The number one single today in 1954:

Today in 1964, the Billboard Hot 100 could have been called the Beatles 14 and the non-Beatles 86, topped by …

The number one single today in 1970:

Today in 1977, Alice Cooper played a concert before 40,000 fans, the largest concert in the history of Australia.

Afterward, Cooper was placed under house arrest until he posted bond of $59,632, which totaled the money a promoter claimed to have paid Cooper for a 1975 tour that never took place.

On the other hand, the promoter didn’t fulfill his end of the deal either, which later prompted a settlement.

The number one single today in 1981:

Today in 1988, Cher won an Academy Award for “Moonstruck,” proving that singers can sometimes act, even though actors usually can’t sing.

Birthdays today include Richard Berry, writer and original singer of …

Vocalist/guitarist Stuart Adamson of Big Country:

Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi:

Lisa Stansfield:

One death of note today in 2006: June Pointer of the Pointer Sisters: