The number one single today in 1959, which (1) extended Christmas beyond where non-Episcopalians (who would tell you that Christmas lasts until Epiphany) would want it, and (2) proves yet again that there is no accounting for taste:

Today in 1970, the Who’s Keith Moon was trying to escape from a gang of skinheads when he accidentally hit and killed chauffeur Neil Boland.

The problem was Moon’s attempt at escape. He had never passed his driver’s license test.

Perhaps Bruce Springsteen got the idea for the title of “Dancing in the Dark” a decade later from today in 1974, when Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at Joe’s Place in Cambridge, Mass. The ticket said, “Because of the energy crisis all our outside lights except one will be shut off.”

The number one single today in 1975:

Today in 2009, British radio station Planet Rock released the results of its listener poll on the Greatest Voices in Rock, starting at number four:

Just two birthdays of note today: Mark Hollis of Talk Talk …

… and Michael Stipe of REM:

Two deaths of note today: Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy in 1986 …

… and Gerry Rafferty in 2010:

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