1971 - John Lennon releases "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" in the US. The song came about after more than two years of peace activism by John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, that began with the 'bed-ins' they created in March and May 1969.
The song was part of an international multimedia campaign launched by the couple in December 1969, at the height of the counterculture movement and protests against America's involvement in the Vietnam War.
They had rented billboard spaces in 12 major cities around the world, for the display of black-and-white posters that declared "WAR IS OVER! If You Want It – Happy Christmas from John & Yoko".
1983 - Neil Young was sued by Geffen Records because his new music for the label was "not commercial in nature and musically uncharacteristic of his previous albums." In 2 years he had released Trans, his foray into electronic music, then Everybody's Rockin', an album of rockabilly. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
1987 - A Kentucky teacher lost her appeal in the U.S. Supreme Court over getting fired for showing Pink Floyd's film "The Wall" to her class. The court decided that the film was not suitable for minors with its bad language and sexual content. The teacher, Jacqueline Fowler, rented a videotape of the movie and showed it to her students ages 14 to 17 before actually viewing it herself first. The film described the life of a rock star including his childhood, failed marriage, drug abuse and ruined career. Though some might call her the coolest teacher ever, in the end her firing was deemed lawful.
1997 - Kenny G set a new world record when he held a note on his saxophone for 45 minutes and 47 seconds. (The record has since been broken by Geovanny Escalante, who held a note for 1 hour, 30 minutes and 45 seconds, using a technique that allows him to blow and breathe at the same time).
2012 - San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders declares "Peaceful Easy Feeling Day" in honor of Jack Tempchin, who wrote the Eagles hit in the city. The ceremony takes place at a hot dog joint called the Wienerschnitzel, where he wrote the last verse while waiting for his order. Tempchin is presented with a golden wiener at the event.
Birthdays:
Eric Bloom of Blue Oyster Cult is 76.
John Densmore, drummer from The Doors, is 76.
Singer/actress Bette Midler is 75.
On This Day in Music History is sourced from This Day in Music, Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock, Song Facts and Wikipedia.