TODAY IN MUSIC — 5 December 2025: Key Events, Birthdays, Headlines & New Releases


On This Day

1791 — Mozart Dies in Vienna
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart passes away at age 35, leaving an immortal legacy across symphonic, operatic and chamber music.

1968 — Graham Nash Leaves The Hollies
Nash departs to form Crosby, Stills & Nash, a move that reshapes American folk-rock.

1980 — John Lennon Gives Final Interview
Three days before his death, Lennon speaks to Jonathan Cott of Rolling Stone in what becomes his last long-form conversation.

1979 — USC Band Joins Fleetwood Mac Live
A full recreation of the “Tusk” collaboration takes place at The Forum in Inglewood.

1995 — Beatles Release “Free As a Bird”
The first “new” Beatles track in 25 years is unveiled using Lennon’s 1977 demo.

2010 — Billboard Launches Social 50 Chart
A metric ranking artists’ social media influence debuts with Rihanna at No.1.

2015 — Coldplay Release A Head Full of Dreams
One of the band’s most colorful and collaborative albums arrives globally.


Birthdays

Little Richard (1932)
One of rock & roll’s most explosive pioneers.

J.J. Cale (1938)
Master of understated blues-rock songwriting.

Johnny Rzeznik (1965)
Frontman of Goo Goo Dolls, architect of melodic alt-rock.

Keri Hilson (1982)
R&B singer-songwriter and hitmaker of the late 2000s.


Top Headlines

Steve Cropper Dies at 84
A founding voice of Stax Records and Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Cropper leaves behind a monumental soul legacy.

Spotify Wrapped 2025 Dominates the Internet
Over 200M users engage within 24 hours; pop-ups spotlight Oasis in Manchester and Jennie in Seoul.

AI Licensing Accelerates
Major labels negotiate transparency-driven frameworks for AI-generated music.


New Releases

JADE Releases ‘That’s Showbiz Baby! The Encore’ with Eight New Tracks, Including Madonna Cover
Depeche Mode — Memento Mori: Mexico City
Melody’s Echo Chamber — Unclouded
Tom Smith — There Is Nothing In The Dark…
Olivia Rodrigo — Live from Glastonbury (BBC)
Roddy Ricch — The Navy Album
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds — Live God


Anniversaries & Milestones

1973 — Wings release Band on the Run
A post-Beatles triumph recorded partly in Lagos.

1981 — Black Flag release Damaged
One of the defining hardcore punk albums.

2004 — Band Aid 20 Hits No.1
A charity reboot featuring Bono, McCartney, Chris Martin and more.

2011 — Amy Winehouse’s Lioness: Hidden Treasures Released
A posthumous collection of unreleased recordings.


Recent Passings

Jim Stewart (2021) — Stax Records founder
Denny Laine (2022) — Moody Blues & Wings

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