DJ Fred’s Rock N’ Roll Factoids For December 8th [VIDEOS]

After a five year hiatus, he had just recorded and released a new album.  He wouldn't get a chance to enjoy it's success.

It was on this date in 1980 that John Lennon was shot to death outside of his New York City apartment as he approached the doorway with his wife Yoko by his side. The murderer had been stalking Lennon since mid-morning and had actually had him autograph an album just a few hours before.

Lennon was shot five times and died around 11:30 p.m.  Most of the world learned of the former Beatle's death from Howard Cosell, who was announcing that night's Monday Night Football game on TV.

America's fixation with surfing music began on this day in 1961 when Surfin' was released on a small record Los Angeles record label.  The sound took off for the Beach Boys, who were then quickly signed by Capitol Records. Other music to hang ten by like Surfin’ Safari, Surfin’ U.S.A., and Surfer Girl would soon follow.  It was a very groovy scene.

On this date in 1968, Graham Nash left the Hollies to join up with Stephen Stills and David Crosby to form CSN, one of the more creatively named bands in history.

In 1981 Styx scored their one and only #1 song, a real tear jerker called Babe. The song was written by keyboardist Dennis DeYoung as a present for his wife, Suzanne.  DeYoung was thrown out of the band in 1999, and Styx has never performed the song since.

On this date in 1984, Vince Neil, lead singer for Motley Crue, was involved in a horrendous traffic accident which claimed the life of Nick Dingley from Hanoi Rocks and injured two other passengers.  Following the California crash Neil was jailed for 20 days and paid $2.6 million to the victims and their families.

The Lizard King was born on this day in 1943.  Jim Morrison would join up with Ray Manzerek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore to form the Doors, and would soon turn into a rock and roll front-man that all others would look up to for years to come.  Morrison would die and break on through to the other side while in a Paris bathtub in 1971.

Gregg Allman was born on this day in 1947.  Gregg and his late brother Duane would form  the Allman Brothers Band.  The jam band would turn into the epitome of the southern rock sound.  Allman was married to Cher for just nine days back in the seventies.