1967 - The Doors released their self-titled debut album The Doors. It features the breakthrough single "Light My Fire" and the lengthy song "The End" with its spoken word section. The Doors credit the success of the album to being able to work the songs out live at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood and the London Fog nightclub on the Sunset Strip. The album was recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, California over six days. The original album has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
1975 - Elton John started a two-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with his version of The Beatles' "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". His third U.S. No. 1, the song featured John Lennon on guitar. The song was recorded at Caribou Ranch. Lennon arrived at Caribou Ranch accompanied by his new girlfriend, May Pang, in order to record a new guitar and vocal to the song. Lennon was treated like a king. Elton John, who was considered the boss of the operation, made sure that anything John Lennon wanted, he received. According to James Guercio, owner of the ranch, the only thing that Elton John would not give Lennon control of was the heat in the ranch. Elton would keep the place roasting, and Carsello, the manager, would have to help Lennon open the windows in his room each night for him to be able to sleep. During his stay he bought cowboy boots in Boulder.
1986 - Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy died of heart failure and pneumonia after being in a coma for eight days following a drug overdose.
1991 - Nirvana signed with Geffen Records. In September of that year, their album Nevermind was released.
2006 - The house where Johnny Cash lived for 35 years was bought by Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb.
2011 - Gerry Rafferty died aged 63 after a long illness. Rafferty had been a member of Stealers Wheel, he sang the classic, 'Stuck In The Middle With You'. He also had a successful solo career.
Birthdays:
Soul singer Arthur Conley was born today in 1946.
Wilco's Nels Cline is 65.
Michael Stipe is 61. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
The Pogues bassist Cait O'Riordan is 56.
Beth Gibbons, singer and lyricist of Portishead, is 56.
On This Day In Music History is sourced from This Day in Music, Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock, Song Facts, Caribou Ranch, and Wikipedia.