On May 4, 1957, the “Alan Freed Show” debuted on ABC. The first guests on his show included The Del-Vikings and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.
In 1959, the first Grammy Awards were given out by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Henry Mancini won album of the year for “The Music from Peter Gunn.” Domenico Modugno (doh-MEN’-ih-koh moh-DOON’-yoh) won record of the year for “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare).”
In 1964, the Moody Blues formed in Birmingham, England.
In 1970, Neil Young wrote “Ohio” after four Kent State University students were killed by U.S. National Guardsmen.
In 1990, Madonna kicked off the U.S. leg of her “Blonde Ambition” tour in Houston. Fans eventually got to see what went on behind the scenes in the documentary “Truth or Dare.”
In 2023, a jury in New York decided musician Ed Sheeran did not steal parts of the Marvin Gaye song “Let’s Get It On” for his song “Thinking Out Loud.”
Today’s Birthdays: Jazz bassist Ron Carter is 87. Singer Peggy Santiglia of The Angels is 80. Actor Richard Jenkins (“The Shape of Water”) is 77. Country singer Stella Parton is 75. Actor-turned-minister Hilly Hicks (“Roots”) is 74. Singer Jackie Jackson of The Jacksons is 73. Singer-actor Pia Zadora is 72. Singer Oleta Adams is 71. Country singer Randy Travis is 65. Actor Mary McDonough (“The Waltons”) is 63. Comedian Ana Gasteyer (“Saturday Night Live”) is 57. Actor Will Arnett (“Arrested Development,” ″Blades of Glory”) is 54. Bassist Mike Dirnt of Green Day is 52. Contemporary Christian singer Chris Tomlin is 52. TV personality Kimora Lee Simmons is 49. Sports reporter and TV personality Erin Andrews is 46. Singer Lance Bass (‘N Sync) is 45. Actor Ruth Negga (“Loving”) is 43. Rapper Jidenna is 39. Actor Alexander Gould (“Weeds,” “Finding Nemo”) is 30. Country singer RaeLynn is 30. Actor Amara (uh-MAH’-ruh) Miller (“The Descendants”) is 24. Actor Brooklynn Prince (“Cocaine Bear,” “The Florida Project”) is 14.
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