In 1974, guitarist Mick Taylor announced he was leaving “The Rolling Stones” after five years. Taylor had joined the group after the death of Brian Jones in July 1969. His replacement was Ron Wood, formerly with “Rod Stewart and Faces.”

In 1977, the film “Saturday Night Fever,” starring John Travolta, premiered in New York. The movie was largely responsible for the spread of the disco craze. Its soundtrack, featuring hits by the “Bee Gees,” “Kool and the Gang” and “KC and the Sunshine Band,” would become the best-selling LP of all time until Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was released in 1982.

In 1980, fans around the world paid tribute to John Lennon, six days after he was shot to death in New York City. A 10-minute silent vigil was held at the request of Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Radio stations either observed the silence or played “Beatles” records.

In 1984, Madonna had her first No. 1 hit when “Like a Virgin” hit the top of the Billboard singles chart.

In 1997, former “Guess Who” guitarist Kurt Winter died in Winnipeg of complications from a bleeding ulcer. He was 51. Winter joined the band in 1970 when Randy Bachman left and stayed with “The Guess Who” for four years. Among the hit songs Winter helped write were “Share the Land” and “Clap for the Wolfman,” a tribute to legendary DJ Wolfman Jack.

In 2001, innovative Saskatchewan-born jazz trumpeter Herbie Spanier died in Toronto at age 72. During his 50-year career, Spanier played with such jazz greats as Paul Bley, Cannonball Adderley, Jackie McLean, Ornette Coleman and Max Roach. He was also an important soloist in the “Nimmons ‘n’ Nine Plus Six” big band during the 1970s.