This Day in Music
On October 3, 1992, Sinead O’Connor made Saturday Night Live history with one of the show’s most unforgettable appearances. In a controversial move that defined her career, the Irish singer-songwriter performed a cover of Bob Marley’s “War,” changing the lyric “racism” to “child abuse,” while holding up a photo of Pope John Paul II. She then tore the picture and threw the pieces at the camera. The audience was stunned, neither clapping nor booing. NBC, meanwhile, was fined $2.5 million by the FCC for O’Connor’s live stunt.
In 1967, American folk icon Woody Guthrie died after a lengthy battle with Huntington’s disease at age 55. During his career, the pioneering artist wrote hundreds of songs, including, most famously, “This Land Is Your Land,” in response to Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.” An anti-fascist activist, who was associated with several American communist groups, Guthrie often incorporated political and social commentary into his songs. His vast catalog of work would inspire artists across a range of genres and decades, including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Garcia, and Jeff Tweedy.
In 1945, a 10-year-old Elvis Presley performed in public for the first time during a talent contest at the Mississippi Alabama Dairy Show. He sang “Old Shep” and came in second place.
In 1999, 59-year-old Tom Jones became the oldest artist to top the UK album charts with new material. The LP in question was Reload, which featured his hit collaboration with Mousse T, “Sexbomb.”
In 2004, 17-year-old Joss Stone became the youngest female artist to top the UK Album charts with Mind Body & Soul. Across the pond, Stone’s sophomore LP earned her three Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Female Pop Performance (for “You Had Me”).
In 1991, Texas governor Ann Richards proclaimed October 3rd “Stevie Ray Vaughan Day,” to mark the late, Dallas-born musician’s birthday. Annual motorcycle rides and concerts in Central Texas benefit the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund.
BORN ON OCTOBER 3
1941: Chubby Checker
1949: Lindsey Buckingham
1954: Stevie Ray Vaughan
1962: Tommy Lee
1969: Gwen Stefani
1971: Kevin Richardson (Backstreet Boys)
1975: India Arie
1978: Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters)
