1966 - The Mothers of Invention released their debut studio album Freak Out! on Verve Records. Often cited as one of rock music's first concept albums, Freak Out! is a satirical expression of Frank Zappa's perception of American pop culture and the nascent freak scene of Los Angeles. It was also one of the earliest double albums in rock music.
1968 - Elvis Presley appeared on an NBC TV show that was billed as his "comeback special". The show featured the king performing on a small, square stage, surrounded by a mostly female audience. Presley was outfitted in black leather and and backed by his original sideman, the King reclaimed his crown with one of the greatest performances of all time while performing many of his early hits.
1970 - The the addition of Freddy Mercury, the group Smile change their name to Queen and perform for the first time under that moniker.
1980 - Three songs into Led Zeppelin's concert in Nuremberg, drummer John Bonham collapses while beating out the rhythm to "Black Dog" and is rushed to the hospital, abruptly ending the show. Robert Plant jokes that he ate too many bananas before the show, but alcohol is the likely culprit. In September, Bonham dies after a night of drinking.
1989 - The B-52s release Cosmic Thing, their first album following the death of guitarist and band co-founder Ricky Wilson. Working with producers Don Was and Nile Rodgers, the B-52's updated their sound with shiny new surfaces and deep, funky grooves -- it was the same basic pattern as before, only refurbished and contemporized. Just as importantly, they had their best set of songs since at least Wild Planet, possibly since their debut. It features two of their biggest hits with "Roam" and "Love Shack."
1995 - Neil Young releases Mirror Ball, an album featuring members of Pearl Jam. The album is highlighted by spirited rhythms and dense guitar interplay that Young makes excellent use of in a series of songs built out of simple, melodic riffs. It became Young's highest-charting record since Harvest 23 years earlier.
2002 - One day before the first show of The Who's 2002 US tour, bass player John Entwistle died in his hotel room at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Considered one of the best bassist in Rock and Roll. The Who's "My Generation," contains one of the earliest bass solos (if not the first) captured on a rock record.
2014 - Prolific R&B singer, songwriter, musician and producer Bobby Womack died at age 70. he wrote the early Stones hit, "It's All Over Now."
2015 - Chris Squire, the bass guitarist and co-founder of Yes, died at the age of 67. He was the only member to appear on each of their 21 studio albums, released from 1969 to 2014.
Birthdays:
Songwriter and Blues singer Doc Pomus was born on this day in 1935. . He is best known as the lyricist of many rock and roll hits with Mort Shuman including, ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’, ‘Sweets For My Sweet’, ‘Can't Get Used to Losing You’, ‘Little Sister’, ‘Suspicion’, ‘Surrender’ and ‘Viva Las Vegas.’
Andre Simon Anderson, known as Andre Cymone, is 64. He was a bassist for Prince.
Beach Boy Bruce Johnston is 80.
Singer Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer) is 46.
On this Day in Music History was sourced from This Day in Music, Allmusic, Song Facts and Wikipedia.