Pat Benatar was born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski on this day in 1953 in Greenpoint, New York. The daughter of a beautician and a sheet metal worker, she developed an early interest in theater and began taking singing lessons when she was just eight. She was involved in a number of school musical productions and had her sights set on attending Julliard but ended up attending New York State University at Stony Brook before marrying her high school sweetheart, Dennis Benatar. Inspired by attending a Liza Minnelli concert, she began performing at a Richmond, Virginia nightclub. The couple relocated to New York in 1975, where Pat became a regular at the showcase club known as Catch a Rising Star. That brought her to the attention of a number of record label people. Chrysalis signed her to a contract and her debut album, In The Heat of the Night, with her cover of John Mellencamp's I Need a Lover, earned her a foothold as one of the premiere lead vocalists of the 80's.
1935 Ronnie Hawkins is born.
1943 Jim Croce is born.
1945 Rod Stewart is born.
1946 Aynsley Dunbar (Journey, Whitesnake) born.
1948 Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen born.
1949 The first vinyl records are announced by RCA and Columbia Records.
1964 Rolling Stones record Not Fade Away.
1964 Introducing The Beatles released in the US.
1964 The Rolling Stones record Not Fade Away.
1969 George Harrison announces he is leaving the Beatles. Changes his mind soon after.
1976 Howlin’ Wolf (Little Red Rooster, Spoonful, Smokestack Lightning) dies of cancer.
1978 The suit between the Beatles, Apple, former manager Allen Klein and ABKCO Records is settled.
1981 Linda Ronstadt debuts in The Pirates of Penzance on Broadway.
1984 Ted Nugent guests on Miami Vice.
2000 David Crosby revealed to be the father of Melissa Etheridge and Julie Cypher's child.
2003 Stolen master tapes of Beatles 1970's sessions recovered.
2006 Eric Burdon releases Soul Of A Man.
2014 Large group of musicians honor Gregg Allman in Atlanta tribute concert at Fox Theater.
2016 David Bowie dies of cancer.
2023 Jeff Beck dies of bacterial meningitis at 78.
