Chapter 01 — Today in music
On a day like today June 30
1966
The Beatles debut at the Budokan amid threats and protests
On June 30, 1966, the Beatles played the first of their concerts at Tokyo's Budokan, amid protests from nationalists who considered it sacrilege to use the martial arts hall for pop music. They performed guarded by thousands of police. The tense, exhausting Asian tour accelerated the decision they would make weeks later: to leave the stage forever.
The Beatles
1943
Florence Ballard is born, the founding and tragic voice of The Supremes
On June 30, 1943, Florence Ballard was born in Detroit — founder of The Supremes and owner of a voice more powerful than Diana Ross's, according to many at Motown. Pushed out of the spotlight and expelled from the group in 1967, she died at 32 in poverty. Her story is the painful reverse of the Motown dream and one of popular music's great injustices.
Florence Ballard
The Supremes
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