1968 - At the University of Southampton, Pink Floyd play their first gig without founding member Syd Barrett, who never returns to the band. The 22-year-old Barrett is an early acid casualty, no longer able to contribute to the group. David Gilmour had already been folded into the band earlier in the month and carries on with the band.
1970 - The Simon & Garfunkel album Bridge Over Troubled Water was released, with the title track simultaneously issued as a single. Bridge Over Troubled Water, at its most ambitious and bold, on its title track, was a quietly reassuring album; at other times, it was personal yet soothing; and at other times, it was just plain fun. The public in 1970 -- a very unsettled time politically, socially, and culturally -- embraced it. The irony was that for all of the record's and the music's appeal, the duo's partnership ended in the course of creating and completing the album.
1970 - John Lennon writes and records "Instant Karma" all in one day, calling in Phil Spector to produce the song. George Harrison played guitar on this and Billy Preston played piano on this track.
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. (Photo credit should read MYCHELE DANIAU/AFP via Getty Images)
1973 -Elton John issues, Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player. It features two of his most popular songs: the '50s flashback "Crocodile Rock" (Elton's first #1 hit in America) and the Vietnam War-inspired "Daniel."
According to Elton, the album title comes from something he said in an exchange with Groucho Marx. After Marx poked fun at his name, Elton replied, "Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player." On the cover, under the marquee, there is a poster for the Marx Brothers movie Go West in homage to Groucho.
1977 - Original Fleetwood Mac lead guitarist Peter Green is committed to a mental hospital after threatening an accountant with an air rifle. The accountant was trying to deliver a royalty check, which Green insisted he didn't want.
1980 - Prince made his TV debut on American Bandstand.
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.
Reasons? According to reports, Stevie Nicks took exception with Buckingham's smirk during her lengthy thank you speech and the fact he wanted a few months off for a solo tour.
2020 - Billie Eilish swept the 2020 Grammys, winning five awards including best new artist and song of the year becoming the first person to achieve the feat since Christopher Cross in 1981. The 18-year-old also won album of the year for her debut, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go. She replaced Taylor Swift as the youngest person ever to win the award.
Birthdays:
Jean Knight, soul singer known for "Mr. Big Stuff" is 79.
Lucinda Williams is 69. Williams' greatest success came in 1998 with her album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. Time magazine named her "America's Best Songwriter" in 2002. Wrote 'Passionate Kisses' the Grammy winning song made famous by the 1993 single version by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Anita Baker is 64.
Norman Hassan of UB40 is 64.
Eddie Van Halen, guitarist for Van Halen, was born on this day in 1955. His guitar solo in the track 'Eruption' was voted No.2 on Guitar World magazine's readers poll of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos. Halen also played the guitar solo on Michael Jackson's 'Beat It'.
Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! is 59.
Highlights for Today in Music History are gathered from NME, Pink Floyd.com, Allmusic, This Day in Music, Song Facts and Wikipedia.