| 85 | years ago | 1940 | Singer Percy Sledge is born in Leighton, Alabama. |
| 81 | years ago | 1944 | Singer Bob Lind (Elusive Butterfly) is born. |
| 79 | years ago | 1946 | Bev Bevan, drummer for Electric Light Orchestra, is born. |
| 68 | years ago | 1957 | Billboard reports that rock and roll acts are turning away from the “increasingly disappointing grosses” of big package shows in favor of smaller scale “teen record hops” where performers appear for smaller guarantees but bigger percentages of the gate. |
| 68 | years ago | 1957 | Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps appear on Ed Sullivan for their first national TV appearance. They perform Lotta Lovin' and Dance to the Bop. |
| 61 | years ago | 1964 | Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees is born. |
| 59 | years ago | 1966 | Sugar Ray guitarist Rodney Sheppard is born. |
| 59 | years ago | 1966 | The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Hendrix, drummer Mitch Mitchell, and bass player Noel Redding) makes its London performing debut at the Bag O' Nails Club. |
| 57 | years ago | 1968 | The Beatles release The Beatles (“the White Album”). |
| 56 | years ago | 1969 | John Lennon returns his MBE to Queen Elizabeth, citing British involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra war, political support of the U.S. position in Vietnam, and the poor reception given to the Plastic Ono Band's Cold Turkey. |
| 55 | years ago | 1970 | Saxophonist Albert Ayler, a giant of the jazz avant-garde, and a major influence on Frank Zappa, is found drowned in New York's Hudson River. Rumors he was found tied to a jukebox remain unconfirmed. He was 34. |
| 54 | years ago | 1971 | The three surviving members of the Doors tell Rolling Stone that they are determined to carry on despite the death of singer Jim Morrisson. The Doors will disband officially in 1973. |
| 53 | years ago | 1972 | Pink Floyd Live at Pompei, a film set for a special premiere at London's Rainbow Theater, is canceled at the last minute by the theater's owner. No explanation is given. |
| 53 | years ago | 1972 | According to Rolling Stone, Hollies lead singer Allan Clarke has announced plans to leave the group. However, his departure will be short-lived. |
| 53 | years ago | 1972 | Los Angeles radio station KROQ's spots for its rock show at the 100,000 seat L.A. Coliseum have been blasting the airwaves with big boasts: “First there was Monterey, then there was Woodstock, and KROQ presents the ultimate rock concert festival.” The bill has Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, the Bee Gees, and others. So many, in fact, that they almost outnumber the audience. The “ultimate” festival draws a mere 32,000 spectators. |
| 49 | years ago | 1976 | The Band plays its last show at San Francisco's Winderland Theatre. Artists that appeared at the concert, which was made into a film called The Last Waltz, include Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and Neil Young. |
| 41 | years ago | 1984 | Several British and American stars get together as Band-Aid, and record Do They Know It's Christmas. The project is put together by Bob Geldof, and the proceeds of the record go to Ethiopian famine relief. |
| 40 | years ago | 1985 | Singer Bobby Brown announces he's leaving New Edition for a solo career. |