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Today in Music History

July, 4

  • 1999 Sir Elton John, 52, collapses. Tests show that he has an irregular heartbeat. John soon has a pacemaker fitted at a London hospital.
  • 1999 Trisha Yearwood is the featured performer for the Boston Pops’ annual Independence Day concert, Pops Goes the 4th.
  • 1995 At Lollapalooza in George, Wash., Courtney Love belts Bikini Kill singer Kathleen Hanna. Charged with assault, Love receives a suspended one-year sentence and is required to take courses in anger management.
  • 1995 The Ramones release “Adios Amigos.” It’s speculated to be the band’s last album ever.
  • 1990 The rap group 2 Live Crew releases the single “Banned in the U.S.A.” with the blessing of “Born in the U.S.A.” creator Bruce Springsteen. The song, which racks up 2 million advance orders, is in part a response to anti-obscenity groups that have targeted the rappers.
  • 1987 “The July Fourth Disarmament Festival” in the Soviet Union features the Doobie Brothers, Santana, Bonnie Raitt and Soviet music groups.
  • 1982 Ozzy Osbourne marries his manager, Sharon Arden.
  • 1980 The Beach Boys give a free outdoor performance to an estimated 500,000 people in Washington.
  • 1972 Willie Nelson inaugurates his annual “Fourth of July Picnic.” Dripping Springs, Texas.
  • 1971 Donald McPherson of the Main Ingredient dies of leukemia. Age 29. The group’s biggest hit is the million-selling No. 3 song “Everybody Plays the Fool.” Aaron Neville’s 1991 remake makes the top 10 on Billboard’s singles chart.
  • 1967 Tom Jones appears on the first telecast of CBS-TV’s “Spotlight” summer musical variety series.
  • 1938 Singer/songwriter Bill Withers is born in Slab Fork, W.Va. His biggest hit is the 1972 million-selling No. 1 song “Lean on Me.” A 1987 remake by Club Nouveau also hits No. 1 and sells 1 million copies.