Pick a Day

Music History Events: Odds And Ends

January 29, 1989 Billy Joel sings the US national anthem at Superbowl XXIII in Miami.

February 13, 1988 Michael Jackson buys a ranch in Santa Ynez, California, which he renames "Neverland."

January 31, 1988 Herb Alpert performs the US national anthem at Superbowl XXII in San Diego, California; Chubby Checker performs at the halftime show.

October 29, 1987 Rolling Stones guitarist and sometime painter Ron Wood gets his first public presentation, Decades, in London, featuring mostly portraits of Wood's famous friends over the past two decades.

October 8, 1987 Promoting their space-themed Afterburner record, ZZ Top book passage on what is announced as the first passenger flight to the moon.

May 30, 1987 The Los Angeles Times reports that Michael Jackson has offered $50,000 for the bones of "The Elephant Man," John Merrick, who died in 1890. Said Jackson's manager: "Jackson has a high degree of respect for the memory of Merrick. He has read and studied all material about the Elephant Man, and has visited the hospital in London twice to view Merrick's remains."

May 14, 1987 Frank Sinatra, who had played South Africa in the past, suddenly condemns the apartheid regime publicly, referring to president P.W. Botha as "a bum."

April 28, 1987 Ray Charles appears before Congress to urge more funding for hearing research, stating "My eyes are my handicap, but my ears are my opportunity."

January 25, 1987 Neil Diamond sings the US national anthem at Superbowl XXI in Pasadena, California. Halftime entertainment is Disney's "Salute to Hollywood's 100th Anniversary."

December 10, 1986 Prince goes to a Bonnie Raitt concert at the Beverly Theater in Los Angeles. Impressed, he invites her to his home studio in Minnesota where they work on some songs together, but nothing comes of it.

December 6, 1986 Ringo becomes the first Beatle to turn pitchman with the announcement that he'll be shilling for Sun Country wine coolers.

September 23, 1986 Freddie Jackson, James Brown and Melba Moore headline an anti-crack rally at New York's Plaza Hotel.

July 15, 1986 Columbia Records, Johnny Cash's home for 28 years, drops the singer from its roster of artists. He signs with Mercury but continues his career decline until 1994, when he releases the first of six acclaimed albums on Rick Rubin's record label.

May 5, 1986 Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun announces that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will be built in Cleveland, Ohio.

March 29, 1986 The Beatles' records are officially licensed for sale in the Soviet Union.

April 18, 1985 Liberace breaks his own record at Radio City Music Hall, pulling in two million dollars for his latest engagement.

April 12, 1984 "Louie Louie Day" is held in Olympia, Washington, as an unsuccessful attempt is made to make it the official state song.

March 28, 1984 Mick Fleetwood, whose band Fleetwood Mac had the biggest-selling album of all time just seven years earlier, files for bankruptcy.

August 13, 1982 In response to plummeting record sales (which the industry blames on the sale of blank cassette tapes), major labels CBS, Atlantic, and Warner Brothers announce a series of major staff cuts.

December 28, 1981 The cost of a two song 45-rpm single reaches $1.98 (about the same as the cost of downloading two songs today).

May 12, 1981 Debbie Harry branches off from Blondie, announcing her solo career. She continues working with the band, which proves more successful.

January 3, 1981 David Bowie finishes his Broadway run as the title character in the play The Elephant Man.

December 10, 1980 John Lennon's body is cremated. There is no funeral, but a worldwide vigil is held four days later.

October 28, 1980 Five of Walt Disney's original Mouseketeers (Annette, Cubby, Tommy, Sherry, and Dickie) gather in Burbank, California, to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary.

October 27, 1980 Mark David Chapman buys a .38 revolver at a gun store in Honolulu for $169. On December 8, he uses it to kill John Lennon.

October 9, 1980 Despite years of hits in the UK, Gary Glitter declares bankruptcy.

September 22, 1980 Geffen Records is formed.

September 18, 1980 The 10th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix' untimely death is marked by a multimedia event, featuring Experience members Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, held at the Paradise Club in Amsterdam.

July 19, 1980 Laguna Beach, California's Vorpal Gallery opens a new exhibit featuring paintings by Joni Mitchell, John Mayall, Klaus Voorman, and Ron Wood.

June 19, 1980 Donna Summer is the first artist to sign with Geffen Records.