Pick a Day

Music History Events: Awards and Honors

January 18, 1985 USA Today readers select Cleveland, Ohio, as their choice for the permanent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

November 20, 1984 Michael Jackson is awarded a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame directly in front of Mann's famous Chinese Theatre, creating the largest-ever crowd for such an unveiling.

September 26, 1984 Paul Anka receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6840 Hollywood Blvd.

April 9, 1984 Cher, for her performance in Silkwood, loses the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award to Linda Hunt (in The Year Of Living Dangerously). Cher would win for Best Actress three years later for her role in Moonstruck.

October 1, 1983 The first ever David Bowie convention is held in London's Cunard Hotel. Speakers at the convention include Bowie's former dance teacher, Lindsay Kemp; Bowie's former manager, Ken Pitt; guitar player John Hutchinson; Bowie archivist, Kev Cann; and photographer Ray Stevenson.

March 7, 1983 The Songwriter's Hall of Fame inducts Neil Sedaka and Stevie Wonder into their ranks during their annual New York ceremony.

September 23, 1982 Brenda Lee is inducted into the Georgia Hall of Fame.

August 18, 1982 The Beatles' hometown of Liverpool, England, renames some streets in honor of the band members. There is John Lennon Drive, Paul McCartney Way, George Harrison Close, Ringo Starr Drive, and even Sutcliffe Street (in honor of original bass player Stu Sutcliffe).

May 26, 1982 Bobby Darin, who died in 1973, gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

May 6, 1982 Diana Ross gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a solo artist.

March 15, 1982 The Songwriters Hall of Fame, formed in 1969, finally lets Bob Dylan in.

December 16, 1981 Ray Charles receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

August 26, 1981 The mayor of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Marion Dewar, declares today "Paul Anka Day" in honor of its Paul Anka.

August 7, 1981 It's "Wolverton Mountain Day" in Arkansas in honor of the Claude King song "Wolverton Mountain," which is named after a real mountain in the state.

August 5, 1981 Olivia Newton-John is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

July 19, 1981 The mayor of Odessa, Texas, declares today Roy Orbison Day in honor of the singer. (Orbison was actually from Wink, a microscopic town about 35 miles west.)

February 5, 1981 Joni Mitchell is inducted into Canada's Juno Hall of Fame.

October 4, 1980 Fleetwood Mac members Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks join the USC Trojan Marching Band, which performed on their hit "Tusk," during halftime of the football game between USC and Arizona State. Nicks twirls a baton, Fleetwood plays a bass drum, and Buckingham mock conducts as the band plays the song. The USC band is then presented with a platinum record for their contribution.

March 14, 1980 On his 47th birthday, Quincy Jones is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1500 Vine Street.

January 1, 1980 Cliff Richard becomes just the third rock act honored with an MBE (Member of the British Empire) designation, following The Beatles and Elton John.

November 26, 1979 In London, Bill Haley, on what would be his last tour of the UK, plays for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Command Performance.

October 24, 1979 The Guinness Book of World Records presents Paul McCartney with a special rhodium album for being the best-selling songwriter in the history of recorded music, having written 43 platinum songs and sold over 100 million records.

October 10, 1979 Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley declares "Fleetwood Mac Day," and the group receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6608 Hollywood Boulevard. Two days later the album Tusk is released, the highly anticipated follow-up to Rumours.

September 14, 1979 It's "Kenny Rogers Day" in Los Angeles as the singer gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6666 Hollywood Blvd.

February 15, 1979 Donna Summer's "Last Dance" wins two Grammys: Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song.

February 15, 1979 Barry Manilow wins his first and only Grammy Award when "Copacabana (At The Copa)" is named Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 21st Annual Grammy Awards.

December 28, 1978 Rolling Stone's annual Readers and Critics Poll both agree that The Rolling Stones album Some Girls is Album Of The Year.

January 18, 1978 Neil Sedaka is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

October 1, 1977 The Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame inducts its first musician: Elton John.

September 24, 1977 Barely a month after his untimely death, the first national Elvis Presley convention takes place in Memphis.