1966: The Supremes recorded “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” at Motown’s Hitsville USA studio in Detroit. The single became their fifth #1 on the R&B charts and eighth #1 on the pop charts.

1966: The Temptations began eight nonconsecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard R&B chart with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” the second single from their fourth studio LP, Gettin’ Ready.

1966: After arriving in Japan, the Beatles performed the first of five concerts over three nights at the Nippon Budokan Hall. Considered a national shrine to Japan’s war dead, many saw it as sacrilegious that a rock and roll group had been allowed to perform there. Death threats were reported, and 30,000 police officers lined the route from the airport and hotel to the venue. Security at the hotel was so tight that the band was unable to make unscheduled excursions around the city. Over the three nights they spent at the hotel, the Beatles collaborated on a painting that became known as “Images of a Woman,” which their Japanese promoter recommended be auctioned for charity. In later years, the Nippon Budokan Hall became one of Japan’s main music venues.

1967: Vanilla Fudge made their live debut at The Action House in Island Park, New York, in the first of three shows opening for the 5th Dimension.

1970: Chicago released “25 or 6 to 4,” the second single from their self-titled second studio album. It became the group’s first song to chart in the UK, first top 10 hit in Canada, and second top 10 hit in US, where it reached #4.

1971: After the breakup of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in 1970, Stephen Stills released his second solo album, Stephen Stills 2. Inspired by the success of bands such as Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears, Stills employed renowned horn section The Memphis Horns in the studio and on tour to promote the album. Additional guests during recording included Eric Clapton, Nils Lofgren, Jerry Garcia, David Crosby, Fred Neil, Billy Preston, Dr. John, and Dallas Taylor.

1973: George Harrison had his second American #1 single when “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” knocked Paul McCartney’s “My Love” out of the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

1973: Sly and the Family Stone released their sixth studio album, Fresh. It became the band’s final album to reach the top 10 in the US and was their last of three consecutive #1 albums on the R&B chart. After its release, the album was enthusiastically commended by famed musicians such as Miles Davis, Brian Eno, and George Clinton.

1978: British synthpop band The Human League released their debut single, “Being Boiled.” A re-recorded version was included on the group’s Holiday ‘80 EP as well as their second full-length album, Travelogue.

1978: Genesis released “Many Too Many,” the second single from their ninth studio album, …And Then There Were Three….

1979: Carly Simon released her eighth studio album, Spy. Simon dedicated the album to its producer, Arif Mardin.

1980: Queen released “The Game,” their eighth studio album. It became the group’s only LP to reach #1 in the US as well as their best-selling studio album in the US.

1983: After a ten year split, the Everly Brothers announced they’d be reuniting with a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in September.

1984: Prince started eight straight weeks at the top of the Billboard R&B chart with “When Doves Cry,” the lead single from his Purple Rain LP. The following week, the single began a five week run as his first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

1984: Stephen Stills released Right by You, his last major solo album on a major label. Contributors to the album included Jimmy Page, Bernie Leadon, Chris Hillman, and Graham Nash.

1986: Australian band Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls released “Before Too Long,” the first single from their debut album, Gossip. It became Kelly’s first top 20 single and second biggest hit overall, reaching #15 on the Australian chart. For international releases, the band changed their name to “Paul Kelly and the Messengers.”

1986: Eurythmics released their fifth studio album, Revenge.

1987: The soundtrack to the biographical film La Bamba about Richie Valens was released. Largely performed by Los Lobos, additional artists on the record include Howard Huntsberry, Marshall Crenshaw, and Brian Setzer, who all star in the film.

1992: Mary Chapin Carpenter released her fourth album, Come On Come On. Seven of the album’s twelve tracks became hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and the LP became Carpenters best-selling album.

1993: Cyndi Lauper released her fourth studio album, Hat Full of Stars.

1998: Lucinda Williams released her fifth studio album, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. It became Williams’ first album to be awarded gold status by the RIAA and remains her best-selling album. Recorded and co-produced by Williams in Nashville, the album also features guest appearances by Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris.

1998: Cowboy Junkies released Miles from Our Home, their seventh studio album. It was also the group’s second and final LP for Geffen Records, after which they moved to independent label Latent Recordings.

2001: New York band The Strokes released their debut album, This Is It.

2009: Wilco released Wilco (The Album), their seventh studio album.

Birthdays Today

Dave Van Ronk, folk singer, songwriter, and important figure in the American folk music revival and New York City’s Greenwich Village scene in the 1960s, was born David Kenneth Ritz Van Ronk in Brooklyn, NY in 1936.

Larry Henley, member of vocal trio The Newbeats, best known for their single “Bread and Butter,” was born in Arp, TX in 1937.

Tony Hatch, composer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and pianist who worked with artists that included Petula Clark, The Searchers, Chubby Checker, Connie Francis, Pat Boone, and David Bowie, was born in Pinner, Middlesex, England in 1939.

Larry Hall, singer best known for his 1960 hit “Sandy,” was born in Hamlet, OH in 1940.

Florence Ballard, singer and founding member of The Supremes, was born in Detroit, MI in 1943.

Steve Waller, lead vocalist and guitarist for Manfred Man from 1979-1983, was born in Herne Hill, South London, England in 1951.

Stanley Clarke, bassist, composer, and founding member of one of the first jazz fusion bands, Return to Forever, was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1951.

Hal Lindes, film composer and guitarist for Dire Straits from 1980-1985, was born in Monterey, CA in 1953.

Philip Adrian Wright, composer and keyboardist for The Human League, was born in Wakefield, England in 1956.

Brendan O’Brien, record producer, mixer, engineer, and musician who worked with numerous artists including Bob Dylan, the Black Crowes, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Matthew Sweet, and Tom Morello, was born in 1960.)