On this day today:
1953 - Didier Marouani, a French composer and musician born in Monaco, is known for his work in electronic and space disco music. He gained prominence as the leader of the band Space, which was popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
1969 - Bob Dylan, along with The Band, made a surprise appearance at the Mississippi River Rock Festival. This unexpected performance thrilled the audience, adding an unforgettable highlight to the event.
1969 - The movie Easy Rider, which opens with the heavy metal thunder of "Born To Be Wild," premieres in theaters. This iconic film, starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, becomes a defining piece of 1960s counterculture, capturing the spirit of freedom and rebellion.
1977 - The BBC lifts their ban on The Sex Pistols, allowing them to appear on Top Of The Pops in a video clip performing their song "Pretty Vacant."
1978 - Talking Heads released their second studio album, "More Songs About Buildings And Food." Produced by Brian Eno, this album marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that would extend over three albums. It included their first Top 30 single, a cover of Al Green's "Take Me to the River," which helped propel the band into mainstream recognition.
1978 - The comedy thriller "Foul Play," starring Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase, makes its debut in theaters. The film is notable for its blend of humor and suspense, as well as its soundtrack, which includes Barry Manilow's song "Ready To Take A Chance Again." This song goes on to earn a nomination for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.
1979 - Donna Summer's "Bad Girls," a track that explores themes around prostitutes and the nightlife, climbs to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in America.
1982 - The premiere of Pink Floyd's film "The Wall" took place at The Empire, Leicester Square, London, England. The movie, revolving around a troubled rocker named Floyd "Pink" Pinkerton, garnered significant attention and success. It grossed $22 million in its first year and received two British Academy Awards, cementing its impact both commercially and critically.
1984 - During The Jacksons' Victory tour stop at Texas Stadium, Eddie Van Halen makes a special appearance. He joins Michael Jackson on stage to play his iconic guitar solo from "Beat It," thrilling the audience with this unforgettable live collaboration.
1986 - Madonna achieved a double triumph in the UK charts with "Papa Don't Preach," her second number one single, and "True Blue," which also topped the UK album chart.
1987 - Steve Miller receives a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
2010 - Ann Kirsten Kennis, whose Polaroid photo graces the cover of Vampire Weekend's chart-topping album Contra, files a $2 million lawsuit against the band, their record label, and the photographer. She claims that she never granted permission for her image to be used. The legal dispute is eventually settled out of court.
2018 - Drake surpasses his own record for the most simultaneous entries on the Billboard Hot 100, with 27 songs charting following the release of his album Scorpion.
