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Today in Music History

August, 18

  • 2000 Chicago bluesman and APO Records artist Jimmie Lee Robinson starts a “hunger fast” in an effort to stop the University Of Illinois At Chicago’s (UIC) south campus expansion plans in the city’s Maxwell Street district, often cited as the birthplace of Chicago blues.
  • 1999 It is announced that Spin Doctors’ lead singer Chris Barron has been diagnosed with a rare paralysis of his vocal chords. Doctors indicate that he may never regain the full use of his voice.
  • 1999 DMX and Lauryn Hill are the big winners at the 1999 Source Hip-Hop Awards at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. DMX goes home with artist and live performer of the year, while Hill takes album of the year and new artist, solo.
  • 1997 Joe Diffie joins with Tower Records and America Online for the first “virtual in-store.” Diffie chats and holds a “virtual autograph session” during which fans can receive a virtual autograph via Diffie’s electronic writing pad.
  • 1995 Security guards carry a sobbing Courtney Love offstage after she begins fighting with Hole fans because they aren’t cheering loudly enough during the last night of the Lollapalooza tour in Mountain View, Calif.
  • 1992 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Courtney Love of Hole have their first child. Daughter Frances Bean is born in Los Angeles.
  • 1984 Motley Crue gives its performance debut at the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington, England.
  • 1979 Singers Nick Lowe and Carlene Carter marry in Los Angeles. She is Johnny Cash’s stepdaughter.
  • 1977 Elvis Presley’s funeral is held at his Graceland estate in Memphis. More than 75,000 fans gather outside.
  • 1977 The Police Play their first gig without original guitarist Henri Padovani at Rebecca’s Club in Birmingham, England. The Police were originally formed by Sting (Gordon Sumner), Stewart Copeland, and Henri Padovani. A fourth member, Andy Summers, joined later as a second guitarist. Padovani left the band soon thereafter, leaving the Police, once again, a trio. It is this trio which delivered such pop hits as “Every Breath You Take,” “Can’t Stand Loosing You,” and “Roxanne.”
  • 1970 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Make It with You,” Bread.
  • 1964 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Where Did Our Love Go,” The Supremes. It is the group’s first hit.
  • 1962 Ringo Starr joins the Beatles as drummer after Pete Best is fired.
  • 1958 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu),” Domenico Modugno. It is the only chart-topping record to originate in Italy.