July 2

Births

1925: Marvin Rainwater (Country Singer)

1934: Tom Springfield (Folk Artist)

1939: Paul Williams (Baritone for The Temptations)

1948: Gene McFadden (Singer in McFadden and Whitehead)

1949: Roy Bittan (Keyboards for The E Street Band)

1951: Joe Puerta (Bass & Vocals for Ambrosia)

1952: Johnny Colla (Guitar & Sax for Huey Lewis and the News)

1954: Pete Briquette (Patrick Andrew Cusack) (Bass & vocals for The Boomtown Rats)

1956: Jeffrey Cooper (Guitarist for Midnight Star)

1970: Monie Love (Simone Riscoe) (Rapper)

1974: Rocky Gray (Drummer for Evanescence)

1983: Michelle Branch (Singer/Songwriter)

1985: Ashley Michelle Tisdale (Pop Singer)

1986: Lindsay Lohan

Events

1955: ABC-TV premieres a new musical variety program called Dodge Dancing Party, which had already been airing locally in Los Angeles for four years; it would later be retitled The Lawrence Welk Show after its bandleader and host.

1956: Elvis Presley recorded "Hound Dog" & "Don't Be Cruel”.  Take 31 being the version of “Hound Dog” that they released.

1958: Elvis Presley's fourth movie, King Creole, opens in US theaters, though Elvis himself is currently stationed in Germany with the US Army.

1962: Jim Reeves records what would be his last songs for RCA before his fatal plane crash just over one month later.

1962: After breaking his ankle during a jump with the 101st Airborne, James (later Jimi) Hendrix receives an honorary discharge from the US Army.

1966: While touring in Japan, the Beatles wire EMI their choice for the next album title: Revolver.

1967: Rick Nelson's new TV series, Malibu U, premieres on ABC-TV. It is not a hit.

1969: Leslie West forms Mountain, named after his recent solo album.

1969: Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell leave the Jimi Hendrix Experience after completing the three-day Denver Pop Festival. Hendrix and drummer Mitch Mitchell would later team with bassist Billy Cox to form the short-lived Gypsy Sun and Rainbows, who played at the Woodstock Festival.

1971: Queen appeared at Surrey College, England. This was the group's first gig with the line-up of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon.

1973: After endless disputes with leader Bryan Ferry over the direction of the group, keyboardist Brian Eno leaves Roxy Music.

1976: After twelve years of staying at home while the band tours, Beach Boy resident genius Brian Wilson finally joins his band onstage at a gig in Anaheim, CA. Though he mostly stares at the piano in front of him, he does sing lead on the group's rendition of "In My Room."

1979: The Walkman, the world's first portable cassette player, is introduced by Sony.

1980: The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, along with manager Danny Rifken, are arrested in San Diego after allegedly interfering with a drug bust during the band's concert there.

1986: For the first time, Bob Dylan joins The Grateful Dead onstage for a rendition of his own "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" at a gig in Akron, OH.

1986: The Prince movie "Under The Cherry Moon" was released. It was his second movie.

1988: Michael Jackson became the first artist to have five number one singles from one album when ‘Dirty Diana’ went to the top of the US charts. The other four chart-toppers from the LP ‘Bad’ were the title track, ‘I Just Can't Stop Loving You’, ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ and ‘Man in the Mirror’.

1991: Axl Rose caused a riot to break out during a Guns N' Roses gig after leaping into the crowd to remove a camera from a fan at the Riverpoint Amphitheatre, Maryland Heights. Over 50 people were injured and 15 fans were arrested.

1992: Mick Jagger becomes a grandfather with the birth of Assisi Lola Jackson by his daughter Jade.

2001: Liverpool Airport is renamed John Lennon Airport in honor of its native son, sporting a new logo that features a Lennon self-portrait and the words "Above Us Only Sky" from his solo song "Imagine."

2005: The Live 8 concerts are held simultaneously all over the world to benefit impoverished African nations, featuring performances by Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Brian Wilson, Chuck Berry, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, The Who, and a reunited Pink Floyd which was their first time playing together in 24 years.

2008: The gravestone of former Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis was stolen. Cheshire Police said his memorial stone was taken from where he is buried in Macclesfield Cemetery. Officers were appealing for anyone with information on its whereabouts, detectives said the stone, had the inscription ‘Ian Curtis 18 - 5 - 80’ and the words ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’.