So Easy Riders" (Season 1, Episode 8) aired on 1994-04-30.
"Weddings; children's jokes" (Season 6, Episode 22) aired on 1995-04-30.
"Arianna Huffington" (Season 1996, Episode 50) aired on 1996-04-30.
"Assault with a Deadly Dick" (Season 1, Episode 17) aired on 1996-04-30.
"Barbara Walters, Anthony Clark, Van Morrison" (Season 1996, Episode 68) aired on 1996-04-30.
"Wednesday April 30 1997" (Season 25, Episode 87) aired on 1997-04-30.
"Wendy Liebman" (Season 1997, Episode 58) aired on 1997-04-30.
"Alec Baldwin, Joey Lauren Adams, Indigo Girls" (Season 1997, Episode 67) aired on 1997-04-30.
"Patrick Swayze" (Season 1998, Episode 58) aired on 1998-04-30.
"Gena Lee Nolin, Mark Wahlberg, Brian Regan" (Season 1998, Episode 66) aired on 1998-04-30.
The digital revolution was just getting started:
Total Request Live had teenagers calling in around the clock. Here's what was charting:
The #1 most requested video on TRL on this date in 1999
#2 on TRL — Korn, "Freak On A Leash"
#3 on TRL — Britney Spears, "...Baby One More Time"
#4 on TRL — *NSYNC, "I Drive Myself Crazy"
#5 on TRL — Eminem, "My Name Is"
#6 on TRL — Sugar Ray, "Every Morning"
#7 on TRL — 98 Degrees, "The Hardest Thing"
#8 on TRL — Lauryn Hill, "Ex-Factor"
#9 on TRL — Brandy & Monica, "The Boy Is Mine"
#10 on TRL — Limp Bizkit, "Nookie"
By Year
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