In 1921, opera singer Enrico Caruso died at the age of 48. The likely cause of death was peritonitis arising from a burst subrenal abscess.
In 1953, country music singer Betty Jack Davis of the Davis Sisters was killed in a car accident near Cincinnati. Her fellow "sister" Skeeter Davis was also in the vehicle and suffered broken arms and legs.
In 1956, Look magazine reported that Elvis Presley records have grossed over $6 million and that the singer receives over 3,000 fan letters a week.
In 1957, the official Elvis Presley Fan Club was launched in the UK. The Club still exists today at www.ElvisPresleyFanClub.co.uk
In 1958, Johnny Cash left his first record label, Sun, to sign a major-label contract with Columbia, where he would remain for the next 26 years.
In 1958, Buddy Holly's version of "Rave On" peaks at #5 on the UK chart. The record, which lasts only 1:47, is one of Holly's last hits during his lifetime.
In 1961, the Beatles became the regular headliners at Liverpool's Cavern Club, performing about 300 shows during the next two years.
In 1962, Aretha Franklin made her television debut on ABC's "American Bandstand," lip-syncing "Don't Cry Baby" and "Try a Little Tenderness."
In 1962, Robert Allen Zimmerman legally changed his name to Robert Dylan.
In 1963, Jerry Lee Lewis accepted $9,500 to open Las Vegas' new Thunderbird Hotel as he continued to attempt a career resurrection after the scandal of his marriage to 13-year-old second cousin Myra Gale Brown.
In 1964, the Beatles appeared at the Gaumont Cinema in Bournemouth. One of the supporting acts, billed as a ‘new and unknown London group’, was The Kinks.
In 1965, Al Martino released the single "Spanish Eyes."
In 1969, Paul McCartney presented his demo of the song "Come And Get It" to Apple band Badfinger (then called The Iveys). The single was released on Apple Records on December 5, 1969 in the UK, but not until January 12, 1970 in the US. "Come and Get It" was a hit single for the band, peaking at #7 in the US, and #4 in the UK. It was the opening theme for the film The Magic Christian, starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr. Paul McCartney produced the track.
In 1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival, reduced to a trio after the departure of rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty, embarked on their last US tour with an appearance at the Assembly Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In 1972, the Eagles performed in concert at the Coliseum in Denver.
In 1972, Brian Cole, an original member of The Association, died of a heroin overdose at the age of 28. He played bass on the hits "Windy", "Cherish" and "Never My Love."
In 1973, John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas filed a $9 million lawsuit against his former label, Dunhill, alleging $60 million in unpaid royalties.
On this day in 1975, "One Of These Nights" by the Eagles was the #1 song.
In 1976, Peter "Puddy" Watts, road manager with Pink Floyd died of a heroin overdose. Watts supplied the crazed laughter on the groups ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ album.
In 1980, Deep Purple scored their third UK #1 album with 'Deepest Purple,' a collection of their greatest hits up to that time.
In 1983, James Jamerson died of complications stemming from cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure and pneumonia in Los Angeles, he was 47 years old. As one of The Funk Brothers he was the uncredited bassist on most of Motown Records' hits in the 1960s and early 1970s including songs by Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and The Supremes. He eventually performed on nearly 30 No.1 pop hits.
In 1986, Peter Cetera started a two-week run at #1 on the US charts with the theme from the film 'Karate Kid II', "The Glory Of Love."
In 1987, David Martin, bass player with Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs died of a heart attack at the age of 50. Martin co-wrote the group's #1 hit "Wooly Bully". After leaving the group in 1966 over management conflicts, he returned to Dallas and opened a television and video repair store.
In 1991, singer Rick James, who scored a 1981 hit with "Super Freak," pleads innocent to charges he imprisoned, tortured and sexually assaulted his 21-year-old girlfriend, Tanya Hijazi in his California home. He would be arrested again in 1992 for similar charges and in 1994 was sentenced to five years and four months for cocaine use and assaulting two women. After serving two years, he was released from prison and continued his career.
In 1998, the Beatles were the top vote-getters in UK music magazine Mojo's "Favourite Recording Artist of All Time" nationwide poll, beating out, in order, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Queen, and Elton John.
In 2000, Jerome Smith from KC and the Sunshine Band died after being crushed by a bulldozer he was operating. Had the 1975 US No.1 single 'Get Down Tonight' and the 1983 UK No.1 single 'Give It Up.'
In 2000, Liverpool music store Rushworth and Dreaper closed down after 150 years of trading. The store had become famous after supplying The Beatles and other Liverpool group's with musical instruments.
In 2001, Ron Townson of The 5th Dimension died of heart failure at the age of 68.
In 2001, Whitney Houston signed a new multi-album contract worth more than $100 million with Arista Records.
In 2004, Eric Clapton purchased a fifty-percent share in Cordings clothing store in London to save the historic gentleman's outfitters from closure. The store had been a favorite of Clapton's since he was 16 years old.In 2007, managers of Elvis Presley's famous home, Graceland, announced plans to overhaul its tourist complex with a new visitors center bigger than a football field, a convention hotel and high-tech museum displays.
In 2007, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards signed a deal reportedly worth more than $7 million to write his autobiography. The book, which traces his life from cherubic choirboy to Rock 'n' Roll survivor, hit stores in the Fall of 2010.
In 2008, folksinger/songwriter Erik Darling, a founding member of the Rooftop Singers and the Tarriers, died of lymphoma at age 74.
In 2012, R&B singer/songwriter (Handy Man, Good Timin') Jimmy Jones died at the age of 82.
Born today include (among others): Joe Lynn Turner, singer, Rainbow, Deep Purple (1951) and Butch Vig, record producer and the drummer with Garbage. Produced Sonic Youth, The Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Nirvana's Nevermind album. (1957)