In 1845, the French Army introduced the saxophone to its military band. The musical instrument was the invention of Adolphe Sax of Belgium.
In 1942, Harry James & His Orchestra, featuring singer Helen Forrest, recorded "I've Heard that Song Before."
In 1955, Elvis Presley performed three shows at Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida, (2 matinee and 1 evening). A full scale riot broke out after the show when Elvis announced to the 14,000 strong crowd, "Girls, I'll see you backstage." Fans chased Elvis into the dressing room tearing off his clothes and shoes. Other acts who appeared here include Tom Jones, The Animals, James Brown, Buddy Holly, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash and the Doors.
In 1959, Cliff Richard And the Drifters had their first British #1 when "Living Doll" started a six week run at the top of the UK singles chart. The record would eventually sell over 500,000 copies. After the song peaked at #30 on the Hot 100, the Drifters would change their name to the Shadows to avoid a conflict with the American group of the same name.
In 1959, at RCA Victor Studio A in New York City, Neil Sedaka recorded "Oh! Carol," a song he co-wrote about his then-girlfriend, Carole Klein, who later re-named herself Carole King. The song reached #9 in the American charts in 1959.
In 1964, country singer Jim Reeves was killed in a plane crash when the single engine aircraft flying from Arkansas to Nashville crashed in thick fog. After Reaves' death, his widow continued to release his material well into the 1980s.
In 1964, a Rolling Stones show in Belfast, Ireland is ended after twelve minutes due to violence in the audience.
In 1965, after arriving in Britain for their first tour, Sonny & Cher were turned away from the London Hilton, reportedly because of their appearance. It was later revealed to have been a publicity stunt.
In 1966, in Phoenix, the Doors performed at the Fifth Estate.
In 1966, Beatles records were burned in Birmingham, AL after John Lennon stated that the Beatles were "bigger than Jesus."
In 1967, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones appealed their sentences on drug charges laid by British police after they were arrested in February. Richards' conviction was overturned while Jagger's three-month jail sentence was reduced to a conditional discharge.
In 1968, Tommy James and The Shondells were at #1 on the UK singles chart with "Mony Mony." Also a hit for Billy Idol in 1987.
In 1969, a Moscow police chief reported that thousands of Moscow telephone booths had been made inoperable by thieves who had stolen phone parts in order to convert their acoustic guitars to electric.
Also in 1969, Elvis Presley kicked off a four-week run at the Las Vegas International Hotel (his first live show since 1961). He reportedly netted $1.5 million for the shows. The menus included an Elvis special – polk salad with corn muffins and honey.
In 1971, Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds had the top tune on the Cashbox Best Sellers list with "Don't Pull Your Love". Dan Hamilton, Joe Frank Carollo and Tom Reynolds enjoyed their first taste of success in 1965 with a group called The T-Bones when they scored the Top Ten hit "No Matter What Shape" that was used in Alka Seltzer commercials.
In 1971, a 22 year-old security guard was stabbed to death by an ex-convict at Forest Hills Stadium in New York just before a show by The Who. The ex-con, Kerry Flaherty, had allegedly been denied admission to the concert.
In 1972, in Houston, the Eagles played Hofheinz Auditorium.
In 1972, Chicago receives a Gold record for their first number one album, 'Chicago V.' A single from the LP, "Saturday in the Park," would reach #3 in September.
In 1976, Blue Oyster Cult's epic cut "Don't Fear The Reaper" was released (from their 1976 album, 'Agents of Fortune') The song reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the weeks of November 6 and November 13, 1976. The song remained on the charts for 20 weeks. It was written and sung by the band's lead guitarist, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser and it is built around Dharma's guitar riff that opens the song and repeats throughout. A cowbell is used in the background, although there are differing accounts as to who played it.
In 1976, George Benson started a two-week run at #1 on the Billboard album chart with 'Breezin.'
In 1977, the Starland Vocal Band, who scored a number one smash with "Afternoon Delight" around this time last year, debut in their own Summer replacement TV show. Writer/comedy performer David Letterman got his first national TV exposure as a regular on the show. Satirist Mark Russell was also in the cast.
In 1978, violinist/bandleader/recording engineer/record label head Enoch Light, known for exploiting new recording technology to the fullest, creating albums that used the full sonic spectrum of stereo, died at 70.
In 1979, in New York's Central Park, James Taylor gave a free concert to help the city's campaign to restore the park's Sheep Meadow.
In 1979, as part of their If You Want Blood Tour, AC/DC played the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
In 1980, Jon Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas was apprehended by FBI narcotics agents for possession of cocaine, he was later sentenced to 250 hours Community service giving anti-drug lectures.
In 1980, during An Eagles concert at Long Beach, California, tempers boiled over between Glen Frey and Don Felder, who spent the entire show describing to each other the beating each planned to administer backstage. "Only three more songs until I kick your ass, pal," Frey told Felder. The group’s next album was mixed by Frey and Felder on opposite coasts after the two decided they couldn't bear to be in the same state, let alone the same studio.
In 1986, jazz pianist Teddy Wilson, who played with Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter, Benny Goodman, Lester Young, Billie Holliday, Roy Eldridge, Lena Horne, Red Norvo, Helen Ward, Ben Webster, and fronted his own groups, died at age 73.
In 1992, Michael Jackson made an unscheduled appearance on his hotel balcony in London after a man apparently threatened to jump from an apartment building across the street. 28 year-old Eric Herminie said that he would leap to his death if he didn't see Jackson, who was in Britain for a series of concerts. Jackson spent a couple of minutes waving to Herminie, who then climbed back into the building.
In 1995, Jamaica issued a series of postage stamps honoring reggae superstar Bob Marley. He had died of cancer in 1981 at age 36.
In 1995, Selena's 'Dreaming of You' debuted at #1 on the Billboard chart. It was her first English album. Selena became the first Latin artist to debut at #1.
In 1996, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Alanis Morissette began her first Canadian tour with a concert for 15,000 fans at GM Place. When tickets had gone on sale two months earlier, her concert sold out in less than an hour.
In 1999, Christina Aguilera scored her first US #1 single with "Genie in a Bottle," also #1 in the U.K. The song spent five weeks at #1 on the U.S. chart and helped win Aguilera the Best New Artist Grammy.
In 2003, "Crazy In Love" by Beyoncé / Jay-Z was the #1 song.
In 2006, former Culture Club singer Boy George (O'Dowd) was ordered to do community service by picking up trash on New York City streets after pleading guilty last March to false reporting of an incident. He called police with a bogus report of a burglary at his lower Manhattan apartment in October and the responding officers found cocaine inside.
In 2007, the iTunes Music Store reached 3 billion songs sold.
In 2010, record producer/Columbia Records executive/TV host (Sing Along With Mitch) Mitch Miller died at the age of 99.
In 2012, appearing at the Helsinki Olympiastadionin Finland, at the end of a European tour, Bruce Springsteen played his longest show ever - 4 hours and 6 minutes.
In 2012, country music singer Robert Edward Moncrief, who performed under the name Bobby Edwards, died at the age of 86.
