This Day in Music

Billboard Staff
Updated ·2 min read
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2005 – Audioslave becomes the first U.S. rock act to perform a free outdoor concert in Cuba when the group performs at La Tribuna in Havana, which can accommodate as many as 1 million spectators.

2004 – Jazz guitarist, arranger, writer and producer Barney Kessel dies of brain cancer in San Diego, Calif. He is 80.

2004 – David Bowie cancels a scheduled concert in Miami after a local stagehand falls to his death at the James L. Knight Center prior to the performance.

2002 – Otis Blackwell, who wrote dozens of hit songs _ including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Return To Sender” and “All Shook Up” for Elvis Presley _ dies of a heart attack. He is 70.

2002 – Microsoft announces that Lenny Kravitz is the inaugural recipient of Microsoft’s Windows Media Innovation Award, a biannual award honoring achievements in digital media using its Windows Media technology.

2002 – R&B legend Ray Charles is presented with an honorary doctorate of philosophy degree during commencement at Albany State University in his hometown of Albany, Ga.

2001 – Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and his wife Skylar welcome a baby boy into their family.

2001 – R&B singer Jill Scott is admitted to a Philadelphia hospital for treatment of a lung infection. Though she is released the next day, the ailment forces her to miss the first few dates as the support act on Sting’s current North American tour.

2000 – Hoosier native son John Mellencamp delivers the commencement address to the Indiana University senior class.

2000 – Teen sensation Charlotte Church takes the British artist of the year award at the inaugural Classical Brit Awards, presented at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

1995 – Melissa Etheridge sets a record with back-to-back singles – “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One” – on Billboard’s Hot 100 for at least 40 weeks.

1995 – James Taylor and Natalie Cole receive honorary degrees at Berklee College of Music’s 50th anniversary commencement.

1984 – No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Hello,” Lionel Richie.

1977 – Country star Dolly Parton makes her New York singing debut at the Bottom Line.

1973 – Paul Simon starts his first solo tour since breaking up with Art Garfunkel. The tour kicks off in Boston.

1967 – Mark Williams Ryan, guitarist for Hootie & The Blowfish, is born in Silver Spring, Md.

1958 – No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” The Everly Brothers.

1945 – Bob Seger is born in Dearborn, Mich. He forms his backing group, the Silver Bullet Band, in 1976. The group’s biggest hit is the No. 1 song “Shakedown,” from the 1987 film “Beverly Hills Cop II.”

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