This Day in History: 2023-09-26

SEPTEMBER 26th

The Beatles issue one of their best albums, “Abbey Road,” in the U.K. It’s known for George Harrison’s “Something” and “Here Comes The Sun.” There’s also John Lennon’s “Come Together” and the famous B-side medley. 1969

John Lennon issues “Walls And Bridges.” Known for the songs “Whatever Gets You Thru The Night” and “#9 Dream,” it’s Lennon’s last album of original material until “Double Fantasy,” six years later.  1974

“Shout At The Devil” arrives. Mötley Crüe’s sophomore multi-platinum album contains the title track, the singles “Looks That Kill” and “Too Young To Fall In Love” and a cover of The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter.” 1983

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Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music) enters the world. The singer-songwriter hails from Washington, Sunderland, England. 1945

Guitarist Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship) is born. 1954

Roy Orbison has his last #1 of the ’60s with the pulsating “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Van Halen covers the song in the ’70s. They have a hit but not a chart topper. 1964

Blind Melon’s late singer/guitarist Shannon Hoon is born. 1967

A&M Records sue George Harrison because he’s late with his “33 1/3” album. Harrison is suffering from hepatitis at the time. 1976

The Grateful Dead’s “Touch Of Grey” peaks at #9 becoming the group’s biggest hit. 1987

After nearly a decade absence Paul McCartney is back on the road. The world tour, with over 100 shows, starts in Drammen, Norway. McCartney plays a career spanning set. 1989

Emergency dental surgery forces Slipknot’s Craig Jones (#5) to temporarily bow out of the group’s European tour. It’s the first time a member has missed a show in the group’s history. Bandmate Sid Wilson fills in for the sampler/programmer. 2004

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler reveals that he’s been suffering from the viral blood infection hepatitis C. “I underwent 11 months of (interferon treatment), and it about killed me,” says Tyler in an interview. Later that day, bassist Tom Hamilton unexpectedly joins his bandmates onstage in Mansfield, MA, marking the first time he’s performed with the group live since undergoing throat-cancer treatments earlier in the year. 2006

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler declares a mistrial in the Phil Spector murder case. The legendary producer (Ike & Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison) is accused of shooting an actress at his L.A. home. The deadlocked jury can’t reach a unanimous verdict. 2007

Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (partners on the “Raising Sand” album) perform in Oklahoma City for the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund which aids Hurricane Ike victims. 2008

Remastered versions of all fourteen Pink Floyd studio albums roll out in the U.S. (the day before in the U.K.). 2011

The Pretty Reckless have the #1 song on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart with “Messed Up W0rld.”  Bounced from the top by Linkin Park (“Until It’s Gone”) a week earlier The Pretty Reckless return to #1. 2015

David Gilmour’s album “Rattle That Lock” debuts at #5 on the Billboard 200. It is the ex-Pink Floyd guitarist’s highest solo U.S. chart position. 2015

The fourth annual Global Citizen Festival with Pearl Jam and Coldplay takes place in New York City’s Central Park. The benefit concert is designed to raise awareness of the United Nations’ measures to fight inequality, protect the earth and end extreme poverty by 2030. 2015