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Today in Music History: Honoring Otis Redding

December 10, 2014

History Highlight:

Today in 1967, Otis Redding and several members of his band died when their plane crashed into a lake near Madison, Wisconsin. His biggest hit, "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay," had been recorded just three days earlier. Redding was 26.

Also, Today In:

1983 - Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson started a six week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with "Say Say Say", a horrible song.

1998 - Bruce Springsteen was victorious in a $4 million court battle to prevent the release of an album of his early recordings.

2007 - Led Zeppelin played their first concert in 19 years, at London's 02 Arena as part of the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert. Original band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones were joined on stage by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham.

2008 - The Associated Press reported that the US military used loud music to "create fear, disorient and prolong capture shock" for prisoners at military detention centers at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Among the songs blasted 24 hours a day were 'Born In The USA' by Bruce Springsteen, 'Hell's Bells' by AC/DC, 'White America' by Eminem, 'The Theme From Sesame Street' and 'I Love You' from the Barney and Friends children's TV show.

Birthdays:

Meg White, drummer for White Stripes, is 40 today.

J Mascis is 49 today.