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Today in Music History: Sly and The Family Stone Have Their Final #1

December 04, 2012

Birthdays:

Chris Hillman of The Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers is 68 today.

Today In:

1965 - The Byrds started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with "Turn! Turn! Turn!", the group's second No.1.

1979 - U2 appeared at The Hope and Anchor in London. Misnamed 'The U2s', they played to only nine people and the show ended abruptly after The Edge broke a guitar string.

1980 - Prince played the first night on his 31 date Dirty Mind North American tour at Shea's Theater in Buffalo, New York. After being told by his managers he couldn't wear spandex pants without any underwear, Prince began performing in a long trench coat, black high heeled boots and leggings, and bikini brief trunks.

1988 - Roy Orbison played his final ever gig when he appeared in Cleveland, Ohio. Orbison died of a heart attack two days later.

1993 - Multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer, Frank Zappa died of prostate cancer.

History Highlight:

Today in 1971, Sly and the Family Stone started a five-week run at No.1 on the US single chart with "Family Affair", their third US No.1. Their first new material since the double a-sided single "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"/ "Everybody Is a Star" nearly two years prior, "Family Affair" became the fourth and final number-one pop hit for the band. Rolling Stone later ranked the song #138 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.