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This day in music history

2000
Charging that he has been shortchanged millions of dollars in publishing royalties, Stan Penridge, who penned “Beth,” sues the members of Kiss, the band’s publishing company and Universal Music Group. He is eventually awarded partial custody of Gene Simmons’ tongue.

1991
The Record Plant in Hollywood closes. Among the albums recorded at the studio include the Eagles’ Hotel California, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life. A saddened and sentimental Wonder, who credited the studio environment for helping him develop his soulful, funk masterpiece, is later heard to say “I didn’t see that coming.”

1988
Michael Jackson wins eight Grammys, all of which are connected to the album Thriller. Jackson later gives the eight awards to eight different eight-year-olds as “welcome to Neverland” gifts.