Rock lost one of its most eclectic creative geniuses to prostate cancer when Frank Zappa died on this day in 1993.

Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on December 4 include...

 

1942 Moby Grape bassist Bob Mosely born.

1944 Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson born.

1944 Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers bassist Chris Hillman born.

1948 Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes lead singer John Lyon born.

1951 Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington born.

1964 Beatles For Sale released in UK.

1967 Beatles open Apple Boutique in London.

1976 Zephyr, James Gang, Deep Purple guitarist Tommy Bolin ods on heroin & cocaine at 25 in Miami.

1980 Led Zeppelin announce breakup in the wake of Jon Bonham's September, 1980 death with an announcement that reads, "We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend, and the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were."

1988 Roy Orbison’s does his final performance in Cleveland.

1989 Supreme Court sides with Prince in finding he had not lifted U Got the Look from a song his half sister wrote. 

2006 Paul McCartney's handwritten lyrics for "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" sell for $192,000 in New York Auction. 
2009 Sammy Hagar hosts Grand Opening of his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Las Vegas.

2015 Crosby, Stills & Nash perform during National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, DC.

2015 A Beatles statue is unveiled in Liverpool.

2022 U2 is honored at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.