1967 - The photo session for the album cover of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band took place at Chelsea Manor studios in London, with photographer Michael Cooper. The cover concept began with Paul McCartney’s pen-and-ink sketches
His first inspiration was a 1920s-era photo of his dad’s orchestra, “Jim Mac’s Jazz Band,” surrounded by their well-dressed fans. As the Fabs voted for famous faces, Paul went for Brando and Astaire, George requested Maharishis, and Ringo said, “Whatever the lads want, that’s fine.” But John’s picks caused controversy. Jann Haworth says, “Hitler was John’s misguided choice. We made the figure, but removed him before the shoot. Boxer Sonny Liston was an odd choice , given that The Beatles had met and posed famously with Muhammed Ali, who twice defeated Liston. Also, after attending a Beatles concert in 1964, Liston said of Ringo, “My dog drums better than that guy.” Sgt. Pepper marked the first time in history that the lyrics of the entire album were included with the album cover. It was the most expensive album cover ever, about $70,000 in today's money.
1987 - Prince releases his ninth album, Sign o' the Times. Fearless, eclectic, and defiantly messy, Prince's Sign 'O' the Times falls into the tradition of tremendous, chaotic double albums like The Beatles, Exile on Main St., and London Calling -- albums that are fantastic because of their overreach, their great sprawl. Prince shows nearly all of his cards here, from bare-bones electro-funk and smooth soul to pseudo-psychedelic pop and crunching hard rock, touching on gospel, blues, and folk along the way.
2011 - Buffalo Springfield, which split in 1968, announces a reunion tour with original members Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay (the latter two, both in the Colorado Music Hall Of Fame). The tour lasts seven shows, ending with a performance at Bonnaroo. Another 30 dates are planned, but Young calls it off.
2020 - Soul singer Bill Withers died from heart complications at age 81. His hits include 'Just The Two Of Us', 'Lovely Day' and 'Use Me'. On 'Lovely Day', he set the record for the longest sustained note on a US chart hit, holding a high E for 18 seconds. His ballad 'Ain't No Sunshine', earned him his first Grammy award.
Birthdays:
Graeme Edge, drummer with The Moody Blues, is 80.
Eric Clapton is 76. He forms the bands Cream, Blind Faith and Derek & the Dominos. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and of Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time.
MC Hammer, born Stanley Kirk Burrell, is 59.
Tracy Chapman is 57. She received a ukulele at age three and started writing songs at age eight. And according to a 2018 interview, she says that she may have been first inspired to play the guitar by the television show "Hee Haw". (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Celine Dion is 53.
Norah Jones is 42.
On This Day In Music History is sourced from This Day in Music, Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock, Song Facts, Fandom, Louder Sound, Allmusic, and Wikipedia.