Former wife of George Harrison, inspiration for the song "Layla" and later the wife of the song's author, Eric Clapton, born.
1917
Smooth popster Nat "King" Cole (Nathaniel Adams Coles) born in Montgomery, Alabama. Raised in Chicago, Nat's first teen group was his Royal Dukes, then to his brother Eddie's combo ('36) before going solo in 1950. Nat made history as the first African-American to host a weekly show on network television (NBC,1956-57) and was one of the country's best selling artists with hits like, "Rambling Rose" and "The Christmas Song." He also was a popular film actor, appearing in "Saint Louis Blues" and "Cat Ballou." Posthumously he won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award ('90) AND had a hit singing a duet with his daughter Natalie.
1939
1/2 of Dean and Mark ("Tell Him No"), Dean Mathis, born.
Clarence Collins of Little Anthony and the Imperials born.
1941
Jefferson Airplane/Starship leader Paul Kantner born.
1944
Lovin' Spoonful leader/solo artist John Sebastian born in NYC.
1946
War drummer Harold Brown born.
1957
Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins born.
1959
Mike Lindup of Level 42 born.
1963
The first Monterey Folk Festival is held in California. Included on the bill are Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, the Weavers, and Peter, Paul & Mary.
1976
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, the subject of Bob Dylan's song "Hurricane" and the benefactor of two "Night of the Hurricane" benefit shows organized by Dylan in NYC and Houston, was granted a retrial for his murder conviction.
1978
"American Hot Wax", a fictionalized movie account of the early days of Alan Freed, premieres in the US.
1979
Zenon de Fleur Heirowski, guitarist with the UK R&B band the Count Bishops dies of a heart attack as a result of serious injuries suffered in a car accident. He was 28.
