This Day in Music: May 20th

Brought to you by ThisDayinMusic.com

Born on this day:
1944, Joe Cocker, singer
1946, Cherilyn Sarkasian, (Cher)
1960, Sue Cowsill, The Cowsills
1958, Jane Wieldin, The Go-Go's
1961, Nick Heyward, Haircut 100

1960, The Silver Beetles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe, and Tommy Moore) played the first night of a short tour of Scotland backing singer Johnny Gentle, at Alloa Town Hall in Clackmannanshire. Three of the Silver Beetles adopted stage names: Paul McCartney became Paul Ramon, George Harrison was Carl Harrison, and Stuart Sutcliffe became Stuart de Stael.

1964, Rudy Lewis of The Drifters died aged 28 under mysterious circumstances the night before the group was set to record “Under the Boardwalk.” Former Drifters backup singer Johnny Moore was brought back to perform lead vocals for the recording session.

1966, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who grew tired of waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon to arrive for their gig at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England so they took to the stage with the bass player and drummer of the local band that opened the show. When Moon and Entwistle finally arrived in the middle of the set, a fight broke out, with Townshend hitting Moon on the head with his guitar. Moon and Entwistle quit the band, (and rejoined a week later).

1967, The Young Rascals started a two week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Groovin,” it made #8 in the U.K. The group named themselves after a U.S. comedy TV show.

1969, while watching a baseball game in Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, Peter Cetera of Chicago was set upon by four Marines (because they didn't like the length of his hair). They broke his jaw, resulting in the singer spending two days in intensive care.

1972, T.Rex were at #1 on the U.K. singles chart “Metal Guru,”the group's fourth and final #1. They also had the U.K. #1 album with Bolan Boogie.

1997, U2 caused traffic chaos in Kansas City, Missouri after they paid for traffic control to close down five lanes so they could shoot the video for “Last Night On Earth.” Apart from major traffic jams a passing Cadillac crashed into a plate glass window trying to avoid a cameraman.

2009, Michael Jackson delayed the opening four nights of his This Is It U.K. tour at London's O2 arena. Concert promoters AEG Live said the delay was necessary because the singer needed more time for dress rehearsals. The first show, on 8 July, was pushed back by five nights.

View the original article here