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Today in Music

March, 8

  • 1999 Bill Sammeth files suit against Cher, charging that she owes him a 15% personal manager’s fee involving the proceeds of “Believe,” her hit single. Sammeth says he masterminded her comeback as a recording artist, but after 22 years he was “unceremoniously terminated” just before the Super Bowl gig he claims he got her.
  • 1993 Bandleader Billy Eckstein dies in Pittsburgh of complications from a stroke. He is 78. Among the musicians he recruited for his orchestra were Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Miles Davis and Art Blakey. His million-selling records include “My Foolish Heart” and “I Apologize.”
  • 1974 Bad Company gives its debut performance in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.
  • 1973 Paul McCartney is arrested for growing marijuana on his farm in Scotland.
  • 1973 Ron “Pigpen” McKernan of the Grateful Dead dies of a stomach hemorrhage.
  • 1971 Radio Hanoi broadcasts Jimi Hendrix’s “Star Spangled Banner.” The tape is sent by Abbie Hoffman.
  • 1968 The Fillmore East opens in New York City.
  • 1958 Gary Numan is born in Hammersmith, England. His only song to make the Hot 100 is “Cars,” a No. 9 song in 1980.
  • 1945 Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees is born in Tarzana, Calif. The Monkees have three million-selling No. 1 songs: “Last Train to Clarksville” (1966), “I’m a Believer” (1966-67) and “Daydream Believer” (1967).