2026-10-01 · On this day
October 1 in Music History: 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Al Jackson Jr., Lynsey de Paul and 9 more
12 rock stories from October 1: concerts, releases, turning points and the people behind them.
2017: 2017 Las Vegas shooting
On October 1, 2017: Sixty people are killed and 867 others injured in a mass shooting at a country music festival at the Las Vegas Strip in the United States; the gunman, Stephen Paddock, later commits suicide.
On October 1, 2017, a mass shooting occurred at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. The gunman, Stephen Paddock, opened fire on the crowd from his 32nd-floor suite in the Mandalay Bay hotel, killing 58 people and wounding at least 413 others. The ensuing panic led to a total of 867 people being injured.
The shooting was carried out by 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, who later took his own life by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The motive for the shooting was not officially determined.
1975: Al Jackson Jr.
On October 1, 1975: Al Jackson, Jr., American drummer, songwriter, and producer (born 1935)
Al Jackson Jr. was a highly influential American drummer, songwriter, and producer who was a founding member of the renowned group Booker T. & the M.G.'s. This ensemble of session musicians was closely associated with Stax Records, where they produced their own instrumental music. Jackson earned the nickname "The Human Timekeeper" due to his exceptional drumming skills.
Al Jackson Jr. passed away in 1975, marking the end of a career that spanned several decades. His posthumous recognition includes induction into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Booker T. & the M.G.'s in 1992.
2014: Lynsey de Paul
On October 1, 2014: Lynsey de Paul, English singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress (born 1948)
Lynsey de Paul was a multifaceted English artist who began her career as a songwriter for other artists before achieving success as a singer-songwriter in the 1970s. Her breakthrough came with the UK top 10 single "Sugar Me", marking the beginning of a string of chart hits in the UK and Europe.
In the late 1970s, Lynsey de Paul represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, finishing in second place alongside Mike Moran with the song "Rock Bottom". This achievement was notable, as it made her the first British female artist to achieve a number one with a self-written song in Switzerland.
1968: Kevin Griffin
On October 1, 1968: Kevin Griffin, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
Kevin Griffin was born in 1968. He is a singer, songwriter, and record producer from the United States.
Kevin Griffin is the lead vocalist of the rock band Better Than Ezra, with whom he has released numerous studio albums. He has also released a solo record.
1955: Howard Hewett
On October 1, 1955: Howard Hewett, American singer-songwriter
Howard Hewett is an American singer-songwriter born in 1955. He initially gained fame as the lead vocalist of the group Shalamar, a prominent R&B and pop ensemble of the 1970s and 1980s.
Howard Hewett pursued a solo career after leaving Shalamar in 1985, signing with Elektra Records and releasing his debut album I Commit to Love in 1986. He also contributed to the soundtrack of the film Beverly Hills Cop, which won a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media in 1986.
1951: Brian Greenway
On October 1, 1951: Brian Greenway, Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist
Brian Greenway is a Canadian musician and the longest-serving member of the rock band April Wine. He joined the band in 1977 and has performed various roles, including guitar, harmonica, and vocals. Prior to his tenure with April Wine, Greenway was a member of the bands Mashmakhan and the Dudes.
Greenway initially left April Wine in 1986, but rejoined the band in 1992, a position he still holds to this day.
1947: Martin Turner
On October 1, 1947: Martin Turner, English singer-songwriter and bass player
Martin Turner was born in 1947. As a founding member of the rock band Wishbone Ash, he played bass guitar and provided lead vocals. Turner's work with Wishbone Ash spanned several years, during which the band developed a distinctive sound that blended elements of folk, rock, and psychedelia.
In his later career, Martin Turner went on to form the band "Martin Turner Ex-Wishbone Ash," where he continues to perform and record music as the lead singer and bassist.
1947: Mariska Veres
On October 1, 1947: Mariska Veres, Dutch singer (died 2006)
Mariska Veres was born in 1947. She was a Dutch singer known for her distinctive voice and striking appearance, which included kohl-rimmed eyes and long, jet-black hair.
Mariska Veres was the lead vocalist of the rock group Shocking Blue, a band that gained international recognition in the 1960s and 1970s.
1945: Donny Hathaway
On October 1, 1945: Donny Hathaway, American singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer (died 1979)
Donny Hathaway was born in 1945, a year that marked the beginning of a remarkable musical journey. As a singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer, Hathaway's soulful voice and keyboard skills captivated audiences and critics alike. His music often dealt with themes of social justice and personal struggle, reflecting his own experiences growing up in a low-income neighborhood in St. Louis.
Hathaway's later career was marked by numerous collaborations with other artists, including Roberta Flack, with whom he recorded several duets. He was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame and received a Grammy Award for his work. In 2019, Hathaway was posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a testament to his enduring impact on the music world.
1943: Jerry Martini
On October 1, 1943: Jerry Martini, American saxophonist
Jerry Martini was born in 1943. He is an American saxophonist known for his work with the influential funk and rock band Sly and the Family Stone.
Jerry Martini's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 recognized his contributions to the band's unique sound.
1935: Julie Andrews
On October 1, 1935: Julie Andrews, English actress and singer
Julie Andrews was born in 1935, marking the beginning of a storied career in the entertainment industry. As a young woman, she began performing in musical theater, eventually making her way to the West End stage in London. Her early success in the 1950s and 1960s led to her becoming a prominent figure in British entertainment.
Julie Andrews' later career has been marked by numerous accolades and recognition for her contributions to the arts. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the Kennedy Center Honors, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and the AFI Life Achievement Award. Her work has been celebrated by audiences and critics alike, solidifying her place as a beloved and respected figure in the entertainment industry.
1930: Richard Harris
On October 1, 1930: Richard Harris, Irish actor (died 2002)
Richard Harris was born in 1930, an Irish actor and singer who studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He rose to prominence as an icon of the British New Wave, earning numerous accolades for his performances.
Richard Harris's later career was marked by his versatility as an actor and singer, with a range of notable roles in film and other media.