1962 - Bishop Burke of the Buffalo, New York, Catholic Diocese prohibited the dance of the devil, "The Twist". It couldn't be danced, sung about or listened to at any Catholic school, parish or youth event. Later in the year, "The Twist" was also banned from community center dances in Tampa, Florida.
1970 - John Lennon writes and records "Instant Karma" all in one day, calling in Phil Spector to produce the song. George Harrison and Billy Preston play on it. According to Philip Norman's book John Lennon: The Life, the chorus was made up of Mal Evans, Yoko, and a small group of strangers Lennon rounded up from a West End pub called Hatchetts.
1970 - The Simon & Garfunkel album Bridge Over Troubled Water is released, with the title track simultaneously issued as a single.
The duo thought the upbeat singalong "Cecilia" would be the first single, but their label boss Clive Davis insisted it be the title track, a nearly 5-minute plaintive ballad with gospel textures. It was the right call. The public in 1970 -- a very unsettled time politically, socially, and culturally -- embraced it; and whatever mood they captured, the songs matched the standard of craftsmanship that had been established on the duo's two prior albums. It was also their last one together. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
1973 - Elton John issues his sixth studio album, Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player, in America. It features the '50s flashback "Crocodile Rock" (Elton's first #1 hit in America) and the Vietnam War-inspired "Daniel." The title of the album came from friend and actor/comedian Groucho Marx. Elton was playing the piano at a party at Groucho's home; Groucho, who referred to him as 'John Elton', held out his middle and index finger in the style of a pistol. Elton then raised his hands and said "Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player" at Marx's gun imitation. Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin disputes this story, claiming he found the phrase on a piece of kitch at a junk shop.
2018 - Fleetwood Mac perform at the Musicares benefit in Radio City Music Hall, where they are honored. It's Lindsey Buckingham's last performance with the group; three months later he is ousted, replaced by Mike Campbell and Neil Finn. The fact he wanted time off for a solo tour and that he may or may not have "smirked" during Stevie Nicks' acceptance speech are listed as reasons for his ouster.
2004 - John Lydon was one of ten contestants to take part in the latest I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here UK TV show set in the Australian outback. The former Sex Pistols singer was seen by 11 million viewers on the first night covered in bird seed being pecked by giant ostriches. Lydon who was paid $42,500 to appear in the show, but walked off the jungle set after four days.
Birthdays:
Jean Knight, soul singer known for "Mr. Big Stuff" is 78.
Ashley Hutchings of Fairport Convention is 76.
Anita Baker is 63.
Norman Hassan of UB40 is 63.
Lucinda Williams is 68.
Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! is 58.
Susannah Melvoin is 57.
Eddie Van Halen, guitarist for Van Halen, was born on this day in 1955.
On This Day In Music History is sourced from This Day in Music, Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock, Song Facts, Allmusic, and Wikipedia.