Born:  Luther Allison, 1939

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1959   Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say” became his first million-seller when it reached #6 pop and #1 R&B. The song, written by Charles, would go on to become a rock ‘n’ roll standard and would be recorded in the ’60s by Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bobby Darin.

1963   The Crystals charted with “Then He Kissed Me” (#6 pop).

1969   The Woodstock Festival’s closing night included performances by Richie Havens, Sly & the Family Stone, and Jimi Hendrix. Also appearing during the three-day festival were Joan Baez; Jefferson Airplane; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Santana; Credence Clear Water Revival; Iron Butterfly; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Joe Cocker; Sha Na Na; and John Sebastian. More than half a million people attended, and there were three deaths, two births, and six miscarriages. All that for $7.00.

1971   Five months afer they performed together in San Francisco’s Fillmore West, Aretha Franklin was singing at the funeral of King Curtis, who had been murdered on a street corner four days earlier. Joining Aretha in prayer and song were Cissy Houston and Stevie Wonder.

1973   Temptations member Paul Williams, deep in tax hell and with health and family problems overwhelming him, shot himself to death. He was found in his car a few streets from the Motown offices in Detroit.

1986   Run-D.M.C. performed at a concert in Long Beach, CA, and more than forty people were injured during a riot between rival gangs. It was the group’s sixth concert with audience clashes and contributed to the association of rap with violence.

1990   Miles Davis, George Benson, and B.B. King, among others, performed at the JVC Jazz Festival in Newport, RI.

1993   The King of Pop was accused of child molestation as a police investigation started on this day based on charges brought by a thirteen-year-old’s father. The allegations revolved around activities at Micheal Jackson’s home.

1996   Bobby Brown had another bad day behind the wheel (see April 22) when he crashed his wife Whitney Houston’s Porsche into a street sign in Hollywood, FL. Having only minor neck and leg injuries, he was treated at a  local hospital and released.