1980: I think most of us remember where we were and what we were doing when we first heard that John Lennon had been murdered on this day outside New York City’s Dakota Hotel.

1987: A concert at Carnegie Hall honoring the late Harry Chapin on his birthday (he would have been 45) features performances by Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Judy Collins. That same day, Chapin received a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor for his work in fighting hunger.

To this day, there is a food bank in Southwest Florida named in his honor.

1969: This is the day the infamous free concert at the Altamont Speedway took place. Headlined by the Rolling Stones as a “thank you” gesture for their successful U.S. tour. The big mistake – hiring Hell’s Angels to act as security. Four people die during the concert including Meredith Hunter who is stabbed by the Angels right in front of the stage.

1968: Graham Nash quits his original band, the Hollies. Three days later, the formation of the "supergroup" Crosby, Stills and Nash is announced. If this were a divorce and marriage announcement, eyebrows would definitely be raised.

Happy Birthday to:

Southside Johnny Lyons (1948 – Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes)

Dennis Wilson (1944 – Beach Boys)

Chris Hillman (1942 – The Byrds)

Gary Rossington (1951 – Lynyrd Skynyrd)

1961: The Beatles meet with Brian Epstein at his Liverpool record store, NEMS, for the first time. The lads return to the store later that evening to discuss Epstein’s offer to manage the band.

1966: The “Pre-Fab Four,” the Monkees make their live performing debut at a concert in Honolulu, Hawaii.

1973: Alert the Guinness Book of World Records, the Who are thrown into jail in Montreal after orchestrating $6,000 worth of destruction to their hotel after finishing their show at the Forum. (And you thought they were tough on their instruments!)

 1957: This was a great day to be watching The Ed Sullivan Show. Three musical acts made their national TV debuts on that show: Buddy Holly & the Crickets (performing “That’ll Be the Day”), Sam Cooke (“You Send Me”) and the Rays (“Silhouettes”).

1977: David Bowie appears on what turns out to be Bing Crosby’s last televised Christmas special. The two sing a duet that blends “Little Drummer Boy” with “Peace on Earth.” “Little Drummer Boy” was written in 1941. “Peace on Earth” was written especially for the TV show when Bowie balked at singing “Drummer Boy.”

The duet was forgotten until radio stations started playing a copy ripped from a video recording of the show in the early 80’s. Today, it has become a holiday favorite.

1959: Bobby Darin is a double winner at the Grammy Awards- winning Best New Artist and Record of the Year for his classic version of “Mack the Knife.”