The four male members of the Platters are acquitted of charges of aiding and abetting prostitution, lewdness and assignation stemming from their August 10 arrest in Cincinnati. Municipal Court judge Gilbert Bettman, in handing down the decision, tells the black singers: "You have lost an opportunity to be an example to your people...You have taken that which can be the core of reproductive life and turned it into a socially abhorrant, tawdry indulgence in lust...For these transgressions you will be accountable in that highest court before which you must in the stand final judgement." (1959)
The Electric Prunes' "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night" is released. (1966)
The Steve Miller Blues Band, an unrecorded San Francisco group via Texas and Chicago, signs with Capitol Records for an unheard of $750,000. In doing so, the group drops the "Blues" from its name. (1967)
Otis Redding, one of the giants of soul music, is killed when his tour place crashes into a Wisconsin lake. He wrote and sung many hits, however his only Number One, "Dock of the Bay," is not released until after he passes on. Also killed were members of Redding's tour band. Otis Redding was 26. (1967)
Frank Zappa broke his leg and ankle and fractured his skull when he was pushed from a London stage by the jealous boyfriend of a Zappa fan. Zappa spent months in a wheelchair recovering. (1971)
Roberta Flack and two members of her backup band are injured while driving into Manhattan. Bassist Jerry Lemon lost control of Flack's new Citroen, totaling the car. Flack needs surgery on her lip and plans to keep her scheduled European tour, beginning next month. (1972)
"The Who by Numbers," which contains the hit single "Squeeze Box," earns the Who another gold record. (1975)
A three-record set of live performances from the U.S. Wings tour, "Wings over America," summarizes Paul McCartney's post-Beatles career with its 30-song selection, is released. The compilation with includes "My Love," "Silly Love Songs," "Titanium Man" and "Maybe I'm Amazed," reaches Number One. (1976)
Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall" goes platinum. It contains four Top Ten singles. Also on the same day, Kool & the Gang receive a gold record for "Ladies Night," the their third Top Ten hit. (1979)
The group assembled by Bob Geldof, Band-Aid releases the single "Do They Know It's Christmas". The proceeds of the song will go to famine relief. And Bob Geldof is eventually knighted on behalf of his efforts. (1984)
Legendary rock & roll deejay, and in fact the man who coined the phrase "Rock & Roll", Alan Freed is posthumously awarded a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star. (1991)
Rick Danko, bass player for The Band, dies in his sleep in Woodstock, New York one day after celebrating his 56th birthday. (1999)
(BOBBYORR)
'Maybe I'm Amazed' (from 'Rockshow') - Paul McCartney And Wings - YouTube
Squeeze Box The Who - YouTube
Today In Rock History Dec 10
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