August 18th: This Day in Music History

1962 – The Beatles Play their First Set at a Horticultural Society Dance

Ringo Starr joined the band today in 1962, completing The Beatles line up as we know it today. Following a 2 hour rehearsal, John, Paul, George, and Ringo took the stage at the Horticultural Society Dance in Birkenhead, England.

 

1969 – Mick Jagger Shot and His Girlfriend OD’s

While filming Ned Kelly in Australia, Jagger was accidentally shot in the hand. He had gone to Australia for the filming since his girlfriend was playing the lead female role at the time. However, they were in the midst of a break up and took an overdose of sleeping pills, presumably in protest. She landed in a coma and was pulled from the film.

 

1977 – The Police Goes Three-Piece

They made their live debut as a three piece band when they played at Rebecca’s Birmingham, England.

 

1977 – The Police Goes Three-Piece

They made their live debut as a three piece band when they played at Rebecca’s Birmingham, England.

 

1982 – 20 Years Later, The Fab 4 Get Streets Named After Them

The City of Liverpool named four Streets after the fab four: John Lennon Drive, Paul McCartney Way, George Harrison Close and Ringo Starr Drive.

 

1992 – Kurt Becomes A Dad

Kurt Cobain became a father when his wife Courtney Love gave birth to a daughter.

 

2005 – Kanye Uses His Brain

Kanye West called for an end to homophobia in the hip-hop community during an MTV interview saying “Hip-hop was always about speaking your mind and about breaking down barriers, but everyone in hip-hop discriminates against gay people. Not just hip-hop, but America just discriminates, I wanna just, to come on TV and just tell my rappers, just tell my friends, ‘Yo, stop it’.”