1981: The British Phonographic Industry, with the endorsement of artists including Elton John, Cliff Richard and 10cc, take out ads in the British press claiming that “home taping is wiping out music.”

They had no idea what was waiting right around the corner as the internet was gathering steam.

As of this posting (42 years on), music does not appear to have been wiped out.

1955: Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” becomes the first rock ‘n’ roll record to hit #1 in the UK. The true impact of this will not be felt for another 7 years.

1969: Protesting his government’s participation in various military conflicts, John Lennon returns his MBE (“Member of the British Empire”) with the following note:

“Your Majesty, I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts. With love, John Lennon of Bag.”

1964: The Marque Club in London introduces to their stage the former High Numbers, performing tonight for the first time under their new name, The Who.

Maximum R&B ensues.

1998: The very first portable MP3 player goes on sale after strenuous efforts by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to stop it. It’s called the Diamond Rio PMP300 and retails for $200. It has the capacity for a whopping 12 songs.

1957: A young singing duo named Tom & Jerry make their debut on American Bandstand, performing their minor hit, “Hey Little Schoolgirl.”

The duo will remain together and a few years later, record again – this time under their real names Simon and Garfunkel.

1974: After spending years apart, Marty Balin is talked into going onstage with his old band (once known as Jefferson Airplane -- now called Jefferson Starship) at San Francisco’s Winterland ballroom. It goes well and Marty officially rejoins the band for their super-successful Red Octopus album.

1975: George Harrison shows up on Saturday Night Live where he asks for his share of the $3,000 producer Lorne Michaels offered the Beatles to appear on the show.

Later in the same show, Harrison performs with Paul Simon as they duet on Simon’s “Homeward Bound” and Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun.”

2002: A possible indication that parenting may not be among his better skills, Michael Jackson shocks the world by dangling his young son Prince over a balcony at a hotel in Berlin.

1975: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band make their debut in the UK, performing at London’s Hammersmith Odeon Theatre. Springsteen is extremely upset at the over-the-top hype for the show and personally storms around the theater tearing down signs and posters that declare “Finally, London is ready for Bruce Springsteen.”

Although legend has it that Bruce and the band turned in a sub-par show, both a CD and DVD of the concert have been released in recent years that prove otherwise. The show is the band’s typically excellent live performance.