In celebration of the band’s 40th anniversary, San Francisco has announced December 16 is now officially ‘Metallica Day’ and they held a ceremony yesterday to commemorate this honor. The metal legends already had a taste of ‘Metallica Night’ in years past, but not on a city-wide scale. For years, they have been celebrated by the San Francisco Giants, who have held special events once a season to recognize the group’s massive accomplishments and deep ties to the city.
Toni Cornell, one of the late Chris Cornell’s daughters, appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night, and sang Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” as a tribute to her father.
In the History of Rock in 1963 – James Carroll at WWDC in Washington, DC, became the first disc jockey to broadcast The Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, which he had obtained from his flight attendant girlfriend, who brought the single back from Britain. Due to listener demand, the song was played daily, every hour. Since it hadn't been released yet in the States, Capitol Records initially considered court action, but instead released the single earlier than planned.
In 1986 – The Doobie Brothers reunite for a benefit in Palo Alto, California. The performance inspires a reunion tour the next year and leads to one last Billboard Top Ten hit, 1989’s “The Doctor”.
And in 1999 – The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards decides to keep a guitar that he was asked to autograph, outside his birthday party at the Russian Tea Room in New York City. The owner of the guitar decides not to press charges saying, “It’s Keith, man.”