Tuesday, May 1st
Sonny James (singer) is 83
- Elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006
Judy Collins (singer) is 73
- From Seattle, Washington
Rita Coolidge (singer) is 67
- Was a backing vocalist for Joe Cocker and Eric Clapton
Dann Florek (actor) is 62
“Captain Donald Cragen” on Law & Order: SVU
Ray Parker, Jr. (singer-songwriter) is 58
- Wrote the theme song to the movie Ghostbusters
Maia Morgenstern (actress) is 50
“Mary” in The Passion of the Christ
Wayne Hancock (singer) is 47
- From Austin, Texas
Johnny Colt (bassist) is 46
- Original bassist for the Black Crowes
Tim McGraw (singer) is 45
- Married to Faith Hill
D’arcy Wretzky (bassist) is 44
- Former bassist for Smashing Pumpkins
Darius McCrary (actor) is 36
“Eddie Winslow” on Family Matters
In 1966…The Beatles played their last show for a paying audience in Britain at the NME Poll Winner’s Party.
In 1967…Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas.
In 1969…Jimi Hendrix was busted for narcotics possession at a Toronto Airport. He was released on 10-thousand dollars’ bail.
In 1969…Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash taped a special to appear on ABC. They played Dylan’s “I Threw It All Away,” “Living the Blues” and “Girl From the North Country.”
In 1970…In New York, Bob Dylan recorded with George Harrison. The two messed around on The Beatles’ “Yesterday,” Dylan’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” and “Da Doo Ron Ron.”
In 1972…Paul Simon released his self-titled solo debut album, which contained the hit “Mother and Child Reunion.”
In 1973…Washington, D.C., declared it Marvin Gaye Day.
In 1975…In one of their biggest publicity stunts, The Rolling Stones announced their tour of America by playing “Brown Sugar” on the back of a flatbed truck driving down New York’s Fifth Avenue.
In 1977…The Clash began their first-ever tour of England at London’s Roxy.
In 1979…Elton John performed in Israel, becoming the first Western pop star to do so.
In 1987…Billy Joel announced his plan to play a concert in the Soviet Union, which would make him the first American rock star to do so.
In 1993…Supermodel Naomi Campbell announced her engagement to U2 bassist Adam Clayton. They never married.
In 1999…The Dixie Chicks’ Emily Erwin married country musician Charlie Robison on a Texas ranch.
In 1999…An exhibition of Paul McCartney’s paintings, which included a portrait of David Bowie, opened in Siegen, Germany.
In 2000…Neil Young was sued for 1.8-million dollars by a writer who claimed Young tried to block an authorized biography he had spent several years writing.
In 2003…The Dixie Chicks kicked off their American tour in support of Home with openers Joan Osborneand Michelle Branch.
