November 9th: The Biggest Music Headlines

Scroll down the page to see all the music headlines, stories and events for November 9 throughout music history

Photo by Christopher Simon Sykes/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

‘Rolling Stone’ Publishes Its Inaugural Issue

On November 9, 1967, the very first issue of Rolling Stone was published. Founded by Jann Wenner and music writer Ralph J. Gleason, the then-San Francisco-based magazine focused its reporting on music and politics. Wenner and Gleason explained the inspiration behind the publication’s name in their inaugural issue, which featured John Lennon on the cover, wearing his costume for the film How I Won the War. “[It] comes from an old saying, ‘A rolling stone gathers no moss,’ they wrote. “Muddy Waters used the name for a song he wrote. The Rolling Stones took their name from Muddy’s song. Like a Rolling Stone was the title of Bob Dylan’s first rock and roll record. We have begun a new publication reflecting what we see are the changes in rock and roll and the changes related to rock and roll.”

In 1969 Simon and Garfunkel recorded one of their most famous songs, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Featuring lead vocals by Art Garfunkel, the lush ballad was a global smash, topping the charts in the UK, Canada, Indonesia, France, and the US, where it remained at No.1 for six weeks. The following year, it won five Grammy Awards. Over the decades, it has become one of history’s most-covered songs, with recordings by Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash, among dozens of others.

In 1968, Led Zeppelin played their first show in London at The Roundhouse, sharing the bill with John Lee Hooker, Deviants, John James, and Tyres. The show also served as the reception to frontman Robert Plant’s wedding, which took place earlier in the day.

In 1966, John Lennon and Yoko Ono met for the first time at London’s Indica Gallery, which was hosting the Japanese artist’s exhibit, Unfinished Paintings and Objects.

In 1993, Dave Matthews Band released their debut, Remember Two Things. The album, which marks the group’s only title to feature a “the” in front of their name, was primarily made up of live recordings. It was reissued in 1997, after the band signed to RCA, and certified platinum in 2002.

In 1955, The Everly Brothers made their first recordings, cutting four songs in just over 20 minutes at Nashville’s Old Tulane Hotel studios.

Looking for more things that happened on this day in music?
Keep scrolling for all of the headlines for November 9.

BORN ON NOVEMBER 9:

1941: Tom Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
1948: Alan Gratzer (REO Speedwagon)
1954: Dennis Stratton (Iron Maiden)
1960: Demetra Plakas (L7)
1969: Sandra “Pepa” Denton (Salt-N-Pepa)
1977: Sisqo
1994: MNEK

Looking for more artists born on this day?
Keep scrolling for all of our November 9 birthdays.

What to find another day?

November 9th

On this day in music

9 Nov 2023 Tracy Chapman's 35-year-old song 'Fast Car' was named both song and single of the year at the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville. The awards recognised a cover version by Luke Combs, which reached No.2 in the US. This also marked a long overdue milestone: Chapman became the first black songwriter to win Song of the Year in the ceremony's 57-year history.
9 Nov 2016 David Bowie's retrospective show at the Victoria & Albert Museum had enjoyed so much foot traffic it was now officially the most successful touring exhibition in the cultural institution’s 164-year history. According to the V&A’s over half a million people had visited David Bowie Is in sites across the globe, including the 312,000 visitors who saw the exhibition in London back in 2013.
9 Nov 2015 Scottish session drummer Andy White died aged 82. He was affectionately christened "the fifth Beatle" as he was best known for replacing Ringo Starr on drums on the The Beatles' first single, ‘Love Me Do’. White was featured on the American 7" single release of the song, which also appeared on the band's debut British album, Please Please Me. He also played on ‘P.S. I Love You’, which was the B-side of ‘Love Me Do’. White also worked with Chuck Berry, Billy Fury, Herman's Hermits and Tom Jones.
9 Nov 2014 One Direction were the big winners at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards, held in Glasgow, Scotland, picking up three awards including best pop act. They also won best live and biggest fans. Ariana Grande picked up her first EMA's for best female and best song for 'Problem'. 5 Seconds Of Summer won the Best New Act award.
9 Nov 2014 Cheryl Fernandez-Versini become the first British female solo artist to have five No.1 singles in the UK after her latest song, 'I Don't Care', entered the Official Charts in pole position. The 31-year-old overtook Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and Rita Ora, who both had four chart-toppers.
9 Nov 2008 Miriam Makeba, the South African singer who reached No.12 on the Billboard chart in 1967 with 'Pata Pata', suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 76. Among her many notable achievements was becoming the first African woman to win a Grammy, for Best Folk Recording in 1966 with Harry Belafonte for 'An Evening With Belafonte / Makeba'.
ADVERTISEMENT
9 Nov 2004 A Dutch man was jailed for nine months for harassing former Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm. The unnamed 39-year-old sent the singer parcels, letters and tapes during 2001. Dutch police searched the man's home after he tried to hand-deliver a parcel to Ms Chisholm's London home.
9 Nov 2002 It was announced that Madonna's latest movie 'Swept Away' would not be released in the UK because it had been such a box office flop in the US. The Washington Post said the film was "as awful as you've heard and as bad as you've imagined."
9 Nov 2002 Viewers of the UK music channel VH1 voted 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston as the number 1 most romantic song ever. In second place Elvis Presley 'You Were Always On My Mind' and third place went to 'My Heart Will Go On' by Celine Dion.
9 Nov 1999 American producer, songwriter and co-founder of Atlantic records Herb Abramson died age 82. He produced Tommy Tucker's 1964 hit 'High Heeled Sneakers.' He was the owner of A-1 Sound studios and clients included Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, The Supremes, Patti Smith and Muddy Waters.
9 Nov 1997 During a European tour, British guitarist and singer Paul Weller was arrested and spent the night in a French jail after smashing up his hotel room. His record company paid £4,000 to cover the damage; Weller was released the following day.
9 Nov 1996 Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was arrested after being stopped by police in London's Oxford Street and charged with possession of a class A controlled substance.
ADVERTISEMENT
9 Nov 1993 The Dave Matthews Band released their first album, ‘Remember Two Things’ on the Bama Rags label.
9 Nov 1991 Richard Marx played in five cities in 1 day during a 'Rush-n Rush Out, Street Tour'. Marx appeared in Baltimore, New York City, Cleveland, Chicago and Burbank Airport.
9 Nov 1991 Prince and the New Power Generation started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Cream', a No.15 hit in the UK.
9 Nov 1990 The internal revenue seized all of US country singers Willie Nelson's bank accounts and real estate holdings in connection with a $ 16 million tax debt. His lawyers convinced the IRS to accept a $6 million cash payment to settle the entire debt, but even this was more than Nelson was able to pay, despite being the most bankable country music star of the day.
9 Nov 1985 Jan Hammer went to No.1 on the US singles chart with the 'Miami Vice Theme', a No.5 hit in the UK.
9 Nov 1976 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their debut album on Shelter Records. The album received little attention in the United States. Following a British tour, it climbed to No. 24 on the UK albums chart and the single 'Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll' became a hit in the UK. After nearly a year and many positive reviews, the album reached the US charts, where it peaked at No. 55 in 1978 and eventually went Gold.
ADVERTISEMENT
9 Nov 1974 Bachman Turner Overdrive went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet'. Randy Bachman stuttered through the lyrics of the demo recording as a private joke about his brother Gary, who had a speech impediment. The record company liked that take better than the non-stammering version and released it.
9 Nov 1969 Simon and Garfunkel record what would become their signature tune, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' with future member of Bread, Larry Knechtel on piano. Art wanted Paul to sing the song, but Paul insisted that Art's voice was better suited for it. It was a decision that Paul would later say he regretted. The song won five awards at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in 1971, including Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
9 Nov 1968 Led Zeppelin played their first ever London show when they appeared at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm on the same bill as John Lee Hooker, Deviants, John James and Tyres. Zeppelin singer Robert Plant married his girlfriend Maureen in London on this day and held the reception at the gig.
9 Nov 1967 The first issue of Rolling Stone Magazine was published in San Francisco. It featured a photo of John Lennon on the cover, dressed in army fatigues while acting in his recent film, How I Won the War and the first issue had a free roach clip to hold a marijuana joint. The name of the magazine was compiled from three significant sources: the Muddy Waters song, the first rock ‘n’ roll record by Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones.
9 Nov 1966 John Lennon met Yoko Ono for the first time when he visited her art exhibition 'Unfinished Paintings and Objects' at the Indica Gallery in London.
9 Nov 1961 Brian Epstein saw The Beatles playing live for the first time during a lunchtime session at The Cavern Liverpool. Epstein went on to be the group's manager. That night they appeared at Litherland Town Hall in Liverpool.
ADVERTISEMENT
9 Nov 1958 Elvis Presley's 'Hound Dog', exceeded three million copies sold in the USA, becoming only the third single to do so. Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' & 'Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer' by Gene Autry being the other two.
9 Nov 1955 The Everly Brothers made their first studio recordings cutting four tracks in 22 minutes, at Nashville's Old Tulane Hotel studios. Family friend Chet Atkins engineered a chance for The Everly Brothers to record for Columbia Records in early 1956. However, their first and only single for the label, 'Keep A' Lovin' Me', was a flop, and they were quickly dropped from Columbia.

Born on this day in music

9 Nov 1996 South Korean singer Momo Hirai who rose to prominence as a member of the South Korean girl group Twice, created by JYP Entertainment through the reality television show Sixteen (2015). Twice scored the 2024 US No.1 6 track album With You-th.
9 Nov 1994 British recording artist, musician, singer, songwriter and record producer MNEK. His writing and production credits include Little Mix, Dua Lipa, The Saturdays, Clean Bandit, Craig David, Christina Aguilera, Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé and Madonna.
9 Nov 1984 Delta Goodrem, Australian singer, actress, (Nina Tucker in TV soap opera Neighbours). She had the 2002 Australian No.1 and 2003 UK No. 3 single ‘Born To Try’ plus six other Australian No.1 singles and scored the 2003 UK No.2 album ‘Innocent Eyes’.
9 Nov 1977 American R&B singer Sisqo, (a.k.a. Mark Andrews). His debut studio album Unleash the Dragon (1999), peaked at No.2 on the Billboard 200. It spawned the singles 'Incomplete' and 'Thong Song', which peaked at No.1 and No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.
9 Nov 1970 American singer and guitarist Susan Tedeschi. A multiple Grammy Award nominee, she is a member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, a conglomeration of her band, her husband Derek Trucks' band, and other musicians. In 2000, Just Won't Burn (1998) reached Gold record status for sales of 500,000 in the United States, rare for a blues production.
9 Nov 1970 American rapper and record producer, Scarface, (Brad Terrance Jordan). He had the 1997 US No.1 album The Untouchable and 8 other albums reach the US Top 20. He was a member of the Geto Boys, a hip-hop group from Houston, Texas.
ADVERTISEMENT
9 Nov 1969 Sandra Denton (Pepa) from American hip-hop/rap trio Salt-N-Pepa who formed in New York City in 1985 from New York City. Their debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986), sold more than 1 million copies in the US, making them the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status. They had the 1991 UK No.2 hit single 'Let's Talk About Sex'.
9 Nov 1960 Demetra Plakas, drummer with American rock band L7 who were associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s. L7 influenced many of the riot grrrl bands of the 1990s.
9 Nov 1956 British session keyboardist, record producer, and songwriter, Kevin Savigar. He has contributed to a wide range of recordings for artists such as Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, John Mellencamp, Peter Frampton, Willie Nelson and Randy Newman.
9 Nov 1954 English guitarist Dennis Stratton, best known as a member of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, from December 1979 to October 1980. He was also the lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of Praying Mantis from 1990 to 2006.
9 Nov 1950 American singer David Ebo. He replaced Teddy Pendergrass in Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in 1976. Ebo sang lead on four albums, starting with Reaching for the World and ending with All Things Happen In Time (1981). He died of bone cancer on 30 November 1993, 21 days after his 43rd birthday.
9 Nov 1948 Alan Gratzer, drummer from American rock band REO Speedwagon, who had the 1981 US No.1's 'Keep On Loving You' and 'Can't Fight This Feeling'. They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a flatbed truck. Their best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), contained four US Top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies.
ADVERTISEMENT
9 Nov 1948 Multi-instrumentalist Joe Bouchard, who was the bassist in American hard rock band Blue Oyster Cult. They scored the 1976 US No.12 & 1978 UK No.16 single '(Don't Fear) The Reaper'. Blue Oyster Cult have sold over 24 million records worldwide.
9 Nov 1944 Phil May, singer with the Pretty Things. He played on all of their charting singles, which included 'Rosalyn', (covered by David Bowie on his Pinups album) 'Don't Bring Me Down', 'Road Runner', and 'Cry to Me'. They took their name from Willie Dixon's 1955 song 'Pretty Thing'. He died on 15 May 2020 age 75 after suffering complications from emergency hip surgery.
9 Nov 1943 Lee Graziano drummer from American rock band American Breed, who scored the 1967 US No.5 single 'Bend Me, Shape Me', (a hit on the British charts for the British group Amen Corner). The band also found themselves in high demand in the lucrative radio jingles market, recording commercials for Coca-Cola, the United States Navy, and Bell Telephone, among others. Their television commercial for American Airlines ('Fly the American Way') was also a big success in the top twenty.
9 Nov 1941 American musician Tom Fogerty, best known as the rhythm guitarist for Creedence Clearwater Revival who scored the 1969 US No.2 & UK No.1 single 'Bad Moon Rising', and the 1970 US & UK No.1 album Cosmo's Factory. The band has sold 26 million albums in the United States alone. The band's most prolific and successful period, between 1969 and 1971, produced 14 consecutive top-10 singles. Fogerty died on 6 September 1990. In the time leading up to his death, Fogerty suffered from AIDS, which his family believed he contracted from a blood transfusion he received while undergoing back surgery.
9 Nov 1937 English poet, performance poet, broadcaster, children's author and playwright Roger McGough, who with The Scaffold had the 1968 UK Christmas No.1 single 'Lily The Pink'. The modernisation of an older folk song titled 'The Ballad of Lydia Pinkham', the lyrics celebrate the "medicinal compound" invented by Lily the Pink.
9 Nov 1936 Mary Travers, singer-songwriter from American folk group Peter Paul and Mary, who had the 1969 US No.1 & 1970 UK No.2 single 'Leaving On A Jet Plane'. The Bob Dylan song 'Blowin' in the Wind' was one of their biggest hit singles. They also sang other Dylan songs, such as 'The Times They Are a-Changin'' and 'Don't Think Twice, It's All Right'. They were very successful in the early- and mid-1960s, with their debut album topping the charts for weeks, and helped popularise the folk music revival. She died on 16th Sept 2009 aged 72.
ADVERTISEMENT