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Today in Music History

August, 17

  • 1998 Carlos Santana’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is unveiled near the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea.
  • 1995 Depeche Mode frontman David Gahan, 33, slashes his wrists in a suicide attempt.
  • 1990 Singer Pearl Bailey dies at age 72. After singing with Cootie Williams’ band, Bailey hits on Broadway with “St. Louis Woman” in 1946. Her biggest musical hit is “Takes Two to Tango,” which reaches No. 7 on Billboard’s pop chart in 1952.
  • 1987 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Who’s That Girl,” Madonna. It is the title song of Madonna’s third film.
  • 1986 A riot between rival gangs erupts at a Run DMC concert in Long Beach, Calif., seriously injuring 42 people.
  • 1977 Tens of thousands of fans travel to Memphis to pay tribute to Elvis Presley. President Jimmy Carter issues a tribute statement.
  • 1975 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Fallin’ in Love,” Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds.
  • 1973 Paul Williams of the Temptations dies at age 34. The group has four No. 1 hits by 1973 but does not reach the top 10 after Williams’ death.
  • 1970 Christine McVie joins Fleetwood Mac on keyboards.
  • 1969 The Woodstock music festival ends.
  • 1969 Donny Wahlberg, one time member of New Kids on the Block, is born. His younger brother is rapper/actor Marky Mark, who has a top 10 hit in 1991-92 with the million-selling single “Wildside.”
  • 1958 Belinda Carlisle is born. She becomes the lead singer of the all-female group the Go-Go’s and has a solo No. 1 hit in 1987 with “Heaven Is a Place on Earth.”
  • 1950 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Goodnight Irene,” Gordon Jenkins Orchestra & the Weavers.