thebuzzr Independent Music Coverage

November 5, 1999 

Van Halen announce that lead singer Gary Cherone, who joined in 1996 and sang on the Van Halen III album, is leaving the band. All parties claim the split is amicable. The group later coaxes Sammy Hagar back into the fold, and reunites with original frontman David Lee Roth in 2007.

November 6, 1975 

The Sex Pistols play their first-ever gig, opening for the band Bazooka Joe at St. Martin’s School of Art in London. Bazooka Joe’s lead singer is Stuart Goddard, who is so inspired by the set that he drops out of art school and takes the name Adam Ant.

November 7, 1969 

After Life magazine tracks down Paul McCartney at his farm in Scotland, they put him on the cover with his family, dispelling the “Paul is dead” rumors with the headline, “Paul Is Still With Us.”

November 8, 2002 

8 Mile, a semi-biographical look at Eminem’s early days as a struggling rapper in Detroit, opens in theaters. The film is a critical and commercial success, and Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” becomes the first rap song to win the Oscar for Best Original Song.

November 9, 1985 

The Miami Vice Theme hits #1 on the Hot 100, the last instrumental song to top the tally.

November 10, 2007 

“Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang becomes first rap song to hit the Billboard Hot 100, entering the chart at #84.

November 11, 1972 

Berry Oakley (bassist for The Allman Brothers Band) dies at age 24 after a motorcycle accident in Macon, Georgia, just three blocks from the site of Duane Allman’s fatal motorcycle crash a year earlier.

November 12, 1973 

In Leeds, England, Queen begin their first tour. They’re the opening act for Mott the Hoople.