Today in Music History for June 22:
In 1846, Adolphe Sax patented his invention -- the saxophone. He had invented the instrument early in the decade, and by the time the patent was granted there were 14 different saxophones, seven designed for orchestras and seven for bands. The saxophones designed for bands are the ones in common use today.
In 1968, the "Jeff Beck Group," with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood, made its U.S. debut at the Fillmore East in New York City. Singer Rod Stewart was so shy he hid behind speakers for the first few songs. The band broke up after two LPs and several North American tours.
In 1969, the rock supergroup "Blind Faith" -- Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Rick Grech -- released their first and only album.
In 1969, singer and movie star Judy Garland died in London at age 47. Despite frequent reports of her ill health, drinking binges and drastic weight changes, the public was shocked at the news. Garland's movie hits included "The Wizard of Oz," containing the classic song "Over the Rainbow," and "A Star is Born," in which she sang "The Man That Got Away."
In 1969, 50,000 people showed up for Toronto's first rock festival, the Toronto Pop Festival, at Varsity Stadium. Headliners included "The Band," Chuck Berry, "Procul Harum" and "Blood, Sweat and Tears."
In 1981, Mark David Chapman, a 25-year-old drifter, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of former "Beatle" John Lennon. On Dec. 8, 1980, Chapman shot Lennon seven times in front of Lennon's New York apartment building just hours after Lennon had given him his autograph.
In 1984, the hard rock band "Aerosmith" launched its comeback effort with a tour beginning in New Hampshire.
In 1987, composer Joseph Meyer, who wrote the music for such standards as "Crazy Rhythm" and "If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)," died in New York at age 93. Eddie Cantor made "Susie" a No. 1 hit in 1925. Meyer also co-wrote the words and music for "California, Here I Come" with Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. Jolson took that song to the top of the charts in 1924.
In 1987, Fred Astaire, America's greatest song and dance man, died in Los Angeles at age 88. Astaire's debonair style dominated movie musicals in the 1930s as he co-starred in 10 films with Ginger Rogers. His other partners included Cyd Charisse, Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland and Audrey Hepburn. Astaire was also a top recording artist in the '30s, with such No. 1 hits as "Night and Day" from "The Gay Divorcee," "Cheek to Cheek" from "Top Hat" and "The Way You Look Tonight" from "Swing Time." As well, his 1951 duet with Jane Powell, "The Liar's Song," is said to have sold a million copies over the years.
In 1990, Corinthian "Kripp" Johnson, a founding member of "The Dell-Vikings," died in Pontiac, Mich., of cancer. He was 57. One of the first racially-integrated rock 'n' roll groups, "The Dell-Vikings" had two top-10 hits in 1957 -- "Come Go With Me" and "Whispering Bells."
In 1990, Billy Joel became the first rock artist to perform at Yankee Stadium.
In 1992, rap star M.C. Hammer escaped injury in a shooting at a park in Albuquerque that wounded three members of his touring crew. Police initially said it was a drive-by shooting, then indicated it appeared to be an "internal thing." A Hammer spokesman claimed the wounded were "victims of an act of violence."
In 1993, the illegitimate daughter of Hank Williams reached an out-of-court settlement that ended her eight-year fight for a share of the country legend's songwriting royalties. Cathy Yvonne Stone's share cut into the royalties passed down to Hank Williams Jr. Stone, who performs under the name Jett Williams, and was born five days after the elder Williams died in 1953.
In 1995, Michael Jackson announced he would re-record a song from his "HIStory" album to remove lyrics condemned as anti-Semitic. The new version of "They Don't Care About Us" removed the offensive line. Jackson said the song was intended to demonstrate the ugliness of racism. But Jewish groups said the message would be lost on young people hearing the offensive language. Two million copies of the album with the offending lyrics had already been shipped, and they were not recalled.
In 1995, the U.S.-based Country Music Television video channel announced it was obtaining a 20 per cent interest in Canada's New Country Network. The U.S. channel was removed from Canadian cable systems when the Canadian channel was launched the previous January.
In 1998, friends and family gathered in a New York City church for a memorial service for Linda McCartney, who had died of breast cancer two months earlier.
In 2009, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna back on Feb. 7. He avoided jail time but was put on probation for five years and forced to perform six months of community service. The judge ordered Brown and Rihanna stay at least 15 metres from each other, except at industry events when the distance is reduced to three metres.
In 2009, "Black Eyed Peas" manager Liborio Molina was arrested and charged with assault after allegedly punching celebrity blogger Perez Hilton in the eye in Toronto. The incident occurred at a MuchMusic Video Awards after-party when "BEP" frontman will.i.am confronted Hilton over comments he made about the band. Molina later apologized to Hilton as part of an agreement to drop the charges.
In 2010, country music's power couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw headlined "Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery鈥� at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The cross-genre all-star lineup included such stars as Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top. The concert raised just over US$2.2 million from sold-out ticket sales, donations and sponsorships.
In 2011, hip-hop singer Sean Kingston was released from a Miami hospital after spending almost a month there being treated for a fractured wrist and broken jaw along with water in the lungs after crashing his personal watercraft into a Miami bridge on May 29.
In 2013, award-winning country star Taylor Swift was the first act to play in Winnipeg's new 33,000-seat football stadium, Investors Group Field.
In 2014, Teenie Hodges, the diminutive guitarist and "Take Me to the River" songwriter who became a towering figure in the Memphis music scene, died at age 68. Hodges, Canadian rapper Drake's uncle, was the go-to guitarist for Memphis soul in the 1960s and '70s. He helped define the sound by working with artists including Al Green, Syl Johnson, and Etta James, and later would inspire dozens of others from Michael Jackson to Cat Power.
In 2015, Oscar Award-winning composer James Horner died when the single-engine plane he was piloting crashed in a remote area about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. He was 61. His singular sound graced some of the biggest moments in the history of movies, from the swelling-sea songs of "Titanic" to the space symphonies of "Apollo 13" to the bagpipes of "Braveheart."
In 2017, the Recording Industry Association of America announced that Katy Perry became the first artist to earn a third Diamond Award for singles when "Roar" passed the 10-million mark in the U.S. for sales and streaming equivalents, joining "Firework" and "Dark Horse."
In 2018, rock drummer Vinnie Paul, of Pantera, Damageplan and Hellyeah, died at his Las Vegas home. He was 54.
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The Canadian Press