Today in Music History: Ringo says, 'Stop the fan mail'
October 13, 2015
History Highlight:
Today in 2008, Ringo Starr announced that he no longer has time to respond to fan mail or to sign autographs. In a video message on his website, Starr asked fans not to send him any mail at all. "No more fan mail and no objects to be signed. Nothing," he said. "Peace and love." Two days later, following a backlash from fans, Starr explained that his announcement was "in direct response to an inordinate amount of items which have recently appeared for sale on eBay." Starr was also concerned that all the correspondence amounted to "a waste of paper, and we all should be mindful of our carbon footprint."
Also, Today In:
1962 - Don Everly collapsed during rehearsals on stage at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London on the eve of a 22-date Everly Brothers U.K. tour. He was flown back to the U.S. for treatment and the tour continued with Phil Everly performing solo.
1973 - The Rolling Stones started a four-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with Goats Head Soup, the group's fourth U.S. No. 1.
1979 - Michael Jackson went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough," his second solo chart-topper.
1984 - Stevie Wonder started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "I Just Called To Say I Love You," it was his seventh U.S. No. 1.
1990 - George Michael went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Praying For Time," his sixth U.S. solo No. 1.
2002 - The band Muse took legal action against Céline Dion after she announced her forthcoming Las Vegas show would be called "Muse." Singer Matt Bellamy from the band said, "We don't want anyone to think we're Céline Dion's backing band."
2004 - The Internal Revenue Service charged 63-year-old Ronald Isley, lead singer of the Isley Brothers, with tax evasion for failing to report income from royalties and performances by the band between 1997 and 2002. Isley was later found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison.
More Birthdays:
Paul Simon is 74.
Sammy Hagar is 68.
Marie Osmond is 56.