jackson browne

This Day in Music History — December 6

1877 : With his new invention, the phonograph, Thomas Edison records “Mary Had A Little Lamb,” what was believed for over a century to be the first known recording of the human voice. In February 2008, an earlier recording of “Au Claire De La Lune” came to light.

1969 : The Rolling Stones headline the Altamont concert at a speedway in California. It’s a free event with Jefferson Airplane and Santana also on the bill, but it turns violent when the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang, who were hired by security, kill a crowd member. The concert is documented in The Stones movie Gimme Shelter.

1977 : Jackson Browne releases Running On Empty, a live album compiled from performances at various stops on his summer tour. Live albums typically rely on songs that have already been released, but this one was comprised of all new songs, the first major rock album to do so.

1995 : Coolio wins Single Of The Year for “Gangsta’s Paradise” at the Billboard Music Awards. When he performs the song at the ceremony, he is joined by Stevie Wonder, whose “Pastime Paradise” is the basis for Coolio’s track.

1995 : Michael Jackson collapses in a New York theater during a rehearsal for an upcoming TV special and is hospitalized.

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.