Today in Music History

The song “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” entered the US Billboard Top 40 and later reached No. 2. Although its surreal imagery led to interpretations involving drugs, John Fogerty said he wrote the song for his three-year-old son Josh.

The song “Lay A Little Lovin' On Me” peaked at No. 11 after eight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. His next single received almost no radio airplay, and McNamara remained best known as a one-hit artist.

On August 15, 1971, Elvis Presley performed two shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas: the Dinner Show at 8:15 p.m. and the Midnight Show at midnight. Each performance had an audience capacity of approximately 2,200 people.

Singer Thomas Wayne, known for the 1959 hit “Tragedy”, which reached No. 5 on the US chart, died at the age of 31 in a car accident in Memphis. His car crossed four lanes and the median into oncoming traffic. By then, he was working mainly behind the scenes as a recording engineer and producer in Nashville.

On August 15, 1972, Elvis Presley performed two shows at the Hilton International Hotel in Las Vegas: an evening Dinner Show and a Midnight Show. The documented setlist for the Midnight Show included “See See Rider”, “Johnny B. Goode”, “Until It's Time for You to Go”, “You Don't Have to Say You Love Me”, “Polk Salad Annie”, “What Now My Love”, “Fever”, “Love Me”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “All Shook Up”, “Love Me Tender”, “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear”, “Don't Be Cruel”, “Little Sister”, “Get Back”, “Hound Dog”, “I'll Remember You”, “Suspicious Minds”, “For the Good Times”, “A Big Hunk o' Love” and “You Gave Me a Mountain”. The show concluded with “Can't Help Falling in Love”.

Irish singer and songwriter Michael “Mikey” Graham, a member of Boyzone, was born.

Baltimore, Maryland proclaimed this day “Cass Elliot Day” in honor of the singer of The Mamas & The Papas, who was from the city.

He canceled the rental of a Fairchild aircraft and instead purchased a Jet Commander for $508,000. He later flew from Memphis to Las Vegas, but due to breathing difficulties, the aircraft had to make an unplanned landing in Dallas. After resting for several hours at a motel, he continued his journey.

He officially announced his departure from Genesis. Phil Collins later became the new lead singer after an audition attended by more than 400 musicians.

He released his sixth studio album Atlantic Crossing. The album reached No. 1 on the UK albums chart and No. 9 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. It included the UK hits “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” and “Sailing”, as well as “This Old Heart of Mine”.

He planned to leave for a tour that was scheduled to begin in Portland. In the afternoon he watched television and in the evening went to the dentist. Fans at the gates of Graceland captured what were his last known live photographs.

Epic Records released Boston's second studio album Don't Look Back. The album reached No. 1 on the US Billboard chart and No. 9 in the UK, sold more than one million copies within its first ten days and later received a seven-times-platinum certification. The title track reached No. 4 and “A Man I'll Never Be” reached No. 31.

The futuristic satirical film Americathon premiered in Los Angeles, starring Meat Loaf. The soundtrack featured songs by The Beach Boys, Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.

Led Zeppelin released their eighth and final studio album, "In Through the Out Door," in the United States. It was the last album by the group to be released during drummer John Bonham's lifetime.

The unknown rock band appeared as the opening act for Hall & Oates in Maryland. During the performance, the audience discovered that the singer was Cher.

His autobiography I, Me, Mine was published, making him the first member of The Beatles to publish an autobiography. John Lennon later criticized the book for almost completely ignoring his influence on Harrison's life.

They performed at the Alabama Jam 2 festival at Ladd Memorial Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.

The iconic duet "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for a massive nine consecutive weeks, becoming the biggest duet in chart history. It also simultaneously dominated the Billboard R&B chart for seven weeks.

Her third studio album “Precious Time” reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, becoming her first and only album to top the chart.

The BBC recording documenting the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer reached No. 1 on the UK albums chart. It included the procession, wedding vows, speeches and hymns.

They released the album Rant N' Rave with the Stray Cats.

American musician, producer and radio station owner Norman Petty died at the age of 57 from leukemia. He was also known as a recording engineer and Buddy Holly's first manager.

Multi-instrumentalist and founding member of Mumford & Sons Ted Dwane was born.

They released the album Sacred Heart.

American rapper Airmiess Joseph Asghedom, known as Nipsey Hussle, was born.