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Today in Music History

August, 2

  • 2000 Gilles Thibault, who co-penned the hit “Comme D’Habitude,” which Paul Anka adapted to English as “My Way,” dies in Paris of unknown causes. He is 72.
  • 1998 The official “Hip-Hop World Series” kicks off at Randalls Island in New York. Big Daddy Kane, Cocoa Brovaz, Sunz of Man, Parrish Smith of EPMD, Das EFX, Daddy O, Heltah Skeltah, Buckshot, and staffers from Roc-A-Fella Records are among the artists and industry members who in the benefit softball tournament.
  • 1997 Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, critic of Nigeria’s military regime and a pop superstar who fused rock with African rhythms into a blend known as “Afrobeat” dies of AIDS. He is 58.
  • 1991 Rick James is arrested in Los Angeles and charged with the sex torture of a 24-year-old woman.
  • 1981 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Jessie’s Girl,” Rick Springfield. The song wins Springfield a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
  • 1972 Brian Cole of the Association dies of a heroin overdose. The group’s biggest hit is the million-selling No. 1 single “Windy.”
  • 1971 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” The Bee Gees. The song is the first of nine No. 1 singles for the Gibb brothers.
  • 1960 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” Brian Hyland. The song is a true story inspired by songwriter Paul Vance’s two-year-old daughter.
  • 1937 The Band’s Garth Hudson is born in London, Ontario.