The Byrd’s frontman, Roger McGuinn (James Joseph McGuinn), is born in Chicago, IL. 1942

Elvis Presley’s most successful song of the ’50s, “Don’t Be Cruel,” is released.  His cover of Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog” is on the flip side.  The two-sided single goes to #1.  1956

The Beatles single (but only John Lennon and Paul McCartney play on it) “The Ballad Of John and Yoko” is banned by over 100 U.S. radio stations because of the lines, “Christ, you know it ain’t easy” and “they’re going to crucify me” calling them offensive.  1969

The “Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid” soundtrack is released. It contains Bob Dylan’s “Knocking On Heaven’s Door.” The film stars Dylan and Kris Kristofferson. 1973

Guitarist Phil Collen joins Def Leppard replacing Pete Willis.  1982

Live Aid at JFK Stadium in Philly with just about everyone who is anyone: The Pretenders, Simple Minds and even Led Zeppelin with Phil Collins on drums. Of course, Collins botches “Stairway To Heaven.” Ozzy Osbourne, Tommy Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward re-form Black Sabbath for the show. 1985

New York Doll’s bassist Arthur Kane passes away in Los Angeles due to complications from leukemia. He was 55.  2004

Getting to the meat of the matter. Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen announces that he has signed on as a celebrity spokesperson for animal-rights group PETA. “Not only is a vegetarian lifestyle healthier, it’s better for the animals and for the environment,” says Collen. Drummer Rick Allen is the group’s other vegetarian, while singer Joe Elliott doesn’t eat pork, beef, chicken or turkey. 2006

A brawl with drunken bar patrons causes members of Collective Soul to be banned from Myrtle Beach, SC, for one year. The fight spills out into the streets with the police subsequently escorting everyone away. 2009

Neil Young & Crazy Horse announce that they have been forced to cancel their concert at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv due to the security situation in Israel. “We’ll miss the opportunity to play for our fans and look forward to playing in Israel and Palestine in peace,” reads a statement.  2014

Poison’s Rikki Rockett announces he has tested positive for COVID-19 after being vaccinated.  Rockett says he doesn’t feel like a sucker for getting the shots.  “The reason I don’t feel that way is because I know that this would be way worse, especially if it was the delta variant.”  2021

Following the departure of guitarist Nita Strauss, Alice Copper brings back Kane Roberts.  “We’ve been friends all this time, and he’s always been one of my favorite guitarists,” says Cooper. 2022