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Today in Music

May, 8

  • 2000 Promise Ring lead singer Davey vonBolhlen undergoes emergency surgery to remove a benign brain tumor, necessitating the cancellation of the Milwaukee-based band’s European tour.
  • 1999 Innovative jazz vocalist Leon Thomas, 61, dies of heart failure in the Bronx, N.Y. He had been suffering from leukemia.
  • 1998 The Smashing Pumpkins file suit against Westwood One, claiming that the radio syndicator breached an oral and implied contract by licensing a 1991 interview with the band. According to the suit, the virgin band was never consulted about a licensing deal with Sound & Media; the U.K. company in 1996 released a “book with CD” product that contained the interview.
  • 1998 Johnny Winter is inducted into Hollywood’s Rock Walk.
  • 1993 Aerosmith’s “Get a Grip” enters The Billboard 200 top pop album chart at No. 1., becoming the group’s highest-debuting album and highest-charting album ever. The group’s previous highpoint was “Rocks,” which peaked at No. 3 in 1976.
  • 1992 Rapper-actor Will Smith (the Fresh Prince) marries songwriter Sheree Zampino in Santa Barbara, Calif. The two are expecting their first child.
  • 1991 Pianist Rudolf Serkin dies at his home in Guilford, Vt., after a long struggle with cancer. Age 88.
  • 1988 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Anything for You,” Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine. The song is the group’s first No. 1 hit.
  • 1977 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “When I Need You,” Leo Sayer.
  • 1969 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” The 5th Dimension.
  • 1964 Dave Rowntree of Blur is born.
  • 1949 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Riders in the Sky,” Vaughn Monroe.
  • 1940 Ricky Nelson (Eric Hilliard Nelson) is born in Teaneck, N.J. He is the son of TV stars Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. He scores 19 top 10 hits. Among his No. 1 hits are “Travelin’ Man” and “Poor Little Fool.”