This Week in Music History

July 9th, 1999 – Following multiple reports of ill health and the cancellation of tour dates, Elton John undergoes an operation at a hospital in London and is fitted with a pacemaker.

July 10th, 1987 – Producer and record exec John Hammond passes away today. He was responsible for jump-starting the careers of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Leonard Cohen and Bruce Springsteen, plus he is credited with producing for Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman and Count Basie.

July 11th, 1971 – Bruce Springsteen’s band opens for Peter Frampton’s band Humble Pie at the Sunshine Inn, Asbury Park. Afterward Frampton, impressed with Bruce offers to have them open for him on a national tour and audition for his record label, A & M records. Tinker West, Springsteen’s manager declines both offers on the spot for what appeares to be no good reason.

July 12th, 1988 – Michael Jackson arrives in the UK for a stretch of performances. It’s his first time as solo act and will play eight nights to a total of 794,000 people.

July 13th, 1985 – Duran Duran has a No. 1 hit on the singles chart with ‘A View To A Kill’. It is the first time a James Bond theme song has gone all the way to the top of the charts.

July 14th, 1982 – Van Halen kicks off their 105-date North American ‘Hide Your Sheep Tour’ at Richmond County Civic Center in Augusta, Georgia.

July 15th, 1998 – Aerosmith cancels a forthcoming US tour after drummer Joey Kramer is involved in a freak accident. Kramer’s car caught on fire and was completely destroyed as he was filling it up at a gas station. He was sustained second-degree burns and was admitted to a nearby hospital.