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Click on a date below to find out what happened on that day in music history... |
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Two people are killed and 11 are wounded in Sri Lanka after a grenade goes off during a concert by Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan.
Scotty Moore, the guitarist who with Elvis Presley concocted the sound of rock 'n' roll on "That's All Right, Mama," is said to be serious but stable condition following brain surgery. Moore was treated for a subdural hematoma.
Scotty Moore
Elvis Presley
Gloom merchants The Cure play their smallest British gig in years at the Islington Carling Academy to benefit charity.
The Cure
Robert Smith
The RIAA certifies AC/DC's Back In Black as the world's second-best-selling album of all time, behind Michael Jackson's Thriller.
AC/DC
Michael Jackson
At New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, Cher, Bette Midler and Ace of Base take part in the Miracle on 34th Street Concert.
Ace of Base
Bette Midler
Cher
Folk critic Robert Shelton dies in Brighton, England. As a writer for The New York Times, Shelton was instrumental in bringing the unknown performer Bob Dylan to the city's attention. He also wrote the liner notes to Dylan's first album using the pseudonym Stacy Williams.
Bob Dylan
At a KISS concert in Florida, Ace Frehley accidentally touches a short-circuited light bulb and is electrocuted. An unconscious Frehley is taken off the stage, then wheeled back on ten minutes later to complete the concert.
Kiss
Ace Frehley
Genesis make their American live debut with a show at Massachusetts' Brandeis University.
Genesis
James Brown is arrested and charged with disorderly conduct following a show in Knoxville, Tenn. A man reported to police that Brown was trying to start a riot after the Godfather began discussing drugs with a group of people. Charges are dropped after Brown threatens to sue the city of Knoxville for $1 million.
James Brown
Blood Sweat & Tears singer David Clayton Thomas appears in a spot on Canadian TV supporting the Save the Seals Campaign.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Yoko Ono
James Brown releases his 32nd album, Revolution of the Mind: Live at the Apollo, Volume 3, boasting the half-hour epic "It's a New Day So Let a Man Come In and Do the Popcorn." Rolling Stone is speechless.
James Brown
The Magic Christian, starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, receives its premiere at a Royal Command Performance in London. Outside the cinema, John Lennon and Yoko Ono parade with placards reading "Britain Murdered Hanratty," referring to a man many believe was wrongly executed for murder in 1962.
Ringo Starr
Peter Sellers
John Lennon
Yoko Ono
The Rolling Stones begin taping their Rock 'n' Roll Circus TV special in England, as their album Beggar's Banquet debuts in the British album charts at No. 3. Guests include the Who, Eric Clapton, Jethro Tull and John Lennon appearing as the Dirty Mac Band, performing "Yer Blues." The Rolling Stones withhold the special from broadcast, a decision which many believe was due to the Who's superior performance on the night.
Jethro Tull
Eric Clapton
John Lennon
The Who
The Rolling Stones
Lennon also puts his home in Weybridge, England up for sale.
John Lennon
The Beatles partnership Apple Music signs its first act, Grapefruit.
The Beatles
Beatles manager Brian Epstein tries to sign Little Richard after promoting two of the wild rocker's London concerts. Richard declines the offer.
The Beatles
Little Richard
Justin Currie, leader of Scotch rockers Del Amitri, is born.
Del Amitri
The Beatles appear on the BBC's Juke Box Jury, passing comment on that week's new records.
The Beatles
Aretha Franklin performs live for the first time at New York's Village Vanguard.
Aretha Franklin
Motley Crue bassist and - some would say - mastermind, Nikki Sixx is born in Seattle. Although "mind" isn't the first thing that comes to, er, mind when you think "Motley Crue."
Mötley Crüe
Jerry Lee Lewis marries Myra Gale Brown in Hernando, Miss. There are quite a few things that make this wedding special. First, Myra is the daughter of his bass player Jay. Secondly, she's Jerry Lee's second cousin. Thirdly, she's 13 years old.
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jermaine Jackson, who might be the third most important Jackson thanks to hits like "Let's Get Serious," is born in Gary, Ind.
Jermaine Jackson
Tony Brown, who has played bass for stars like Bob Dylan and John Martyn, is born in Greensboro, N.C.
Bob Dylan
John Martyn
J. Frank Wilson is born in Lufkin, Texas. With his band the Cavaliers, he enjoyed a huge hit with 1964's melodramatic "Last Kiss." Pearl Jam later successfully covered the song.
Pearl Jam
Frank Wilson
New Orleans soul one-off Benny Spellman, who recorded the memorable "Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)," is born in Pensacola, Fla.
Benny Spellman
New Orleans
R&B legend Big Mama Thornton, whose powerhouse vocals are heard to excellent effect on her rendition of "Hound Dog," is born in Montgomery, Ala.
Big Mama Thornton
 
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