Released on June 21, 1965, the Byrds’ debut album, Mr.
Tambourine Man, marked the beginning of the folk-rock
revolution.
In just a few months, the Byrds had become a household
name, with a number-one single and a smash-hit album
that married the ringing guitars and backbeat of the British
Invasion with the harmonies and lyrical depth of folk to
create an entirely new sound.
Singer-songwriter who rose to fame with his fellow Liverpool
lads in the most influential pop band of all time, The Beatles.
His songwriting partnership with John Lennon is the most
successful in music history.
CAMILLE BOHANNON
More than 1,000 people taking a pleasure trip on New York City’s
East River were drowned or burned to death when a fire swept
through the riverboat-style steamer General Slocum. This was
one of the United States’ worst maritime disasters.
The General Slocum was built in 1890 and used mostly for taking
large groups on day outings. On June 15, the St. Mark’s German Lutheran Church assembled a group of 1,360 people, mostly
children and teachers, for their annual Sunday School picnic.
The picnic was to take place at Locust Point in the Bronx after
a cruise up the East River on the General Slocum.
At about 9 a.m., the dangerously overcrowded boat left its dock
in Manhattan with Captain William Van Schaik in charge. As the
boat passed 83rd Street, accounts indicate that a child spotted
a fire in a storeroom and reported it to the Captain. The onboard
fire hose, which had never been used, tested or inspected, did
not work.
In all, 630 bodies were recovered and another 401 were missing
and presumed dead.
The boat’s crew, and officers in the Knickerbocker Company,
owner and operator of the General Slocum, were charged with
criminal negligence.
Brian Douglas Wilson (June 20, 1942 – June 11, 2025)
In 2024, it was revealed that Wilson,The Beach Boys founder
and lead songwriter, was suffering from dementia. His family
declined to state a cause of death.
Sly and the Family Stone
Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart) (March 15, 1943 – June 9, 2025)
Stone, was a musician, songwriter, and record producer who
was most famous for his role as frontman for Sly and the
Family Stone.
Sly Stone died in Los Angeles on June 9 surrounded by family
and friends. The family said in a statement provided to Rolling
Stone Magazine that he had died of COPD and "other underlying
health issues." He was 82.
