1958 - John Lennon's mother Julia was killed by a car driven by a drunk driver. John was 17 at the time. The road accident that killed Julia -- with an off-duty policeman at the wheel -- confirmed Lennon in his distrust of anyone in authority.
Lennon's first son, Julian, is named after his mother.
But most of all Julia's death was a musical inspiration. Both his gentle ballad to his absent mother on the White Album (1968) -- "Half of what I say is meaningless,/ but I say it just to please you, Julia" -- and "Mother," his anguished recollection of her death that opened his first single album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970) -- "Mother, You had me. I never had you./ I wanted you but you didn't want me" -- prove pivotal in understanding the pain that lies just beneath the surface of a Lennon song.
1965 - This week's U.S. top three singles were No. 3 The Byrds, "Mr Tambourine Man," No. 2 The Four Tops, "I Can't Help Myself" and at No. 1. The Rolling Stones with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." A random chart fact for you.
1972 - Elton John started a five week run at No.1 on the US album chart with his fifth studio album Honky Chateau, his first US chart topper. The album was titled after the 18th century French chateau where it was recorded, Château d'Hérouville.
1978 - The Rolling Stones started a two-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Some Girls. Some Girls showed that the Stones could pull off the old magic using some flashy new tricks, with its aggressive, punchy sound, mile-a-minute new-wave tempos, and unabashed embrace of nightlife sleaze. The cover designed by Peter Corriston, featured The Rolling Stones in garish drag alongside select female celebrities and lingerie ads. The cover immediately ran into trouble when Lucille Ball, Farrah Fawcett, Liza Minnelli (representing her mother Judy Garland), Raquel Welch, and the estate of Marilyn Monroe who all threatened legal action. Although on the Bret Saunders Podcast, Keith claimed only Lucille Ball had a problem with her picture being used.
2012 - "Gangnam Style" was unleashed upon the world. Performed by K-Pop singer PSY, the song debuted on YouTube and became its most-watched video (ever. in history.),
2016 - In what they famously describe as a 'conscious uncoupling,' Chris Martin of Coldplay and actress Gwyneth Paltrow officially divorce after more than ten years of marriage. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Entertainment Industry Foundation)
Birthdays:
1947 - Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson, founder of the 13th Floor Elevators and pioneer of psychedelic music, is born.
Johnny Thunders, New York Dolls singer, was born today in 1952. He passed away in 1991.
American Soul and R&B singer Millie Jackson is 77.
Linda Ronstadt is 75. Her music career starts as lead singer of the folk trio the Stone Poneys, where she covered tunes by the likes of Mike Nesmith and Tim Buckley. That knack for choosing material served her well in the second half of the '70s, when she became a pop superstar interpreting songs by everyone from Dave Edmunds and Elvis Costello to Chuck Berry and Roy Orbison. Subsequently, she has shown her diversity by cutting albums of jazz standards, traditional Mexican music, and pure country.
Guitarist Joe Satriani is 65.
Ian Curtis is born in on this day in 1956. He joins Joy Division in 1976.
On This Day In Music History is sourced from This Day in Music, Song Facts, Newsweek, AV Club, Allmusic, and Wikipedia.