2000 Patrick J. Lynch, the president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association, urges members of the organization to boycott Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band’s 10-night run at Madison Square Garden. The action stems from “American Skin,” a new song by the group, which addresses the Feb. 1999 slaying of African immigrant Amadou Diallo by New York Police.
2000 Eminem pleads not guilty to weapons charges in Royal Oak, Mich. The rapper is accused of pulling an unloaded gun in the midst of an argument with Douglas Dail, identified as an associate of the group Insane Clown Posse, outside a car stereo store in the Detroit suburb.
2000 Sony Music U.K. launches its first free Internet download of a complete song. Irish singer/songwriter Paddy Casey’s “Whatever Gets You True” is available as a download in the Windows Media format for one month at www.paddycasey.com.
1998 Surviving Beatles Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, Sting, Pete Townshend and Sir Elton John are among the mourners at a private service for McCartney’s late wife, Linda, at St. Martins-in-the-Fields church in London. The crowd sings a version of McCartney’s Beatle-era classic “Let It Be,” and the Brodsky Quartet performs songs that McCartney penned for his wife, including “The Lovely Linda” and “Calico Skies.”
1998 At a court hearing in Rishon Le Tzion, near Tel Aviv, Israeli Eurovision winner Dana International denies assault charges relating to an incident in the town three years prior. No trial date is set. The artist attended the hearing voluntarily following a court summons and, contrary to some earlier reports, is not arrested.
1998 The Rolling Stones announce that they are postponing the U.K. dates on their current European tour until June of the following year. A statement cites “rescheduling problems, insurance claims, and tax issues.
1986 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “On My Own,” Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald.
1970 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Long and Winding Road,” The Beatles.
1966 The Elvis Presley film “Paradise Hawaiian Style” premieres.
1953 Bonnie Tyler (Gaynor Hopkins) is born in Skewen, Wales. Her biggest hit is the million-selling “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in 1983. The single tops Billboard’s Hot 100 for four weeks.
1944 Boz Scaggs (William Royce Scaggs) is born in Ohio. He plays with Steve Miller in 1959 and again from 1967-69. His biggest solo hit is the million-selling record “Lowdown,” which reaches No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1976.