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December 17, 1971 David Bowie releases his fourth album, Hunky Dory, which opens with the anthemic "Changes."
December 14, 1971 Radical John Sinclair, who was arrested for marijuana possession in 1969 and given a 10-year prison sentence, is released from prison thanks to high-profile supporters such as John Lennon.
December 10, 1971 Scot Alexander (bass guitarist for Dishwalla) is born in Santa Barbara, California.
December 10, 1971 During a concert in London, Frank Zappa is thrown into the orchestra pit by a fan's jealous boyfriend, breaking his leg and ankle and fracturing his skull. Zappa takes months to recover.
December 10, 1971 At the "Free John Sinclair Rally" in Ann Arbor, Michigan, John Lennon debuts his new song, fittingly called "John Sinclair." Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger and Phil Ochs also appear at the rally, which is an effort to get Sinclair, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of two marijuana joints, out of jail. Sinclair was released two days later.
December 10, 1971 Davy Jones of the Monkees guest stars on The Brady Bunch episode "Getting Davy Jones," where Marcia tries to get the dreamy singer to perform at her prom.More
December 4, 1971 During a Frank Zappa concert, the Montreux Casino in Switzerland catches fire when someone fires a flare gun, inspiring Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water." Deep Purple are there to record their album Machine Head the following day, but end up using the Grand Hotel and including the song as a last-minute addition.More
December 3, 1971 Deep Purple arrive in Montreux, Switzerland to record their Machine Head album at the Montreux Casino. It doesn't go as planned: The casino burns down the next day and they end up recording in a hotel using the Rolling Stones' mobile unit. They tell the tale in the song "Smoke On The Water."
December 1, 1971 John Lennon releases "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" in the US. An anti-war Christmas song with the chorus "War is over, if you want it," the song endures as a holiday favorite.
November 26, 1971 Yes release Fragile, their fourth album and first with keyboard player Rick Wakeman. It includes some of their most enduring songs, including "Long Distance Runaround" and "Roundabout."
November 18, 1971 Junior Parker dies during surgery for a brain tumor in Blue Island, Illinois, at age 39. Known for '50s R&B hits like "Feelin' Good," "Love My Baby," and "Mystery Train" (later covered by Elvis Presley).
November 18, 1971 Procul Harum record their album Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The extracted version of "Conquistador" climbs to #16 the following year.
November 17, 1971 Laura Nyro releases Gonna Take A Miracle, a tribute to '50s and '60s soul music, with Labelle as her backup singers. The R&B trio, formerly known as Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, will release their defining hit a few years later: "Lady Marmalade."
November 13, 1971 Three Dog Night's "An Old Fashioned Love Song" enters the Hot 100 at #77. The song was written by Paul Williams, who was a popular actor in the '70s and '80s as well as a songwriter.
November 8, 1971 Paul McCartney throws a party at London's Empire Ballroom to officially launch his new group, Wings.
November 8, 1971 Led Zeppelin IV - the one with "Stairway To Heaven" - is released.More
November 5, 1971 Jonny Greenwood (lead guitarist, keyboardist of Radiohead) is born in Oxford, England.
November 5, 1971 Elton John releases his fourth album, Madman Across The Water. It doesn't contain any big hits, but "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" endure as classics.
November 2, 1971 John Hampson (vocalist, guitarist for Nine Days) is born in the US.
October 24, 1971 Don McLean's second album, American Pie, is released. Thanks to the title track, it goes to #1 and sends him from folk obscurity to pop stardom, a transition that proves challenging.
October 17, 1971 Chris Kirkpatrick is born in Clarion, Pennsylvania. He joins 'N Sync, and also makes cameo appearances in music videos for A Day to Remember's "2nd Sucks," and Good Charlotte's "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous."
October 15, 1971 Rick Nelson (formerly Ricky) plays the "Rock & Roll Spectacular" concert at Madison Square Garden. When he plays some newer songs, the hit-hungry audience boos. Nelson writes the song "Garden Party" about the experience, and it becomes a hit, reviving his career.More
October 14, 1971 Little Richard's publisher sues Creedence Clearwater Revival, claiming "Travelin' Band" is too similar to Richard's "Good Golly Miss Molly." A settlement is eventually reached.
October 13, 1971 The Velvet Vampire is released in the US; the soundtrack includes "Evil Hearted Woman Blues" performed live by its composer Johnny Shines.
October 2, 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.
October 2, 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.
October 1, 1971 Cat Stevens releases his fifth album, Teaser And The Firecat, with the hits "Peace Train" and "Morning Has Broken."
September 21, 1971 The musical variety show The Old Grey Whistle Test premieres on BBC-TV, featuring America as well as clips of Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan.
September 13, 1971 Paul McCartney and wife Linda welcome a daughter: Stella Nina McCartney. Stella, who will grow up to be a fashion designer, joins older sister Mary and half-sister Heather (Linda's daughter from a previous marriage).
September 13, 1971 Deep Purple write "Highway Star" on the way to show in Portsmouth, UK, where they play it that night.
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