On This Day in Music History – December 3

The 3rd of December has been an events-filled day in the world of music over the past few decades. It’s the day when classic albums were first released, major concerts and events were held, and many well-known singers both entered the world and left it. Rock and pop enthusiasts would remember that in 1965, The Beatles’ new album ‘Rubber Soul’ emerged in the UK charts, and The Who released their first LP ‘My Generation.’ This day has witnessed tragedies too, like the 1979 stampede in Cincinnati during The Who concert. The day marked many celebrations too in the world of pop and rock, like the 1955 signing of Elvis Presley with RCA Records. The next section will share the most significant events and occurrences that have been linked with the 3rd of December in the world of music.

Major Events in Music History (December 3)

• 1955 – Elvis Presley signs with RCA Records and releases “Mystery Train”/“I Forgot to Remember to Forget,” kick‑starting his rise to rockabilly fame.
• 1961 – Brian Epstein meets The Beatles, becoming their manager after seeing them play in Liverpool. This chance meeting changed music history.
• 1965 – Keith Richards suffers an onstage electric shock during a Rolling Stones show in Sacramento, California. His quick reaction likely saved him from serious harm.
• 1965 – The Beatles begin their final UK tour, playing nine shows in venues from Blackpool to Manchester before they decided to stop touring.
• 1966 – The Monkees play their first live concert in Hollywood. The TV-created band wowed fans on stage for the first time on this date.
• 1968 – Elvis Presley’s televised comeback special is filmed in Nashville, to air on NBC at Christmas. This landmark TV concert (often called Elvis’s Comeback Special) has its main recording session on Dec 3.
• 1976 – Bob Marley survives an assassination attempt in Jamaica. Marley was shot at his home in Kingston on December 3, but recovered to continue his music and message.
• 1979 – A tragic crowd crush at a Who concert in Cincinnati leads to 11 fan deaths. The incident prompted new safety rules at concerts.
• 1983 – Lionel Richie’s album Can’t Slow Down is certified Diamond for selling over 10 million copies. It’s one of the first R&B albums to reach that milestone.
• 2004 – Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch is raided by police amid an investigation. The search of Jackson’s home became major news on Dec 3, 2004.
• 2007 – Diana Ross and Brian Wilson receive White House honors. Both legendary singers were given prestigious awards in Washington, D.C., on Dec 3, 2007.
• 2013 – Billy Joel announces a Madison Square Garden residency. The piano man reveals he will perform monthly concerts at MSG, starting the next summer.
• 2016 – Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” finally tops the charts in Denmark after the songwriter’s death. The year after Cohen passed, his classic song becomes a #1 hit in Europe.
• 2021 – ABBA files a trademark dispute. The famous pop group sues a tribute act called “Abbatars” on Dec 3, claiming confusion with the ABBA name.
• 2021 – Tom Petty is posthumously honored with a doctorate of music from the University of Florida on this date.
• 2023 – Brenda Lee’s 1958 Christmas song reaches #1. On Dec 3, 2023, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” tops the Billboard Hot 100, an extraordinary hit nearly 65 years after its release.

Notable Birthdays in Music (December 3)

• 1927 – Andy Williams (American pop singer, famous for “Moon River,” d. 2012).
• 1931 – Jaye P. Morgan (American singer and actress, popular in the 1950s TV variety era).
• 1944 – Ralph McTell (English folk singer-songwriter known for “Streets of London”).
• 1948 – Ozzy Osbourne (British rock singer, frontman of Black Sabbath and successful solo artist).
• 1949 – Mickey Thomas (American rock singer, lead vocalist for Jefferson Starship/Starship, known for hits like “Sara”).
• 1968 – Montell Jordan (American R&B singer, famous for the #1 hit “This Is How We Do It”).
• 1974 – Trina (American rapper known as the “Da Baddest Bitch,” member of the Terror Squad).
• 1979 – Daniel Bedingfield (New Zealand-born British pop singer, known for “Gotta Get Thru This,” brother of Natasha Bedingfield).
• 1983 – Andy Grammer (American pop singer-songwriter, known for upbeat hits like “Keep Your Head Up”).
• 1994 – Lil Baby (American rapper who became a top-charting artist in the 2010s).

Music Legends We Lost (December 3)

• 1999 – Scatman John (John Larkin), American jazz-pop singer known for “Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop),” died Dec 3, 1999.
• 2014 – Ian McLagan, British rock keyboardist (Small Faces, Faces); passed away at 69 on Dec 3, 2014.
• 2014 – Sonny Bivins, American R&B/soul singer and longtime leader of The Manhattans; died at 78 on Dec 3, 2014.
• 2015 – Scott Weiland, American rock singer (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver); died at 48 on Dec 3, 2015.
• 2016 – Herb Hardesty, American saxophonist who played on early R&B hits (Fats Domino band); died at 91 on Dec 3, 2016.
• 2016 – William Grant Still, American classical composer known as the “Dean of Afro-American composers”; died at 83 on Dec 3, 1978. (He broke barriers in orchestral music.)
• 2021 – Melvin Parker, American funk/R&B drummer (James Brown’s band The J.B.’s); died at 77 on Dec 3, 2021.

Notable Albums Released (December 3)

• 1965 – The Who, My Generation. The British rock band’s debut album (including “My Generation” and “The Kids Are Alright”) is released in the UK.
• 1965 – The Beatles, Rubber Soul. The Beatles’ sixth studio album (with classics like “Norwegian Wood”) hits UK stores on Dec 3.
• 1979 – Toto, Hydra. The American rock band’s second album (featuring “99”) is issued on this date in the US.
• 2010 – E.M.D., Rewind. This Swedish boy-band releases Rewind (English-language covers) on Dec 3, 2010.
• 2018 – Luke Combs, This One’s for You. Country singer Luke Combs’ debut album (with hits like “When It Rains It Pours”) is released.
• 2018 – Big & Rich, Gravity. The country duo drops their album Gravity on Dec 3, 2018.
• 2021 – LP, Churches. American singer LP releases the album Churches on Dec 3, 2021.
• 2021 – Norah Jones, I Dream of Christmas. The eighth studio album (her first holiday record) by Norah Jones is released on this date.
• 2021 – Khalid, Scenic Drive. The R&B singer’s Scenic Drive EP (featuring the hit “Better”) is released Dec 3.
• 2023 – Ice Nine Kills, The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood. The heavy metal band’s album (a sequel to The Silver Scream) is released December 3, 2023.

Chart-Topping Hits (December 3)

• 1983 – Lionel Richie, “All Night Long (All Night).” Richie’s reggae-tinged pop hit is sitting at #1 on the US charts in early December 1983.
• 1984 – Hall & Oates, “Out of Touch.” The duo’s dance-pop anthem reaches #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 during the week of Dec 3, 1984.
• 1988 – Will to Power, “Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley.” This medley hits #1 on the US pop chart on Dec 3, 1988.
• 1990 – Stevie B, “Because I Love You (The Postman Song).” The ballad is #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on Dec 3, 1990.
• 1997 – Elton John, “Candle in the Wind 1997”/“Something About the Way You Look Tonight.” Elton’s tribute single holds the #1 spot on Dec 3, 1997 (its 14th week at the top).
• 2005 – Chris Brown, “Run It!” The singer’s debut single (feat. Juelz Santana) is #1 on the Hot 100 for the week ending Dec 3, 2005.
• 2016 – Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself.” Bieber’s smash single remains in the top 5 on the US chart in early December 2016.
• 2019 – Ariana Grande & Social House, “Boyfriend.” This duet is rising high on the Billboard Hot 100 around Dec 3, 2019.
• 2020 – Harry Styles, “Watermelon Sugar.” Styles’s summer hit is still in the top 10 of the US charts in early December 2020.
• 2023 – Mariah Carey, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Each holiday season, this modern classic re-enters the charts. By Dec 3, 2023, it often sits in the top 5 on the Hot 100.