We begin with two forlorn non-music anniversaries. Today in 1897, Oldsmobile began operation, eventually to become a division of General Motors Corp. … but not anymore.

Imagine turning on your radio and finding out that the Soviet Union was invading your country. That’s what Radio Prague announced today in 1968.

Today in 1961,  Patsy Cline, using crutches after exiting a car through the windshield head first in a car crash, recorded Willie Nelson’s “Crazy”:

The Beatles had a busy day today in 1966. They performed a concert at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, rescheduled due to rain and the lack of grandstand cover. Then they flew to St. Louis to perform the regularly scheduled concert at Busch Stadium … in the rain. This day made Paul McCartney determine that the Beatles should not perform live anymore.

The number one song across the pond today in 1968, replacing …

… was:

Today in 1973, the Doobie Brothers’ “Toulouse Street” was named a gold record …

… as was the Allman Brothers’ “Brothers and Sisters”:

Musicians recognize today’s first birthday, Count Basie:

Kenny Rogers:

Tom Coster of Santana:

Jackie DeShannon:

Joe Strummer of The Clash:

Steve Smith played drums for Journey:

Kim Sledge was one of Sister Sledge:

Finally, a death anniversary: Today in 2005, Dr. Robert Moog, inventor of the Moog Synthesizer, died. The Moog Synthesizer was the keyboard of choice throughout the 1970s and 1980s, perhaps to excess:

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