2 OCTOBER
In Music History
1981 The Police's fourth album is the last in a sequence of four annual autumn releases. The title, Ghost in the Machine, is taken from a psychology book by Arthur Koestler and breaks their erstwhile tradition of giving their records French-sounding titles. It is a #2 hit in the US, led by the hit single "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic."
1980 Members of the First Assembly Church of God in Ankeny, Iowa, burn various books and albums they deem Satanic in influence and that encourage "pre-marital sex, homosexuality and immorality." Albums set ablaze include the Woodstock soundtrack and elections from Peter Frampton and The Beatles.
1979 Regatta de Blanc is The Police's second album release. It is even more successful than their debut and earns the band their first Grammy award in 1980. The French title loosely translates to "White Reggae."
1978 Gene Simmons' self-titled solo album is certified Platinum.
1977 After a plot is uncovered to steal it, Elvis Presley's body is moved from its Memphis mausoleum to its final resting place in the Meditation Garden at Graceland.
1976 Joe Cocker is the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, where he performs "Feelin' Alright" with his nemesis impersonator, John Belushi.
1973 Lene Grawford Nystrom (lead singer for Aqua) is born in Tonsberg, Norway.
1973 R&B singer LaTocha Scott (of Xscape) is born in Atlanta, Georgia.
1971 Soul Train makes its debut, with guests Gladys Knight & the Pips, Eddie Kendricks, and Honey Cone. It stays on the air an astonishing 35 years.
1971 Rod Stewart, still a member of the group Faces, goes to #1 in America with his mandolin-powered solo smash "Maggie May," inspired by the woman who took his virginity.
1971 Rod Stewart's LP Every Picture Tells A Story hits #1.
1971 Pop singer Tiffany is born Tiffany Darwish in Norwalk, California. She has two #1 hits: "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Could've Been."
1970 R&B singer Dion Allen (of Az Yet) is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known for the song "Last Night" and the Chicago cover "Hard to Say I'm Sorry."
1970 Pink Floyd release their fourth album, Atom Heart Mother, in the UK. It becomes their first #1 album in that territory.
1969 Bobby Darin appears for the first time on TV as "Bob" Darin when he performs on Tom Jones' TV show.
Tom Petty Dies
2017Tom Petty, 66, goes into cardiac arrest at his Malibu home. He is taken to UCLA medical center, but cannot be revived. Later that night, after his friends and family gather, he is taken off life support.
Read more2 OCTOBER
Featured Events
2011 Louis Tomlinson of One Direction sends a tweet to his bandmate Harry Styles that becomes the second-most-retweeted in history.More
2002 Return of the King: 25 years after his death, Elvis Presley has a #1 album in 17 countries - including the United States - when Elv1s 30 No. 1 Hits makes its debut.
1995 (What's the Story?) Morning Glory is released and makes worldwide stars of the British rock band Oasis. The epic "Champagne Supernova" - exclusively released as a single in the US - reaches #1 on the Modern Rock chart.
1982 "Jack And Diane," a little ditty about two American kids growin' up in the heartland, hits #1 in America. It's the first and only #1 on the tally for John Cougar, who later reverts to his real name, John Mellencamp.
1954 Elvis Presley makes his one and only appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, where he sings "Blue Moon Of Kentucky." It doesn't go over well with the crowd, which does not approve of his take on traditional country music. The Opry's talent director, Jim Denny, reportedly tells Presley he should go back to driving a truck. Elvis swears never to return.
1951 Sting is born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in Wallsend, Northumberland, England. He earns his nickname when a fellow musician says he looks like a bee in his yellow-and-black striped sweater. He is working as a schoolteacher when his band The Police hit the big time.More
©2024 Songfacts®, LLC