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Today in Music History

August, 12

  • 1999 A record-setting 15-show stand by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J., comes to a close after grossing about $19 million.
  • 1999 The state of Missouri celebrates Porter Wagoner Day, the country star’s birthday (1927) in Howell County, Mo.
  • 1999 Representatives from the National Organization for Women’s (NOW) New York chapter demonstrate outside the office of Woodstock ‘99 promoter/producer John Scher to protest the violence against women that allegedly occurred at the July 23-25 event. Several rapes and numerous accounts of sexual harassment and assault were reported after the event.
  • 1998 Scott Weiland, the lead singer of the Stone Temple Pilots, pleads guilty to felony heroin possession and is sentenced to three months in a drug treatment facility.
  • 1997 Blues great Luther Allison, diagnosed with lung cancer and brain tumors July 10, dies in Wisconsin. Allison is 57.
  • 1997 Trisha Yearwood fans in Lynden, Wash., get an added treat when the singer is joined on stage by her occasional duet partner and friend, Garth Brooks. The two sing their hit song “In Another’s Eyes.”
  • 1967 Fleetwood Mac makes its performance debut. Windsor Jazz & Blues Festival, England.
  • 1961 Roy Hay, guitarist with Culture Club, is born in Southend, Essex, Great Britain.
  • 1958 Billboard magazine introduces the “Hot 100” singles chart.
  • 1949 Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits is born in Glasgow, Scotland. The group’s biggest hit is “Money for Nothing,” which Knopfler writes with Sting. The song tops Billboard’s Hot 100 for three weeks in 1985.
  • 1927 Country singer Porter Wagoner is born. His No. 1 country singles are “A Satisfied Mind,” “Misery Loves Company” and “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me.”
  • 1877 The first sound recording is made. Inventor Thomas Alva Edison records “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”