Today in Music History

The city of Liverpool named four streets after members of The Beatles: John Lennon Drive, Paul McCartney Way, George Harrison Close and Ringo Starr Drive.

British singer, songwriter and pianist Michael Penniman, known as Mika, was born in Beirut, Lebanon.

The Police, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and R.E.M. performed at Shea Stadium in New York. It was R.E.M.'s biggest concert to date.

George Michael was at No. 1 on the UK singles chart with his first solo single, “Careless Whisper.” He thus became the first person to reach No. 1 in the same year as both a solo artist and a member of a group. The song became Epic Records' first UK million-seller and reached No. 1 in nearly 25 countries.

Bon Jovi released their third studio album, Slippery When Wet, which reached No. 1 on the US chart. The album contained two US No. 1 singles, “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin' on a Prayer,” and later went twelve-times platinum.

Aerosmith released the album Permanent Vacation, their first album after overcoming addiction. Hits such as “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” and “Angel” launched a remarkable comeback for the band, which had spent the previous decade struggling with drug addiction and a creative crisis.

Jimmy Page joined Aerosmith on stage during the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in the UK, and together they performed two songs.

Billy Preston was arrested in Los Angeles on charges of assaulting a sixteen-year-old boy. Later, in a separate case involving possession of cocaine and a dangerous weapon, he pleaded no contest and received five years' probation and 90 days of house arrest.

Rick Griffin died after being forced off the road on his motorcycle, a Harley Heritage Softail, while attempting to overtake a van. Among his best-known works were the cover of the Grateful Dead album Aoxomoxoa and the legendary “Flying Eyeball” poster for a series of concerts by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Albert King and John Mayall in San Francisco.

Sweet Jesus performed at the Boardwalk club in Manchester. The opening act was The Rain, later known as Oasis, without Noel Gallagher, who joined his brothers' band only later.

Frances Bean Cobain was born to Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.

Nirvana's Kurt Cobain and Hole's Courtney Love became parents to a daughter, Frances Bean Cobain.

The Rolling Stones made a spectacular announcement of their forthcoming Bridges to Babylon tour. The band arrived at the Brooklyn Bridge in New York in a 1955 red Cadillac driven by Mick Jagger, with Keith Richards beside him and Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood in the back.

American singer and songwriter Clairo was born.

Kid Rock released Devil Without a Cause, his first album on Lava Records after being dropped by Jive and releasing two independent albums. The album sold 11 million copies and turned the rap-rock musician into a major star.

Korn released their most successful album, Follow the Leader, which featured the songs “Freak on a Leash” and “Got the Life.”

Alanis Morissette and Tori Amos began their 5 1/2 Weeks Tour in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was sponsored by MP3.com, then a rapidly growing technology company that allowed users to download songs for free. Morissette received company stock as part of the deal.

Alicia Keys reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with her debut single "Fallin'," beginning a total six-week non-consecutive run at the top. The global smash hit also topped the charts in Belgium and the Netherlands, while peaking at No. 3 in the United Kingdom.

Pop girl group Atomic Kitten reached No. 1 on the UK album chart with their debut studio album Right Now.

Garage and hip-hop group So Solid Crew reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart for the first time with “21 Seconds.”

The compilation Now That's What I Call Music! 7 reached No. 1 on the US album chart. The album was released by Virgin Records and featured songs by artists including Jennifer Lopez, Destiny's Child, Janet Jackson, Nelly and Aerosmith.

Singer and bassist Tony Jackson of The Searchers died in Nottingham, England, at the age of 65 from a combination of health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver. His distinctive voice was heard on the group's early major hits “Sweets for My Sweet” and “Sugar and Spice.”

Oscar-winning composer and conductor Elmer Bernstein died at the age of 82. He was known for, among other scores, The Magnificent Seven, To Kill a Mockingbird, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Airplane!, The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters.

American filmmaker Adam Muskiewicz launched the website elviswanted.com as part of a documentary investigating the myth that Elvis Presley is still alive, offering a $3 million reward to anyone who could find Elvis alive. The film was scheduled for release in August 2007 to mark the 30th anniversary of Presley's death.

Justin Hawkins, singer with The Darkness, entered the Priory rehabilitation clinic because of exhaustion after three years of nonstop work.

Pete Doherty, frontman of Babyshambles, appeared before Thames Magistrates' Court in London on seven charges of drug possession.

Rapper Common reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 with his seventh studio album, Finding Forever.

Kate Nash reached No. 1 on the UK album chart with her debut studio album, Made of Bricks.

The collaboration between producer Kleerup and singer Robyn produced the single “With Every Heartbeat,” which reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart.

Pervis Jackson, bassist and original member of the Motown group The Spinners, died at the age of 70 from brain cancer. The group had a number of hits in the 1970s, including “I'll Be Around,” “Could It Be I'm Falling in Love,” “Then Came You” and “Rubberband Man.”

Kenny Edwards, a founding member of the country-rock group The Stone Poneys, died at the age of 64 from cancer. The group, led by Linda Ronstadt, reached No. 13 in 1967 with “Different Drum.”

Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees underwent surgery on his digestive tract for the same health problem that had claimed the life of his twin brother Maurice seven years earlier. Robin had been hospitalized with severe abdominal pain several days earlier, and his health problems repeatedly returned in the following months. He died in a London hospital in 2012.

French brand État Libre D'Orange announced a collaboration with the Sex Pistols to launch the band's first perfume, intended to capture the scent of the punk era.

During a severe storm, strong winds and heavy rain caused the stage to collapse just as Chicago band Smith Westerns were performing. Four people were killed and more than 70 were injured. Organizers decided to cancel the festival; Eminem, Face to Face and Foo Fighters were also scheduled to perform.

Rick Ross reached No. 1 on the US album chart with his fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don't.

Rihanna reached No. 1 on the UK album chart with Talk That Talk. The album also reached No. 1 on the main album charts in New Zealand and Switzerland, while reaching No. 3 in the US.

American singer and songwriter Philip Blondheim, known as Scott McKenzie, died at the age of 73 in Los Angeles, California, after a two-year battle with Guillain–Barré syndrome. He was best known for his 1967 hit “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” and co-wrote The Beach Boys' hit “Kokomo,” which reached No. 1 in 1988.

Ed Sheeran's album X spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the UK chart and became, jointly with another album, the longest-running No. 1 album by a solo male artist. The last man to achieve this was James Blunt with Back to Bedlam in 2005.

Blossoms reached No. 1 on the UK album chart with their debut album Blossoms.

During Elvis Week 2017, a Candlelight Vigil was held at Elvis Presley's grave in Memphis. Lisa Marie Presley, her children and Priscilla Presley also attended to thank the fans.

Taylor Swift deleted her Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and personal YouTube accounts. Three days later, she began posting videos featuring a snake as a teaser for her confrontational song “Look What You Made Me Do,” which was released on August 25.

Travis Scott began a two-week reign at No. 1 on the US chart with his third studio album, Astroworld.

Jazz and R&B saxophonist Hal Singer died at the age of 100.

Jack Sherman died at the age of 64 from a heart attack at his home in Savannah, Georgia. He was the second guitarist to join the Red Hot Chili Peppers between Hillel Slovak's departure and return. He played on the band's debut album and co-wrote most of their second album, Freaky Styley. He also worked with Bob Dylan, George Clinton and Feargal Sharkey.

Liam Gallagher was at No. 1 on the UK chart with Knebworth 22. The album was recorded during the first of his concerts at the Knebworth festival on June 3 and 4, 2022, which attracted 170,000 people over the two nights. It became his fifth solo album to reach No. 1 in the UK.

Ray Hildebrand, “Paul” of the pop duo Paul and Paula, died at the age of 82. With his partner Jill Jackson, he reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 1963 with “Hey Paula.” After two more Top 40 hits, the duo split in 1965, and Hildebrand subsequently turned to Christian music.

Metal band Demon Hunter sued Netflix for trademark infringement in connection with the film KPop Demon Hunters, which produced the No. 1 hit “Golden” and a concert tour. The band said people were confusing it with the Netflix franchise and that it had even received a refund request from someone who bought tickets to a Demon Hunter concert believing it was a K-pop concert.