1 MAY
In Music History
1992 Sub Pop Records release a compilation album titled The Way of the Vaselines: A Complete History, which for many listeners is the first time they can hear the band. Hailing from Scotland, the Vaselines had received renewed interest after Nirvana covered their songs "Molly's Lips" and "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam."
1990 Italian-American tenor Sergio Franchi dies of cancer at age 64.
1986 Hugo Peretti, who co-wrote Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love," dies at age 69 in Englewood, New Jersey.
1979 Elton John becomes the first Western rock star to play in Israel when he performs a concert in Jerusalem as part of a tour that also takes him to Russia, where he becomes one of the first Western rock stars to tour the Soviet Union.
1977 The Police release their first single, "Fall Out," which is available only in the UK. Guitarist Andy Summers has yet to join the band.
1976 Led Zeppelin's Presence album, with the rockers "Achilles Last Stand" and "Nobody's Fault but Mine," hits #1 in America.
1976 The Bellamy Brothers' "Let Your Love Flow" hits #1 in America.
1975 Bachman-Turner Overdrive begin their first UK tour at Glasgow Apollo; they are supported by Thin Lizzy.
1975 The Rolling Stones announce their Tour Of The Americas by rolling down 5th Avenue in New York City playing "Brown Sugar" from the back of a flatbed truck.
1974 At the request of President Nixon, the Carpenters perform at a state dinner honoring West German Chancellor Willy Brandt.
1973 Washington, DC, mayor Walter Washington officially declares today Marvin Gaye day in the singer's hometown.
1969 Neil Young releases his second solo album, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, which features favorites "Cowgirl in the Sand," "Cinnamon Girl," and "Down by the River."
1968 Paul McCartney and John Lennon watch Bill Haley play Royal Albert Hall in London.
1968 D'Arcy Wretsky-Brown (bass guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins) is born in South Haven, Michigan.
1967 Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys is arrested by the FBI for draft-dodging and refusing to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. Wilson, a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, is eventually exonerated by his draft board and rejoins the band, touring in Ireland.
LL Cool J Delivers a Knockout On MTV Unplugged
1991For the first time, MTV Unplugged features rap acts, with De La Soul, MC Lyte, A Tribe Called Quest and LL Cool J performing. LL steals the show with a shirtless rendition of "Mama Said Knock You Out."
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Featured Events
2006 Guinness certifies a new world record for most guitarists playing at the same time when 1,581 axepeople simultaneously perform the Jimi Hendrix version of "Hey Joe" in Wrocław, Poland.
2000 Destiny's Child release their third album, Survivor, which is all about sisterhood and empowerment. It's their first release with the lineup of Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
1995 Nancy Sinatra, 54, appears on the cover of Playboy magazine. In her centerfold, she wears only her famous boots.More
1993 Charley Pride becomes just the second African American inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, and the only active member (DeFord Bailey, the first, passed away in 1982). Pride first performed there in 1967.
1967 Tim McGraw is born Samuel Timothy McGraw in Delhi, Louisiana. His dad is pro baseball player Tug McGraw of the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.
1966 James Brown performs on the Ed Sullivan Show for the first time. Unlike most solo acts, he brings his own band, which allows him to provide the full James Brown experience, including the cape bit where he drops to his knees but is soon revived.
1965 British Invasion band Herman's Hermits hit #1 in America with "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter," a very English song first heard on a BBC show called The Lads in 1963.
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