Born on December 3: Ferlin Husky, Ozzy Osbourne & Montell Jordan
On December 3, 1925, country music legend Ferlin Husky was born in Cantwell, Missouri. Known for timeless hits like “Wings of a Dove” and “Gone,” Husky became one of the genre’s most recognizable voices during the 1950s and ’60s.
This date also celebrates the birthday of John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, one of rock’s most iconic and influential performers. Throughout his solo career, Osbourne delivered multiple Top 40 favorites including “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” “Bark at the Moon,” and “Changes,” the latter recorded as a duet with his daughter, Kelly Osbourne.
Another major birthday on December 3 belongs to Montell Jordan, the first R&B artist signed to Def Jam’s Def Soul imprint. Jordan became a household name with his 1995 smash hit “This Is How We Do It,” which earned a GRAMMY nomination in 1996 and remains a defining anthem of the decade.
Key Moments in Music History on December 3
December 3 is also marked by several unforgettable — and sometimes tragic — events in music history.
In 1990, Madonna debuted her controversial “Justify My Love” music video on ABC’s Nightline after MTV banned it due to explicit content. The decision only fueled its popularity, and the video went on to sell more than a million copies on VHS.
In 2005, Marilyn Manson married Dita Von Teese in a lavish ceremony held in an Irish castle. The marriage lasted about a year before ending in divorce.
Concert Disasters and Industry Challenges
Not all December 3 events were celebratory.
In 1965, during a Rolling Stones concert in Sacramento, a sudden power surge caused Keith Richards’ guitar to malfunction, knocking him unconscious. Fortunately, Richards recovered quickly and performed the very next night.
A far more devastating tragedy occurred in 1979, when a stampede outside a concert by The Who in Cincinnati resulted in the deaths of 11 fans. Despite the tragedy, authorities allowed the show to continue, fearing panic and unrest if it were canceled abruptly.
Remembering Scott Weiland
On December 3, 2015, the music world lost Scott Weiland at the age of 48. The former Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman was on tour with his band, Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts, at the time of his passing. His contribution to ’90s rock and alternative music remains deeply influential.
