On This Day:
In 1965 The Beatles released their single “Help!” in the U.K.
In 1966 Frank Sinatra’s album “Strangers In The Night” hit number one on the U.S. charts. The album went on to win Grammys for Record Of The Year and Best Male Vocal Performance at the 9th Annual Grammy Awards the following year.
In 1969 The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman” hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.
In 1977 Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham and manager Peter Grant were arrested on battery charges before the group’s concert in Oakland, California. The two were accused of beating up members of promoter Bill Graham’s staff.
In 1980 Grateful Dead keyboardist Keith Godchaux died from injuries he suffered in a car accident two days earlier. He was 32.
In 1989 Ringo Starr kicked off his first tour since the break-up of the Beatles with a show in Dallas. His backup band included guitarist Joe Walsh, organist Billy Preston and Bruce Springsteen’s sax man Clarence Clemons.
In 1990 Production began on the movie “Falling From Grace,” which marked John Mellencamp’s acting and directing debut.
In 1992 Bruce Springsteen kicked off the North America leg of his world tour. It was the first with musicians other than the E Street band.
In 1998 Aerosmith announced they were postponing the first 13 dates of its upcoming tour because drummer Joey Kramer had been injured in a fire a week earlier.
In 2006 Depeche Mode celebrated Martin Gore’s 45th birthday during a festival appearance in Spain, as band frontman Dave Gahan reportedly kissed Gore and led the crowd in a “Happy Birthday” sing-a-long.
In 2009 Reps for Billy Joel confirmed that the singer was dating former “Young and The Restless” actress Alex Donnelley. Word of his new relationship came a month after he announced that he and his wife Katie Lee Joel had separated, ending a five-year marriage.
Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen revealed that he was recovering from surgery on his hand. The rocker said doctors discovered that he had a bone spur, twisted tendon, and a cyst in his left thumb. The operation was a success and gave Van Halen full use of his hand.
In 2010 The London “Sun” reported that U2 frontman Bono’s back injury was costing Robertson Taylor, the company that had insured the band’s U.S. tour, 16-million-dollars — one-million-dollars for each cancelled show.
The Go-Go’s guitarist Jane Wiedlin appeared at Comic-Con in San Diego to promote the new comic book “Lady Robotika.” Wiedlin served as the inspiration for the title character.
In 2011 Amy Winehouse was found dead at her north London home. She died of alcohol poisoning. She was 27.
In 2012 Elton John gave the Keynote Address at the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC.
In 2013 Jackson Browne, The Flaming Lips, Kings of Leon, and Built To Spill were among the performers at “Rock For Oklahoma,” a storm relief concert supporting the rebuilding efforts following devastating tornadoes that struck the state two months earlier.
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