| 86 | years ago | 1940 | Singer Bobby Freeman is born in San Francisco. His 1958 hit, Do You Wanna Dance, was covered by the Beach Boys, The Ramones, Bette Midler and the Mamas and the Papas. |
| 77 | years ago | 1949 | Dr. Hook, whose real name is Dennis Locorriere, is born today. |
| 68 | years ago | 1958 | Frank Zappa graduates from Antelope Valley High in Lancaster, California. |
| 62 | years ago | 1964 | The Rolling Stones make a television appearance on Hollywood Palace, a show hosted by Dean Martin. Deano makes some jokes at the Stones' expense -- after a trampolinist's act, Dean quips, “That's the father of The Rolling Stones; he's been trying to kill himself ever since.” |
| 57 | years ago | 1969 | Soul Bowl '69, promoted as the biggest soul music festival ever, begins at the Houston Astrodome. Performers include Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and The Staple Singers. |
| 56 | years ago | 1970 | With their Let It Be album at #1, The Beatles have their last #1 U.S. single with The Long and Winding Road. |
| 56 | years ago | 1970 | Christine McVie releases a solo album and then announces her retirement from music. Of course, she doesn't stay retired; within the year she joins her husband John in Fleetwood Mac. |
| 54 | years ago | 1972 | Clyde McPhatter dies of complications of heart, liver, and kidney disease. He was 38. |
| 46 | years ago | 1980 | Pat Benatar opens a home game for the Philadelphia Phillies by playing a brief set and dancing with the Philly Phanatic. |
| 37 | years ago | 1989 | Jerry Lee Lewis gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. |
| 34 | years ago | 1992 | Law enforcement officials in Texas call for a ban on Ice-T's Cop Killer LP. Sales double on the West Coast and in Texas. |
| 22 | years ago | 2004 | Eric Clapton is spotted at the Chuck E. Cheese's in suburban New Orleans, presumably celebrating the third birthday of daughter Julie Rose Clapton, who was born on June 12, 2001 to Eric and his wife, Melia McEnery. “Slowhand” helps the waiters and hosts sing “Happy Birthday” to all the celebrating kids in attendance, but doesn't join in on the set of Beatles tunes performed by the Chuck E. Cheese's cast. Clapton had performed in concert at the New Orleans Arena the night before. |
| 21 | years ago | 2005 | A California jury exonerates Michael Jackson of the child molestation, conspiracy and alcohol charges that could have sent him to prison for nearly 20 years. The jury deliberated about 32 hours throughout the course of seven days before reaching its decision. |
| 6 | years ago | 2020 | Bobby Lewis, the R&B singer behind Tossin’ and Turnin’ — one of the biggest hits of the early Sixties — died in late April, 2020 at the age of 95. Billboard finally confirms Lewis’ death today, nearly two months after the singer died after a bout with pneumonia. |