On this day today:
1941 - Eric Burdon (lead singer of The Animals) is born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
1964 - In a foreshadowing of their rebellious nature, The Rolling Stones encounter resistance at Bristol, England's Grand Hotel when they are denied service for lunch due to their informal attire of jackets and ties. The incident prompts the Daily Express to dub them "the ugliest group in Britain" and quip, "The Rolling Stones gather no lunch," highlighting the clash between the band's nonconformity and societal norms.
1967 - The Bee Gees make their first big splash on UK television, performing their new single "New York Mining Disaster 1941 (Have You Seen My Wife, Mr. Jones)
1970 - The soundtrack for the movie Woodstock is released, featuring recordings from the festival.
1973 - Stevie Wonder records "Higher Ground."
1981 - Bob Marley dies at age 36 after a long battle with cancer.
1985 - Madonna's "Crazy For You," written for the movie Vision Quest, hits #1 in the US.
1988 - Irving Berlin, the legendary songwriter, reaches the remarkable milestone of turning 100 years old, a testament to his enduring influence on American music. In celebration of his life and prolific career, Carnegie Hall hosts a star-studded concert featuring iconic performers such as Tony Bennett, Bob Hope, Ray Charles, and Rosemary Clooney.
1989 - The legacy of the late Roy Orbison receives prestigious recognition as he is posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York. During the ceremony, Eric Clapton has the honor of presenting the award to Orbison's widow, commemorating the profound impact of Orbison's songwriting prowess.
1991 - "Joyride" by Roxette peaks at #1 on the Hot 100.
1999 - Following the success of four Spanish-language albums, Ricky Martin makes a bold transition with the release of his first English-language album simply titled "Ricky Martin." The album features the mega-hit single "Livin' La Vida Loca," which propels Martin to American stardom and solidifies his breakthrough in the English-speaking market.
2002 - Over 500 devoted Michael Jackson fans gather for a demonstration outside the Sony records building in Berlin, voicing their discontent over the label's perceived lack of promotion for the singer's latest album, 'Invincible'.
2007 - The Mamas & The Papas, Otis Redding and Al Kooper are all inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk.
2008 - Leonard Cohen kicks off his first tour in 15 years with a show in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
2011 - In a historic sale, one of the rarest rock t-shirts in the world, a 1979 Led Zeppelin t-shirt, fetches an astonishing $10,000 (£6096.00) on eBay. The transaction, completed by Kyle Ermatinger of Stormcrow Vintage, sets a new record as the largest sum ever paid for a vintage t-shirt, cementing its status as the world's rarest and most expensive vintage tee.
2022 - Lionel Richie is honored with the prestigious Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, a celebration filled with memorable performances paying tribute to his illustrious career. Gloria Estefan dazzles the audience with her rendition of "Dancing On The Ceiling," while Chris Stapleton delivers a soulful rendition of "Say You, Say Me." Adding to the magic, fellow American Idol judge Luke Bryan serenades the crowd with a heartfelt performance of "Lady," creating an unforgettable evening of music and celebration in honor of Richie's enduring legacy.
