Pick a Day

Music History Events: Awards and Honors

March 15, 1982 The Songwriters Hall Of Fame, formed in 1969, finally lets Bob Dylan in.

December 16, 1981 Ray Charles receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

August 26, 1981 The mayor of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Marion Dewar, declares today "Paul Anka Day" in honor of its Paul Anka.

August 7, 1981 It's "Wolverton Mountain Day" in Arkansas in honor of the Claude King song "Wolverton Mountain," which is named after a real mountain in the state.

August 5, 1981 Olivia Newton-John is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

July 19, 1981 The mayor of Odessa, Texas, declares today Roy Orbison Day in honor of the singer. (Orbison was actually from Wink, a microscopic town about 35 miles west.)

February 5, 1981 Joni Mitchell is inducted into Canada's Juno Hall of Fame.

October 24, 1980 The Guinness Book of World Records presents Paul McCartney with a special rhodium album for being the best-selling songwriter in the history of recorded music, having written 43 platinum songs and sold over 100 million records.

October 4, 1980 Fleetwood Mac members Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks join the USC Trojan Marching Band, which performed on their hit "Tusk," during halftime of the football game between USC and Arizona State. Nicks twirls a baton, Fleetwood plays a bass drum, and Buckingham mock conducts as the band plays the song. The USC band is then presented with a platinum record for their contribution.

March 14, 1980 On his 47th birthday, Quincy Jones is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1500 Vine Street.

January 1, 1980 Cliff Richard becomes just the third rock act honored with an MBE (Member of the British Empire) designation, following The Beatles and Elton John.

November 26, 1979 In London, Bill Haley, on what would be his last tour of the UK, plays for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Command Performance.

October 10, 1979 Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley declares "Fleetwood Mac Day," and the group receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6608 Hollywood Boulevard. Two days later the album Tusk is released, the highly anticipated follow-up to Rumours.

September 14, 1979 It's "Kenny Rogers Day" in Los Angeles as the singer gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6666 Hollywood Blvd.

February 15, 1979 Donna Summer's "Last Dance" wins two Grammys: Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song.

February 15, 1979 Barry Manilow wins his first and only Grammy Award when "Copacabana (At The Copa)" is named Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 21st Annual Grammy Awards.

December 28, 1978 Rolling Stone's annual Readers and Critics Poll both agree that The Rolling Stones album Some Girls is Album Of The Year.

January 18, 1978 Neil Sedaka is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

October 1, 1977 The Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame inducts its first musician: Elton John.

September 24, 1977 Barely a month after his untimely death, the first national Elvis Presley convention takes place in Memphis.

February 19, 1977 At the Grammy Awards, Stevie Wonder earns his third Album Of The Year trophy with Songs in the Key of Life. "I Write The Songs" by Barry Manilow wins Song Of The Year, an award that goes to Bruce Johnston, who wrote it.

June 29, 1976 The Memphis City Council votes to change Elvis' home street, Highway 51 South, to "Elvis Presley Boulevard."

May 16, 1976 Mayor James H. McGee declares today "Ohio Players Day" in the band's hometown of Dayton, Ohio.

March 7, 1976 Elton John becomes the first rock star since The Beatles to be immortalized at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London.

February 20, 1976 Kiss immortalize their hand prints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

February 10, 1976 Elvis Presley is made an honorary Captain in the Memphis Police Department.

November 8, 1975 John Lennon names his good friend Elton John the godfather of his new son, Sean.

October 23, 1975 As part of "Elton John Week" in Los Angeles, Elton is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6901 Hollywood Blvd.

September 17, 1975 Mayor Stephen Juba of Winnipeg, Canada, declares today "Guess Who Day" in honor of its native sons.

March 1, 1975 At the Grammy Awards, Olivia Newton-John takes Record of the Year for "I Honestly Love You," Barbra Streisand wins Song of the Year for "The Way Were," and Stevie Wonder gets Album of the Year for Fulfillingness' First Finale.