On This Day in Music History – December 4

Throughout the years, there have been many significant events in the world of music that are marked by December 4th. This day has witnessed iconic musical concerts, record-breaking songs in the charts, and other historic events. For instance, in 1964, The Beatles’s album ‘Beatles For Sale’ topped the UK album charts. This album included many popular songs like ‘Eight Days A Week’. Again in 1974, another musical band ‘Led Zeppelin’ topped the UK album charts with their album ‘IV’. Later in 2015, Justin Bieber topped the UK album charts with ‘Love Yourself.’ Whether rock or pop, December 4th marks many significant events like album launches, musical concerts, or the unveiling of The Beatles’ statue in Liverpool. Many musical fans remember this day by recalling songs, musical stars’ birth anniversaries, and songs that topped the charts on December 4th.

Major Events in Music History (December 4)

• Liverpool unveiled a bronze Beatles statue in 2015, marking 50 years since the Fab Four’s last local show.
• In 2015, Justin Bieber’s song “Love Yourself” became his third consecutive UK No.1 single on this date.
• In 1971 a fire broke out at Switzerland’s Montreux Casino during a Frank Zappa concert – an event immortalized by Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water.”
• In 1980 Led Zeppelin announced they were breaking up after drummer John Bonham’s death, ending an era of rock.
• Also in 1980 Prince launched the North American leg of his Dirty Mind tour in Buffalo, debuting his bold stage style (bare midriff and all).
• In 1976 British record workers refused to package the Sex Pistols’ single “Anarchy in the U.K.,” creating a punk-rock scandal.
• A young U2 played the Hope and Anchor pub in London in 1979 to an audience of just nine people – one of their smallest gigs ever.
• In 1956 the legendary “Million Dollar Quartet” gathered at Sun Studios – Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins jammed together.
• The Beatles made their London TV debut on ITV’s Tuesday Rendezvous in 1962, performing “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You.”
• Rockabilly star Roy Orbison played his final concert in Cleveland in 1988, two days before his sudden death.

Notable Birthdays in Music (December 4)

• 1930 – Jim Hall, American jazz guitarist known for playing with Bill Evans and Sonny Rollins.
• 1940 – Freddy Cannon, American rock ’n’ roll singer famous for 1950s hits like “Tallahassee Lassie.”
• 1942 – Bob Mosley, bassist and singer with the American rock band Moby Grape (songs include “Hey Grandma”).
• 1944 – Chris Hillman, founding member of The Byrds, who scored hits like “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Eight Miles High.”
• 1944 – Dennis Wilson, co-founder and drummer of The Beach Boys, who sang on classics such as “Good Vibrations.”
• 1947 – Terry Woods, Irish folk-rock musician (The Pogues) known for blending Celtic folk with rock energy.
• 1951 – Gary Rossington, American guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, known for the guitar solos on “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama.”
• 1963 – Danny Weinkauf, bassist for alternative rock band They Might Be Giants, famous for quirky hits like “Birdhouse in Your Soul.”
• 1969 – Jay-Z, American rapper and entrepreneur behind albums like Reasonable Doubt and the hit “Empire State of Mind.”
• 1973 – Kate Rusby, English folk singer-songwriter whose duet “All Over Again” (with Ronan Keating) hit the UK Top 10.
• 1972 – Justin Welch, English drummer for Britpop bands Elastica and Suede, later joined Elastica and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Music Legends We Lost (December 4)

• Frank Zappa (1993) – Composer and rock guitarist known for his experimental music, died of cancer on Dec 4, 1993.
• Tommy Bolin (1976) – American guitarist (Zephyr, The James Gang, Deep Purple) who died of a drug overdose on Dec 4, 1976 at age 25.
• Benjamin Britten (1976) – England’s foremost 20th-century classical composer (e.g. Peter Grimes), died Dec 4, 1976.
• Roy Orbison (1988) – Rockabilly legend (songs like “Oh, Pretty Woman”) gave his final concert on Dec 4, 1988, dying two days later.
• Chad “Pimp C” Butler (2007) – American rapper of UGK, known for hits like “Big Pimpin’,” died Dec 4, 2007.
• Wayne Duncan (2016) – Bassist for Australian rock group Daddy Cool (known for “Eagle Rock”), died Dec 4, 2016.
• Stonewall Jackson (2021) – American country singer of hits like “Waterloo,” died Dec 4, 2021 at age 89.
• On this date we also remember many other artists whose legacies live on: from rock icons like Zappa to folk legends like Britten, fans pay tribute each year to those we lost on December 4.
• Each of these musicians left an indelible mark on music history, and Dec 4 is a day fans honor their memory.

Notable Albums Released (December 4)

• The Beatles – Beatles For Sale (1964) – The Fab Four’s 4th album (includes “Eight Days a Week”), which topped the UK charts.
• The Rolling Stones – December’s Children (And Everybody’s) (1965) – US-only compilation that reached No.4 on the Billboard 200.
• Wishbone Ash – Wishbone Ash (1970) – Debut album by the British rock band, known for twin guitar harmonies on songs like “Blind Eye.”
• Scorpions – Taken by Force (1977) – Fifth studio album by the German hard rockers, featuring tracks such as “Steamrock Fever.”
• Foreigner – Inside Information (1987) – Hit rock album by the British-American band (contains the single “Say You Will”), charted worldwide.
• The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing the Blues (1990) – Novelty album featuring Bart and Lisa Simpson; it hit No.3 on the US charts.
• Jeremih – Late Nights: The Album (2015) – R&B album by the American singer; the single “Don’t Tell ’Em” became a hit.
• Madonna – Like a Prayer (listed because its single “Dear Jessie” was released Dec 4, 1989, though album was earlier) – Landmark pop album featuring multiple Top 10 hits.
• Andy Williams – We Need a Little Christmas (1973) – (Holiday album re-charted or released Dec 4, notable Christmas release).
• Various Artists – Now Christmas Hits (compilation) – December 4 often sees holiday compilations released, featuring English pop songs for the season.

Chart-Topping Hits (December 4)

• 1959 – Adam Faith, “What Do You Want?” – Became a No.1 single on the UK charts.
• 1963 – The Beatles, “She Loves You” – Topped the UK singles chart in late 1963, one of the era’s most iconic songs.
• 1965 – The Byrds, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” – Hit No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on Dec 4, 1965 (first week of a three-week run).
• 1971 – Sly & the Family Stone, “Family Affair” – Reached No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (in its first of three weeks) on Dec 4, 1971.
• 1976 – Showaddywaddy, “Under the Moon of Love” – Went to No.1 on the UK singles chart for three weeks starting Dec 4, 1976.
• 1982 – The Jam, “Beat Surrender” – The punk-inflected single hit No.1 in the UK; it was the band’s fourth and final chart-topper.
• 1999 – Cliff Richard, “The Millennium Prayer” – A UK Christmas No.1 on Dec 4, 1999, giving Richard his 14th UK No.1 single.
• 2010 – X Factor Finalists, “Heroes” – A charity cover of David Bowie’s song that became the UK Christmas No.1 for 2010.
• 2010 – Rihanna, “Only Girl (In the World)” – Became her fourth US No.1 single of the year; also topped charts in the UK and 13 other countries.
• 2015 – Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself” – Hit No.1 on the UK chart on Dec 4, 2015, knocking his own song “Sorry” to No.2 (a rare double-chart feat last achieved by The Beatles in 1963).