1940 : John Winston Lennon is born in Liverpool, England. The “Winston” comes from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill – John would later add “Ono” to his middle name in honor of Yoko.

1962 : The BBC refuses to play the Bobby “Boris” Pickett Halloween hit Monster Mash on grounds that it is too morbid and tasteless.

1964 : The Rolling Stones cancel an upcoming South African tour when the British Musicians Union declares an embargo of the country due to their apartheid polices.

2001 : U2 frontman Bono, R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, and electronica maven Moby make unannounced appearances in New York, at the second of two anti-violence benefit concerts organized by the Beastie Boys.