Today In History
In 1957
RCA Victor had received a half-million advanced orders for Elvis Presley's upcoming Christmas album.
Little Richard's "Keep A-Knockin'" and Ricky Nelson's "Be-Bop Baby" broke into the Top 40.
In 1963
The Beach Boys released the single "Little Deuce Coupe."
In 1964
The Beatles taped a segment in London for the TV show "Shindig!" They performed the songs "Kansas City," "I'm A Loser," and "Boys."
In 1965
The Kinks were a guest on the TV show "Shindig!"
The McCoys' "Hang On Sloopy" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
James Brown's "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" hit number one on the Billboard R&B chart.
In 1966
Johnny Kidd and the Pirates frontman Johnny Kidd died in a car accident in Radcliffe, England. He was 26. The group was best known for the 1960 hit "Shakin' All Over."
In 1967
The Beatles turned down an offer of a million dollars to perform a concert at New York's Shea Stadium.
The Mamas and the Papas' Cass Elliot spent the night in a London jail after a dispute with a local hotel manager about an unpaid bill.
The Associations' "Never My Love" peaked at number two on the pop singles chart.
Jackie Wilson's "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" peaked at number six on the pop singles chart. It was at number one on the Billboard R&B chart.
Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" broke into the Top 40.
In 1969
The Youngbloods' single "Get Together" and Bobby Sherman's single "Little Woman" were certified Gold.
The Jackson 5 released the single "I Want You Back."
In 1970
The movie "Ned Kelly," starring Mick Jagger, was released in Britain.
In 1972
The O'Jays' "Back Stabbers" peaked at number three on the pop singles chart.
The Raspberries' "Go All The Way" peaked at number five on the pop singles chart.
The Spinners' "I'll Be Around" and Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" broke into the Top 40.
In 1974
Stephen Stills served as a backing musician for his wife, French pop singer Veronique Sanson, at her first show in Paris.
In 1975
John Lennon won his battle against the U.S. Immigration Service when the New York State Supreme Court overturned an order to have him deported.
In 1976
Elton John admitted he was bisexual to "Rolling Stone" magazine.
Earth, Wind, and Fire's album "Spirit," Dave Mason's self-titled album, and the Manhattans' self-titled album were certified Gold.
In 1977
Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett left the group to launch a solo career.
David Bowie released the album "Heroes."
Queen released the single "We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions" in the UK.
Elvis Presley's album "From Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, Tennessee" was certified Gold.
In 1978
The Rolling Stones appeared on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."
Boston's "Don't Look Back" peaked at number four on the pop singles chart.
Bob Seger's "Hollywood Nights" peaked at number 12 on the pop singles chart.
In 1980
A court ruled that Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham's death was accidental.
Dusty Springfield played her first show in Manhattan in eight years, performing at the Grand Finale club.
In 1981
Stevie Nicks' solo album "Bella Donna" was certified Gold and Platinum.
In 1982
Former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page received a 12-month conditional discharge after being found guilty of cocaine possession.
In 1983
Genesis released its self-titled album.
In 1986
Chuck Berry sold out his October 16th birthday concert in St. Louis in just 58 minutes.
In 1987
Diana Ross and Arne Naess had a son, Ross Naess.
In 1989
The Jefferson Airplane performed a benefit for the San Francisco Food Bank. Instead of having tickets, concertgoers had to bring a can of food to gain admission to the show.
In 1993
Ray Charles was among the recipients of the National Medals of Art from President Bill Clinton.
In 1995
Peter Frampton launched a tour in Boston in conjunction with the release of the album "Frampton Comes Alive 2."
David Bowie released the album "Outside."
In 1996
Bruce Springsteen's solo acoustic tour sold out the 26-hundred seat Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte, North Carolina in eight minutes.
In 1999
Eagle Don Henley sued a Sarasota, Florida based Internet company for copyright infringement over its registration of several domain names, including don-henley.net, don-henley.org, and donhenley.org.
In 2002
Mick Jagger donated more than 150-thousand-dollars to his former grade school to support a preschool and primary school music program.
In 2003
Kenny Rogers received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Entertainment Buyers Association at the organization's annual conference in Nashville. Freddy Fender and Wayne Newton were also honored, with Fender getting the organization's Pioneer Award and Newton earning the Humanitarian Award.
In 2004
Yusuf Islam, better known as Cat Stevens, appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" from a studio in London to discuss being denied entry into the U.S. He repeated his assertion that he hadn't done anything wrong, and said he thought it was a possible case of mistaken identity. He added that he just wanted to clear his name and regain his freedom to travel.
Carlos Santana came in second in a "Guitar World" magazine list of the worst guitar soloists, behind Poison's C.C. DeVille. The publication cited the song "Game of Love" to back up its decision.
Ozzy Osbourne's daughter Kelly made her TV acting debut, in the role of Deborah on the teen drama series "life as we know it."
In 2005
A reception was held at the Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home in Oviedo, Florida for the late Badfinger drummer Mike Gibbins, who died in his sleep three days earlier.
Yoko Ono performed at a memorial show honoring the late John Lennon in Tokyo. The concert was a fundraiser for Asian and African orphans.
In 2006
Phil Collins, Counting Crows, Tears For Fears, John Mayer, and Sarah McLachlan were among the performers at Andre Agassi's 11th annual Grand Slam for Children in Las Vegas.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was among the performers at the "A Day Of Honor" benefit concert in Atlanta, Georgia. The show was a fundraiser for the 173rd Airborne Brigade National Memorial, slated to be built at the National Infantry Museum campus in Fort Benning, Georgia.< |