| 70 | years ago | 1956 | Time Magazine runs an article entitled Teener's Hero, which explains Elvis Presley's mystique. After a drawn-out description of his singing style, the writer keys on Presley's appeal: “his movements suggest, in a word, sex.” |
| 58 | years ago | 1968 | The Beatles begin recording The Beatles, or, “The White Album” as it comes to be known, thanks to its plain white cover embossed with the words, “The Beatles.” |
| 55 | years ago | 1971 | Three dozen Grateful Dead fans are treated for hallucinations caused by LSD they have unwittingly ingested when the drug is used to spike an apple drink served at San Francisco's Winterland. Although members of the group are suspected of supplying the drug, they are not accused. |
| 48 | years ago | 1978 | Swan Song Records announces that Led Zeppelin has entered a recording studio for the first time since the death of Robert Plant's son in July, 1977. The sessions will be in the band's final album through the 1990's, 1979's In through the Out Door. |
| 46 | years ago | 1980 | Carl Radle, bass player for Derek and the Dominos and Leon Russell, among others, dies of a chronic kidney problem. He was 37 years old. |
| 46 | years ago | 1980 | Though many say disco is deader than a door nail, Mickey Mouse Disco turns platinum. |
| 36 | years ago | 1990 | Midnight Oil closes down 6th Avenue in New York City as they play a protest concert in front of Exxon's offices. This was in reaction to the Exxon Valdez disaster. |
| 34 | years ago | 1992 | Paul Simon marries Edie Brickell. |
| 27 | years ago | 1999 | Lenny Kravitz collapses from heat exhaustion during a concert in Holmdel, New Jersey. Kravitz played 40 minutes in a long sleeve coat and bell bottoms, but walked off stage and collapsed when the heat got to him. Nonetheless, fans say that Kravitz “rocked the roof off.” |
| 17 | years ago | 2009 | Little Richard and Chuck Berry are part of “The Domino Effect” fundraising concert for the charity established by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees called “Operation Kids.” The tribute to New Orleans native Fats Domino also features performances by Keb’ Mo’, Junior Bown, and Taj Mahal. |