Today in Music History

1998 - Brooklyn, New York, born country singer EDDIE RABBITT died from lung cancer at age 56. ELVIS PRESLEY recorded his song, Kentucky Rain, and Rabbitt's biggest solo hit was I Love A Rainy Night, which hit number one in December of 1980.

1998 - STEVE PERRY left JOURNEY.

1998 - BECK gave a performance art and multimedia presentation put together by himself and his late grandfather, Fluxus artist AL HANSEN. The presentation was called New Age Evisceration 1, and it was given as part of the re-opening of the Santa Monica Museum Of Art.

1992 - NIGEL PRESTON, the drummer with THE CULT, died in London.

1992 - A leather jacket worn by JOHN LENNON from 1960 - 1963 was auctioned off at Christie's in London for $35,000.

1991 - A judge in Macon, Georgia, dismissed a wrongful death suit against OZZY OSBOURNE. A local couple failed to prove their son was inspired to attempt suicide by Ozzy's music.

1990 - SINEAD O'CONNOR had the number one single with Nothing Compares 2 U, written by PRINCE.

1985 - The number one song was Crazy For You by MADONNA.

1983 - Ex-JAM leader PAUL WELLER introduced his new band, STYLE COUNCIL, and an anti-nuclear benefit gig in London.

1982 - DIANA ROSS received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1978 - If I Can't Have You by YVONNE ELLIMAN was the number one song. It was featured on the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever.

1972 - REGINALD DWIGHT legally changed his name to ELTON HERCULES JOHN

1972 - THE ROLLING STONES released their second album on their own label, the double-LP, Exile On Main Street.

1972, Reginald Dwight changed his name by Deed poll

1970- THE BEATLES' last U.S. single, The Long & Winding Road, was released.

1967 - THE SUPREMES had the number one single with The Happening.

1959 - The number one single was The Happy Organ by DAVE "BABY" CORTEZ.

1955 - Rock Around The Clock was released by BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS.

1824 - BEETHOVEN's Ninth Symphony was performed for the first time.