1965 - The Beatles released their 6th album Rubber Soul. Taking a new experimental direction, the band introduced a sitar to their sound and recorded the album in just over four weeks to make the Christmas market. The album title was reportedly a nod to "plastic soul" — a name used to call white musicians singing soul music.
1966 - Ray Charles was given a five year suspended prison sentence and a $10,000 fine after being convicted of possessing heroin and marijuana.
1969 - The Rolling Stones recorded "Brown Sugar" at Muscle Shoals studios. The single went on to be a U.K. and U.S. No. 1. Jagger admitted in 1995 that his lyrics may have gone a bit far. "God knows what I’m on about on that song. It’s such a mishmash. All the nasty subjects in one go. I never would write that song now. I would probably censor myself. I’d think, 'Oh God, I can’t. I’ve got to stop. I can’t just write raw like that.'
1971 - Deep Purple arrive in Montreux, Switzerland to record their Machine Head album at the Montreux Casino. It doesn't go as planned: The casino burns down the next day and they end up recording in a hotel using the Rolling Stones' mobile unit. They tell the tale in the song "Smoke On The Water."
1976 - An attempt was made on Bob Marley's life when seven gunmen burst into his Kingston home, injuring Marley, his wife Rita and manager Don Taylor. The attack was believed to be politically motivated, as elections in Jamaica were days away and Marley was seen as supporting the ruling party. Marley made a full recovery and never had the bullet removed, as he was told that the operation could cause him to lose movement in his fingers.
1979 - A concert by The Who at The Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati turned to disaster when 11 members of the audience were trampled to death after a stampede to claim unreserved seats, and another 23 fans were injured. The concert was using festival seating where seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
2015 - Scott Weiland died at age 48. He was found in cardiac arrest on his tour bus in Bloomington, Minnesota, just before he was scheduled to go on stage with his band The Wildabouts. He was 48 years old. Weiland was best known as the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots from 1986 to 2013, as well as Velvet Revolver from 2003 to 2008. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Birthdays:
"Moon River" crooner Andy Williams was born today in 1927.
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is 72.
Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship is 71.
Kimberley Rew of Katrina And The Waves and the Soft Boys is 69.
On this Day In Music History is sourced from This Day in Music, Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock, Song Facts, Ultimate Classic Rock and Wikipedia.