divorce

This Day in Music History — September 23

1966 : The Rolling Stones begin their biggest-ever headlining tour of Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with an impressive array of opening acts including Ike and Tina Turner and The Yardbirds. The crowd is unusually well-behaved for a Stones audience, rushing the stage but avoiding a full-scale riot.

1980 : Bob Marley, suffering from cancer, plays his last concert at a show in Pittsburgh, playing Redemption Song as the very last song before he collapses on stage and the tour is canceled because of his ill health. Marley died on May 11, 1981.

1992 : Actress Darryl Hannah breaks up with Jackson Browne, claiming he assaulted her.

1998 : The first ever Lilith Fair concert outside North America takes place at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Before the sold-out show, Lilith founder Sarah McLahlan tells a press conference that plans are underway to bring the Fair to Europe as a touring package the following year.

This Day in Music — August 22

1968 : Having come home from vacation to find her husband in bed with Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s first wife Cynthia files for divorce — one day before their sixth anniversary.

1970 : Derek and the Dominoes begin recording their famous album, Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs. The band features Eric Clapton, who in an attempt to lay low, downplays his involvement in the band.

1998 : With Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley in the audience, Jim Carrey joins Elton John on stage at a show in Anaheim, California, where the pair duet on “Rocket Man.” After a reasonably straight rendition, Carrey sits at the piano and smashes his head into the keys.

2012 : Presidential candidate Mitt Romney becomes yet another Republican candidate banned from playing any cool bands at his events, after Dee Snider of Twisted Sister protests his using the band’s songs. There is a long history of bands squaring off against Republican campaigns appropriating their music.

2012 : Rap star LL Cool J hears his alarm go off one night in his Los Angeles home and rushes downstairs to confront an alleged burglar, name of Jonathan Kirby. One broken nose, jaw, and rib later, Cool J has subdued the intruder and police are on their way to take the suspect into custody. No word on whether Cool quoted one of his own songs, “Mama Said Knock You Out,” during the altercation.

This Day in Music History — August 11

1966 : At a Beatles press conference in Chicago, they try to explain John Lennon’s remarks that they are “Bigger than Jesus,” which has caused a media uproar. Part of John’s explanation: “I was pointing out that fact in reference to England – that we meant more to kids than Jesus did, or religion, at that time. I wasn’t knocking it or putting it down, I was just saying it as a fact.”

1972 : The mayor of San Antonio, TX, declares today “Cheech and Chong Day” after the popular comedy duo, although neither was born anywhere near the city.

1976 : Keith Moon trashes a hotel room – no surprise there. But this time The Who drummer is hospitalized after beating up his room at the Fountainbleau Hotel in Miami.

2004 : Vanessa Williams and her basketball husband Rick Fox get divorced.

2011 : Go-Go’s receive the 2,444th star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. It is located where the legendary punk club, The Masque, used to stand. Go-Go’s frequently played this club during their early years.