Daft Punk, formed in Paris in 1993 by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, was a highly influential French electronic music duo. They rose to fame in the late 1990s within the French house movement, blending elements of house, funk, disco, techno, rock, and synth-pop. Their innovative sound earned them significant critical and commercial success, solidifying their place as pioneers in dance music history.
1901: Release of Phoenix's "1901" (Referenced)
Daft Punk incorporated Phoenix's song "1901" into their medley during a surprise appearance at the band's concert in 2010.
1964: The Beatles' Ed Sullivan Show Appearance (Reference)
The Guardian drew a parallel between the impact of Daft Punk's Alive 2006/2007 tour and The Beatles' 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, both events credited with bringing their respective genres to mainstream American audiences.
1974: 'Phantom of the Paradise' Influences Daft Punk's Image
The 1974 film 'Phantom of the Paradise,' featuring a masked character, significantly influenced Daft Punk's artistic direction, particularly their use of costumes and masks.
1987: Bangalter and Homem-Christo Meet
Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo's paths crossed in 1987 as students at the Lycée Carnot secondary school in Paris, laying the foundation for their future musical partnership.
1992: Formation of Darlin'
In 1992, Bangalter and Homem-Christo, along with Laurent Brancowitz, formed the indie rock band Darlin', a precursor to their groundbreaking electronic music venture as Daft Punk.
September 1993: Meeting Stuart Macmillan
Daft Punk's trajectory took a significant turn in September 1993 when they met Stuart Macmillan of the record label Soma Quality Recordings, leading to the release of their debut single, "The New Wave."
1993: Formation of Daft Punk
Daft Punk was formed in 1993.
1993: Formation of Daft Punk
In 1993, the influential electronic music duo, Daft Punk, was formed in Paris by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo.
1993: Beginning of Musique Vol. 1 Anthology Period
The release of Musique Vol. 1 1993–2005 in April 2006 marked the beginning of the period covered in the anthology, spanning from 1993 to 2005.
1994: Release of "The New Wave"
Daft Punk's debut single, "The New Wave," was released in 1994, marking their first foray into the music scene.
May 1995: Recording of "Da Funk"
In May 1995, Daft Punk returned to the studio to record "Da Funk," a track that would become their first commercially successful single and help propel them to fame.
September 1996: Signing with Virgin Records
Daft Punk signed with Virgin Records in September 1996, marking a pivotal step in their career and providing them with a platform for wider recognition.
1996: First US Performance
Daft Punk made their first US performance in 1996 at an "Even Furthur" event in Wisconsin, expanding their reach to a new continent.
1997: Release of "Homework"
"Homework", Daft Punk's debut album, was released in 1997 and garnered significant attention for its innovative sound and impact on the electronic music scene.
1997: Daftendirektour Performance (Partial Release)
A 45-minute excerpt from Daft Punk's Daftendirektour performance was released in 2001 as Alive 1997, showcasing their live show from 1997.
1997: Daftendirektour Performance
Daft Punk embarked on their Daftendirektour, including a performance at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles in 1997, which was later streamed on Twitch in 2022.
1997: Daft Punk Maintains Visual Anonymity
Daft Punk maintained a policy of not showing their faces in videos and most public appearances, preferring to let their music take center stage and protect their privacy.
1997: Release of "Homework"
Daft Punk released their debut studio album, "Homework", in 1997 under Virgin Records, marking their presence in the music scene.
1998: Release of "Music Sounds Better With You"
Stardust, a group formed by Bangalter, released their sole hit, "Music Sounds Better With You", in 1998, adding another layer to Bangalter's musical endeavors beyond Daft Punk.
1999: Daft Punk Adopts Robot Personas
Daft Punk began to cultivate an air of mystery and futurism in 1999 by donning robot helmets and costumes for public appearances, concealing their identities and adding to their allure.
1999: Aphex Twin's 'Windowlicker' Inspires 'Discovery'
Daft Punk found inspiration in Aphex Twin's single "Windowlicker" (1999) while working on their album 'Discovery.'
1999: Release of "D.A.F.T.: A Story About Dogs, Androids, Firemen and Tomatoes"
Daft Punk released their music video compilation "D.A.F.T.: A Story About Dogs, Androids, Firemen and Tomatoes" in 1999, showcasing their visual creativity and collaborations with notable directors.
2001: Interstella 5555 and Daft Club Release
In 2001, Daft Punk collaborated with Leiji Matsumoto on Interstella 5555, an anime film featuring music from Discovery. The first four episodes premiered on Toonami, and a 45-minute excerpt of their Daftendirektour performance was released as Alive 1997.
2001: Daft Punk Appear in Gap and Toonami Advertisements
Daft Punk's popularity grew in 2001 through appearances in mainstream media. They were featured in a Gap advertisement with Juliette Lewis, showcasing their single "Digital Love," and on Cartoon Network's Toonami block promoting the Toonami website and their animated music videos for "Discovery."
2001: Release of "Discovery"
Daft Punk released their second album, "Discovery", in 2001. The album featured hit singles like "One More Time", "Digital Love", and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" and further propelled their success.
2001: Release of "Discovery"
Daft Punk released "Discovery" in 2001, a critically acclaimed album that further solidified their status as pioneers of electronic music and house music.
2001: Daft Punk Debuts Robot Costumes
Daft Punk introduced their iconic robot costumes in 2001 during a Cartoon Network's Toonami block, marking a significant point in their visual identity.
2003: Interstella 5555 DVD Release
The full-length animated film Interstella 5555, featuring Daft Punk's music, was released on DVD in 2003.
March 2005: Human After All Release
Daft Punk released their third studio album, Human After All, in March 2005. The album, created in just six weeks, received mixed reviews for its repetitive nature and darker tone.
2005: Release of "Human After All"
Daft Punk's third studio album, "Human After All," was released in 2005, receiving mixed reviews but still producing popular tracks like "Robot Rock" and "Technologic".
April 2006: Musique Vol. 1 and Human After All: Remixes Release
Daft Punk released Musique Vol. 1 1993–2005, a CD/DVD anthology, in April 2006, compiling their work up to that point. A remix album, Human After All: Remixes, was also released.
May 2006: Daft Punk's Electroma Premiere
Daft Punk's film, Daft Punk's Electroma, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's Director's Fortnight in May 2006. Notably, the film does not feature any of the band's own music.
2006: Daft Punk Perform at Coachella
Daft Punk performed at the Coachella Festival in 2006.
2006: Daft Punk Experiment with Image
Following the release of "Human After All" in 2006, Daft Punk, wanting to avoid repetition, adopted a new look with simplified helmets and black leather outfits. They began obscuring their faces during interviews, including wearing cloth bags over their heads for a televised interview, a decision they claimed was spontaneous and reflected their desire for experimentation with their public image.
2006: LCD Soundsystem Release "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House"
LCD Soundsystem released "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House," a song that reached No. 29 in the UK and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording in 2006. The Soulwax remix of the song prominently featured samples from Daft Punk tracks, as well as tracks by Thomas Bangalter.
2006: Release of "Electroma"
Venturing into filmmaking, Daft Punk directed and released the avant-garde science fiction film "Electroma" in 2006.
2006: Alive 2006/2007 Tour Begins
Daft Punk embarked on their highly acclaimed Alive 2006/2007 world tour, captivating audiences with their innovative pyramid-shaped stage and "megamix" of their music.
2006: 'Electroma' Film Release
Daft Punk directed and released their film 'Electroma,' which would later be used to announce their split.
March 2007: Daft Punk's Electroma Midnight Screenings
Following its premiere at Cannes, Daft Punk's Electroma began midnight screenings in Paris theaters starting in March 2007, offering fans a chance to experience the visually striking film.
November 2007: Alive 2007 Release
Daft Punk released their second live album, Alive 2007, on November 19, 2007, capturing their acclaimed performance in Paris and featuring a live rendition of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."
2007: Kanye West Samples Daft Punk in "Stronger"
Kanye West's 2007 hit "Stronger" from the album "Graduation" sampled Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger." Daft Punk's distinctive robot costumes were even featured in the song's music video.
2007: Alive 2006/2007 Tour Continues
Daft Punk's Alive 2006/2007 tour continued throughout 2007, further solidifying their reputation as groundbreaking live performers and introducing electronic music to a wider audience.
2007: "Alive 2007" Tour and Grammy Win
Daft Punk toured extensively throughout 2006 and 2007, culminating in the release of their live album "Alive 2007", which later won a Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album.
February 2008: Surprise Grammy Appearance and Kanye West Collaboration
Daft Punk made a surprise appearance at the 50th Grammy Awards in February 2008, marking their first televised live performance. They joined Kanye West on stage for a memorable performance of a reworked version of "Stronger."
2008: Daft Punk Perform at the Grammy Awards
Daft Punk appeared and performed at the 2008 Grammy Awards, maintaining their iconic robot costumes.
2008: New Management, DJ Mag Ranking, and DJ Hero
Daft Punk returned to Paris in 2008 to work on new material, parting ways with manager Pedro Winter. They debuted at number 71 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list and contributed to the video game DJ Hero, appearing as playable characters.
2008: Wiley and Jazmine Sullivan Sample Daft Punk
Daft Punk's influence on the music scene continued in 2008 as Wiley sampled "Aerodynamic" for his single "Summertime," and Jazmine Sullivan sampled "Veridis Quo" from "Discovery" for her song "Dream Big" off her album "Fearless."
2008: Janet Jackson Samples Daft Punk in "So Much Betta"
Janet Jackson's 2008 song "So Much Betta," featured on her album "Discipline," sampled Daft Punk's track "Daftendirekt" from their album "Homework."
2009: Bangalter Cites Andy Warhol as an Influence
Thomas Bangalter cited Andy Warhol as an influence on Daft Punk.
2009: JoJo Samples Daft Punk in "You Take Me (Around the World)"
JoJo's 2009 release "You Take Me (Around the World)" featured a sample from Daft Punk's iconic track, "Around the World."
2009: Daft Punk Begins Work on Tron: Legacy Score
It was announced at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con that Daft Punk would be composing the score for the film Tron: Legacy, marking their first foray into film scoring.
2009: Grammy Awards for Alive 2007 and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"
Daft Punk won two Grammy Awards in 2009, recognizing their work on Alive 2007 and the single "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger," solidifying their place in music history.
December 2010: Tron: Legacy Soundtrack Release and "Derezzed" Music Video
The soundtrack for Tron: Legacy, composed by Daft Punk, was released in December 2010. The same day, the music video for "Derezzed," featuring Olivia Wilde as Quorra, premiered on MTV Networks. The video was later released for purchase on iTunes and included in the film's DVD and Blu-ray releases.
2010: Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Induction and Collaboration with Phoenix
In 2010, both Bangalter and Homem-Christo were awarded the rank of Chevalier (knight) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, a prestigious French order of merit. Later that year, they made a surprise appearance during a Phoenix concert at Madison Square Garden, performing a medley of their own songs and Phoenix's "1901."
2010: Daft Punk Scores "Tron: Legacy"
Showcasing their musical versatility, Daft Punk composed the score for the 2010 film "Tron: Legacy," further solidifying their presence in popular culture.
April 2011: Tron: Legacy Reconfigured Release
Walt Disney Records released Tron: Legacy Reconfigured, a remix album of Daft Punk's score for Tron: Legacy, in April 2011.
October 2011: Daft Punk Ranked in DJ Magazine's "Top 100 DJs of 2011"
Daft Punk's continued relevance in the electronic music scene was evident in October 2011 when they secured the 28th position in DJ Magazine's "top-100 DJs of 2011" list, climbing from their previous year's ranking of 44th.
2011: Daft Punk Design Coca-Cola Bottles and Appear in Yves Saint Laurent Campaign
Daft Punk's influence expanded in 2011 with their designs for limited-edition Coca-Cola bottles and their appearance in the "Music Project" for fashion house Yves Saint Laurent, photographed alongside Courtney Love.
2011: Unreleased Track "Drive" Released
Soma Records released "Drive," a previously unreleased Daft Punk track recorded in the 1990s, as part of a 20th-anniversary compilation in 2011.
January 2012: Daft Punk Ranked No. 2 on Mixmag's Greatest Dance Acts of All Time
In January 2012, Daft Punk's legacy was solidified further as Mixmag placed them at No. 2 on their list of the "Greatest Dance Acts of All Time." The Prodigy claimed the top spot by a slim margin.
October 2012: Junior Kimbrough Mix for Yves Saint Laurent Fashion Show
Daft Punk curated a 15-minute mix of blues musician Junior Kimbrough's songs for Hedi Slimane's Yves Saint Laurent fashion show in October 2012, showcasing their eclectic taste and influence.
May 2013: Random Access Memories and "Get Lucky" Release
Daft Punk's fourth studio album, Random Access Memories, was released in May 2013. The lead single, "Get Lucky," achieved significant success, becoming their first UK number-one single and a streaming phenomenon on Spotify.
August 6, 2013: Daft Punk Cancel Appearance on "The Colbert Report"
Daft Punk were scheduled to appear on "The Colbert Report" on August 6, 2013, but had to cancel due to contractual obligations with the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. Stephen Colbert revealed the duo were unaware of any exclusivity agreement and were stopped by MTV executives.
2013: Collaboration on Kanye West's Yeezus
Daft Punk played a significant role in the creation of Kanye West's sixth studio album, Yeezus, released in 2013. They co-produced several tracks, including "On Sight," "Black Skinhead," "I Am a God," and "Send It Up," contributing to the album's experimental sound.
2013: 'Infinity Repeating' Demo Recording
Daft Punk recorded the demo for "Infinity Repeating" with Julian Casablancas and the Voidz.
2013: Release of "Random Access Memories"
Daft Punk transitioned to Columbia Records in 2013 and released their fourth studio album, "Random Access Memories," to critical acclaim.
2013: Daft Punk Release Action Figures and Appear at the Monaco Grand Prix
In 2013, to coincide with the release of "Random Access Memories" in Japan, Bandai Tamashii launched S.H. Figuarts (SHF) action figures of the duo. Adding to their public appearances, Daft Punk attended the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix in support of the Lotus F1 Team, who raced cars branded with the band's logo.
March 2014: Unreleased Track "Computerized" Leaks
An unreleased Daft Punk track featuring Jay-Z, titled "Computerized," leaked online in March 2014. The song, which incorporates elements from the Tron: Legacy soundtrack, was initially intended as a single to promote the film.
2014: Grammy Awards for "Random Access Memories"
Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories" earned them five Grammy Awards in 2014, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for "Get Lucky," solidifying their influential mark on the music industry.
2014: Daft Punk Win at the Grammy Awards
Daft Punk, in their robot attire, accepted their awards on stage at the 2014 Grammy Awards. Pharrell and Paul Williams spoke on their behalf.
2014: Daft Punk Featured in "Eden"
In 2014, the French drama film "Eden" featured Daft Punk portrayed by actors during various points in their career. The film follows the journey of a techno fan turned DJ and recovering addict.
April 2015: Tribute to Nile Rodgers
Daft Punk made a brief appearance in a documentary about Nile Rodgers' life, Nile Rodgers: From Disco to Daft Punk, in April 2015, paying tribute to their collaborator.
2015: Recognition by Rolling Stone
Daft Punk's influence was further cemented in 2015 when Rolling Stone ranked them as the 12th greatest musical duo of all time.
2015: Daft Punk Ranked Among Most Influential Music Acts
Daft Punk's legacy as one of the most influential dance acts was solidified in 2015 when Rolling Stone ranked them 12th on their list of the greatest musical duos.
2015: Daft Punk Announce Co-Ownership of Tidal
Daft Punk joined other musicians in announcing their co-ownership of the music streaming service Tidal at its relaunch in 2015.
2016: Collaboration with The Weeknd
Daft Punk achieved their first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016 with "Starboy," a collaboration with The Weeknd.
2016: Collaboration on The Weeknd's "Starboy" and "I Feel It Coming"
Daft Punk collaborated with The Weeknd on his singles "Starboy" and "I Feel It Coming" in 2016. "Starboy" topped the Billboard Hot 100, marking Daft Punk's first US number-one song.
February 2017: Pop-Up Shop and Grammy Performance with The Weeknd
Daft Punk opened a pop-up shop in Hollywood, California, in February 2017, showcasing memorabilia and their iconic costumes. They also performed alongside The Weeknd at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
June 2017: Daft Punk Produces 'Overnight' for Parcels
In June 2017, Australian band Parcels released their single "Overnight," produced and co-written by Daft Punk, marking this as their last production together.
2017: Daft Punk Medley Performed at Bastille Day Parade
A medley of Daft Punk's music was performed by a French military band during the 2017 Bastille Day parade, with French President Emmanuel Macron and guests including US President Donald Trump in attendance.
2017: Daft Punk Perform at the Grammy Awards
Daft Punk performed at the 2017 Grammy Awards, maintaining their iconic robot costumes.
2017: Unreleased "Drive" Remix Released
Soma Records included a previously unreleased remix of Daft Punk's track "Drive" on a compilation album featuring various artists in 2017.
2018: Possible Start of a New Album
Daft Punk potentially began working on a new studio album in 2018, according to session musician W. F. Quinn Smith.
2018: New Flatworm Species Named After Daft Punk
In 2018, a new species of flatworm, Baicalellia daftpunka, was named after Daft Punk due to the resemblance of part of the organism to the duo's iconic helmets.
August 11, 2019: 'Technologic' Exhibition Ends
On August 11, 2019, an electronic music exhibition based on Daft Punk's song "Technologic" concluded at the Philharmonie de Paris.
April 2020: Daft Punk Featured in "Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert"
Footage of Daft Punk's 2006 performance at Coachella was included in the documentary "Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert," released on YouTube in April 2020.
2020: "Discovery" Ranked on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums
Daft Punk's "Discovery" continued to receive accolades even years after its release, securing a spot on Rolling Stone's prestigious list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" in 2020.
February 2021: Daft Punk Announces Split
Daft Punk announced their disbandment in February 2021 via a video titled "Epilogue" on their YouTube channel, featuring a scene from their 2006 film 'Electroma.'
November 2021: Pentatonix's Daft Punk Medley Surpasses 355 Million Views
A cappella group Pentatonix gained widespread recognition for their Daft Punk medley, which had amassed over 355 million views on YouTube by November 2021. The medley also won a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or a Cappella at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
2021: Daft Punk Announces Split
In 2021, Daft Punk announced their disbandment, marking the end of an era for the iconic electronic music duo.
2021: Pitchfork Recognizes "Discovery"
Pitchfork, a prominent music publication, highlighted Daft Punk's "Discovery" in 2021 as a central piece of the duo's career and a testament to their enduring impact.
February 2022: Daft Punk Celebrates 25th Anniversary of 'Homework'
Daft Punk celebrated the 25th anniversary of their debut album 'Homework' in February 2022 with a special reissue, remix album, and a Twitch stream of their 1997 performance at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles.
2022: Daft Punk Featured in "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet"
Daft Punk's helmets were featured as wearable items in the 2022 video games "Pokémon Scarlet" and "Pokémon Violet."
February 2023: Daft Punk Announces 10th Anniversary Edition of 'Random Access Memories'
Daft Punk announced a 10th-anniversary edition of their album 'Random Access Memories' in February 2023.
April 2023: Bangalter Releases Solo Ballet Score and Discusses Daft Punk Split
Thomas Bangalter, one half of Daft Punk, released a solo orchestral ballet score titled 'Mythologies' in April 2023. In interviews, he revealed concerns about artificial intelligence and technology as reasons for Daft Punk's split, stating his discomfort with being perceived as a robot in the current world.
May 2023: 'Random Access Memories' 10th Anniversary Reissue
The 10th-anniversary reissue of 'Random Access Memories' was released in May 2023, featuring unreleased outtakes, demos, and the single "Infinity Repeating (2013 Demo)" with Julian Casablancas and the Voidz, considered their "last song ever."
November 2023: 'Drumless Edition' of 'Random Access Memories' Released
In November 2023, a special 'Drumless Edition' of 'Random Access Memories' was released, featuring all 13 tracks without drums and percussive elements.
February 2024: Madame Tussauds New York Unveils Daft Punk Wax Figures
Madame Tussauds New York revealed wax figures of Daft Punk in February 2024, further cementing their status as cultural icons.
February 2024: Daft Punk Day and 'Interstella 5555' Events
On February 22, 2024, the third anniversary of their split, Daft Punk announced a series of events dubbed "Daft Punk Day." They will broadcast 'Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem' on Twitch, release a vinyl reissue of "Something About Us," and premiere a 4K remaster of the film at the 2024 Tribeca Festival.
2024: Session Musician Claims Daft Punk Started a New Album in 2018
In early 2024, W.F. Quinn Smith, a session musician, revealed in an interview that Daft Punk had commenced work on a new studio album in 2018. He participated in preliminary recording sessions but mentioned that the project's status remains uncertain.