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Today in Music

May, 1

  • 2000 Singer/actress Vanessa L. Williams gives birth to a daughter in New York. The child, Sasha, is the first for Williams and her husband, L.A. Lakers forward Rick Fox.
  • 2000 Former Village Voice writer Jimmy McDonough sues veteran rocker Neil Young for $1.8 million for fraud. The suit stems from the musicians alleged refusal to allow publication of a biography written by McDonough with Young’s permission and assistance.
  • 2000 The song “Livin’ La Vida Loca” receives top honors at BMI’s Seventh annual Latin Awards gala at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The Ricky Martin smash, which was co-written by Martin’s ex-Menudo buddy Robi “Draco” Rosa takes home the song of the year award for the most-performed song in the BMI Latin catalogue.
  • 1998 Beleaguered rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg is arrested for possession of marijuana. Snoop and MC Delmar Arnaud are each found with less than an ounce of the drug, and are booked on one count of misdemeanor marijuana possession each.
  • 1998 Garth Brooks surprises lucky concert goers in Evansville, Ind. with the news that they had bought the 4 millionth ticket to his current world tour. Greg and Melissa Siener are invited backstage where they are presented with tour merchandise, 10 dozen roses, a camera, a video camera, a four-day Florida Vacation, golf clubs and a new Chevrolet Suburban. Brooks, wife Sandy, Brooks’ parents, band and crew are all present to congratulate the couple.
  • 1998 Columbia Records presents Jeff Buckley’s posthumous set, “Sketches for ‘My Sweetheart, The Drunk,’” in its entirety during an online listening session. The webcast, at http://www.jeffbuckley.com, includes “Gunshot Glitter,” a track available only on the international edition of the album.
  • 1995 Live’s “Throwing Copper” hits the top slot on the Billboard album charts exactly one year after the day of its release.
  • 1990 International singing star Sergio Franchi, who recorded 25 albums and won a Tony for his starring role in the Broadway musical “Nine,” dies at his Connecticut estate after a bout with cancer.
  • 1984 Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac files for bankruptcy.
  • 1974 The Carpenters perform at President Nixon’s request at a White House dinner for West German Chancellor Willy Brandt.
  • 1967 Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu.
  • 1964 Bandleader Spike Jones dies at age 62. Spike Jones & His City Slickers were one of the most popular novelty acts of the 1940s and ‘50s. The band’s biggest hit is “All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth),” a 1948 song that tops Billboard’s pop chart for three weeks and sells more than 1 million copies.
  • 1956 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Heartbreak Hotel,” Elvis Presley. The song is Presley’s first No. 1 single. Billboard ranks it the No. 1 single of 1956.
  • 1954 Ray Parker Jr., writer of the “Ghostbusters” movie theme, is born in Detroit.
  • 1939 Judy Collins is born in Seattle. She will make her public debut at age 13 on piano with the Denver Symphony Orchestra.