Here is a list of the "one-hit wonders" that have made it all the way to Number 1 during the "rock-and-roll era": Funkytown And now for some one-hit wonders that did not make it to #1: Play that
Funky Music Melba toast is named after Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba (1861-1931). Elvis' favorite collectibles were official badges. He collected police badges in almost every city he performed in. Duran Duran took their name from a mad scientists in the movie Barbarella. The world's largest disco was held at the Buffalo Convention Centre, New York, 1979. 13,000 danced a place into the Guinness Book of World Records. In August 1983, Peter Stewart of Birmingham, UK set a world record by disco dancing for 408 hours. The Beatles song "Martha My Dear" was written by Paul McCartney about his sheepdog Martha. The harmonica is the world's best-selling music instrument. Themes from movies Unforgiven, A Perfect World, The Bridges of Madison County, and Absolute Power were all written by Clint Eastwood. The only guy without a beard in ZZ TOP surname (last name) is Beard. The Carpenters
signature song, We've Only Just Begun, was originally part of a television
commercial for a California bank. In 1962, the Beatles made the band's broadcast debut on BBC Radio's "Light Programme." In 1966, Brian Wilson's "Caroline No" was the first solo single by any member of the Beach Boys. In 1973, Bruce Springsteen starred in a showcase at Max's Kansas City club in New York City. In the audience -- CBS Records talent scout John Hammond. The man who signed Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan would sign Springsteen to a long-term recording contract. In 1976, Elton John's likeness was added to Madame Tussaud's waxworks in London. In 1983, TNN, the Nashville Network (now known as The National Network), premiered. In 1993, the Black Crowes cut short a concert in Louisville, Ky., after a member of the band's entourage was beaten and another arrested by narcotics detectives backstage. The police later admitted they found no drugs. Also in 1993,
Erik Schrodi -- "Everlast" of the rap group House of Pain --
was arrested at New York's JFK airport for carrying an unloaded pistol
in his suitcase. Also in 1994, Erin Everly filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against ex-husband Axl Rose, claiming the Guns N' Roses frontman beat her up and threatened her during their brief marriage. In 1995, Daily Variety reported Bruce Springsteen had agreed to write and perform songs for Sean Penn's movie "The Crossing Guard." In 1996, Michael Jackson was sued by Maureen Doherty, the former vice president and general counsel of MJJ Enterprises. Doherty contended she'd been fired the previous September because she's a woman. In 1997, Los Angeles police arrested a man in connection with the August 1994 drowning death of the former sister-in-law of Michael Jackson, Delores Jackson, who was once married to Michael's brother, Tito. The suspected murderer was her boyfriend at the time of her death. He was later convicted in her murder. Also in 1997, R&B singer Maxwell was the big winner at the 11th annual Soul Train Music Awards, winning three awards. Toni Braxton took home two awards. In 2000,
country bandleader and songwriter Pee Wee King died in Louisville, KY.
King, who suffered a heart attack on Feb. 28, was 86. In 1950, after 26 years on the radio, the long-running country music show "The National Barn Dance" aired for the last time. In 1968, a gold record was awarded posthumously to Otis Redding for his No.1 single "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay." In 1972, Crystal Gayle first entered the country music charts. In 1974, an insurance company paid out $112,000 on a life insurance policy taken out by Janis Joplin. The payment was in keeping with a court agreement that the coroner had ruled Joplin's 1970 overdose death an accident rather than a suicide. In 1976, the Paul Simon single "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" was certified "gold." In 1986,
Jay Black, lead singer for Jay and the Americans, filed for bankruptcy. In 1995, the Spin Doctors performed a concert to raise money for a trip by a Princeton, N.J., high school choir. Lead singer Chris Barron had graduated from the school. In 1997, former Fab Four member Paul McCartney was officially knighted by Queen Elizabeth II during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. In 1998, Stacey Guess of the Squirrel Nut Zippers died of a drug overdose. In 1999, vocalist Kelle Bryan quits U.K. R&B/crossover act Eternal, leaving the band as the duo of sisters Easther and Vernie Bennet. In 2001, Dave Matthews Band started a two week run at No. 1 on the US album chart with 'Everyday.' In 2002,
country artist Pat Green was hospitalized in Brownsville, Texas with multiple
facial fractures after being attacked by two men on South Padre Island. In 1955, jazz great Charlie "Bird" Parker died at age 34. In 1969, Paul McCartney -- the last bachelor Beatle -- married photographer Linda Eastman in a civil ceremony in London. Paul's brother, Mike, was his best man. No other Beatles attended the wedding. Also in 1969, George and Patti Harrison were arrested on marijuana possession charges in London. Harrison later said the bust was timed to coincide with Paul McCartney's wedding. And more from this date in 1969, Simon and Garfunkel's soundtrack of "The Graduate" won the Grammy for best record of 1968. In 1971, John Lennon released "Power to the People." He was backed by the New York-based band Elephant's Memory. Also in 1971, Jethro Tull released its "Aqualung" album. In 1974, John Lennon and Harry Nielsen were thrown out of the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles after constantly interrupting a show by The Smothers Brothers. Ironically, five years earlier, Tom Smothers sang backing vocals on Lennon's first Top-40 single "Give Peace A Chance." In 1976,
Joe Stampley's "The Sheik of Chicago" -- a tribute to Chuck
Berry -- entered the country music charts. In 1992, Dizzy Gillespie underwent surgery to remove an abdominal blockage. Also in 1992, singer/actor David Carroll collapsed and died from AIDS-related causes during a recording session in New York. He was 41. In 1995, George Clinton toured the site of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. He also donated memorabilia to the museum. In 1996, Nancy Sinatra donated her white go-go boots -- presumably, the ones she sang about in "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" -- to the Hard Rock Cafe in Beverly Hills, Calif. In 1999, Elvis Costello, Kiki Dee and Lulu were among the mourners at the funeral for pop singer Dusty Springfield, who died March 2 of breast cancer. The service was held at St. Mary the Virgin Church in Henley-On-Thames, England. In 2000, in London, multi-platinum R&B quartet Destiny's Child played its first live date since the Feb. 18 naming of Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams as the group's new members. Also in 2000, canadian music newcomer Chantal Kreviazuk dominated Canada's Juno Awards, which honor the best in Canadian music. She captured the trophy in the best female artist juried category and the best pop/adult album award for "Colour Moving and Still." In 2001,
Vince Gill and Amy Grant welcomed the arrival of a baby girl, Corrina
Grant Gill, at a Nashville area hospital. In 1965, Eric Clapton left the Yardbirds on the eve of the band's release of its third single, "For Your Love." In 1966, Rod Stewart left Steampacket to resume his solo career. In 1971, the Allman Brothers Band recorded its "Live at Fillmore East" album. In 1975, country couple George Jones and Tammy Wynette were divorced. In 1987, "Heat of the Night" by Bryan Adams became the first commercially released cassette single. In 1991,
Chicago jazz coronet great Jimmy McPartland died at age 83. Also in 1995, Carly Simon launched her first tour in 15 years in Boston. In 1996, viral laryngitis forced Rod Stewart to cancel two concerts at New York's Madison Square Garden. Also in 1996, at least seven people were injured in a riot in downtown Buenos Aires after they were unable to get free tickets to a Ramones concert from a Coca Cola bottler. The company said the tickets were being given away elsewhere. In 1998, a judge in Malibu, Calif., revoked Tommy Lee's probation in the wake of charges that he beat his wife -- former "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson -- during an argument. However, the judge delayed for 3 1/2 weeks the decision on whether to send the rocker back to jail. The Motley Crue drummer had been sentenced to probation after pleading no contest to charges he attacked a photographer attempting to videotape him and his wife outside a Hollywood nightclub in 1996. Lee eventually was returned to jail. Also in 1998, James Brown pleaded no contest to firearm charges stemming from his arrested two months earlier at his Beech Island, S.C., home. The "Godfather of Soul" was then sentenced to two years in prison, with his sentence suspended pending completion of a 90-day drug treatment program. In 2000, pop/punksters Blink-182 cut their current European tour short after singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker came down with strep throat. In 2001,
Eric Clapton released "Reptile," his first solo album since
1998's "Pilgrim." In 1968, Elvis Presley's 26th movie, "Stay Away Joe," premiered. And, renowned director and choreographer Busby Berkeley died on this date in 1976. In 1981, Eric Clapton was hospitalized in St. Paul, Minn., suffering from ulcers and exhaustion. He was forced to cancel the remaining dates of his U.S. tour. In 1984, the Hard Rock Cafe -- filled with rock 'n' roll memorabilia -- opened in New York City. In 1991, songwriter Doc Pomus died at age 65. He'd penned such hits as "Save the Last Dance for Me" for the Drifters, Jay and the Americans' "This Magic Moment," as well as several Elvis Presley hits. In 1992, as many as 40,000 people attended Farm Aid 5 at the Texas Stadium near Dallas. The 12-hour concert featured Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Waylon Jennings, Tracy Chapman, Kris Kristofferson, Arlo Guthrie, and Merle Haggard. In 1994, a bomb threat disrupted a Jay and the Americans' concert on Long Island, N.Y. No bomb was found. Also in 1994, a fourth show was added to Barbra Streisand's London concerts, due to the demand for tickets. And in 1994, the Boring Institute of New Jersey named Madonna's movie "Body of Evidence" the most boring film of 1993. In 1995, Garth Brooks, Michael Bolton and Kenny G testified before Congress on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1997, U2's eighth studio album, "Pop," debuted on the Billboard Top-200 album chart at No.1. In 1998, Will Smith started a three week run at No. 1 on the US singles chart with 'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It.' In 2000,
Elton John made his first in-store appearance in more than five years,
visiting Tower Records in West Hollywood in connection with the release
of "Elton John's 'The Road to El Dorado.'" The album was the
musical accompaniment to the animated movie "The Road to El Dorado." In 1962, Alexis Korner's Blues Inc. debuted at the Ealing Club in London with future Rolling Stone Charlie Watts on drums. Within weeks, Mick Jagger and Jack Bruce would join the group -- Jagger as a vocalist and Bruce on bass. In 1968, the Bee Gees made its U.S. television debut -- performing "To Love Somebody" and "Words" on "The Ed Sullivan Show." In 1973, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album first entered the Billboard Top-200 album chart -- and has hardly left it since. In 1978, "American Hot Wax" -- the biopic about disc jockey Alan Freed -- premiered. In 1982, Samuel George Jr., lead singer of the Capitols, was stabbed to death at age 39. The Capitols -- a Detroit trio -- had a top-10 hit in 1966 with the song "Cool Jerk." In 1987, Boy George met Princess Diana at a London disco. Also in 1987, fire damaged the San Diego, Calif., home of Jim Croce's widow, Ingrid. In 1990,
Prince began filming "Graffiti Bridge," the follow-up to his
movie "Purple Rain." In 1994, Michael Jackson's mother testified before a Los Angeles grand jury investigating whether to bring criminal charges of child molestation against her pop star son. No charges were ever filed. In 1996, a British newspaper (the London Sun) reported that Michael Jackson had purchased a French castle near EuroDisney outside Paris. In 1997, filming began on the first motion picture ever shot inside Graceland. It starred Harvey Keitel as a man who claims to be Elvis Presley and Bridget Fonda as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator. In 1998, "Van Halen 3" -- featuring new vocalist Gary Cherone -- was released. Also in 1998, Ice Cube kicked off a promotional tour to push the film "The Player's Club" as well as the soundtrack CD. And in 1998, rapper C-Bo -- a.k.a. Shawn Thomas -- was sentenced to two more months in jail in Sacramento, Calif., after testing positive for marijuana. That was a violation of his probation. In 1999, Lillian McMurry, co-founder and owner of Trumpet Records died of a heart attack in Jackson, Miss. Her label was the first to record slide guitarist Elmore James and harmonica ace Sonny Boy Williamson; Big Joe Williams, Little Milton, and B.B. King also appeared on the label. In 2000,
Shania Twain's "Come On Over" was certified for sales of 17
million in the U.S., making it the best-selling solo album by a female
artist, according to the RIAA. In 1957, Bill Haley and the Comets arrived back in the United States following a world tour, during which the band performed for more than half-a-million fans. In 1965, members of the Rolling Stones earned their "bad boys" reputation when they were fined for urinating in front of a public filling station after a concert in Essex, England. In 1970, Country Joe MacDonald was convicted of public obscenity for leading the audience at a Worcester, Mass., concert in his "fish" cheer, which spells out the so-called "f" word. In 1978, an estimated quarter-of-a-million people turned out to hear Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, Foreigner and Santana -- among others -- perform at the California Jam 2, held at a racetrack near Los Angeles. In 1982, Teddy Pendergrass was paralyzed when his Rolls Royce smashed into a tree in Philadelphia. He reportedly was attempting to avoid a collision with another vehicle when he lost control of his car. In 1986, Little Richard pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to his car accident the previous October. The musician had smashed his speeding sports car into a phone pole in West Hollywood. He suffered a broken leg. In 1988, Ike Turner was convicted of cocaine possession in Santa Monica, Calif. In 1992, Donna Summer received the 1,952nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1993, Lindsey Buckingham, of Fleetwood Mac fame, launched his first tour in 11 years -- and his first-ever as a solo artist -- with a concert in Chicago. In 1995,
a 17-year-old boy accused Hole lead singer Courtney Love of punching him
out during a concert in Orlando, Fla. The charges were later dropped. Also in 1996, Aaron Neville performed a concert for inmates at Louisiana's Angola St. Prison. In 1997, a jury in Santa Maria, Calif., ruled in favor of Michael Jackson in a lawsuit filed by five former Neverland Ranch workers. The ex-employees contended they'd been fired after cooperating with the investigation into the child molestation allegations against Jackson. Also in 1997, "Nine Lives" -- Aerosmith's first studio album in four years -- was released. And in 1997, slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. -- a.k.a. Christopher Wallace -- was laid to rest following a private funeral and a motorcade through the streets of Brooklyn, N.Y., where he grew up. The rapper had been killed in Los Angeles nine days earlier in a drive-by shooting. In 1999, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed in public for the first time in 10 years at the Asbury Park Convention Center in New Jersey. The show was the first of two benefitting local community groups. In 2000, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 20-cent stamped postcard featuring the historic Ryman Auditorium, home to the Grand Ole Opry for more than 30 years. In 2001, John Phillips, a founder of the Mamas & the Papas, died of heart failure in L.A. at the age of 65. The Mamas & the Papas reached the top 5 on Billboard's Hot 100 six times from 1966-1967, beginning with "California Dreamin'." In 2002,
authorities briefly shut down a suburban shopping mall after more than
1,000 teenagers showed up to meet boy-band B2K for an in-store autograph
session at the Sam Goody music store there. Two girls were treated for
hyperventilation. 1983 - The hit single, "Beat It," recorded by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney and featuring lead guitar work by Eddie Van Halen, entered Billboard's popular record charts. It eventually became Number 1 for 3 weeks, was on the charts for a total of 18 weeks, and was later certified platinum. In 1957, Elvis Presley purchased "Graceland," a stately colonial mansion on what was then the outskirts of Memphis. In 1958, setting the stage for future heavy metal groups, guitarist Link Wray's instrumental "Rumble" was released. In 1970, Rolling Stone magazine revealed that the opening words of Lennon and McCartney's "Come Together" were the same as lyrics in Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me" -- "Here come old flat top/He come groovin' up slowly..." In 1974, Jefferson Starship -- a revamped, updated Jefferson Airplane fronted by Paul Kantner and Grace Slick -- launched its first tour. In 1976, guitarist Paul Kossoff -- a founding member of Free -- died in his sleep from a heart attack on a flight from London to New York. He was 26. Also in 1976, Uriah Heep bassist Gary Thain died from a drug overdose. In 1982, Randy Rhoads -- Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist -- was killed during a flying prank gone awry in Orlando, Fla. He was a passenger aboard a plane that -- while buzzing Osbourne's tour bus -- clipped a wing and crashed. Rhoads was 25. In 1984, Duran Duran played to a full house at New York's Madison Square Garden. In 1988, The Cult drummer Les Warner left the group when its members decided to relocate to Los Angeles. In 1993, drummer Jeff Ward -- who had performed with Ministry and also with Nine Inch Nails -- killed himself. In 1995, former Giant Records President Charles Minor was shot to death, allegedly by an ex-girlfriend. Minor was 46. In 1996, at a London news conference, members of the Sex Pistols announced plans for a 20th anniversary reunion tour. Also in 1996, Michael Jackson and Saudi Prince Al Walid announced a deal to create an international multi-media entertainment company. And in 1996, "The Beatles Anthology 2" was released in the United States. In 1999, the Boston Globe reported that a $1.2 million agreement in principle had been reached in a woman's lawsuit against Everclear, the Paradise nightclub in Boston and two members of the New England Patriots football team. The woman allegedly had been injured when the players dove off the stage during a 1997 concert at the nightclub by the rock band. Also in 1999, the Dallas Morning News reported that House Majority leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, had tried to get Dallas's Reunion Arena to cancel a Marilyn Manson concert. However, arena management refused, saying it could not cancel a legal contract. And in 1999, rapper Master P donated $250,000 to the New Orleans Catholic Archdiocese to save the school he attended. In 2001, composer Monty Norman was awarded 30,000 pounds after a London High Court jury decided he had been libeled in a newspaper article that claimed he did not write the theme song to the James Bond films. In 2002, jazz organist Big John Patton died in Montclair, N.J., of complications from diabetes and kidney failure. In 1935, "Your Hit Parade" debuted on the radio. In 1968, Eric Clapton and Buffalo Springfield members Neil Young, Richie Furay and Jim Messina were arrested at a private home in Los Angeles. They were charged with "being in a place where it is suspected that marijuana is being used." In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married at the British Consulate in Gibraltar. Beatles assistant Peter Brown gave the bride away. In 1970, David Bowie married Angela Barnett in Bromley, England. In 1971, Janis Joplin posthumously topped the Billboard Hot-100 singles chart with "Me and Bobby McGee." In 1987, Boy George pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana charges in a London court. He was released on a "conditional discharge." Also in 1987, Kenneth Threadgill -- patriarch of the Austin, Texas, music scene who gave Janis Joplin her start -- died at age 78. In 1991, a Los Angeles jury awarded Peggy Lee $3.8 million in her lawsuit against Disney for not sharing with her the profits from the videotape sales of "Lady and the Tramp." Lee did four character voices and wrote six songs for the animated film, and was paid $3,500. Also in 1991, the four-year-old son of Eric Clapton was killed when he fell from the window of his mother's 53rd-floor New York City apartment. In 1994, Madonna won the worst actress Razzie Award for the third time, for her film "Body of Evidence." In 1996, the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences announced the 1997 Grammy Awards would be held at New York's Madison Square Garden -- marking the first time the show was being staged in an arena setting. In 1998, a federal jury in Springfield, Mo., cleared Tony Orlando of sexual harassment and discrimination charges in a lawsuit filed by two of his former backing singers at the Yellow Ribbon Theater in Branson. In 1999, a set of postage stamps commemorating what would have been the 30th wedding anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono was issued in Gibraltar. In 2000, Madonna issued a statement to announce that she was three months pregnant with her second child. The father was U.K. film director Guy Ritchie ("Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels"), who is 10 years Madonna's junior. In 2001, complaining of pain in her lungs, Country Music Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn was admitted to a Hurrican Mills, Tenn., hospital. She was treated for pneumonia and released March 31st. In 2002,
newcomer Alicia Keys and veteran act the Isley Brothers each took home
a pair of trophies from the 16th annual Soul Train Music Awards. In 1952, the first rock 'n' roll concert -- the Moondog Coronation Ball -- was held in the Cleveland Arena. In 1955, Big Maybelle recorded "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" in New York. In 1956, Carl Perkins' career was derailed when he was injured in a car accident en route to perform on Perry Como's TV show. Perkins' brother, Jay, was killed in the crash. In 1961, the Beatles played Liverpool's Cavern Club for the first time. In 1969, one day after their wedding, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began the first of their two "Bed-Ins for Peace" at the Amsterdam Hilton. In 1970, the Guess Who single "American Woman" was released. In 1976, David Bowie and Iggy Pop were arrested on marijuana possession charges at New York's Rochester hotel. The case was later dropped. In 1984, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats married actress Britt Eklund. In 1987, Journey was named Outstanding Group of the Year at the 10th annual Bay Area Music Awards. John Fogerty took home the Musician of the Year award. Also in 1987, Dean Paul Martin -- "Dino" of the '60s trio Dino, Desi and Billy and Dean Martin's son -- was killed when his Air National Guard jet crashed in the San Bernardino Mountains in California. In 1988, Ike Turner was sentenced to five years' probation after pleading guilty to cocaine possession charges in a Pasadena, Calif., courtroom. It was the musician's second drug conviction in a week. Also in 1988, Ziggy Marley -- son of the late reggae star Bob Marley -- released his "Conscious Party" album. And in 1988,
Hank Williams Jr. was named Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of
Country Music. In 1994, Bruce Springsteen won the best song Oscar for his "Streets of Philadelphia" from the movie "Philadelphia." Also in 1994, rocker Mitch Ryder announced he would donate royalties from his new song "Mercy" to "Dr. Death" Jack Kevorkian's campaign to permit assisted suicide in Michigan. In 1995, REM drummer Bill Berry left a Lausanne, Switzerland, hospital 19 days after undergoing brain surgery to repair an aneurysm. Also in 1995, Elton John's "Made in England" album was released. In 1996, it was announced that Sheryl Crow would accompany first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to visit U.S. peacekeeping troops in Bosnia. In 1997, Snoop Doggy Dogg was sentenced to three years' probation after pleading guilty to being an ex-felon in possession of a gun. The charges stemmed from an arrest on July 21, 1993. In 1999, Elton John's 7th annual Oscar night fundraiser in West Hollywood raised more than $300,000 for his AIDS charity. In 2000,
'N Sync broke the record for sales when the group's second CD, "No
Strings Attached," sold 1.1 million copies in its first day of release. In 1934, the debut of the radio program "Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour" launched a national craze among amateur performers hoping to hit the big time. Billboard published its first pop-music chart for albums on this day in 1945. The first No. 1 album was Nat King Cole's King Cole Trio. In 1958, Elvis Presley, 23, was sworn into the U.S. Army as Pvt. Presley, serial number US-53310761. Elvis Presley's monthly pay dropped from $100,000 to $78 a month when he became a G.I In 1964, the British Top-10 singles chart was entirely British for the first time ever. In 1965, Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman was knocked unconscious by an electric shock from a microphone stand during a concert in Denmark. In 1973, a fan at a Lou Reed concert in Buffalo, N.Y., jumped on-stage and bit into Reed's posterior after screaming "Leather!" Afterwards, Reed commented, "America seems to breed real animals." In 1984, Beach Boy Al Jardine married Mary Ann Helmandollar. In 1992, a Chicago judge approved a court settlement offering refunds to those people who bought the music of or attended concerts by the lip-synching duo Milli Vanilli. In 1993, Elton John broke Elvis Presley's record of having a top-40 single every year for 23 years straight when "Simple Life" entered the top 40 -- making it 24 years in a row for John. Also in 1993, singer Judy Collins went jogging with President Clinton but ran out of breath and hitched a ride with a limousine back to the White House. In 1998, a judge in Leicester, England, sentenced British pop singer Mark Morrison to one year in jail for sending an imposter to perform his court-ordered community service. Morrison had been convicted in a 1995 nightclub brawl that left one man dead. In 2000, a throat infection forced Latin pop star Enrique Iglesias to postpone his free concert at Universal's CityWalk Plaza Stage in Orlando, Fla. In 2001, Sammy and Kari Hagar gave birth to their second daughter in a Northern California hospital. Samantha Pastel Hagar weighed in at a healthy 6 lbs., 1 oz. In 2002,
after 15 Oscar nominations, Randy Newman finally won an Academy Award
for Best Original Song, "If I Didn't Have You" from "Shrek.' In 1970, Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary pleaded guilty to "taking immoral liberties" with a 14-year-old girl. In 1971, Emerson, Lake and Palmer recorded their version of Russian composer Moussorgsky's suite "Pictures at an Exhibition," live at Newcastle City Hall in England. In 1975, Ken Russell's film version of The Who rock opera "Tommy" premiered in London. In 1976, Paul McCartney's first live appearance in the United States in a decade was delayed three weeks when guitarist Jimmy McCulloch of Wings broke a finger in an accident in his Paris hotel room. In 1977, "Less Than Zero" -- the debut single from Elvis Costello -- was released by the newly formed Stiff Records in London. In 1980, Police played a one-night show in Bombay, India. The group was the first western pop band to perform in the Indian city in 10 years. In 1986, Kerry McCarver Lewis -- the 23-year-old sixth wife of Jerry Lee Lewis, then 51 -- filed for divorce. The couple later reconciled. In 1991, Black Crowes lead singer Chris Robinson said the band was dropped as the opening act for ZZ Top because of his on-stage remarks about commercial sponsorship of concerts. (Miller Brewing Company was sponsoring the ZZ Top tour.) In 1992, a Boston judge dropped assault and battery charges against New Kid On The Block Jordan Knight, who had allegedly ordered his bodyguard to slug a heckler outside a nightclub the previous June. In 1995, rapper Eric "Eazy-E" Wright died from AIDS only three weeks after being diagnosed. He was 31. Wright was the founder of the rap group NWA and of the Los Angeles-based Ruthless Records. In 1998, a survey named Madonna the worst dressed at the 70th annual Academy Awards. The pop singer-turned-actress had styled her hair in blonde ringlets and wore a black dress with the decolletáge to her waist. In 1999, rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard -- a.k.a. Russell Jones -- of the rap group Wu Tang Clan was arrested yet again, for the second time in 5 days and at least the fourth time in three months, this time in Harlem, N.Y. He was charged with driving without a license. In 2000, country singer Faith Hill substituted for Whitney Houston during a medley of old Oscar-nominated songs at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards. The Los Angeles Times reported conductor Burt Bacharach fired Houston after a rehearsal in which the diva reportedly was unprepared and unresponsive to Bacharach's direction, but program publicist Jane Labonte said only that Houston was having problems with her voice during the rehearsal and wasn't sure she could perform. Also in 2000, Kiss performed its own version of the Pepsi "Joy of Cola" jingle in a new commercial that debuted during the 72nd Academy Awards. Also in the spot: "Pepsi Girl" Hallie Eisenberg. Also in 2000, Carly Simon performed the Beatles' song "Act Naturally" for a Blockbuster ad that aired for the first time during the Oscars telecast. In 2002,
former Ozzy Osbourne/Motley Crue drummer Randy Castillo died at the age
of 41. In 1965, the Yardbirds replaced departing lead guitarist Eric Clapton with Jeff Beck, who'd been recommended by the group's first choice, Jimmy Paige. In 1972, Elvis Presley recorded what turned out to be his last major hit -- a powerful, driving cover of bluesman Arthur Alexander's "Burning Love." Also in 1972, Grand Funk Railroad fired its manager. In 1973, the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia was pulled over for speeding on the New Jersey Turnpike. But the $15 ticket for speeding was nothing compared to the substantial bail he had to raise when the police found various illegal substances in his car. In 1982, Ronnie Lane of Faces was admitted to a Florida hospital for treatment of multiple sclerosis. In 1987, a South River, N.J., high school student was suspended for wearing to school a t-shirt that said "To Hell with the Devil," promoting the Christian rock group Stryper. In 1991, Donnie Wahlberg of the New Kids On The Block was arrested on arson charges in Louisville, Ky. He'd allegedly poured vodka on a hotel carpet and set it on fire. In 1993, NBC repeated the "Saturday Night Live" show with musical guest Sinead O'Connor, first aired in Oct. 1992 -- but without the segment during which she ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II. In 1995, Elton John and Tim Rice won the best song Oscar for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from the Disney animated film "The Lion King." In 1998,
Alice Cooper broke ground for Cooper's Town, the In 2000, Ian Dury, lead singer of Ian Dury & The Blockheads, died of liver cancer. He was 57. In 2002,
actor/musician Dudley Moore-whose work as a jazz pianist was mainly overshadowed
by his film roles-died at his New Jersey home of pneumonia, a complication
of progressive supranuclear palsy. He was 66. In 1958, W.C. Handy died at age 84. In 1964, the Beatles broke Elvis Presley's seven-year record for most hits on Billboard's Hot 100 at the same time with 10. The Beatles continued to add to their record until April 11 when they occupied 14 positions on the chart. Also in 1964, Britain's first "pirate" rock radio station, Radio Caroline, began broadcasting from a barge anchored off shore to circumvent British broadcast laws. In 1969, Ringo Starr announced in London that there'd be no further public appearances by the Beatles. John Lennon disputed that, but it turned out Starr was right. In 1974, Arthur "Big Boy" Cruddup -- who wrote "That's All Right Mama" -- died at the age of 69. In 1979, Eric Clapton married Patti Boyd, George Harrison's ex-wife and the inspiration for Clapton's song "Layla." In 1982, David Crosby was arrested on various drug and weapons possession charges. When asked why he was carrying a concealed .45, Crosby replied -- "John Lennon." In 1984, drummer Mick Fleetwood filed for bankruptcy. Also in 1984, Culture Club arrived in Montreal, Canada, for the group's North American tour. The band was greeted at the airport by about 2,500 screaming fans. In 1985, a wax effigy of Michael Jackson was unveiled at Madame Tussaud's in London. In 1987, the Doobie Brothers moved a benefit concert from Phoenix to Las Vegas to protest Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham's decision to rescind the state holiday honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1991, rock 'n' roll broadcast pioneer Dick Clark was honored on the Hollywood Rock Walk. In 1993, Willie Nelson performed a benefit concert in Hillsboro, Texas, to raise money to restore the Hill County Courthouse that'd been destroyed by fire. Nelson spent his childhood in the area. In 1994, more New York dates were added to Barbra Streisand's upcoming tour. All of the shows sold out within minutes. Also in 1994, police announced a total of 91 arrests at a weekend series of Grateful Dead concerts on Long Island, N.Y. Again in 1994, 25 unruly fans were arrested outside a Pearl Jam concert in Miami. In 1999, Freaky Tah -- a.k.a. Raymond Rogers -- of the gangsta rap group The Lost Boyz was shot to death by masked gunmen outside a New York City hotel. He was 28. Two men later were arrested in connection with the murder. In 2000, country singer Trisha Yearwood's new album, "Real Live Woman," was released. In 1967, Jimi Hendrix set fire to his guitar on stage for the first time. In 1975, "Lovin You" by Minnie Riperton hits No. 1 on the Billboard Pop Chart. The song was produced by Stevie Wonder. In 1982, the Doobie Brothers confirmed they were breaking up. In 1986, O'Kelly Isley -- founding member of the Isley Brothers -- died of a heart attack at age 48. In 1991, Whitney Houston gave a free concert for Operation Desert Storm troops and their families at the Norfolk Naval Air Station in Virginia. In 1992, country singer Joni Mitchell, age 52, gave birth to a "test-tube" baby boy. She already had four grown kids and an adopted daughter with her second husband. In 1993, hit lyricist Mitchell Parish died at age 92. He wrote the lyrics for "Stardust," "Deep Purple" and "Volare," among others. In 1995, Tejano star Selena Quintanilla was shot to death in a hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was 23. The former president of her fan club was later convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1996, Phil Collins announced he was leaving Genesis after 21 years as the group's lead singer. He had replaced Peter Gabriel in 1975. Collins is probably better known for his solo hits than as Genesis' lead singer/drummer. In 1998, Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland released his first solo album, "12 Bar Blues." In 1999, it was announced that tickets for the Cranberries' forthcoming U.S. tour would be sold exclusively on the Internet. Tickets for the nine-date U.S. tour were available only through the band's Web site, www.cranberries.com. In 1957, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers opened a tour of the United Kingdom at London's Palladium. In 1966, David Bowie's first solo single, "Do Anything You Say," was released. In 1967, the Country Music Hall of Fame opened in Nashville. In 1969, the Beach Boys filed a $2 million lawsuit against Capitol Records to recover royalties and producers' fees for Brian Wilson. In 1977, the three-day Mar y Sol rock festival opened in Puerto Rico. On the bill: the Allman Brothers Band, Emerson Lake and Palmer, B.B. King, the J. Geils Band and Black Sabbath. In 1984, Marvin Gaye Jr. was shot to death by his father, one day before his 45th birthday. In 1987, the Smithsonian Institute announced it was acquiring Folkways Records, the largest catalog of folk recordings in the world. In 1991, in an April Fool's Day prank, Elton John -- dressed in drag -- surprised Rod Stewart onstage in London. In 1992, British rocker Billy Idol was sentenced to two years' probation for punching a woman in the face the previous October. Also in 1992, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced the 1993 Grammys would be held in Los Angeles after two years in New York. In 1993, Carole King, Bonnie Rait, David Crosby, Kenny Loggins, Phish and Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson headlined a free concert in Portland, Ore., to drum up support to preserve old-growth forests. In 1995, it was announced that Aerosmith's Joe Perry had written the theme song for the new "Spider-Man" cartoon series on Fox TV. In 1996, The Artist Formerly Known As Prince announced that he and his bride, Mayte Garcia, were expecting their first child in November. The baby was born prematurely in mid-October -- suffering from a severe birth defect -- and died a week later. In 1998, the first annual Playboy Bacardi New Music Concert Series opened in Tallahassee, Fla., with Jimmie's Chicken Shack headlining. Also in 1998, rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs became a father for the second time when his girlfriend, Kim Porter, gave birth to a baby boy in New York City. The couple named the child Christopher Casey Combs after the late rapper Notorious B-I-G, whose real name was Christopher Wallace. In 1967, the Beatles wrapped up recording "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." In 1971, Ringo Starr released his first solo single -- "It Don't Come Easy" -- which eventually reached No.4 on the charts. In 1977, "Sir Duke" -- Stevie Wonder's tribute to Duke Ellington -- was released. In 1981, a bottle-shaped children's book was published based on the lyrics of Sting's "Message in a Bottle." In 1987, a five-hour benefit for AIDS at London's Wembley Stadium featured Elton John, Boy George, George Michael and Bob Geldof. Also in 1987, British rocker Ronnie Lane debuted with his new band -- "Ronnie Lane and the Tremors" -- in Austin, Texas. The group included ex-Rolling Stones saxophonist Bobby Keys. Lane had been diagnosed as suffering from multiple sclerosis. Also in 1987, the Washington Post reported that Tammy Faye Bakker's "crush" on Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Gary Paxton is what drove her husband, TV preacher Jim Bakker, into the arms of church secretary Jessica Hahn -- touching off the PTL scandal. And in 1987, jazz drumming great Buddy Rich died following brain surgery. He was 69. In 1991, singer Diahann Carroll and Vic Damone announced they were splitting up. It'd been the fourth marriage for both. The couple wed Jan. 3, 1987, in Atlantic City, N.J. In 1993, a London newspaper reported that former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman's 30-year-old son, Stephen, was engaged to marry 46-year-old Patsy Smith, the mother of Bill's ex-wife Mandy. In 1994, an unauthorized biography of Janet Jackson was published. It said she was the only sibling to emerge intact from the "mad, dysfunctional (Jackson) family." In 1996, rocker Vince Neil sued his former Motley Crue band-mates for $5 million in damages, contending the group had dumped him four years earlier after signing a recording contract with Elektra. In 1998, Rob Pilatus -- one-half of the lip-synching duo Milli Vanilli -- was found dead in a hotel room in Frankfort, Germany. He was 32. Pilatus's death was blamed on a lethal mix of booze and pills. Also in 1998, a new interactive Hall of Fame opened at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. In 2000, British newspapers reported that the three surviving Beatles had finished work on the first "autobiography" about the Fab Four. The 360-page "Beatles' Anthology" was published in Oct. 2000. In 1948, the "Louisiana Hayride" country music variety show on KWKH Radio in Shreveport, La., aired for the first time. In 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on TV's popular "Milton Berle Show" -- singing "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Money, Honey" live from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hancock. In 1959, the Coasters' single "Charlie Brown" was banned by the BBC because of the word "spitball." In 1969, Jim Morrison surrendered to authorities in Los Angeles to answer to the indecent exposure charges filed against him following a Doors concert in Miami a month earlier. In 1975, Emmylou Harris played her first concert with The Hot Band in San Francisco. In 1984, a record producer won a $3 million-plus settlement in a court battle with Yoko Ono over royalties relating to "Double Fantasy," the album Ono and John Lennon had just completed when he was murdered in Dec. 1980. In 1987, President Reagan presented Minnie Pearl with the American Cancer Society's annual Courage Award for her personal fight against cancer. In 1990, internationally renowned jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan died at the age of 66. In 1992, Dolly Parton's new movie "Straight Talk" premiered nationwide. In 1993, Guns N' Roses cut short a sold-out concert in suburban Sacramento, Calif., after a fan threw a bottle that hit one band member in the head. In 1995, shock-jock Howard Stern triggered an uproar when he ridiculed the mourners of slain Tejano star Selena on his nationally syndicated radio show and aired her music with gunshots dubbed in. In 1996, rapper Hammer filed for bankruptcy, saying he was $10 million in debt. In 1998, Michael Jackson's wife, Debbie Rowe, gave birth to the couple's second child, a girl, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Their first child, a boy, had been born in February 1997. In 2000, Mariah Carey was hospitalized in Boston with complications from food poisoning. She'd gotten sick after eating raw oysters in Atlanta. The pop singer's illness forced postponement of her Boston concert. Also in 2000, at least 10 people were injured -- including six who were stabbed -- when a backstage melee erupted at the Ruff Ryder/Cash Money Tour concert at Boston's FleetCenter. And in 2000, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) presented Elton John with its Vito Russo Entertainer Award for furthering the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community through his work. In 2001,
bluesman Lester "Big Daddy" Kinsey died of prostate cancer in
Gary, Ind., at the age of 74. In 1940, Ernest Tubb made his first record for Decca. In 1964, in an event unique in pop music history, the Beatles had 12 songs on the Billboard Hot-100 singles chart and held the top-five positions with "Can't Buy Me Love," "Twist and Shout," "She Loves You," "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "Please Please Me." In 1968, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Buddy Guy played an all-night blues show in New York in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., who had been assassinated that day in Memphis. In 1969, the most popular show on TV, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, was cancelled by CBS because the brothers failed to submit an episode to network executives before its broadcast. The show was well known for its irreverent political satire and the brothers had already engaged in several censorship skirmishes with the network. In 1987, Starship scored its third No.1 single in 18 months with "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," from the film "Mannequin." Also in 1987, U2 entered the Billboard Top-200 album chart with "The Joshua Tree" at No.7. In 1993, a British newspaper (The Sunday Times) listed ex-Beatles Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Rolling Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and former Stone Bill Wyman among Britain's richest people. In 1994, a Los Angeles judge refused to dismiss murder charges against rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg in what police said was a gang-related shooting in August 1993. The rap star would later be acquitted by a jury. Also in 1994, police in Orlando, Fla., tear-gassed unruly Grateful Dead fans when they tried to get into a sold-out concert. In 1995, Duran Duran's "Thank You" album of mostly covers was released. In 1996, Jerry Garcia's widow and Grateful Dead bandmate Bob Weir scattered "a portion" of Garcia's ashes over the Ganges River in India. Garcia's ex-wife and their four daughters would later complain that they'd planned to scatter Garcia's ashes over the Pacific like he'd asked. In 1999, the London Sunday Mirror reported that, in her will, Dusty Springfield had left her cat to a friend and arranged to have the cat's favorite food flown in from the United States. In 1970, "Woodstock," the movie, had its British premiere in London. In 1976, folk singer Phil Ochs hung himself at his sister's home in Queens, N.Y. He was 35. In 1977, The Damned became the first British punk band to play in the United States. In 1987, in her book "Are You Lonesome Tonight," Lucy de Barbin said she had a 24-year-long affair with Elvis Presley that produced a daughter. The claim was laughed off by Graceland. In 1988, R.E.M. signed with Warner Bros. Records. In 1989, Cure drummer Lawrence "Lol" Tollhurst -- a founding member of the group in 1977 -- left the band. Reportedly, Cure frontman Robert Smith felt Tollhurst wasn't making appropriate musical contributions. In 1991, backing singer Yvette Marine sued Virgin Records, saying the lead vocals on at least two songs on Paula Abdul's 1988 debut album "Forever Your Girl" were a mix of her and Abdul's voices. Virgin and Abdul denied the charges. Marine would eventually lose her lawsuit. In 1993, contralto singer Marian Anderson died one month after suffering a stroke. She was 91. Anderson was the first black performer to appear at the New York Met. In 1994, Nirvana's Kurt Cobain was found dead from a gunshot wound at his home in Seattle. He was 27. The cause of death was ruled a suicide. In 1996, rocker and hunting advocate Ted Nugent demonstrated archery at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. He declared the sport a way to keep kids off booze and drugs. In 1997, singer/songwriter Laura Nyro died of ovarian cancer. She was 49. Among other songs, Nyro wrote "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Wedding Bell Blues" for the Fifth Dimension, "And When I Die" for Blood Sweat and Tears, and "Stoney End" for Barbara Streisand. In 1999, two suspects were arrested in New York in the shooting death two weeks earlier of rapper Freaky Tah (real name Raymond Rogers) of The Lost Boyz. Also in 1999, Celine Dion announced she was rearranging her schedule and postponing about a month's worth of concerts to be with her husband following his cancer surgery. In 2000, the Bacon Brothers -- headed by actor Kevin Bacon and his brother, Michael -- played a benefit concert at the Community College of Philadelphia. The show raised money for an award named for the Bacon brothers' mother, who had taught at the school. In 1961, Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" entered the country music charts. In 1962,
the movie version of the Broadway hit "West Side Story" won
10 Academy Awards, including one for best picture. In 1969, King Crimson -- with Robert Fripp, Greg Lake and Ian McDonald -- debuted at the Speakeasy Club in London. In 1976, Phil Ochs, one of the most popular singer-songwriters of the 1960s, known for his adamantly left-wing folk songs, died by his own hand at the age of 35. In 1984, Irene Cara's "Flashdance ... What a Feeling" won the best song Oscar. In 1987, the National Park Service voted against removing Beale Street in Memphis from the list of National Landmarks. Also in 1987, Sandi Patti was named Artist of the Year by the Gospel Music Association. In 1988, Dave Prater, of Sam and Dave, was killed in a car accident. He was 50. Also in 1988, Brook Benton died from bacterial meningitis at age 56. In 1992, Sandi Patti won four Dove Awards -- gospel music's most prestigious award -- at ceremonies in Nashville. In 1993, L.L. Cool J's "14 Shots To The Dome" album entered the Billboard Top-200 Album Chart at No.5. It would drop out of the top-10 the following week. In 1997, songwriter Mae Boren Axton died at age 82. She co-wrote the Elvis Presley classic hit "Heartbreak Hotel." In 1998, pop star George Michael was arrested for engaging in lewd conduct. The arrest was made at Will Rogers Park in Beverly Hills, Calif., after an undercover officer allegedly observed Michael performing a lewd act in a park restroom. In 1999, "Faith Hill's This Kiss Tour," the country singer's first solo outing, was kicked off at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre. In 2002, musician, composer and instrument maker Juno Lewis died at the age of 70 of complications from a stroke. Lewis was best known for his "Kulu Se Mama" composition on one of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane's final recordings. In 1956, Nat "King" Cole was attacked and beaten by a mob of racists while singing on stage at Municipal Hall in Birmingham, Ala. In 1958, Chuck Willis was killed in a car crash in Atlanta. He was 30. In 1962, Stu Sutcliffe -- the original bassist with the Beatles and the originator of the shaggy "Beatle" haircut -- died at age 21 from a brain hemorrhage. In 1970, Paul McCartney announced the Beatles had broken up. McCartney, who released his first solo album, said he was leaving the group because of personal differences with John Lennon. In 1981, Pretenders guitarist James Honeyman-Scott married model Peggy Sue Fender in London. In 1982, the Paul McCartney-Stevie Wonder duet "Ebony and Ivory" entered the U.S. pop singles chart at No. 29. It would eventually hit No. 1 in both the United States and Britain. In 1985, Wham! performed for 5,000 Chinese fans in Canton, China. In 1991, a judge in Louisville, Ky., reduced the arson charge against New Kid on the Block Donnie Wahlberg in exchange for his recording of fire safety, drug abuse and drunk driving public service announcements. The charge stemmed from a March 27 hotel hallway fire that Wahlberg allegedly had set. In 1992, Axl Rose skipped town ahead of Cook Co., Ill., Sheriff's deputies, who were going to arrest him on charges stemming from a riot that'd broken out July 2, 1991, at a suburban St. Louis concert. Rose's abrupt departure forced the cancellation of the Guns N' Roses concert in Chicago. Shows in suburban Detroit scheduled for April 13 and 14 were also cancelled. In 1993, more than 100 people were hurt and 100 others arrested when rioting erupted outside a Metallica concert in suburban Jakarta, Indonesia. In 1994, more than 10,000 people turned out for a memorial vigil in downtown Seattle for Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, who'd been found dead two days earlier from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In 1995, Rod Stewart said a British newspaper reporter misunderstood him when the journalist quoted the rocker saying he'd retire after his upcoming concert tour. In 1996, Rob Pilatus -- formerly of Milli Vanilli -- was arrested on outstanding warrants after being pulled over by Los Angeles police for running a stop sign. In 1997, A&M Records confirmed that Soundgarden was breaking up after 12 years. In 1999, the Smashing Pumpkins kicked off "The Arising" tour in Detroit. The first four songs of the show were cybercast via the Internet. In 2000, Whitney Houston received a standing ovation following a 20-minute performance at a party celebrating the 25th anniversary of her record label, Arista -- even if she did trip once on stage, speak a few lyrics instead of singing them, and stop in the middle of a tune to ask for a drink of water. In 2002, celebrated artist Peter Howson unveiled 10 nude portraits of Madonna-his latest works-to the world. The artist painted the works from imagination, since Madonna's husband, British film director Guy Ritchie, allegedly forbade her to pose when Howson inquired. In 1917, composer Scott Joplin, known as the "king of ragtime," died at the age of 49. In 1956, James Brown's first charted single -- "Please Please Please" -- appeared on the R&B singles charts. Also in 1956, the Jordanaires joined Elvis Presley in the studio for the first time, singing backup on "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You." In 1961, Bob Dylan performed professionally for the first time at Gerde's Folk City in New York's Greenwich Village, opening for John Lee Hooker. In 1963, the Beatles' "From Me To You" was released in England. It would become the Fab Four's first British No. 1 single. In 1965, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Animals, Moody Blues, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, Tom Jones and Dusty Springfield were among the performers at a concert sponsored by Britain's New Musical Express magazine. In 1970, one day after Paul McCartney formally announced the breakup of the Beatles, the group's "Let It Be" hit No. 1 on the pop charts. Also in 1970, Peter Green -- a founding member of Fleetwood Mac -- found religion and announced he was leaving the group. In 1981, Van Halen lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen married actress Valerie Bertinelli in Los Angeles. In 1984, at a concert in Atlanta, Adam Ant found his onstage diving pool filled with goldfish. The prank was pulled by his opening act The Romantics to celebrate the end of the tour. In 1988, the best original song Oscar went to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from the movie "Dirty Dancing." Also in 1988, Roy Acuff was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame by the National Association of Broadcasters. In 1994, the TV tabloid show "Hard Copy" reported that no criminal charges would be filed against Michael Jackson because the teenager who accused the pop star of molesting him refused to testify. Authorities denied this was the reason. Also in 1994, the coroner in Seattle confirmed that Kurt Cobain's death was a suicide. In 1995, Michael Jackson took wife Lisa Marie Presley and her two children on an outing to Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park near Los Angeles. In 1997, University of Central Florida officials said they'd gotten more than 800 phone calls protesting the planned concert (on April 15) by the rock group Marilyn Manson on campus. In 2000, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Donna Summer, RuPaul and Destiny's Child took the stage for "VH1 Divas 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross" at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. Also in 2000, Carlos Santana performed at a benefit concert for the San Francisco School of the Arts, the only publicly funded arts high school in the Bay Area. In 2001, Eminem was sentenced to two years probation for pistol-whipping a man he saw kiss his wife in the parking lot of a Detroit-area nightclub in June 2000. Also in 2001, 'N Sync took home three awards and Christina Aguilera, Eminem and Destiny's Child won two each at the Seventh Annual Blockbuster Awards in Los Angeles. And in 2001, Marc Anthony and Kid Rock joined Mary J. Blige and newcomers Nelly Furtado and Jill Scott on the fourth annual "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The show aired live on VH1. And in 2001, Don Henley and Alanis Morissette sang the praises of Napster before a congressional hearing on online music entertainment. Morissette called the popular online music sharing service publicity that could help many musicians survive, while Henley -- co-founder of the Recording Artists Coalition and former Eagles lead singer -- asked officials to protect Napster. In 2002,
former Mrs. Tommy Lee, Pamela Anderson said yes when bad-boy musician
Kid Rock proposed to her in the desert outside Las Vegas. In 1962, future Rolling Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met Brian Jones -- then performing as Elmo Lewis -- at a London blues hangout called the Ealing Club. In 1977, The Clash released its self-titled debut album. In 1981, guitarist Steve Marriott -- formerly with Faces and then with Humble Pie -- accidentally crushed his fingers in a revolving door in Chicago. In 1985, Wham! became the first major western rock band to perform in China. 12,000 Chinese fans showed up for the band's concert in Beijing. Also in 1985, Prince announced after a show at Miami's Orange Bowl that he was retiring from live performing. He didn't. In 1987, Ozzy Osbourne sent evangelist Oral Roberts $1 for "psychiatric treatment" after Roberts announced that God would take his life unless he received $1 million in donations. In 1993, the rock group Extreme and R&B singer Bobby Brown were the big winners at the seventh annual Boston Music Awards. Also in 1993,
members of the rap group Onyx roughed up a bootlegger in lower Manhattan.
No charges were filed. In 1995, rocker Eddie Van Halen was briefly detained after he tried to carry a loaded gun onto a commercial flight. He later pleaded no contest and was fined $300. Also in 1995, hundreds turned out at a South-Central Los Angeles church for a memorial service for rapper Eric "Eazy-E" Wright, who'd died of AIDS. In 1997, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher married actress Patsy Kensit in a secret civil ceremony in London. It was the first marriage for him, and the third for her. Also in 1997, the University of Amsterdam began offering a course titled "Madonna 101," a pop culture class studying the singer's lyrics, song stylings and films. In 1998, George Michael was arrested and charged with "engaging in a lewd act" in a Beverly Hills, Calif., park restroom. He would later plead "no contest" to the charges. Also in 1998,
Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee pleaded "no contest" to felony
spousal abuse charges in connection with his attack two months earlier
on his wife, former "Baywatch" actress Pamela Anderson. In 1965, the title of the Beatles' upcoming second movie was changed from "Eight Arms to Hold You" to "Help!" In 1970,
Steven Stills broke his wrist in a car accident in In 1972, "Starman" -- the first single from David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" album -- was released. In 1974, Pete Townshend made his solo performing debut at the Roundhouse in London, accompanied by tapes recorded in his home studio. In 1980, "The Touring Principle" by Gary Numan was released. It was the first rock videocassette offered for sale to the general public. In 1983, former Pretenders bassist Pete Farndon died from a heart attack at age 30. His death followed that in 1982 of bandmate James Honeyman-Scott, who'd died from a drug overdose. Also in 1983, Stevie Wonder re-signed with Motown Records. In 1984,
Phil Ramone married singer Karen Kamon in New York. In 1987, Whitney Houston broke the record for consecutive No. 1 singles with seven -- the seventh being "Where Do Broken Hearts Go." Also in 1987, "Tango in the Night" was Fleetwood Mac's first album in five years. And in 1987,
Mickey Gilley sued to dissolve his ties with the Pasadena, Texas, nightclub
bearing his name. In 1993, Vanessa Williams gave birth to a boy, her third child and first son for her and her husband/manager Ramon Hervey. In 1994, the King County, Wash., medical examiner said Kurt Cobain had been dead three days when his body was found. The doctor also said the Nirvana lead singer had taken heroin and Valium the day he shot himself. Cobain had died on April 5th, but wasn't found until April 8th. Also in 1994, Los Angeles prosecutors said the child molestation investigation of Michael Jackson was nearing an end, and that a decision on whether to file charges would be announced by the end of the month. No charges were ever filed. And in 1994, Billy Joel and model Christy Brinkley announced they were splitting up after nine years of marriage. In 1995, the family and business associates of the late Eric "Eazy-E" Wright asked a judge to settle their fight over the ownership of Wright's Ruthless Records. Also in 1995, Burl Ives died following a long battle with cancer. He was 85. In 1996, actor Steven Seagal jammed onstage at a Beverly Hills, Calif., nightclub with Joe Walsh, Yes's Trevor Rabin and Chris Squire, CCR's John Fogerty and Brian Setzer -- among others. In 1997, Ringo Starr made his debut as host of a five-nights-a-week series on VH1 titled "Classic Albums." In 1998, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estefan and country's Shania Twain performed at a special benefit concert for "VH1 Save The Music." In 2000, Kid Rock, rapper Eminem and Motown legend Stevie Wonder were among the winners at the annual Detroit Music Awards, handed out at the State Theatre in downtown Detroit. The awards honor musicians based in or with strong Detroit ties. In 2001,
Rare Essence, Philly's Most Wanted, Iconz, Lil Romeo, Master P, Silk the
Shocker and The Roots headlined the 4th Annual BET College Hip Hop Fest,
held at Paramount's Kings Dominion amusement park outside Richmond, Va. In 1982, Billy Joel's left wrist and thumb were badly injured in a motorcycle crash near his Long Island, N.Y., home. He was hospitalized for a month. In 1987, NBC announced it was considering producing a TV mini-series based on the book "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", written by a woman who claimed she had a secret, 24-year-long affair with Elvis Presley. The idea was later dropped. In 1989, almost 25 years after he last appeared in the Billboard singles chart's Top 10, Roy Orbison returned posthumously with "You Got It." Also in 1989, Tone Loc's "Loc-ed After Dark" became the first rap album by a black artist to top the Billboard Top-200 album chart. In 1991, Donnie Wahlberg of the New Kids on the Block said the reason the arson charges against him were dropped was because there was no fire. Wahlberg had been arrested March 27 for starting a fire in a Louisville, Ky., hotel hallway. The judge later ordered him to record public service announcements in return for dismissing the charges. Also in 1991,
Sonny Bono announced he was selling his restaurant in Palm Springs, Calif. Also in 1996, Jerry Garcia's ashes were scattered on the water beneath San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. In 1997, Richmond, Va., officials cancelled a scheduled concert by the shock-rock band Marilyn Manson after getting complaints. The American Civil Liberties Union said it would challenge the show's cancellation on constitutional grounds. Also in 1997, on the cable television show "Praise the Lord," Pat Boone apologized for offending anyone by appearing on January's American Music Awards wearing a heavy-metal get-up. He said the new look was supposed to be funny and promote his new album -- a cover of classic heavy-metal songs. In 1998, the Spice Girls -- via satellite from London -- announced plans for their first North American tour. By the time the tour began June 15 in Miami, Ginger Spice had left the group. In 2000, Will Smith, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, the Backstreet Boys and Smashmouth were among the winners at Nickelodeon's 13th Annual Kids' Choice Awards. In 2001,
Joey Ramone (Jeffrey Hyman), the gangly punk rock icon whose signature
yelp melded with the Ramones' three-chord thrash to signify the New York
punk revolution, diedat the age of 49 of complications from lymphoma. In 1987, Ray Stevens released the song "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex?" In 1988, the Scorpions played the first of 10 concerts in Leningrad and in Moscow, becoming the first major hard rock group to play the Soviet Union. In 1990, Peter Gabriel, Neil Young, Lou Reed, Bonnie Raitt, Simple Minds, the Neville Brothers and Tracy Chapman were among the artists who took part in a concert at London's Wembly Stadium to celebrate the release of South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela from prison. In 1991, William Drayton -- "Flavor Flav" of the militant rap group Public Enemy -- was sentenced to 30 days in a Long Island, N.Y., jail after being convicted of punching his girlfriend in the face. In 1993,
David Lee Roth was arrested for buying marijuana in a New York City park.
The judge later ordered the charges dropped if the rocker remained clean
for a year. In 1996, members of the rap trio Salt-N-Pepa -- all three moms themselves -- announced their support for California's BabyCal Campaign, which was aimed at encouraging pregnant teenagers to get prenatal care. Also in 1996, Judy Collins married Korean War memorial designer Louis Nelson in New York City. In 1998, Los Angeles prosecutors filed criminal charges against George Michael in connection with his arrest a week earlier in a Beverly Hills park restroom. The pop singer was charged with one misdemeanor count of engaging in a lewd act. In 1999, Sean "Puffy" Combs surrendered to New York City police to face charges in connection with the beating of a Universal Records executive one day earlier. Also in 1999,
Randi Valli, the wife of 1960s pop singer Frankie Valli, was convicted
by a Ventura, Calif., jury of misdemeanor battery for slapping a restaurant
owner during an argument over the establishment's prices. In 1962, Tony Bennett recorded his first-ever song, titled "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." In 1964, the Rolling Stones' first, self-titled album was released in England. It contained one original tune -- a Mick Jagger/Keith Richards composition titled "Tell Me." In 1969, The Band -- previously a backing group for Bob Dylan and Ronnie Hawkins, when it was known as the Hawks -- made its solo concert debut at the Winterland in San Francisco. In 1970, Paul McCartney's first post-Beatles solo album -- "McCartney" -- was released as he publicly announced the end of the Beatles. Also in 1970, Johnny Cash performed at the White House for President Nixon, who asked Cash to play "Okie from Muskogee," "A Boy Named Sue" and "Welfare Cadillac." In 1971, "Joy to the World" ("Jeremiah was a bullfrog...") by Three Dog Night hit the top of the charts and became the bestselling single of 1971. It was written Hoyt Axton, whose mother Mae had written a No. 1 hit 15 years earlier, Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel." The Axtons were the only mother and son songwriters to both score No. 1 hits. In 1974, Sha Na Na guitarist Vinnie Taylor died from a heroin overdose in a hotel room in Charlottesville, Va. He was 25. In 1980,
Bob Marley and the Wailers performed at the inauguration of Prime Minister
Robert Mugabe in the new African nation of Zimbabwe. In 1991, songwriter Jack Yellen died at age 98. He wrote the lyrics for more than 130 popular songs -- including "Happy Days Are Here Again," "Rain Or Shine" and "Ain't She Sweet." In 1993, several hundred youths rampaged in and outside Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita, Calif., after they couldn't get into a sold-out concert by rappers TLC and Paperboy. The incident prompted amusement park officials to announce there'd be no more rap concerts. In 1995, R.E.M. announced the resumption of its world tour following drummer Bill Berry's recovery from surgery to repair a brain aneurysm. In 1998, Linda McCartney died following a more than two-year battle with breast cancer. She was 56. In 2001, Appalachian group Hayseed Dixie released its album "A Hillbilly Tribute To AC/DC." AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson described the group's offbeat covers - including such classics as "Highway To Hell," "You Shook Me All Night Long," and "Back In Black" - as "hilarious." In 2002,
James Al Hendrix, who introduced his son, guitar legend Jimi Hendrix,
to music, died after a long battle with congestive heart failure. In 1981, Yes broke up when drummer Alan White and bassist Chris Squire went into rehearsals with Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant and Jimmy Page for a new group that never materialized. Yes reunited in 1983. In 1985, the first-ever Western pop album -- by Wham! -- was released in China. In 1988, the murder trial began in Kingston, Jamaica, in the killing of reggae singer Peter Tosh. In 1994, Mike Starr of Alice In Chains was sentenced to 30 days in a Houston jail after being convicted on drug possession charges. In 1995,
Michael Jackson and his wife, Lisa Marie Presley, hosted a three-day World
Children's Congress at his Neverland Ranch in California. And in 1995, Pantera lead singer Phillip Anselmo apologized to the security guard he hit on the head during a June 1994 concert in Dairan, N.Y. In 1997, Tupac Shakur's mother sued Death Row Records, claiming the label failed to pay royalties and also cheated her rap-artist son out of millions of dollars. Shakur had been gunned down by unknown assailants in September 1996. In 1998, Bonnie Raitt kicked off the first leg of her "Fundamental" tour in San Diego, Calif. In 2000, the male answer to VH1's Diva concert -- "Men Strike Back" -- featured Sting, the Backstreet Boys, Tom Jones, D'Angelo, Enrique Iglesias, Sisqo and Christina Aguilera. The show was taped at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In 2001,
Bon Jovi launched its "One Wild Night 2001" Tour in Phoenix,
Ariz. In 1963, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones met for the first time at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, West London, England -- where the Stones were playing. In 1969, Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Blues Band played at London's Royal Albert Hall. In 1974, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton performed together for the last time. In 1978, Sandy Denny -- lead singer of Fairport Convention -- died from a brain hemorrhage at age 37, four days after falling down the stairs. In 1982, Joe Strummer -- frontman for The Clash -- disappeared for three weeks, causing the band to cancel a scheduled tour. He was found living on the streets of Paris. In 1984, the soundtrack album from "Footloose" bumped Michael Jackson's "Thriller" off the top of the album charts after 37 weeks. In 1988, Mick Jagger testified in a White Plains, N.Y., courtroom in the unsuccessful copyright suit brought against him by a Bronx reggae musician. In 1990, Amy Grant sued Marvel Comics for the unauthorized use of her likeness in a Dr. Strange comic. In 1993, ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman married Californian Suzanne Accosta in southern France, where he owns a home. He was 56, she 33. Also in 1993,
authorities in Fort Bluff, Calif., credited Grateful Dead drummer Bill
Kreutzmann with saving the life of a teenage surfer caught in a riptide. In 1996, the Sunday Times of London reported Paul McCartney was the 30th richest person in Britain, worth $630 million. In 1997, an arrest warrant was issued after rapper Foxy Brown failed to show up for her scheduled trial on assault charges in Raleigh, N.C. The artist was accused of spitting at two female hotel workers in Jan. 1997. In 1998, Sonny Bono's widow, Mary, was sworn in to fill his congressional seat representing the Palm Springs, Calif., area in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1999, the Los Angeles Times quoted police sources saying Death Row Records founder and CEO Marion "Suge" Knight was a key suspect in the March 1997 slaying of rapper Notorious B.I.G. The newspaper reported that he was suspected of engineering the plot from behind prison bars. Two days later, the paper reported that Knight had refused to talk to the cops. In 2001, R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport for allegedly assaulting two crew members on an overnight flight from Seattle to London. Buck was charged with two counts of common assault, a public order offense, criminal damage, disobeying an aircraft commander and being drunk on an aircraft. In 2002,
modern rock act Remy Zero appeared on the season finale of the WB series
"Smallville." The show, centered around the adventures of the
teenaged Clark Kent/Superman, features the band's "Save Me"
as its theme. In 1966, the Troggs' "Wild Thing" was released. In 1968, a CBS-TV special broadcast on this date -- celebrating the release of the 10th album by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass -- featured Alpert singing "This Guy's in Love With You." The single was released two days later after a flood of calls to CBS asking about getting a recording of the song. In 1969, The Who performed the complete "Tommy" for the first time in public in Dolton, England, two weeks before the rock opera's official premiere in London. Also in 1969, John Lennon changed his middle name from Winston to Ono in a ceremony on the roof of the Apple Records headquarters in London. In 1976, Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" became the first single to be certified platinum -- meaning more than 2 million copies sold. In 1977, the Jam's first single "In the City" was released. In 1978, Bob Marley headlined the "One Love" peace concert in Kingston, Jamaica. The all-star reggae show, benefitting unemployed Jamaicans, drew 30,000 people. In 1979, Keith Richards and friends performed two free shows for the blind in Toronto to fulfill the terms of Richards' sentence for a heroin conviction. In 1981,
Eric Clapton suffered minor injuries in a car accident in Seattle. In 1988, Mick Jagger played tapes of his songs for a packed courtroom in White Plains, N.Y., as he defended himself against a copyright suit brought by a Bronx reggae artist. The judge would rule in Jagger's favor. In 1990, three-quarters-of-a-million people gathered in New York's Central Park for "Earth Day," a concert starring Hall and Oates, Edie Bricknell, the B-52s and Ben E. King. In 1991, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones Productions and CBS Records were sued for $5 million by the developer of the Holophonics 3D sound recording method. He said the Holophonics method was supposed to be used on Jackson's "Bad" album but was taken off later copies. In 1994, the 25th annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival began. In 1996, Bobby Brown was arrested on drunken driving charges in suburban Atlanta. The woman who was with him -- not his wife, Whitney Houston -- was not charged. In 1998, former Who frontman Roger Daltry kicked off a world tour with the British Rock Symphony in New York, performing the hits of classic British rock bands. Also in 1998, a Harris poll found Barbra Streisand was the most popular singer among adult Americans. Country's Garth Brooks came in second, Whitney Houston and Frank Sinatra tied for third, and Alan Jackson was fifth. The Beatles and Alabama tied for sixth place, followed by George Strait, Reba McEntire and Boyz II Men. In 1999, concert promoters in Denver cancelled Marilyn Manson's April 30 concert in the wake of the Columbine High School massacre in Littleton, Colo. Manson reportedly was a favorite band of the two teenagers who allegedly carried out the shootings. In 2000, Santana's world concert tour kicked off in Tokyo. In 1956, Elvis Presley made his Las Vegas debut, opening for the Freddie Martin Orchestra and comic Shecky Greene at the New Frontier Hotel. He was dropped from the bill after only a week due to poor audience response. In 1969, the Ash Grove club in Los Angeles -- where bands such as Canned Heat played during their formative years -- burned down. In 1975, Badfinger's Peter Ham hanged himself only days after quitting the band and just three days before his 28th birthday. In 1978, Sex Pistol bad boy Sid Vicious recorded -- in an artificially deep voice -- Frank Sinatra's signature tune "My Way." In 1981, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded an album in Stuttgart, West Germany, that was released in 1982 as "The Survivors." In 1986, songwriter Harold Arlen died at age 81. He wrote "Over the Rainbow," featured in "The Wizard of Oz" and recorded by Judy Garland, Gene Vincent and Jerry Lee Lewis, among others. In 1988, "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" topped the charts -- giving Whitney Houston seven consecutive No.1 singles. That broke the record of six held jointly by the Beatles and the Bee Gees. In 1991, Johnny Thunders -- formerly with the New York Dolls -- was found dead from a suspected drug overdose in a New Orleans guesthouse. He was 38. In 1995,
a London newspaper (the Sunday Mirror) reported that DreamWorks SKG would
buy out George Michael's recording contract with Sony. Michael had sued
unsuccessfully in 1994 to break the agreement. Also in 1996, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., judge overturned a 1989 New York court agreement that ordered Tom Jones to pay $2,791 a month to a woman whose son he fathered. The woman wanted more money from the singer. In 1997, the Los Angeles Times reported that several off-duty Inglewood, Calif., police officers working security for the Notorious B.I.G. might have witnessed the rapper's shooting death a month earlier. Also in 1997, members of the Four Tops were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And in 1997, LeAnn Rimes won three awards, and Brooks and Dunn two, at the 32nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles. In 1998, the Rolling Stones wrapped up the North American leg of the "Bridges to Babylon" tour where road trip had begun in September 1997 -- in Chicago. Also in 1998, Carlos Santana and his son performed with the School O' The Arts jazz ensemble at a benefit for SOTA at the Hard Rock Cafe in San Francisco. And in 1998, the late Rich Mullins -- who had died in a car accident the previous year -- was named the Artist of the Year at the Gospel Music Association's 29th annual Dove Awards. In 2002,
Andrea Bocelli was honored for his outstanding contribution to music at
the third Classical Brit Awards. In 1958, Dion and the Belmonts' released their first single -- "I Wonder Why," backed with "Teen Angel." In 1959, "There Goes My Baby" was released by the Drifters. It supposedly was the first rock 'n' roll song to use a string section. Also in 1959, "Your Hit Parade" aired for the last time. In 1961, Bob Dylan appeared on a recording for the first time. He played harmonica on the title track of Harry Belafonte's "Midnight Special" album and was paid $50. In 1970, on invitation from Tricia Nixon, Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick showed up at the White House -- escorted by Abbie Hoffman, who was on trial in the Chicago 7 conspiracy case. The White House guards refused to admit Hoffman and Slick left with him. In 1974, David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" album was released. In 1984, the Talking Heads concert movie "Stop Making Sense" premiered in San Francisco. Also in 1984, Jerry Lee Lewis married for the sixth time. Bride No.6 was Kerrie McCarver. In 1987, Leon Redbone, Mason Ruffner and Cyril Neville were among the headliners at the opening of the 18th annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. In 1991, a man in Lexington, Ky., accused Whitney Houston of punching him in the eye during a fight that broke out as the singer's entourage arrived at a hotel five days earlier. Houston's brother, Michael, also was accused of assault. A judge ordered both Houstons to appear in court. Also in 1991,
newcomer Garth Brooks won a record six "Hat" awards at the 26th
annual Academy of County Music Awards in Los Angeles. Also in 1992, Jimmy Buffett held a rare concert in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to raise money to help separate his Save the Manatees organization from the Florida Audubon Society. In 1993, Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp -- along with Travis Tritt, Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam, Bruce Hornsby and Ringo Starr -- performed at Farm Aid VI in Ames, Iowa. Comic couple Roseanne and Tom Arnold did a short musical segment, closing with the theme from the TV series "Green Acres." In 1994, pop star Madonna met San Antonio Spurs star David Robinson in the locker room after the game to congratulate him on his 71-point performance. In 1995, Courtney Love of the rock group Hole stormed off the stage of an Amsterdam nightclub after a fan allegedly taunted her by yelling, "You killed Kurt." It was a reference to the April 1994 suicide of Love's husband, Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. Also in 1995, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder jammed at a North Carolina nightclub. In 1996, rapper/actress Queen Latifah testified at the trial of one of two carjackers who stole her BMW and wounded her boyfriend the previous July in Harlem, N.Y. In 1997, Toby McKeehan of dc Talk was the big winner at the 28th annual Dove Awards, winning in five of the 13 categories for which he nominated. In 1998, the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival opened. Headlining performers included Bonnie Raitt, John Fogerty, Jimmy Buffett, the Doobie Brothers Reunion, Ziggy Marley and Better Than Ezra. In 2000, the Library of Congress honored legendary record producer Ahmet Ertegun and nightclub entertainer Bobby Short with "Living Legend" medals. In 2001, the Bee Gees' first studio album in four years, "This is Where I Came In," was released. In 2002, pop singer Jewel broke her collarbone and a rib, and suffered bumps and bruises when she was thrown from a horse at the Texas ranch of her boyfriend, rodeo star Ty Murray. In 1956, Elvis Presley's first hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," topped the national pop music charts. In 1968,
the Beatles refused to play a benefit show for the British Olympic Fund,
even though Queen Elizabeth was to attend. Said Ringo Starr, "We
don't do benefits." In 1981,
Paul McCartney's band Wings broke up. And in 1994, Prince Charles went backstage to visit Barbra Streisand after her London concert. In 1996, the Stone Temple Pilots cancelled a series of free shows in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles -- citing lead singer Scott Weiland's drug problems. The band said Weiland was under a doctor's care at a medical facility. Also in 1996, it was reported that Michael Jackson had bought a 15th-century French castle about 100 miles south of Paris. In 1997, U2 kicked off its "PopMart" tour in Las Vegas. Also in 1997, Warren Haynes and Allen Woody announced they were quitting the Allman Brothers Band to devote their full attention to their new group, Gov't Mule. And in 1997, Grand Funk Railroad was in New York for the first of three concerts benefitting Bosnia Relief. The shows launched the band's world tour. In 1998, singer, actress and breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John joined thousands of other people at Detroit's Race for the Cure benefit. In 1999, R&B singers Rogers and Zapp (brothers Roger Troutman, 47, and Larry Troutman, 54) died in an apparent murder/suicide. The police in Dayton, Ohio, said Roger was found shot near the family music studio, while Larry was found in his car that had crashed into a tree. He had suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Also in 1999, Paul Simon sang "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?" -- the lyrics from the Simon and Garfunkel song "Mrs. Robinson" -- as the New York Yankees honored the legendary ballplayer at New York's Yankee Stadium. In 2000, R&B singer Mya's second album, "Fear of Flying" (on University Entertainment/Interscope Records), was released. Guest artists on the CD include TLC's Left Eye, Beenie Man, Jordan Knight and Jadakiss of the LOX. In 1965, Herman's Hermits launched its first U.S. concert tour. The opening act was the Zombies. In 1966, folk singer and novelist Richard Farina -- the husband of Joan Baez's sister -- was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was 29. In 1983, blues great Muddy Waters -- whose real name was McKinley Morganfield -- died from a heart attack in his adopted city of Chicago. He was 68. Also on this date in 1983, Michael Jackson's "Beat It" rose to No. 1 on the Billboard charts just one week after "Billie Jean" ended its seven-week run at the top. Jackson became the first artist in the 1980s to score two hits in the top five at the same time. In 1987, Madonna's "La Isla Bonita" became her 11th consecutive top-five hit, a feat accomplished only by Elvis Presley and the Beatles. Also in 1987, in a lawsuit going back 20 years, members of the former Jefferson Airplane asked a judge to release $2 million in royalties held by their record company. And in 1987,
Bobby McFerrin was among the headliners at the New Orleans Jazz &
Heritage Festival. Also in 1988, Paul McCartney announced he'd signed a deal with the state-run Soviet record company Melodiya for an album of 13 rock hits. In 1992, rioting in Los Angeles caused officials to cancel ticket sales to a July 13 Michael Bolton concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The sales were rescheduled. In 1997, tornado warnings failed to stop a concert by Marilyn Manson in Kalamazoo, Mich. In 1999, Darrell Sweet, the drummer for Scottish rock group Nazareth, suffered a fatal heart attack as the band arrived at an amphitheater in New Albany, Ind., to begin the second leg of its U.S. tour. He was 51. In 2000, CBS aired the made-for-TV biopic "Take Me Home -- The John Denver Story." It starred Chad Lowe in the title role and was based on Denver's autobiography "Take Me Home." Denver was killed in October 1997 when his experimental plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean. In 2001,
Stabbing Westward launched a North American club tour in Orlando, Fla.,
in support of the band's first album in three years. In 1963, Andrew Oldham saw the Rolling Stones perform for the first time at the Crawdaddy Club in London. He became the group's manager and producer the next day. In 1980, Marshall Tucker Band bassist Tommy Caldwell died of head injuries following a car accident near his hometown of Spartanburg, S.C. He was 30. In 1983, the no. 1 Billboard Pop hit was "Beat It" by Michael Jackson. Eddie Van Halen played lead guitar on that tune. In 1984, what would be the Judds' first No.1 hit, "Mama He's Crazy," entered the music charts. In 1987, Rolling Stone Bill Wyman founded AIMS to provide promising young musicians with affordable time in recording studios. Also in 1987, Ray Charles testified before Congress on behalf of increased funding for hearing research, telling lawmakers: "My eyes are my handicap, but my ears are my opportunity." And in 1987, Sweden said it wouldn't exempt Frank Sinatra from a special tax on his upcoming show because he'd broken an artistic boycott of South Africa. In 1988, B.W. Stevenson -- who had a top-10 single in 1973 with "My Maria" -- died following heart surgery. He was 38. In 1990, Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses married Erin Everly -- daughter of Don, the older of the Everly Brothers -- in Las Vegas. They would divorce within a year. Also in 1990,
the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line" closed after a record 6,237
performances. Also in 1993, a Cleveland newspaper reported Paul McCartney would perform a benefit concert for the formal groundbreaking of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. In 1994, Lisa Marie Presley -- Elvis' only child -- and her musician-husband Danny Keough announced they were divorcing after 5 1/2 years of marriage and two children. In 1995, Dr. John, Los Lobos, and Peter Paul and Mary were among the headliners at the 26th annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. In 1997, Cyndi Lauper announced on a Fox TV Network morning show that she was pregnant. It was the first child for her and her husband, actor David Thornton. In 1999, members of The Verve confirmed reports that they were breaking up. Also in 1999, members of R.E.M. made their TV series debut on Fox TV's "Party of Five." And in 1999, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2000, Sting, Dr. John, the Allman Brothers Band, the Neville Brothers, the Staple Singers and the Radiators were among the headliners at the 31st annul New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Also in 2000,
fire destroyed the Augusta, Ga., offices of the "Godfather of Soul"
James Brown. A 29-year-old employee of James Brown Enterprises was later
charged with arson in connection with the blaze. In 1967, the King took a Queen -- Elvis Presley married Priscilla Ann Beaulieu at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. The wedding cake alone cost $3,500. In 1969, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash videotaped a TV special for ABC at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. In 1970, Elton John's first U.S. album -- the self-titled "Elton John" -- was released. In 1975, the Rolling Stones announced the "Tour of the Americas" by playing "Brown Sugar" on a flatbed truck driving down New York's Fifth Ave. In 1977, the Clash launched its first tour of Britain with a May Day show at the Roxy in London. In 1980, the Academy of Country Music named Loretta Lynn its Artist of the Decade. In 1986,
producer and songwriter Jugo Peretti -- who founded Avco Records -- died
at age 68. Also in 1987, a U.S. federal appeals court ruled that a British man had no right to sell Elvis Presley merchandise -- such as women's underwear imprinted with "The King's" likeness. In 1991, the choice of Billy Joel as a commencement speaker at Fairfield University -- a Jesuit school in Connecticut -- sparked controversy when a professor charged that Joel's song "Only the Good Die Young" was anti-Catholic and contained lewd references to Catholic girls. In 1992, a Harry Connick Jr. concert at the Universal Ampitheater was canceled because of rioting in Los Angeles. In 1993, a man was arrested and charged with trespassing after repeatedly trying to get into the Michael Jackson family estate in Encino, Calif. Also in 1993, supermodel Naomi Campbell announced on Irish television that she was engaged to U2 bassist Adam Clayton. They later broke it off. In 1997, a Beverly Hills car rental agency cancelled plans to auction off the bullet-ridden door from the GMC Suburban in which rapper Notorious B.I.G. was sitting when he was killed. The police confiscated the door, saying they needed it for evidence. In 1998, Garth Brooks surprised lucky concert goers in Evansville, Ind. with the news that they had bought the 4 millionth ticket to his current world tour. Greg and Melissa Siener were invited backstage where they were presented with tour merchandise, 10 dozen roses, a camera, a video camera, a four-day Florida Vacation, golf clubs and a new Chevrolet Suburban. Brooks, wife Sandy, Brooks' parents, band and crew were all present to congratulate the couple. In 2000,
Lou Reed and the Eurythmics appeared with Pope John Paul II at the May
1st Jubilee celebrations in Rome. They appealed to the international community
to cancel the outstanding debts owed by some of the world's poorest countries. In 1965, the Rolling Stones made the group's second appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." In 1976, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Welcome Back," by John Sebastian. The song was the theme of the TV show "Welcome Back Kotter." In 1979, the film "Quadrophenia" -- based on The Who's album and featuring Sting -- premiered in London. That same evening, drummer Kenny Jones -- replacing the late Keith Moon -- performed for the first time in public with The Who at London's Rainbow Theater. In 1980, Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In the Wall" was banned in South Africa. Officials feared it might encourage boycotts at black schools. In 1982, Adam and the Ants broke up. Adam Ant -- a.k.a. Stuart Goddard -- continued as a solo act. In 1986, Wal-Mart pulled albums by 11 rockers and comics -- including AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Motley Crue -- off store shelves in 22 states. In 1987,
a fully clothed Dolly Parton popped out of a cake at the grand re-opening
of her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. In 1994, Eric Clapton performed a benefit concert at New York's Lincoln Center. In 1995, Yoko Ono donated her royalties from the original cast recording of her 1994 off-Broadway musical "New York Rock" to AmFAR. In 1998, Hideto Matsumoto, the lead guitarist in the now-defunct rock band X Japan, hanged himself in a Tokyo condo. In 1999, the 30th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival set a new attendance record of 495,000 for the 10-day event. The Radiators, the Neville Brothers, the Isley Brothers and Hootie and the Blowfish topped the bill for the last day. In 2000, country star LeAnn Rimes sued her father and former co-manager for allegedly funneling away millions of dollars from the company set up to manage her finances. In 2001, jazz drummer Billy Higgins died in L.A. of liver failure. Higgins, who had been awaiting a second liver transplant, was 65. He came to fame as a member of Ornette Coleman's band in the 1950s. In 2002,
hundreds of admirers lined up outside a large suburban Atlanta church
to attend the funeral of TLC singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who
died in a car crash the week before. In 1967, one-hit wonder Scott McKenzie released "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" -- the definitive song of the "flower power" era. In 1968, Buffalo Springfield played its last show in Long Beach, Calif. But two major new acts rose from the ashes -- Steve Stills and Neil Young joined David Crosby and Graham Nash, while Jim Messina joined Kenny Loggins. In 1978,
one person was killed when a Preston, England, concert by the punk band
Vibrators erupted into a riot between two rival soccer fan clubs. In 1987, Bryan Adams opened his U.S. tour in support of his "Into the Fire" album in Shreveport, La. In 1990, a John Lennon tribute concert was held in Liverpool, England -- with Hall and Oates, and Terrence Trent D'Arby among the performers. In 1996, Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott and his live-in girlfriend both were arrested on spousal assault charges following a fight at a West Hollywood hotel. In 1997,
Bruce Springsteen was awarded the 1997 Polar Music Prize in Stockholm,
Sweden. The honor is often considered the musical equivalent of the Nobel
Prize. In 1942, "White Christmas" by Irving Berlin was published. Just Bing Crosby's recording alone has sold more than 140 million copies. In 1965, Keith Richards created the classic guitar riff that would become "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." He played it for Mick Jagger in a hotel room in Clearwater, Fla. In 1967, Grateful Dead's self-titled debut album entered the national charts. In 1973, Paul Simon launched his first solo tour since splitting up with Art Garfunkel with a concert in Boston. In 1977, Led Zeppelin broke its own record for the biggest-ever attendance at a concert with a single headliner. More than 76,000 fans attended the show at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., exceeding the 57,000 at a Zeppelin concert in Tampa almost four years earlier. (That show, in turn, had taken the record from the 1965 Shea Stadium Beatles concert.) In 1984, Spinal Tap -- the fictional band formed to star in a comedy neo-documentary -- played CBGBs in New York City. In 1992, Frederick's of Hollywood offered a $1,000 reward for the return of Madonna's bustier, which had been stolen from its lingerie museum during the Los Angeles riots. Also in 1992,
Bruce Springsteen performed for an invitation-only crowd at New York's
Bottom Line. In 1993, David Bowie announced he'd donate the royalties from his single "Black Tie White Noise" to a recreation center in South Central Los Angeles. Also in 1993, IRS agents seized possessions from the Mississippi home of rockabilly pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis for failing to pay more than $1.6 million in overdue taxes. In 1994, rapper Tupac Shakur was charged with violating his probation. The charges stemmed from two previous arrests -- in March and in April -- for carrying concealed and loaded weapons. In 1995, dozens of Bon Jovi fans were injured in the rush for the gate at a concert in Jakarta, Indonesia. In 1996, rapper Tupac Shakur agreed to stage a benefit concert and perform community service in South Central Los Angeles after pleading guilty to possession of a concealed weapon. Also in 1996, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville performed on the White House South Lawn. The concert was taped for later broadcast on PBS. In 1997, Crosby Stills and Nash, the Jackson Five, the BeeGees, Buffalo Springfield, Joni Mitchell, the Young Rascals and Parliament-Funkadelic were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the first-ever Cleveland ceremony. In 2000, Hoosier native son John Mellencamp delivered the commencement address to the Indiana University senior class. In 2002,
Otis Blackwell, who wrote dozens of hit songs - including "Don't
Be Cruel," "Return To Sender" and "All Shook Up"
for Elvis Presley - died of a heart attack. He was 70. In 1968, the British rock group the Move detonated explosives onstage as part of its show in Rome. No one was hurt but riot police were not amused. In 1969, Roger Miller entered the country singles charts with his version of "Me and Bobby McGee," which was written by Kris Kristofferson. In 1972, the Rolling Stones released "Exile on Main Street," the band's first double album of all original material. In 1978, 90,000 tickets were sold in eight hours for Bob Dylan's upcoming London concerts. In 1983,
Paul Weller unveiled his post-Jam group -- Style Council -- at an anti-nuclear
rally in South London. In 1986, John Mellencamp joined farmers in protest on the steps of the Farmers Home Administration office in Chillicothe, Mo. In 1990, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Nothing Compares 2 U," by Sinead O'Connor. The million-selling single was the Irish rocker's only top 40 hit. It was written by Prince. In 1992, a federal appeals court in Atlanta declared 2 Live Crew's "As Nasty As They Wanna' Be" album was not obscene, overturning a federal court decision out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In 1997, a federal judge ordered the Meadowlands to let Marilyn Manson perform at the upcoming "OzzFest '97" heavy-metal festival in June. The agency that ran the New Jersey sports complex felt the band was too extreme and canceled the concert when the promoter refused to remove Manson from the lineup. In 1998, country-pop singer/songwriter Eddie Rabbitt died in Nashville of lung cancer. He was 53. In 2002,
The Rolling Stones arrived by blimp at New York's Van Cortland Park to
announce their 2002/2003 world tour. In 1965, nine of the top-10 U.S. singles on the Billboard pop singles charts were by British artists, led by "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" by Herman's Hermits. In 1970, the Beatles' final original album -- "Let It Be" -- was released. In 1972, Billy Preston became the first rock star to headline at New York's Radio City Music Hall. In 1974, Graham Bond -- a key early figure in the jazzy side of British rock -- was struck and killed by a London subway train. He was 37. In 1977, Olivia Newton-John made her New York concert debut at the Metropolitan Opera House. In 1978, Donny Osmond got married at age 21. In 1982,
Casablanca Records executive Neil Bogart died of cancer at age 39. He
created numerous trends -- from his production of bubblegum hits to the
development of Casablanca Records, where he was responsible for the "disco
explosion" led by Donna Summer and the Village People. In 1996, civil rights figure Rose Parks teamed up with Hootie and the Blowfish for an MTV "Rock the Vote" commercial. Also in 1996, a newspaper in Seoul, Korea, sued Michael Jackson in Santa Barbara, Calif. It claimed his parents transferred the deed of their suburban Los Angeles home to him so the paper couldn't collect the $4 million a Korean court had decided the Jacksons owed for reneging on a planned Jackson family concert. And in 1996, a Los Angeles judge ruled against Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and his actress/wife, Pamela Anderson Lee, in their bid to bar Penthouse from publishing still photos from an X-rated home video stolen from their house. In 1998, Johnny Winter was inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk on Sunset Boulevard. Also in 1998, James Taylor performed a private concert at a Danbury, Conn., middle school. The show was part of the prize won by a 13-year-old girl in the "Where The Music Takes You" contest sponsored, in part, by Sony. In 1999, innovative jazz vocalist Leon Thomas, 61, died of heart failure in the Bronx, N.Y. He had been suffering from leukemia. Also in 1999, David Bowie received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2001,
William B. Dial, road manager for Detroit rap act Insane Clown Posse was
arrested in Omaha, Neb., for allegedly choking an audience member who
was ejected from the group's show for brandishing an Eminem T-shirt and
tossing M&M candies on stage. In 1964, Chuck Berry launched his first tour of the United Kingdom. In 1978, Fee Waybill of the Tubes broke a leg when he fell off the stage during a concert in England. In 1987, Paul Simon hired civil rights activist Julian Bond to boost black attendance on his "Graceland" tour. In 1994, in a rare interview, Barbra Streisand complained in Time magazine that she was misunderstood by the critics and the news media. Also in 1994, the wife of Billy Ray Cyrus gave birth to the couple's second child -- a boy -- in Nashville. In 1995, Elton John and classical cellist/conductor Mstislav Rostropovich shared the 1995 Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1996,
Los Angeles prosecutors refiled spousal battery charges against Def Leppard
drummer Rick Allen after the one-armed rocker failed to complete a substance
abuse counseling program. The charges stemmed from his alleged attack
on his wife in a bathroom at Los Angeles International Airport in July
1995. In 1998, Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson played his first-ever solo concert in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles, Ill. Wilson was promoting his new "Imagination" album. Also in 1998, Linda McCartney was posthumously awarded the Ellis Island, N.Y., Medal of Honor. And in 1998, Puff Daddy and Jimmy Page were musical guests on "Saturday Night Live." The two perform their collaboration "Come To Me," which borrows heavily from Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir." In 2000, the soundtrack album for "Mission: Impossible 2" included Metallica's "I Disappear," the first song the band had ever written for a film soundtrack. Also in 2000, "This Time Around," Hanson's first album in three years, hit stores. In 2001,
James Myers, whose 2-minute, 8-second tune "Rock Around the Clock"
is considered the granddaddy of all rock'n'roll songs, died of leukemia.
He was 81. Myers wrote the song with Max Freedman in 1953. Bill Haley
& His Comets recorded it in 1954. In 1963, Bob Dylan was invited to appear on TV's "Ed Sullivan Show," but refused when he was forbid to sing "Talking John Birch Society Blues." In 1964, Barbra Streisand won the Grammy Award for Best Female Vocalist for "The Barbra Streisand Album." In 1965, the Rolling Stones laid down the basic tracks for "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" at the famed Chess Studios in Chicago. The song would be finished in Los Angeles. In 1971, Mick Jagger married Bianca Perez Morena de Macia in a Roman Catholic ceremony in St. Tropez, France. The wedding guests included Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Steven Stills and the rest of the Rolling Stones. In 1983, Meat Loaf -- whose real name is Marvin Lee Aday -- filed for bankruptcy. In 1987, Frank Sinatra canceled a performance in Sweden after Stockholm levied a special tax on him because he broke the entertainment boycott and played in South Africa. In 1991, the "Simple Truth Appeal" benefit concert was held in London and nine other cities around the world to raise money for the Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq. Participants included Hammer, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, Yes, Peter Gabriel, Sting, and INXS. In 1992, Guns N' Roses and Metallica announced plans for a joint North American summer concert tour. Also in 1992, Paul Simon and Billy Joel met with former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in New York. In 1994, the Clintons attended Barbra Streisand's concert in Landover, Md., near Washington, D.C. Also in 1994, country superstar Garth Brooks made a cameo appearance on the NBC sitcom "Mad About You." In 1998, Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band performed at New York's Bottom Line nightclub to preview his new album, "Vertical Man." In 2000, Gloria Estefan marked the release of her new album "Alma Caribena (Caribbean Soul)" with her first network television special. "Gloria Estefan, Caribbean Soul: The Atlantis Concert" aired on CBS and also featured Latin pop star Marc Anthony. In 2001, legendary crooner Perry Como died in his sleep at his home in Florida after a long illness. He was 87. In 2002,
singer Dionne Warwick was arrested when baggage screeners at Miami International
Airport claimed to find 11 suspected marijuana cigarettes inside her lipstick
container. Warwick, 61, of Miami Beach, was charged with possession of
less than 5 grams of marijuana. She signed an affidavit promising to appear
in court and was released. In 1977, the Jam's first album -- "In the City" -- was released. In 1985, Bruce Springsteen married actress Julianne Philips in a secret candlelight midnight church ceremony in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She would file for divorce three years later on the grounds he was romantically involved with E Street Band backing singer Patti Scialfa. In 1987, songwriters Stephen Bishop and David Foster got top honors at the 35th annual BMI pop awards. In 1991, "In Bed With Madonna" was screened out of competition at the Cannes International Film Festival. The documentary was shot during Madonna's 1990 "Blonde Ambition Tour." In 1993, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bette Midler and Barry White lent their voices to the season finale of the Fox animated comedy series "The Simpsons." The episode, "Krusty Gets Kancelled," marked White's second "Simpsons" guest appearance. In 1995,
Diana Ross returned to Bessemer, Ala. -- where she lived as a girl --
to shoot the cover photo for her upcoming album, as well as film a documentary
on her life. In 1997, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds was named songwriter of the year at the 45th annual BMI Pop Awards in Los Angeles. Also in 1997, a Los Angeles judge dismissed the wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a former security guard against Michael Jackson. And in 1997, Tina Turner unveiled her painting that had appeared on the 1997 edition of Discover Card's Private Issue credit card. And in 1997, talk show host Oprah Winfrey joined Tina Turner on stage in Los Angeles for a rendition of "Simply the Best." In 1998,
Quincy Jones and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds were among the music
industry heavyweights who threw a surprise birthday party at a Hollywood
nightclub for Stevie Wonder. In 1976, Keith Relf of the Yardbirds was electrocuted at his London home while tuning a guitar. He was 33. In 1981, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Bette Davis Eyes," by Kim Carnes. Bette Davis responded by sending roses to Carnes when the song won a Grammy. The song was first recorded by Jackie DeShannon. In 1982, "Fast" Eddie Clark quit Motorhead in the middle of the band's U.S. tour. Guitarist Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy flew to the United States to replace him. In 1987, Emmylou Harris told a congressional panel that she believed digital audio tape machines should be required to have anti-copying devices. Also in 1987,
Frank Sinatra -- criticized by anti-apartheid forces for playing South
Africa in 1981 -- attacked the system of racial separation, calling South
African President P.W. Botha "a bum." In 1991, the Bee Gees' 27th album, "High Civilization," was released in the United States. Also in 1991, Motown sued MCA for $10 million, accusing it of refusing to promote Motown records to pop radio stations. In 1994, former Rascals guitarist Gene Cornish celebrated his 50th birthday with an all-star guitar jam at the Classic American Guitar Show in Long Island, N.Y. In 1998, Frank Sinatra died of a heart attack after being rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 82. Also in 1998, George Michael was sentenced to two years probation, fined and ordered to perform community service after pleading no contest to lewd conduct charges. The singer was arrested April 7 after a police officer witnessed him committing a "lewd act" in a Beverly Hills, Calif., park restroom. In 1964, Tom and Dick Smothers made their debut at Carnegie Hall. In 1965, two groups had their first hit singles -- the Yardbirds with "For Your Love" and the Byrds with "Mr. Tamborine Man." In 1970, The Carpenters released their second album, "Close to You," which became a hit and made stars out of sibling singers Karen and Richard Carpenter, who won the Best New Artist Grammy that year. In 1971, two films made by John Lennon and Yoko Ono -- "Apotheosis" and "Fly" -- were shown at the Cannes International Film Festival in France. In 1973, the Pointer Sisters made their live debut. In 1974, Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman became the first Stone to release a solo album, "Monkey Grip." He would not be the last. In 1987, a judge in Brooklyn, N.Y., ruled that a $20 million civil lawsuit against Boy George would be heard in the United States. The suit was filed by the parents of a musician who died of a heroin overdose at George's home in Britain. In 1988,
Led Zeppelin reunited at the Atlantic Records 40th anniversary bash in
New York -- with the late John Bonham's son, Jason, on drums. In 1995, R.E.M. resumed the concert tour interrupted two months earlier by drummer Bill Berry's aneurysm and brain surgery. Also in 1995, Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland was arrested on drug possession charges in Pasadena, Calif. And in 1995, a rare guitar was stolen from Cranberries guitarist Noel Hogan during a melee at a free concert in Washington, D.C. And in 1995, "I Swear" -- written by Gary Baker and Frank Myers -- was named song of the year at the ASCAP annual awards dinner in Los Angeles. In 1997, Muzak announced it was adding four instrumental versions of KISS songs to its playlist. In 2000,
Entertainment Weekly reported that Korn's lead singer Jonathan Davis had
teamed up with composer Richard Gibbs to write a full orchestral score
for "Queen of the Damned," a movie based on the Anne Rice vampire
novel of the same name. Davis was also writing songs for Lestat, the movie's
blood-sucking rock star character, to lip-synch. In 1969, The Who's Pete Townshend spent the night in jail after he kicked a man offstage at New York's Fillmore East. The man turned out to be a plainclothes police officer trying to warn the audience about a nearby fire. In 1970, guitarist Randy Bachman quit The Guess Who. In 1980, Brian May of Queen collapsed onstage. It turned out he was suffering from hepatitis. Also in 1980, former Buggles members Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn joined Yes, replacing the departing Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. In 1981, the Pretenders' Martin Chambers married Tracy Atkinson in Los Angeles. In 1984, Marvin Gaye, Sr., had brain surgery a month-and-a-half after killing his soul-singer son, Marvin Gaye, Jr., during an argument. In 1986, country singer Johnny Paycheck was convicted of aggravated assault for shooting a man in a barroom fight in Hillsboro, Ohio, the previous December. Paycheck claimed the shooting was an accident. Also in 1986, Willie Nelson underwent two hours of surgery to repair his left thumb, which he broke in a fall from a bicycle. And in 1986,
King Crimson's Robert Fripp married British actress Toyah Willcox. Also in 1987, Johnny Cash left the stage in mid-performance in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was hospitalized, suffering from exhaustion and an irregular heartbeat. In 1988, Run-DMC released "Tougher Than Leather," the band's first album in two years. In 1990, Sammy Davis Jr. died in his Beverly Hills, Calif., home after a long battle with throat cancer. His biggest hit was "The Candy Man," a No. 1 featured in the film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." In 1992, a reunited Procol Harum launched a concert tour in Washington, D.C. In 1993, Motown singer Marv Johnson died two days after suffering a stroke backstage in South Carolina. He was 54. In 1999, Paul Brandt and Claudia Church answered the call of their country when they headed to Bosnia to entertain U.S. troops there. The trip was the first USO junket for both artists. In 2000,
the Artist Formerly Known As Prince announced that he will start using
his name again. The singer says the reason for switching back was because
his publishing contract with Warner/Chappell, made under the name Prince,
expired at the end of 1999. In 1979, a party for Eric Clapton and his new bride, Patti -- George Harrison's ex-wife -- featured an impromptu jam session that included Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. It was the first time the three had performed together since the breakup of the Beatles. In 1984, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" marked its 520th week -- a total of 10 YEARS -- on Billboard's Top 200 album chart. Also in 1984, the late Bob Marley topped the British album charts for the first time with "Legend," an album released to coincide with the third anniversary of his death from cancer. In 1987, Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know" was honored as the most performed song of 1986 -- and its composer, Narada Michael Walden, was named songwriter of the year -- at the ASCAP Pop Awards banquet. In 1998, U2 performed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to promote the "yes" vote for the upcoming referendum on the Ulster peace settlement. In 1992, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds was named songwriter of the year for the third year in a row at the 40th annual BMI Pop Music Awards in Los Angeles. Mariah Carey's "Love Takes Time" was honored as song of the year. Also in 1992,
Aerosmith donated $10,000 to a Boston art exhibit denied an NEA grant
because it contained sexually explicit materials. The rock group blasted
the NEA action as censorship. In 1977, Jefferson Starship was prevented from playing a free concert in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, due to a ban on electronic instruments. The band later said one of its biggest hits -- "We Built This City" -- was inspired by the ban. In 1979, "The Kids Are Alright" -- The Who film documentary -- premiered in New York. In 1984, some $17,000 in box office receipts was stolen at a Clash concert at Michigan State University while the band was onstage. In 1987, the Beastie Boys and Run-DMC opened their United Kingdom tour in London. In 1993, Natalie Cole received an honorary degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In 1994, Guns N' Roses drummer Matthew Sorum pleaded innocent to charges he beat his wife. In 1995, felony drug charges were filed against Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland, who'd been arrested a few days earlier after allegedly buying crack from a street dealer in Pasadena, Calif. Also in 1995,
Chicago's album of updated big band standards -- "Day and Night (Big
Band)" -- was released. In 1960, disc jockey and rock 'n' roll promoter Alan Freed pleaded innocent to payola charges. In 1967, Reprise Records signed the Jimi Hendrix Experience to a recording contract. In 1971, Peter Cetera of Chicago had four teeth knocked out at a Chicago Cubs game when three men objected to the length of his hair. He needed five hours of surgery. In 1978, "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac became the first million-selling album in Canada. In 1979,
Elton John played Leningrad and became the first Western solo pop star
to tour the Soviet Union. In 1994, laryngitis forced Frank Sinatra to cancel a concert in Ledyard, Conn. In 1995, the Eagles' Don Henley married model Sharon Summerall in Malibu, Calif. In 1997, a London newspaper quoted an English businessman saying he had a tape of former Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney performing together in 1974, four years after the Fab Four broke up. Also on the tape -- Stevie Wonder and Harry Nilsson. In 1998, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee began serving a six-month sentence in the Los Angeles County Jail for spousal abuse. The rocker had pleaded no contest to charges he hit his wife, actress Pamela Anderson, while she held their younger son. In 1999,
more than 20 veteran acts, including Jan & Dean, Pat Boone, Freddy
Fender, and the Grass Roots sued K-tel International Inc. for breach of
contract and non-payment of royalties in connection with 27 compilation
albums. In 1958, during what turned out to be his last studio session, Buddy Holly recorded four songs -- including "It Doesn't Matter Anymore." In 1963, "Little" Stevie Wonder, 13, recorded his first hit single, "Fingertips, Part 2." In 1968, the Who's Pete Townshend married designer Karen Astley. In 1980, Joe Strummer of the Clash was arrested at a Hamburg, West Germany, show after smashing his guitar over the head of an unruly audience member. In 1981, reggae star Bob Marley was buried with state honors in St. Ann's, Jamaica. In 1983, former Doobie Brother Michael MacDonald married singer Amy Holland. In 1984, Don King and Joe and Katherine Jackson announced the details of the Jacksons' "Victory" tour. In 1985, the Parents Music Resource Center - a.k.a. The Washington Wives, whose members included Tipper Gore -- asked the music industry to inaugurate a ratings system for record lyrics. In 1991,
Janet Jackson and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds were named Songwriters
of the Year, while Michael Bolton's "How Am I Supposed To Live Without
You?" was named Song of the Year, at the 39th annual BMI Pop Awards
Dinner in Los Angeles. In 1992, singer-actress Bette Midler was Johnny Carson's last guest on the NBC late-night program "The Tonight Show." She sang several songs, including a short duet with Carson. In 1996, George Harrison said he would produce Ravi Shankar's next album. Also in 1996, the surviving members of the Grateful Dead unveiled tie-dyed basketball uniforms they designed to raise money to help pay for the Lithuanian men's Olympic basketball team at the Atlanta games. In 1997, Paul McCartney said he had a notebook of never-recorded songs he wrote with John Lennon. The compositions would've been the earliest-ever McCartney-Lennon songs written after the two met some 40 years before. Also in 1997, U2 shut down stretches of a downtown Kansas City freeway to shoot the video of "Do You Feel Loved?", causing traffic headaches for motorists. In 1999, Sir George Martin's manuscript score for Sir Elton John's "Candle In The Wind '97" was auctioned at Sotheby's in London, with proceeds earmarked for three music-related charities, including the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre and the British Record Industry Trust. In 2000, Scott Weiland, lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots, and model Mary Forsberg, were wed in Los Angeles. Weiland, who was released from prison in January and a court-ordered stint in rehab in April, and Forsberg were married at the Little Door restaurant. All of Weiland's bandmates were in attendance at the affair, as was Red Hot Chili Peppers' frontman Anthony Kiedis. In 2001,
U2 lead singer Bono and his wife Ali welcomed a new baby boy into their
family. In 1966, 16-year-old Bruce Springsteen and his first band -- the Castilles -- recorded their only single, "That's What You Get," backed with "Baby I." The record was never released. Also in 1966, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "When a Man Loves a Woman," by Percy Sledge. A remake of the song by Michael Bolton reached No. 1 in 1991. In 1982, Madness topped the British album charts with a "best of" compilation titled "Complete Madness." In 1987, the New York School of Performing Arts was named after Jose Feliciano. Also in 1987, Fox TV announced that songwriter Carol Bayer Sager would be the first guest host to replace Joan Rivers on the network's late-night talk show. In 1989, the rap group Public Enemy fired one of its members -- Professor Griff -- after he made anti-semitic remarks in the Washington Post. In 1991,
the New York Daily News quoted a photographer as saying nine members of
the pop singing group Menudo were sexually abused by founder/promoter
Edgardo Diaz and two other men. Also in 1992, five members of the rap group NWA were arrested and charged with inciting to riot after a fight broke out in a hotel lobby in New Orleans. In 1995, Breeders guitarist Kelley Deal was charged with drug possession in Dayton, Ohio. In 1997, Fleetwood Mac -- Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie and Stevie Nicks -- reunited for the first time since 1982 to tape an MTV concert that was also turned into a new album. In 1999, Barry Manilow was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a reaction from dental surgery. He was treated for an infection and released two days later. In 2000, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, a.k.a. Steely Dan, were presented with the ASCAP Founders Award at the annual ASCAP Pop Awards Dinner in Los Angeles. The award is ASCAP's top honor for lifetime achievement in songwriting. Also in 2000, Dave Matthews of The Dave Matthews Band and Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish were among the guests at a White House state dinner for South African President Thabo Mbeki. Also on hand -- Lenny Kravitz, BeBe Winans and Stevie Wonder. Matthews' family is from South Africa. And in 2000,
a side project by Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts -- the "Charlie
Watts/Jim Keltner Project" album - was released. It included cameo
appearances by two of Watts' Rolling Stones bandmates, Keith Richards
and Mick Jagger. In 1957, Buddy Holly and the Crickets released their first single, "That'll Be The Day." In 1963, Bob Dylan's classic "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" was released. In 1977, Virgin Records released the Sex Pistols' widely banned "God Save the Queen." Also in 1977, Tom Waits and a friend were arrested at a Los Angeles coffee shop for allegedly disturbing the peace. In 1987,
U2 set off an earthquake alarm during a concert in an exclusive area of
Rome. Local police were flooded with phone calls. Also in 1987, members of Menudo appeared at New York's Hard Rock Cafe to announce the newest member of the group -- to the screams of dozens of young girls. In 1989, the Beach Boys and Chicago began their first joint tour since 1975 at the Pacific Amphitheater in Los Angeles. Brian Wilson sat in on three songs. In 1992, Cher postponed three of five sold-out shows in New York due to severe bronchitis she'd caught in Europe. In 1993, a 50-city art tour by various music celebrities opened in Boston. Called "Image Makers: The Rock 'N' Roll Art Expo," it featured artworks by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Jerry Garcia, Carlos Santana, Donna Summer, Stevie Nicks, Roger McGinn, Ron Wood, Eric Burdon, Jon Anderson, Joe Walsh, Mickey Dolenz, Miles Davis and Joan Baez. In 1994, a son, Miles Brockman, was born in Los Angeles to singer Lionel Richie and Diane Alexander. In 1996, concert promoter Ivan Sutton died at the age of 82. In 2001,
Tracy Byrd took part in a tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt at Lowes
Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. Byrd sangwhile the jumbotron video screens
showed highlights of Earnhardt's many exploits at the track. In 1978, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late," by Johnny Mathis/Deniece Williams. In 1984, "Love Language" -- Teddy Pendergrass' first album since the car accident that left him in a wheelchair -- was released. In 1987,
federal investigators announced that the 1985 New Year's Eve airplane
fire that killed singer Rick Nelson, his fiance and the band apparently
was caused by a malfunctioning heater -- not by the free-basing of cocaine. In 1992, a Boston man said rapper Mark Wahlberg -- of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, and the younger brother of New Kid On The Block Donnie Wahlberg -- was among the group of four or five people who beat him up. In 1996, Depeche Mode lead singer David Gahan was arrested in Los Angeles on drug possession charges after being hospitalized for a drug overdose. In 1998,
Elton John & Bernie Taupin's global hit "Candle In the Wind '97"
was a double winner at the Ivor Novello Awards held at London's Grosvenor
House Hotel. The song commemorating the late Princess Diana won best-selling
U.K. single and international hit of the year. Accepting the award, John
called his victory "bittersweet," noting, "I wish this
record had never had to be made." In 1961, Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" topped the R&B singles chart. In 1974, Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" was released.In 1981, Bruce Springsteen launched his first British tour in five years. In 1991,
Steve Winwood was uninjured when his tour bus was sideswiped by an oncoming
truck near Findley, Ohio. In 1995, a security guard shot and wounded an intruder at Madonna's Hollywood Hills estate. The man was later convicted of stalking and threatening the pop star/actress and sentenced to prison. In 1996, Michael Jackson announced plans for his first world tour in three years, to begin Sept. 7 in Prague, Czech Republic. In 1989, Quicksilver Messenger Service founder John Cipollina died of complications stemming from respiratory problems. He was 45. In 1999, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band sold out all 15 of their shows at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J., in only 13 hours -- breaking the old record of 11 sold-out shows at the arena in 1992. That record also belonged to Springsteen. Also in 1999, hikers found a skeleton in a minivan at the bottom of a canyon near Malibu, Calif. It turned out to be the remains of Iron Butterfly bassist Philip "Taylor" Kramer, who'd been missing since Feb. 1995. In 2000, in a guest column in Newsweek magazine, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich wrote that he and his fellow bandmates don't care what people think of the group for suing free music distributor Napster because "we think it's the right thing to do, period." In 1966, Dolly Parton married Carl Dean. In 1968, the Beatles began recording the "white album," a double album that was actually titled "The Beatles." In 1972, Roxy Music made its first major live appearance at the Great Western Express Festival in Lincolnshire, England. In 1980, bassist Carl Radle -- who'd performed with Derek and the Dominoes and on Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" album -- died of a kidney ailment. He was 37. In 1987, Adam Horowitz of the Beastie Boys was arrested in Liverpool, England, after he allegedly hit a female fan during a riot that followed his band's concert. In 1991, David Robinson of the Fat Boys was sentenced to two years' probation by a West Chester, Penn., judge for videotaping a 14-year-old girl having sex at a party hosted by the rap group. In 1992, Paul Simon married singer Edie Brickell on Long Island, N.Y. In 1993, jazz pianist/orchestra leader Sun Ra died following a series of strokes. He was 79. In 1994, the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences announced it was adding seven more categories to the 81 Grammy Awards already handed out yearly. In 1995, Eddie Money's 11th studio album -- "Love and Money" -- was released. In 1996, the watchdog group Empower America unleashed a campaign against five record labels -- Time Warner, BMG, PolyGram, Thorn EMI and Sony -- for "obscene music" by such artists as Cannibal Corpse, Cypress Hill, Tupac Shakur and Tha Dogg Pound. In 1997, Neil Young was forced to cancel his European tour after cutting his left index finger while slicing a ham sandwich. The doctors told him he couldn't play guitar while the wound healed. In 2000, 3 Doors Down headlined the second annual Cutty Sark Rock the Boat Concert Tour, which kicked off in Des Moines, Iowa. Also in 2000,
Tex Beneke, who took over the Glenn Miller Orchestra after the bandleader's
death during World War II, died at his home in Santa Ana. He was 86. In 1972, former teen idol Dion performed a reunion concert with The Belmonts at Madison Square Garden in New York. In 1975, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," by John Denver. In 1985, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," by Tears For Fears. In 1987, classical guitarist Andres Segovia died of a heart attack at the age of 94. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986. In the ceremony he was cited as the most brilliant and influential of all classical guitar players. In 1992,
Freedom Williams quit C+C Music Factory. Williams also filed a $10 million
fraud and breach of contract suit in New York against the group and its
leaders, David Cole and Robert Clivilles. In 1997, legendary jazz trumpeter Adolphus "Doc" Cheatham died of a cerebral hemorrhage while in intensive care. Cheatham was 92. In 1998, Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Rod Stewart performed a series of one-hour shows along the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood to promote his current album "When We Were the New Boys." In 1999, at the intermission of a concert of symphonic Beatles music in Jerusalem, someone pilfered Fab Four producer and guest conductor George Martin's music. The theft was not discovered until later in the week when Martin - who didn't have spare copies - threatened to call off the concert. Six out of seven of the stolen scores were returned in time. Also in 1999, Junior Braithwaite, one of the original members of Bob Marley's Wailers, was shot and killed in Kingston, Jamaica. He was 47. In 2000,
Tim McGraw was named the National Fatherhood Institute's father of the
year during the non-profit organizations annual summit in Washington,
D.C. McGraw, married to country singer Faith Hill, was chosen by the NFI
for his contributions to various children's organizations and charities,
as well as for his commitment to his family. Also in 1964, the Beatles launched a world tour but without an exhausted Ringo Starr. The stand-in drummer was Jimmy Nicol until Starr could join the band nine days later in Melbourne, Australia. In 1967, the Doors released "Light My Fire." In 1972, the Eagles released "Take It Easy." In 1975, Ozzie Nelson -- father of pop star Rick Nelson -- died at age 68. He was the patriarch of the Nelson family in the radio and TV series "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." In 1978, Deniece Williams celebrated her 27th birthday when her duet with Johnny Mathis -- "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" -- topped the Billboard Hot-100 singles chart. In 1979, Rickie Lee Jones and Boz Scaggs joined Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band for a three-hour jam at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles during a wedding party for Springsteen's lighting director. In 1981, Genesis' Phil Collins released his first solo album, "Face Value." In 1991, rapper Vanilla Ice was arrested in Los Angeles after he reportedly pulled a gun on a man trying to sell him a necklace. Also in 1991, Willie Nelson released the "Who'll Buy My Memories: The IRS Tapes" album -- sales of which would help pay off the back taxes he owed the federal government. And in 1991, British police seized about 5,000 copies of NWA's latest album from a warehouse near London. Authorities said the song lyrics promoted drug use and encouraged sex with 14-year-olds. In 1998, Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen injured his arm when a piece of plaster fell on him during a sound check in Hamburg, Germany. The 43-year-old musician suffered no broken bones but the concert was canceled anyway. Also in 1998, producer Glen Ballard announced that Lisa Marie Presley had signed deal with Java Records to make an album. In 1999, Paul Simon and Lou Reed were among the artists who performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music as part of a tribute to Harvey Lichtenstein, who was retiring after running the BAM for 31 years. In 2000, a run-in between bad boy rapper Eminem and an associate of the rival rap band Insane Clown Posse in Royal Oak, Mich., led to Eminem being charged with felony possession of a concealed weapon and misdemeanor brandishing of a firearm in public. One day later, the rapper would be accused of pushing an unloaded gun into the face of a man he saw kissing his wife in the parking lot of a Warren, Mich., nightclub -- and face additional weapons offenses. Also in 2000, country singers Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney were arrested following a concert in Buffalo, N.Y. -- Chesney for taking a police horse for a ride without permission and McGraw for coming to his buddy's aid when officers went after Chesney. They would later be acquitted. And in 2000, Whitney Houston's first career-spanning DVD and VHS home video collection, "Whitney: The Greatest Hits" (Arista Records), was certified "platinum" for U.S. sales of more than 100,000 copies. In 1942, Capitol Records was launched by Glenn Wallichs, who invented the art of promotion by sending copies of singles to prominent disc jockeys. In 1965, the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" entered the U.S. singles charts. In 1969, keyboardsman Nicky Hopkins quit the Jeff Beck Group to become a top-rated studio player. In 1973, Murray Wilson -- the father of Beach Boys Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson -- died of a heart attack at age 55. In 1975, the Rolling Stones became the first rock group to be paid royalties for sales of their records in the Soviet Union. In 1984, Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" was released. In 1986, a Los Angeles judge ruled that the Broadway show and movie "Beatlemania" was too much like the real Beatles.The producers were ordered to pay approximately $10 million to the Beatle-owned Apple Corps Ltd. In 1987, George Michael's "I Want Your Sex" proved too hot for some radio stations. CBS supplied them with a toned-down version. In 1992,
U.S. postal officials announced that the young Elvis had won over the
old Elvis in voting to pick which Elvis Presley portrayal to put on a
first-class stamp being issued Jan. 8, 1993. Also in 1993, Seattle police arrested Nirvana's Kurt Cobain after his wife, Courtney Love, reported he'd beat her up. She later denied the police account of the incident and no charges were ever filed. In 1994, the all-star band that did the music for "Backbeat" -- the 1994 film about the early Beatles -- performed at the MTV Movie Awards. The group was composed of REM's Mike Mills, Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner, Afghan Whig's Greg Dulli and Nirvana's Dave Grohl. It was Grohl's first public performance since the April suicide of Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain. At the ceremonies, Janet Jackson won two MTV Movie Awards for her role in "Poetic Justice," while her brother, Michael, won the Best Song award for his tune from "Free Willy." Also in 1994, a concert in Mansfield, Mass., by NKOTB -- formerly known as New Kids On the Block -- was canceled when only one member of the quintet bothered to show up. In 1997, Ronnie Lane -- co-founder with Steve Marriot of the British rock band Small Faces -- died at his Trinidad, Colo., home. He was 51 and suffered from multiple sclerosis. Also in 1997, the body of Jeff Buckley -- missing for six days after going for a swim at a Memphis marina -- was found in the Mississippi River. He was 30. The cause of death was presumed to be drowning. In 2000, Eminem faced weapons charges after he allegedly pushed an unloaded gun in the face of a man he saw kissing his wife early Sunday in the parking lot of the Hot Rocks Café in Warren, Mich. In 2001, beloved hard rock veterans Spinal Tap came back from the dead at New York's Carnegie Hall with a 20-song, 90-minute performance as part of the annual Toyota Comedy Festival. In 2001, singer, songwriter, and producer John Hartford died in a Nashville hospital after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was 63. Hartford was best known as the writer of Glen Campbell's 1967 hit "Gentle on My Mind." In 2002,
coinciding with the publication of the first issue of Gene Simmons Toungue
Magazine, Kiss introduced its novelty Kiss Kondomes to consumers. In 1960, Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry" was released. In 1964, Davie Jones and the King Bees released "Liza Jane." It was the first single for the artist who later changed his name to David Bowie. In 1965,
Joan Baez and Donovan performed at an anti-nuclear In 1971, tickets for Grand Funk Railroad's concert at New York's Shea Stadium sold out in 72 hours -- even faster than the Beatles at the height of the Fab Four's popularity. In 1974, Sly Stone, then 30, married 21-year-old Kathy Silva on stage at Madison Square Garden in New York. In 1975, the Ramones' first album -- titled simply "The Ramones" -- was released. In 1977, Alice Cooper's pet boa constrictor died after being bitten by a rat that was supposed to have been its meal. Cooper later held auditions for a replacement snake. In 1979, Eric Clapton joined the wedding party as Muddy Waters, then 64, married 25-year-old Marva Jean Brooks. In 1982, Roxy Music's "Avalon" became Britain's best-selling album. In 1987, Princess Diana wore a Sgt. Pepper-style jacket to a London charity concert -- the Prince's Trust, sponsored by Prince Charles -- and met Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Also in 1987, Sly Stone surrendered in Fort Myers, Fla., on charges of violating probation for his 1983 conviction on drug possession charges. In 1993, Mariah Carey, then 23, wed Sony Music Chairman Tommy Mottola, then 43, in New York City. The marriage lasted less than five years. Also in 1993, country singer Conway Twitty collapsed and died from a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. He was 59. In 1995, a copyright infringement suit filed by a New York salsa pianist against Gloria Estefan was dropped after an investigation proved she did not steal her 1989 song "Oye Mi Canto" from him. In 1998, former Eagle Don Henley was joined by President and Mrs. Clinton at the grand opening of the Thoreau Institute in Lincoln, Mass. It had been built with donations raised by rock concerts organized by Henley. In 1999, Mel Torme, the Russian-Jewish kid from the South Side of Chicago who became an international singing star with sidelines as an actor, a songwriter, an arranger, a drummer and a writer, died from compilations of the stroke that halted his career in 1996. In 2000, Stevie Wonder led an all-star lineup of performers at the Tree of Life Celebration Gala at the United Nations in New York. The bash supports the Children Uniting Nations mission, which gives kids worldwide a voice to express their concerns about politics and the environment. In 2002, Ramones bassist Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Glenn Colvin) was found dead in his Hollywood, Calif., home. Also in 2002, drug charges against R&B singer Dionne Warwick were dropped after a Miami-Dade County judge agreed to a plea bargain deal, which included a drug treatment program. The singer was arrested a month earlier when Miami International Airport baggage screeners found what they suspected were marijuana cigarettes hidden in Warwick's lipstick container. And in 2002,
R&B star R. Kelly was indicted on child pornography charges stemming
from a videotape that officials say show the artist having sex with an
underage girl. In 1956, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps' "Be-Bop-a-Lula" was released. In 1962, the Beatles auditioned for EMI Records producer George Martin, who later produced some of the band's finest work. In 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono made an unannounced appearance at the Fillmore East in New York, joining Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention on stage. It was Lennon's first stage appearance in nearly two years. The session later turned up on a 1972 double album by Lennon and Ono titled "Some Time in New York City." Also in 1971, Gladys Knight and the Pips performed on the final edition of "The Ed Sullivan Show." In 1972, David Bowie's classic "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" was released. In 1987, three days of open-air concerts began in West Berlin, causing confrontations between East Berlin police and youths who gathered near the Berlin Wall to listen to David Bowie. In 1992,
David Bowie and model/actress Iman repeated their wedding vows in a religious
ceremony at a church in Florence, Italy. Yoko Ono and Bianca Jagger were
among the guests. The couple had been married in a civil ceremony two
months earlier in Switzerland. In 1994, Alan Jackson and Dolly Parton were the big winners at the TNN-Music City News Country Awards in Nashville. In 1995, Elton John performed the first of two sold-out concerts at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. Also in 1995, Primus released its "Tales from the Punchbowl" album. In 1997, at a news conference in London, Genesis announced the hiring of 28-year-old Scottish singer Ray Wilson as the band's new vocalist --replacing Phil Collins, who'd left the band the previous year. Also in 1997, Iggy Pop dislocated his shoulder when he dived into the crowd while performing at Polaris Amphitheater in Columbus, Ohio, as part of the ROAR Tour. In 1999, the 33-city PaulBob '99 tour -- starring Paul Simon and Bob Dylan -- kicked off at the Colorado SpringsWorld Arena in Colorado. In 2000, Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood checked himself into rehab in London. Wood, who was accompanied by his wife, was admitted to the Priory Clinic in an effort to overcome his addiction to alcohol before the Rolling Stones launched another world tour. In 2002,
founding Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby died of AIDS after an eight-year
battle with the disease. Crosby, who co-wrote many of the pop-metal band's
best-known songs, was 42. In 1958, the song "The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks. In 1970, Bob Dylan was awarded an honorary degree in music from Princeton University. In 1977,
the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "I'm Your Boogie Man," In 1987, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Always," by Atlantic Starr. In 1990, 25 years to the day after their father Brian and his band The Beach Boys held the No. 1 spot for "Help Me Rhonda," Carnie and Wendy Wilson's trio Wilson Phillips (with Chynna Phillips) moved into the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with their single "Hold On." In 1992,
Jazz and blues singer Clarence "Big" Miller died in Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada, of a heart attack. He was 70. He had performed with such
jazz legends as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. In 1998, The Ronettes finally got their day in court, as a judge in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York heard first-day arguments in their lawsuit vs. producer Phil Spector. The Ronettes - whose Spector helmed hits included "Be my Baby" and "Walking In The Rain" - charged that the producer, his Philles Record label, and successor labels breached the group's 34-year-old contract by paying the members, led by Spector's ex-wife Ronnie Greenfield, no royalties since 1963. Also in 1998, the Spice Girls teamed up with Luciano Pavarotti in Modena, Italy for their first appearance since announcing the departure of Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell. The televised charity songfest "Pavarotti and Friends" was directed by Spike Lee and co-starred pop performers Celine Dion and Stevie Wonder. The proceeds went to benefit poor children in Liberia. In 2000, Kenny G, Diana Krall, and Joe Sample featuring Lalah Hathaway were big winners at the Billboard/BET On Jazz Awards, presented at the BET On Jazz Studios in Washington, D.C. Awards included Kenny G, for contemporary jazz artist; Krall's "When I Look In Your Eyes," mainstream jazz album; Sample's "The Song Lives On," contemporary jazz vocal album. Also in 2000, Boyz II Men released to radio stations "Pass You By," their first new single in more than three years. In 2002,
Peter Gabriel married his longtime companion Meah Flynn at the Li Capanni
hotel he owns near Sardinia's Emerald Coast. In 1967, Bob Dylan and The Band began recording "The Basement Tapes" album at their house in Woodstock, N.Y. In 1969, the Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Byrds, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick and others appeared at the Fantasy Faire and Magic Mountain Music Festival in California. In 1971, police fired tear gas at fans climbing the barricades to get in free to a Jethro Tull show at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver. The band played on. In 1972, Elvis Presley played his first-ever concert in New York. The shows were recorded for a live album, "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden." In 1977, the Clash's Joe Strummer and Topper Headon were arrested for painting the name of their band on a wall in London. In 1981, Steve Howe and Geoff Downes of Yes; John Wetton of King Crimson, Roxy, and Uriah Heep; and Carl Palmer of Emerson Lake and Palmer formed the supergroup Asia. In 1986,
Queen Elizabeth awarded an honorary knighthood -- Knight of the British
Empire -- to Boomtown Rat rocker Bob Geldof. In 1992, outraged Texas lawmen called for a ban on rapper Ice-T's song "Cop Killer." Warner Bros. Records reacted by saying it was committed to freedom of expression. Later in the year, it dropped the rapper from the label. In 1993, Don Henley, Sting and Paul McCartney were among the 21 people to receive the first annual Earth Day International Awards. In 1994, Paul Simon performed at an AIDS benefit concert in Dallas. Also in 1994, TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez was arrested in Alpharetta, Ga., in connection with the fire that burned down the mansion of her boyfriend, Atlanta Falcon Andre Rison. In 1996, a Los Angeles judge dismissed an arrest warrant against Rob Pilatus -- formerly one-half of the lip-synching duo Milli Vanilli -- after the musician turned up at a rehabilitation clinic. The warrant had been issued after Pilatus disappeared from the drug treatment center, where he'd been ordered to stay for six months for assaulting a woman. In 1998, Ronnie Spector testified in a New York Supreme Court lawsuit against her ex-husband, Phil Spector. She and the other Ronettes were suing Spector for unpaid royalties they claimed they were owed. In 1999, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and former Fugee Lauryn Hill was inducted into the alumni Hall of Fame at Columbia High School, her old high school, in Maplewood, N.J. In 2000,
Mary J. Blige launched "The Mary Show," her 44-city summer tour,
with a two-day engagement at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. In 1966, Janis Joplin made her debut with Big Brother and the Holding Company at San Francisco's Avalon Ballroom. In 1968, a fire at the Olympic Studios in London disrupted a session by the Rolling Stones, which was recording "Beggars Banquet." In 1969, David Bowie's "Space Oddity" was released to coincide with the Apollo 11 moon mission. In 1976, the Australian rock band AC/DC kicked off its first headlining tour of Great Britain in Scotland -- where several members of the group were born. In 1983, Naked Eyes peaked in the top-10 pop singles chart with "Always Something There To Remind Me." In 1984, Dio, Big Country, the Pretenders, Jimmy Cliff and others appeared at the 15th annual Pink Pop Festival in the Netherlands. In 1987, the Seattle Center Arena canceled a June 17 concert by the Beastie Boys and Run DMC because of concerns about teen violence and vandalism. In 1988,
an 11-hour concert in London for 72,000 fans in 50 countries honored imprisoned
South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela. The 70th Birthday
Party featured -- among others -- Dire Straits, Stevie Wonder, Simple
Minds, the Eurythmics, Harry Belafonte, Roberta Flack, Joe Cocker and
Natalie Cole. In 1992, Texas law officers called for a Time-Warner boycott if subsidiary Sire Records refused to pull Ice-T's album "Body Count" from stores. The album contained the song "Cop Killer," which authorities said promoted the killing of police officers. In 1993, Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars accidentally shot and wounded a female companion while target shooting in the California desert. In 1995, Courtney Love was briefly hospitalized in Seattle after what was called an accidental overdose of prescription medicine. In 1996, Carl Perkins was inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk in Los Angeles. In 1998, the 28-year-old son of the "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin was sentenced to 18 months probation after pleading guilty to crack cocaine possession. In 1999, Sister Hazel rhythm guitarist Andrew Copeland won a new Ford Escort on the game show "The Price Is Right." He said he'd give it to his dad. Also in 1999,
thousands of teenage fans turned out at New York's Rockefeller Center
to hear Latin pop star Ricky Martin perform on NBC's "Today"
show. In 1957, bandleader Jimmy Dorsey died. He was 53. Also in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" entered the charts. In 1965, the Beatles learned they were going to be named Members of the Order of the British Empire. Previously, the honor had been reserved just for military heroes. In 1966,
the Dave Clark Five made a record 12th appearance In 1972, John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's "Sometime In New York City" -- featuring Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, the Plastic Ono Band and Elephant's Memory -- was released. In 1982, Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and Gary "U.S." Bonds appeared at a rally for nuclear disarmament in New York's Central Park. More than three-quarters-of-a-million people showed up for what was the biggest political rally in American history. In 1987, U2 filled London's Wembly Stadium during the band's world tour promoting "The Joshua Tree." The album became the Irish group's first No.1 album in America, topping the Billboard Top-200 for nine weeks. Also in 1987,
the Los Angeles coroner announced that blues musician Paul Butterfield
-- who'd been found dead a month earlier at his home -- had died from
a lethal mixture of drugs and alcohol. In 1994, Cab Calloway suffered a massive stroke at his home in White Plaines, N.Y. In 1995, Pearl Jam canceled concerts near San Diego, Calif., after police raised concerns about security. Also in 1995, Diana Ross performed at the opening ceremonies of Israel's Hapoel Games in Jerusalem. It was her first performance in Israel. And in 1995, rapper Luther Campbell -- formerly with 2 Live Crew -- filed for bankruptcy in Miami. In 1998, the first-ever U.S. tour of the Phil Collins Big Band began in Saratoga, Calif. In 1999, Michael Jackson paid more than $1.5 million for the Best Picture Oscar statuette producer David O. Selznick won for "Gone With the Wind" at a Sotheby's auction in New York. In 2000, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Music Publishers Association sued Napster, demanding the online music-trading company remove all major record label songs from its MP3 digital music-trading database. Also in 2000,
Bobby Brown pleaded guilty to two of three counts stemming from a 1996
drunken driving conviction and was sentenced to 75 days, less time served,
in the Broward County (Fla.) Jail. Brown’s wife, pop star Whitney
Houston, did not attend the hearing in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In 1969, the Rolling Stones introduced new lead guitarist Mick Taylor to the news media during a photo-op in London's Hyde Park. He replaced Stones co-founder Brian Jones. Also in 1969, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Sam and Dave, the Staple Singers and others appeared at the Soul Bowl '69 at Houston's Astrodome. In 1970, "The Long and Winding Road" topped the Billboard Hot-100 pop singles chart. It was the 20th and final No.1 single for the Beatles. In 1972, Clyde McPhatter of the Drifters died of a heart attack. He was just 38. Elvis Presley had often said he wished his voice was the equal of McPhatter's. In 1980, "Roadie" -- a film starring Meat Loaf -- opened in the United States. The rocker starred as a road manager who could fix any problem. The film soundtrack included Deborah Harry and Blondie, Pat Benatar, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, Styx, Teddy Pendergrass, Roy Orbison and Emmylou Harris. In 1986, just one month after pulling records by 11 comics and rockers -- including Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, AC/DC and Black Sabbath -- off store shelves in 22 states, Wal-Mart ordered nearly three dozen rock magazines, including Rolling Stone and Tiger Beat, removed. Also in 1986,
"The King of Swing" Benny Goodman died of a heart attack in
his New York apartment at age 77. In 1992, then-Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Clinton criticized remarks by rap singer Sister Souljah about Los Angeles riots in 1992. (The Washington Post had quoted her asking, "If black people kill black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people?") Clinton's criticism sparked even more controversy. In 1994, Don Henley attended a special premiere of the new movie "Wolf" in Boston. It was a benefit for Henley's Walden Woods Project in Massachusetts. In 1995, Paula Abdul's "Head Over Heels" album was released. In 1997, two members of the rap group Naughty By Nature were arrested in New York on weapons and reckless driving charges. In 2000, Tonic headed overseas to entertain U.S. and NATO peacekeeping troops in England and in the war-torn Yugoslav provinces of Bosnia and Kosovo. Also in 2000, Alice Cooper's latest album, "Brutal Planet" (on Spitfire Records), hit stores. In 2001, Chris LeDoux made his first TV appearance since undergoing a liver transplant the previous October. In 2002,
as part of Barry Manilow's induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame,
Trisha Yearwood sang Manilow's hit "Could It Be Magic."
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