1964 - The Rolling Stones appeared on the US chart for the first time when their cover of Buddy Holly's 'Not Fade Away' peaked at No.48.
1968 - Working at Abbey Road studios, The Beatles recorded "Helter Skelter." Paul McCartney had read a magazine interview with Pete Townshend where the Who guitarist described their latest single, "I Can See For Miles," as the loudest, dirtiest, most aggressive song possible; when McCartney heard it, he thought Townshend had exaggerated considerably, and decided he'd take on the challenge of writing such a song. "Helter Skelter" was the result. The Beatles did so many takes in the studio - at one point recording a 20-plus-minute version during the session - that Ringo exclaimed, "I've got blisters on me fingers!", which can still be heard in the version that was ultimately put on The White Album.
1973 - Bruce Springsteen played the first of four nights at Max's Kansas City in New York City, New York, supported by Bob Marley and The Wailers who were on their first ever North American tour.
1980 - Closer, the second and final album from Joy Division, is released just two months after the suicide of founding member and singer Ian Curtis. Its claustrophobic, synth-laden sound, combined with Curtis's nihilistic lyrics make it a defining moment in England's post-punk scene.
1991 -The very first Lollapalooza happened in Tempe, Arizona. Originally dreamed up by Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell as a farewell tour, the touring festival ran annually until 1997, and was revived in 2003. Lollapalooza becomes an event that showcases not only non-mainstream music acts, but also art and politics - kind of a one-stop shop for a generation sick of prefab pop and hair metal. Performing on the mainstage in its initial year was Jane's Addiction, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Living Colour, Nine Inch Nails, Violent Femmes , Fishbone, Ice T & Body Count, Butthole Surfers, Rollins Band and Lords of Acid. (Photo by Cory Schwartz/Getty Images)
Birthdays:
Screamin' Jay Hawkins was born today in 1929. A Golden Gloves boxing champion at 16, best know for the classic, "I Put A Spell On You."
Ian Stewart of The Rolling Stones was born today in 1938.
Lonnie Mack, blues and country singer-guitarist was born in 1941. In the early 1960s, he was a "pioneer" in virtuoso rock guitar soloing whose recordings were pivotal to the emergence of the electric guitar as a lead voice in rock music.
Dion Dimucci - Best known for his 1961 single 'Runaround Sue', is 83.
Martha Reeves is 81. Lead the Vandellas, best know for the hits "Heatwave", Dancing In the Streets", "Nowhere to Run", and more,
Keith Levene, early member of The Clash and founding member of Public Image Ltd., is 65.
On This Day In Music History was sourced from This Day in Music, Song Facts and Wikipedia.
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