DECEMBER 6
TODAY IN 1975, PAUL SIMON REACHED #1 ON THE U.S. BILLBOARD HOT 100 WITH “50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER.” IT WAS HIS FIRST SOLO SINGLE TO HIT THE TOP SPOT AND FEATURED THE ICONIC DRUM GROOVE BY STEVE GADD.
ON THIS DAY IN 1969, THE ALTAMONT SPEEDWAY FREE FESTIVAL TOOK PLACE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. WHILE HEADLINED BY THE ROLLING STONES, THE EVENT WAS TRAGICALLY MARRED BY VIOLENCE, LEADING TO THE DEATH OF A CONCERTGOER.
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PETER BUCK, BORN DECEMBER 6, 1956. WITH HIS DISTINCTIVE JANGLE POP GUITAR TONE, BUCK IS GUITARIST AND CO-FOUNDER OF R.E.M.