Music History

Michael Jackson's family lost a lawsuit against concert promoters AEG Live over alleged negligence related to his death. A 12-member jury concluded that the doctor responsible for Jackson's care before the planned concert tour was not unfit for the job, and therefore AEG Live was not negligent in hiring him.

Michael Jackson's family lost a negligence lawsuit against concert promoters AEG Live in connection with the singer's death. The jury concluded that the doctor responsible for Jackson's care before his concert tour was not unfit for the job, and therefore AEG had not been negligent in hiring him. Jackson died in 2009 after an overdose of a surgical anesthetic.

Tommy Roe released the four-track mini-album Memphis Me, his first new music since the late 1990s.

Jack Johnson reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with his sixth studio album From Here to Now to You.

John Lennon's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was covered with graffiti several days before what would have been his 73rd birthday. After authorities were notified, the damage was quickly removed and the star repaired.

Kings of Leon reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart with their sixth studio album Mechanical Bull.

Annie Lennox described sexualized images in modern pop music videos as “dark” and “pornographic” and called for them to be age-rated similarly to films.

Larry Verne, a novelty song performer whose song “Mr. Custer” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960, died at the age of 77 from heart failure. After leaving the music industry, he spent 35 years building film sets in Hollywood.

Michael Jackson's estate sued three companies in Japan over the alleged unauthorized use of his name and likeness on pendants, pots, towels, postcards, and other products.

Philip Chevron, guitarist for the Irish folk-punk group The Pogues, died at the age of 56 from cancer. In 1976, he founded the punk band The Radiators From Space and later joined The Pogues, who became known in part for the 1987 Christmas hit “Fairytale of New York” with Kirsty MacColl.

Paul McCartney surprised 400 students at New York's Frank Sinatra School for the Arts with a 13-song set featuring songs from his latest album along with Beatles and Wings classics. He opened with "Eight Days A Week" and joked, "This beats going to class."

Country singer Cal Smith died at the age of 81 at his home in Branson, Missouri. He was best known for the 1974 crossover hit “Country Bumpkin,” which won Song of the Year awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.

Paul McCartney and his band surprised New Yorkers with a short, unplanned free concert on a truck in the middle of Times Square. They performed songs from the album New for approximately 3,000 people.

Lady Gaga made her film debut as the shapeshifting assassin La Camaleon in Robert Rodriguez's action crime film Machete Kills.

Rapper Drake reaches No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with his third studio album, Nothing Was the Same.

Pop-rock group HAIM reaches No. 1 on the UK albums chart with its debut studio album, Days Are Gone.

New Zealand singer Lorde reaches No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at age 16 with “Royals.” The song stays at the top for nine weeks and also tops charts in other countries. Lorde makes history as an exceptionally young writer and performer of a U.S. No. 1 hit.

OneRepublic reaches No. 1 on the UK singles chart with “Counting Stars.” The song becomes an international hit and tops the charts in seven other countries.

Pharrell Williams marries model Helen Lasichanh, who inspired several songs on his 2014 album G I R L, including “It Girl.”