The number one British single today in 1956 is an oxymoron, or describes an oxymoron:

Today in 1965, Rolling Stones Mick Jagger, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman were all shocked by a faulty microphone at a concert in Denmark. Wyman was knocked unconscious for several minutes.

The number one British single today in 1967:

The number one British single today in 1983:

Today in 1985, the South African government banned Stevie Wonder records after Wonder dedicated his Academy Award received the previous night to Nelson Mandela.

Yeah, that worked well.

The number one album today in 1994 was Soundgarden’s “Superunknown”:

The number one British album today in 2000 was Santana’s “Supernatural”:

Birthdays begin with one-hit wonder Rufus Thomas:

Who is Diane Earle? You know her better as Diana Ross:

Richard Tandy, who played keyboards for Electric Light Orchestra …

… was born the same day as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith:

Fran Sheehan played bass for Boston:

William Lyall played keyboards for Pilot:

Two deaths of note today: Jan Berry of Jan and Dean in 2004 …

… and Paul Hester, drummer for Crowded House, in 2005:

• Music