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Today in Music History: A satisfying riff for the Stones

May 06, 2015

The Rolling Stones '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'
The Rolling Stones - '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'
Decca Records/album art

History Highlight:

Today in 1965, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, while staying in a hotel in Clearwater, Fla., worked out the opening guitar riff of what would become the song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", following Richard's purchase of a Gibson fuzz box earlier that day. The song is considered one of the all-time greatest rock songs ever recorded. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine placed "Satisfaction" in the second spot on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Also, Today In:

1971 - Ike & Tina Turner received their only Gold Record for their version of the Credence Clearwater Revival song, "Proud Mary." In the immortal words of Tina Turner, "We never do anything nice and easy; we always do everything … rough."

1972 - Elton John released "Rocket Man."

1973 - Paul Simon kicked off what would be his first tour without Art Garfunkel.

1977 - Drawing some 76,229 to the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., Led Zeppelin broke their own record for the largest gathering to attend a concert by a single act.

1994 - Pearl Jam filed charges against Ticketmaster in a federal court, claiming monopolistic practices on the part of the ticketing agency.

1997 - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held in Cleveland at the site of the hall itself for the first time. Previous ceremonies had only been held in New York City. Among the 1997 inductees were the Bee Gees, the Jackson Five, Joni Mitchell, the Young Rascals, Parliament, and Crosby Stills and Nash.

2000 - Local boy John Mellencamp was bestowed an honorary doctorate of music by Indiana University. Mellencamp also served as commencement speaker for the Class of 2000, removing his academic gown as he approached the lectern in the 80-degree heat.

2003 - Following Dixie Chicks member Natalie Maines' comments opposing President George W. Bush and the Iraq war, a Colorado radio station suspended two of its disc jockeys for playing music by the Dixie Chicks.

2005 - Starbucks Coffee banned the sale of Bruce Springsteen's latest album Devils and Dust over concerns about its adult content. The retailer said it would promote other albums instead.

Birthdays:

Bob Seger is 70.

Americana singer-songwriter Jimmie Dale Gilmore is 70.

John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants is 55.

Foo Fighters lead guitarist Chris Shiflett, is 44.