This day in Music

[coacheric]

December 2nd: On this Day
 
1963, The Beatles recorded an appearance on the UK TV comedy program The Morecambe and Wise Show. The Beatles played ‘This Boy’, ‘All My Loving’, and ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ and also participate in comedy sketches with Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. The program was broadcast on April 18, 1964.
 
 
1967, The Monkees album, ‘Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd’ went to number one on the US album chart. It was their fourth album to sell over a million copies, following ‘The Monkees’, ‘More Of The Monkees’ and ‘Headquarters’. Read the full story 
 
1969, Cindy Birdsong of the Supremes was kidnapped at knifepoint by a maintenance man who worked in the building she lived in. She later escaped unharmed by jumping out of his car on the San Diego freeway. The kidnapper was arrested in Las Vegas four days later. 
 
1976, The first day of the photo shoot for the forthcoming Pink Floyd Animals album cover took place at Battersea Power Station in London, England with a giant inflatable pig lashed between two of the structure's tall towers. A trained marksman was hired ready to fire if the inflatable escaped, but was not needed on this, the first day. Unfortunately the following day the marksman hadn't been rebooked, so when the inflatable broke free from its moorings, it was able to float away, eventually landing in Kent where it was recovered by a local farmer, reportedly furious that it had ‘scared his cows.’ 

1978, Rod Stewart was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy', the singers fifth UK chart topper. A plagiarism lawsuit by Brazilian musician Jorge Ben Jor confirmed that the song had been derived from his composition 'Taj Mahal'. Stewart agreed to donate all his royalties from the song to United Nations Children's Fund. 
 
1979, Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand's ‘You Don't Bring Me Flowers’ was at No.1 on the US singles chart. A radio station engineer had spliced together Neil's version with Barbra's version and got such good response, the station added it to their play list. When Neil Diamond was told about it, he decided to re-record the song with Streisand herself, and within weeks of its release, the single went to No.1 in the US and No.5 in the UK. 
 
1982, US folk singer David Blue died of a heart attack aged 41 while jogging in New York's Washington Square Park. Member of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue during the late 70's. He wrote ‘Outlaw Man’ covered by The Eagles on their 1973 Desperado album.
 
 
1983, MTV aired the full 14-minute version of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' video for the first time. Now regarded as the most influential pop music video of all time, in 2009, the video was inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress, the first music video to ever receive this honor, for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. Read the full story 
 
1988, The Stone Roses supported by The Charlatans both appeared at The London School Of Economics, tickets £2.50. 
 
1995, Mariah Carey went to No.1 on the US singles chart with her duet with Boyz II Men 'One Sweet Day'. It made Carey the first artist in history to have two consecutive single debut at No.1, 'Fantasy' being her first. 
 
1997, A man died after falling from a balcony during a Rolling Stones concert at Pontiac Silverdome, Michigan. 
 
1999, It was reported that Stevie Wonder was to undergo an operation to regain his sight. The breakthrough by top eye specialists involved inserting a microchip in the retina.
 
 
1999, David Bowie played his first UK show in over two years when he appeared at the Astoria Theatre in London infront of 2,000 fans.
 
 
2000, Thieves broke into the London home Madonna shares with Guy Ritchie. The raiders forced their way in through a basement door then took a set of car keys before loading up Guy Ritchie's car with some of the couple's possessions and driving off. 
 
2000, The Smashing Pumpkins played their final concert when they appeared at the Metro Club in Chicago. 
 
2001, Singer Valerie Jones died aged 45. One-third of the sister group The Jones Girls, who sang back-up vocals with Lou Reed, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass and Betty Everett. 
 
2001, Daniel Bedingfield scored his first UK No.1 single with 'Gotta Get Thru This', the single went back to No.1 in January 2002. The track was recorded in Bedingfield's bedroom with his PC and a microphone, using music software. 
 
2002, Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was arrested and charged with assault after he Kung-Fu kicked a police officer. The incident happened at the Bayerischer hotel in Munich, the singer lost his two front teeth in the brawl and an Oasis minder was knocked out cold. Read the full story 
 
2003, Darkness singer Justin Hawkins was held for two hours at JFK Airport, New York after police mistook him for a wanted man with the same name and looks. The police only agreed to let him go after Justin's fiance and manager Sue Whitehouse produced a tour schedule to prove that he was in England on July 4th when the crime was committed. 
 
2006, David Mount the drummer with Mud died in London. They had the 1974 UK No.1 single 'Tiger Feet' (best-selling single of 1974). Plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles. 
 
2006, 25 year old singer and actress Beyonce was set to earn more money than any other black actress for her performance in her latest film 'Dreamgirls'. The musical based on the history of Diana Ross and the Supremes would earn the singer a £5m fee.
 
 
2006, Dutch singer Mariska Veres from Shocking Blue died of cancer at the age of 59. Had the 1970 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Venus', (later covered by girl group of Bananarama). 
 
2007, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne made more than $800,000 (£389,032) for charity after they sold off some of their possessions from their former US home. Items sold included the family's custom pool table for $11,250 (£5,470) and a pair of Ozzy's trademark round glasses went for $5,250 (£2,553). The beaded wire model of the Eiffel Tower that adorned the kitchen fetched $10,000 (£4,862), while skull-adorned trainers worn by Ozzy sold for $2,625 (£1,276). 
 
2012, Led Zeppelin received a prestigious award from Barack Obama for their significant contribution to American culture and the arts. Dressed in black suits and bow ties, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page were among a group of artists who received Kennedy Centre Honours at a dinner event at the White House. In his tribute to the band, Mr Obama said: "When Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham burst onto the musical scene in the late 1960s, the world never saw it coming. The president drew laughter from guests when he thanked the former band members for behaving themselves at the White House given their history of "hotel rooms being trashed and mayhem all around". 
 
 
December 2nd: Born on this day
 
1906, Born on this day, Dr Peter Carl Goldmark, invented the long-playing microgroove record in 1945. The invention went on to revolutionise the way people listened to music. Goldmark was Killed in a car crash on 7th December 1977.
 
 
1941, Born on this day, Tom McGuinness, guitar, vocals, Manfred Mann, (1964 UK & US No.1 single 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy'). McGiness Flint (1970 UK No.2 single 'When I'm Dead And Gone'). Also a member of The Blues Band. 
 
1942, Born on this day, Ted Bluechel Jr, drums, vocals, The Association, (1967 US No.1 single 'Windy'). 
 
1960, Born on this day, Rick Savage, bass player, Def Leppard, (1987 UK No.6 single 'Animal' 1987 world wide No.1 album 'Hysteria', 1988 US No.1 single 'Love Bites'). 
 
1960, Born on this day, Sydney Youngblood, singer, (1989 UK No.3 single 'If Only I Could'). 
 
1968, Born on this day, Nate Mendel, bassist with, Foo Fighters, The Jealous Sound, Sunny Day Real Estate, and The Fire Theft. Mendel was also a member of Diddly Squat, and punk bands Christ On A Crutch. 
 
1971, Born on this day, Donna Matthews, guitar, Elastica, (1995 UK No.13 single 'Waking Up'). 
 
1978, Born on this day, Nelly Furtado, singer, (2001 UK No. 5 single 'I'm Like A Bird'). 
 
1978, Born on this day, Brian Chase, drummer, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, (2006 UK No. 18 single 'Gold Lion'). 
 
1981, Born on this day, Britney Spears, US singer, (1999 US & UK No.1 single ''Baby One More Time', 1999 album 'Baby One More Time', spent 82 weeks on the UK chart. Biggest selling teenage act in the world with album sales over 40m).
 
 
1986, Born on this day in Tal Wilkenfeld, Australian bass guitarist who has gained worldwide attention performing alongside some of rock and jazz music's most notable artists including Jeff Beck. 

[Grm]

I have culled this thread, only today matters.

[Janus]

I have culled this thread, only today matters.

What exactly does that mean? From now on only the day that it is posted will appear?

[Grm]

Time will tell.

[coacheric]

I'm good either way big guy. I've asked before how many members even look at this thread. I know the short list but that's it.

[coacheric]

December 3rd: On this Day

1955, Elvis Presley's first release on RCA Victor Records was announced. The first two songs ‘Mystery Train’ and ‘I Forgot to Remember to Forget’ had been purchased from Sam Phillips of Sun Records. Elvis was described by his new record company as 'The most talked about personality in recorded music in the last 10 years.'

1956, Guy Mitchell was at No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of 'Singing The Blues', which spent nine weeks at the top of the charts. Two other charting versions of the song were released almost simultaneously with Mitchell's, one by UK singer Tommy Steele (with the Steelmen) and the other by US country singer Marty Robbins.

1961, Brian Epstein invited The Beatles into his office to discuss the possibility of becoming their manager. John Lennon, George Harrison and Pete Best arrived late for the 4pm meeting, (they had been drinking at the Grapes pub in Matthew Street), but Paul McCartney was not with them, because, as Harrison explained, he had just got up and was "taking a bath".

1964, The Rolling Stones had their second UK No.1 single with their version of 'Little Red Rooster'. The Stones had recorded the song at Chess Studios in Chicago, the same studios where Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and Little Walter had recorded their blues classics.
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1965, Rolling Stone Keith Richards was knocked unconscious by an electric shock on stage at the Memorial Hall In Sacramento, California, when his guitar made contact with his microphone.
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1965, The Beatles set out on what would be their last ever UK tour at Glasgow's Odeon Cinema. Also on the bill, The Moody Blues The Koobas and Beryl Marsden. The last show was at Cardiff's Capitol Cinema on 12th December.

1966, British act The New Vaudeville Band started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Winchester Cathedral'. A No.4 hit in the UK.

1966, Ray Charles was given a five year suspended prison sentence and a $10,000 fine after being convicted of possessing heroin and marijuana.
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1966, The Monkees made their live debut at the International Arena, Honolulu. Read the full story

1969, The Rolling Stones recorded 'Brown Sugar' at Muscle Shoals studios. The single went on to be a UK & US No.1. The song was written by Mick Jagger with Marsha Hunt in mind; Hunt was Jagger's secret girlfriend and mother of his first child Karis.
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1975, Ronnie Wood’s wife Krisse was arrested for alleged possession of cannabis and cocaine after a raid on the couple's house in Richmond. Krissie’s friend Audrey Burgon was also arrested, newspapers reported that the two women were found ‘sleeping together.’

1976, A giant 40ft inflatable pig could be seen floating above London, England after breaking free from its moorings. The pig, nicknamed Algie, was being photographed for the forthcoming Pink Floyd Animals album cover. The Civil Aviation Authority issued a warning to all pilots that a flying pig was on the run, and the pig eventually crashed into a barn in Godmersham, Kent, where the farmer complained of his cows being scared by the incident.
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1976, An attempt was made on Bob Marley's life when seven gunmen burst into his Kingston home injuring Marley his wife Rita and manager Don Taylor, the attack was believed to be politically motivated.
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1976, An estimated three and a half million people applied for Abba's forthcoming British Albert Hall concerts, there were just over 11 thousand tickets available.
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1977, Wings started a nine-week run at No.1 in the UK with 'Mull Of Kintyre'. The first single to sell over 2 million copies in the UK, (it was co-written by Denny Laine who sold his rights to the song when he became bankrupt).

1978, The Philadelphia Furies, a soccer team co-owned by Peter Frampton, Paul Simon and Mick Jagger, lost their first match in the North American League, 3-0 to the Washington Diplomats.

1979, A concert by The Who at The Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, turned to disaster when 11 members of the audience were trampled to death after a stampede to claim unreserved seats, another 26 fans were injured. The concert was using 'festival seating' where seats are available on a first come-first served basis. When the waiting fans outside the Coliseum heard the band performing a late sound check, they thought that the concert was beginning and tried to rush into the still-closed doors. Read the full story
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1983, Duran Duran scored their first UK No.1 album with their third release, 'Seven And The Ragged Tiger', which also peaked at No.8 on the US chart.

1986, Judas Priest were sued by two family's, alleging that the band were responsible for their son's forming a suicide pact and shooting themselves after listening to Judas Priest records. The parents and their legal team alleged that a subliminal message of 'do it' had been included in the Judas Priest song Better By You, Better Than Me from the Stained Class album and alleged the command in the song triggered the suicide attempt. The trial lasted from 16 July to 24 August 1990, when the suit was dismissed.
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1994, Boyz II Men knocked themselves off the No.1 position on the US singles chart when 'On Bended Knee' started a six week run a No.1. The group's 'I'll Make Love To You' had been at No.1 for a record breaking 14 weeks.
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1999, It was reported that rapper Jay-Z had been arrested in connection with the stabbing of music executive Lance Rivera. The rapper was charged with first-degree assault.

1999, U2 singer Bono had his missing laptop computer returned after losing it. A young man had bought it for £300 discovered he had the missing laptop, which contained tracks from the forthcoming U2 album.
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1999, Prosecutors in California charged Gabriel Gomez with the kidnapping and murder of Sandra Ann Rosas, wife of Los Lobos singer and guitarist Cesar Rosas. No body had yet been found.

2000, American composer Hoyt Curtin died of heart failure aged 78. He was the composer of many of the Hanna-Barbera cartoons' theme songs, including The Flintstones, Top Cat, Jonny Quest, Superfriends, The Jetsons, Josie and the Pussycats, and The New Scooby-Doo Movies.

2000, Mick Jagger and U2 formed a £100 million offshore investment trust to buy commercial property. Based in the Channel Islands the fund planed to invest in small offices and shops in London, England.
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2001, American session guitarist Grady Martin died aged 72. He was a member of the legendary Nashville A-Team, playing guitar on hits ranging from Roy Orbison's ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’, Marty Robbins' ‘El Paso’ and Loretta Lynn's ‘Coal Miner's Daughter’. During a 50-year career, Martin backed such names as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Joan Baez and J. J. Cale.

2003, A Los Angeles court ruled that the privacy of singer Barbra Streisand was not violated when a picture of her Malibu estate was posted on a website. Streisand had filed a $10m action against software entrepreneur Kenneth Adelman after he posted a photo of her home on his conservation site.

2006, The reformed Take That topped the UK singles and album charts simultaneously for the first time ever in their career. The single ‘Patience’ remained at number for the second week, and Beautiful World the group’s new album entered the chart at No.1.
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2007, Diana Ross and the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson both collected awards for contributions to US culture a ceremony in Washington, attended by President Bush. Hootie and the Blowfish paid tribute to Brian Wilson with a medley of some of the Beach Boys' best-known songs.
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2008, Composer, keyboardist and arranger Derek Wadsworth died in Oxfordshire, England. As a musician he worked with Georgie Fame, Alan Price, George Harrison, Mike Oldfield, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Simply Red. Arranger for David Essex, Dusty Springfield, Nina Simone, Judy Garland, Kate Bush, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, The Small Faces, The Rolling Stones and Manfred Mann.

2009, Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood was arrested in Esher, Surrey on suspicion of assault, after a passer-by dialled 999 as a violent argument took place between Wood and his 21-year-old on-off girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova. He was later cautioned by police.


December 3rd: Born on this day

1928, Born on this day, Andy Williams, US singer, (1957 US & UK No.1 single 'Butterfly', 1963 US & UK No.2 single ''Can't Get Used To Losing You'', plus over 25 other US Top 40 singles. Presented the long running Andy Williams TV show). Williams died on Sept 25th 2012 at the age of 84 of bladder cancer.

1940, Born on this day, John Cale, Velvet Underground, (1968 'White Light, White Heat', 1967 Velvet Underground And Nico 'peeled banana' album).
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1942, Born on this day, Ken Lewis, Ivy League, (1965 UK No.3 single 'Tossing and Turning').

1944, Born on this day, Ralph McTell, UK folk singer songwriter & children's TV presenter, (1975 UK No.2 single 'Streets of London').

1946, Born on this day, Vic Malcolm, Geordie, (1973 UK No.6 single 'All Because Of You').

1948, Born on this day, John Osbourne, drums, Taste, (1970 UK No.18 album 'On The Boards').

1948, Born on this day, Ozzy Osbourne, (John Michael Osbourne), vocals, Black Sabbath, (1970 UK No.4 single 'Paranoid', the bands self-titled 1970 album was voted as the best British rock albums ever by Kerrang! in 2005.). Solo (1986 UK No.20 single 'Shot In The Dark'). Star of The Osbournes MTV show. Read the full story

1949, Born on this day, Mickey Thomas, Jefferson Starship, (1987 UK & US No.1 single 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us').

1951, Born on this day, Mike Stock, (part of the Stock, Aitken, Waterman production team, produced over 10 UK No.1 singles.

1951, Born on this day, Nicky Stevens, Brotherhood Of Man, (1976 UK No.1 single 'Save Your Kisses For Me').

1952, Born on this day, Duane Roland, guitar, Molly Hatchet, (1980 album 'Beatin' The Odds).

1967, Born on this day, Adamski, (Adam Tinley, 1990 UK No.1 single 'Killer').

1968, Born on this day, Montell Jordan, singer, (1995 US No.1 & UK No.11 single 'This Is How We Do It').

1979, Born on this day, Daniel Bedingfield, singer, songwriter, (2001 UK No.1 single 'Gotta Get Thru This').

[coacheric]

1948, Born on this day, Ozzy Osbourne, (John Michael Osbourne), vocals, Black Sabbath, (1970 UK No.4 single 'Paranoid', the bands self-titled 1970 album was voted as the best British rock albums ever by Kerrang! in 2005.). Solo (1986 UK No.20 single 'Shot In The Dark'). Star of The Osbournes MTV show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhhOU5FUPBE

[Well Behaved Lady]

December 4th: On this Day

1956, The so-called 'Million Dollar Quartet' impromptu jam session took place at Sun Studios in Memphis with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.


1962, The Beatles made their London-area debut on television when they appeared in a live broadcast from Wembley on ‘Tuesday Rendezvous’, on ITV station Rediffusion. The Beatles performed live, doing lip-sync performances of ‘Love Me Do’ and 45 seconds of ‘P.S. I Love You.’

1964, The Beatles released their fourth album 'Beatles For Sale'. The album featured: ‘No Reply’, ‘I'm a Loser’, ‘Baby's in Black’, ‘Rock and Roll Music’, ‘I'll Follow the Sun’, ‘Mr. Moonlight’, ‘Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey’, ‘Eight Days a Week’, ‘Words of Love’, ‘Honey Don't’, ‘Every Little Thing’, ‘I Don't Want to Spoil the Party’, ‘What You're Doing’, and ‘Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby’. It spent 11 weeks as the UK No.1 album.


1965, The Byrds started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Turn! Turn! Turn!' the group's second No.1. A No.26 hit in the UK. Unlike their first chart topper, ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’, the entire band was allowed to play on the recording, instead of studio musicians.


1967, This was the penultimate night of a 16-date UK package tour, on which Pink Floyd joined The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Move, The Nice, The Eire Apparent, The Outer Limits and Amen Corner to play at the City Hall, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Jimi Hendrix was having equipment problems and in his frustration rammed his Gibson Flying V into his speaker cabinets. Like an enormous arrow, the guitar became stuck in the amplifier, which the audience greeted as all was part of the act.


1971, The Montreux Casino in Switzerland burnt to the ground during a gig by Frank Zappa. The incident is immortalized by Deep Purple's 1973 hit, 'Smoke On The Water' - 'some stupid with a flare gun, burned the place to the ground..'. In 1967 the Casino became the venue for the Montreux Jazz Festival, which was the brainchild of music promoter Claude Nobs. On the night of the blaze, Nobs saved several young people who, thinking they would be sheltered from the flames, had hidden in the casino from the blaze. A recording of the outbreak and fire announcement can be found on a Frank Zappa Bootleg album titled 'Swiss Cheese / Fire.'

1971, Led Zeppelin started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with the Four Symbols album, otherwise known as Led Zeppelin IV Featuring the 8-minute track Stairway To Heaven, the album stayed on the US chart for one week short of five years, selling over 23 million copies in the US alone.

1971, Sly and the Family Stone started a five-week run at No.1 on the US single chart with 'Family Affair', their third US No.1.

1971, T Rex scored their first No.1 album with their 6th release 'Electric Warrior'. The album which became the biggest seller of the year in the UK contained two of T. Rex's most popular songs, 'Get It On' and 'Jeepster.'

1971, Don McLean's ‘American Pie’ entered the US Hot 100. The eight and a half minute song would eventually sell over 3 million copies.

1976, American guitarist Tommy Bolin died from a heroin overdose aged 25 the day after opening a show for Jeff Beck in Miami, Florida. Bolin was a member of Zephyr (1969 to 1971), The James Gang (1973 to 1974) and Deep Purple (1975 to 1976).

1976, Workers at EMI records went on strike, refusing to package the Sex Pistols single 'Anarchy In The UK.'


1979, U2 appeared at The Hope and Anchor, Islington, London. Misnamed ‘The U2s’, they played to only nine people and the show ended abruptly after The Edge broke a guitar string.


1980, Prince played the first night on his 31 date Dirty Mind North American tour at Shea’s in Buffalo, New York. After being told by his managers he couldn't wear spandex pants without any underwear, Prince began performing in a long trench coat, black high heeled boots and leggings, and bikini brief trunks.

1982, The Jam were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Beat Surrender', the group's fourth UK No.1 and final single. They split in 1983, and leader Paul Weller formed the Style Council.


1987, Madonna filed for divorce from actor Sean Penn and then changed her mind a week later.


1988, Roy Orbison played his final ever gig when he appeared in Cleveland, Ohio. Orbison died of a heart attack two days later.


1993, Multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer, Frank Zappa died of prostrate cancer. Zappa recorded many albums with The Mothers Of Invention as well a solo recordings including the 1969 album 'Hot Rats' and 1974 album 'Apostrophe'. Zappa recorded one of the first concept albums, 'Freak Out' released in 1966, it was also one of the earliest double albums in rock music (although Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde preceded it by a week). He married Adelaide Gail Sloatman, in 1967, they had four children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen.


1999, Rapper Jay-Z was released on $50,000 bail, after being accused of attacking Lance Rivera when a fight broke out at a party for rapper Q-Tip at a Manhattan Club. Police declined to say what caused the dispute.

2000, Irish singer Ronan Keating was dumped as chart topping boy band Westlife's manager. Ronan was told his services were no longer required. Westlife had scored seven No.1 UK singles.


2002, Whitney Houston admitted in an US TV interview that drink and drugs nearly killed her. Bobby Brown's missus also admitted to being addicted to sex. She said her business is sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, and got into the lifestyle after missing out on partying when her career kicked off aged 18.


2005, Pussycat Dolls were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Stickwitu' The Californian girls second No.1.

2006, Yahoo revealed that Britney Spears was the most searched for term of 2006 with more online searches done about Spears than any other topic or person. Female celebrities dominated the top 10 overall search list, with Shakira at number three, Jessica Simpson at number four and Paris Hilton at number five.


2012, Randy Blythe, the frontman of US metal band Lamb of God, was charged over the death of a fan at a concert in Prague in 2010. The singer was accused of pushing the fan off stage during a show in the Czech Republic. The fan hit his head when he fell to the concrete floor and died of his injuries 14 days later. The 41-year-old singer faced five to 10 years in prison if convicted.

December 4th: Born on this day

1940, Born on this day, Freddy Cannon, singer, (1959 US & UK No.3 single, 'Way Down Yonder In New Orleans').

1942, Born on this day, Bob Mosley, Moby Grape, (1967 'Moby Grape').

1942, Born on this day, Chris Hillman, bass, vocals, The Byrds, (1965 UK & US No.1 single 'Mr Tambourine Man'), Flying Burrito Brothers, The Souther, Hillman, Furay Band, (1974 US No.27 single 'Fallin' In Love').

1944, Born on this day, Dennis Wilson, drums, vocals, The Beach Boys, (1966 UK & US No.1 single 'Good Vibrations', plus over 25 other UK Top 40 singles). Wilson drowned while swimming from his boat moored in Marina Del Rey, California on 28th December 1983 after a heavy day's drinking.

1947, Born on this day, Terry Woods, The Pogues, (1987 UK No.8 single 'The Irish Rover').

1948, Born on this day, Southside Johnny, vocals, harmonica, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, (1978 album 'Hearts Of Stone').


1951, Born on this day, Gary Rossington, guitar, Lynyrd Skynyrd, (1974 US No. 8 single 'Sweet Home Alabama', 1982 UK No.21 single 'Freebird').


1969, Born on this day, Jay-Z, (Shawn Carter), 1998 UK No.2 single 'Hard Knock Life'
1999 UK No. 10 single with Mariah Carey, 'Heartbreaker' 2001 US No.1 album 'The Blueprint'. Owner of Roc-A-Fella Records, is the second richest Hip-Hop Entertainer (behind Sean "Puffy" Combs), having a net-worth estimate of $340 million.

1972, Born on this day, Justin Welch, drums, Elastica, (1995 UK No.13 single 'Waking Up'), Me Me Me, (1996 UK No.19 single 'Hanging Around').

1973, Born on this day, Kate Rusby, UK folk singer, songwriter. 2007 No.2 indie album Awkward Annie.

[coacheric]

1993, Multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer, Frank Zappa died of prostrate cancer. Zappa recorded many albums with The Mothers Of Invention as well a solo recordings including the 1969 album 'Hot Rats' and 1974 album 'Apostrophe'. Zappa recorded one of the first concept albums, 'Freak Out' released in 1966, it was also one of the earliest double albums in rock music (although Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde preceded it by a week). He married Adelaide Gail Sloatman, in 1967, they had four children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAZ1BSmAubU

[Well Behaved Lady]

1982, The Jam were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Beat Surrender', the group's fourth UK No.1 and final single. They split in 1983, and leader Paul Weller formed the Style Council.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM1rSTOs7Zs

Not many people were happy when they split and it wouldn't have been recognised like it is nowadays when a boy/girl band break up. If he hadn't stepped away when he did I wonder would he have wrote this classic love song.

[Well Behaved Lady]

December 5th: On this Day
1960, Elvis Presley started a ten-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'G.I. Blues'. His fifth US No.1 album. Music on this album comprised songs that had appeared in the film of the same name.

1960, Paul McCartney and Pete Best were arrested for pinning a condom to a brick wall and then igniting it. The two were told to leave Germany and The Beatles returned home, discouraged.

1964, Lorne Greene star of the NBC TV show 'Bonanza' was at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Ringo', making him the second Canadian (after Paul Anka) to have a US No.1 single. The song was a No.22 hit in the UK.

1965, The Beatles played their last ever show in their hometown of Liverpool when they appeared at The Liverpool Empire during the group's final UK tour. Only 5,100 tickets were available, but there were 40,000 applications for tickets. The group also had the UK No.1 single with 'We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper.'


1967, This was the final night of a 16-date UK package tour with Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Move, The Nice, The Outer Limits, The Erie Apparent and Amen Corner at Green's Playhouse, Glasgow. All performances had two shows per night, in this case at 6.15pm, with the second at 8.45pm. Jimi Hendrix had the curtains closed on him halfway through his set, after the management at the venue regarded his movements with his guitar as having sexual overtones.


1968, The release of The Rolling Stones’ new album Beggar’s Banquet, was celebrated at a party in London. A food fight with custard pies was the highlight of the event that went on without an ill Keith Richards. The original cover for the LP was in the form of a plain white invitation, but was later changed.

1970, 'Amazing Grace' by Judy Collins entered the UK singles chart for the first of eight times, it spent a total of 67 weeks on the chart never making the No.1 position. 'Amazing Grace' is a Christian hymn with lyrics written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton which was first published in 1779.

1976, Music weekly NME reviewed the Sex Pistols debut single 'Anarchy In The UK' saying "Johnny Rotten sings flat, the song is laughably naive, and the overall feeling is of a third-rate Who imitation."


1981, Julio Iglesias was at No.1 in the UK singles chart with 'Begin The Beguine.' A Cole Porter song from 1935 with Spanish lyrics it was the singers only UK chart topper.

1987, Fat Larry James, drummer, singer and leader of Fat Larry’s Band died of a heart attack aged 38. Scored the 1982 UK No.2 single 'Zoom'. The opening drum break from Down On The Avenue, from the band's first album, Feel It has been sampled by N.W.A. Ice-T, Jungle Brothers and Run-D.M.C.

1987, Belinda Carlisle went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Heaven Is a Place on Earth', the ex Go-Go's member first solo No.1, also a No.1 hit in the UK. The promotional video was directed by Academy Award-winning actress Diane Keaton and features an appearance of Carlisle's husband Morgan Mason.


1987, The Jesus And Mary Chain were banned from appearing on a US music TV show after complaints of blasphemy when the group's name was flashed across the screen. The CBS show asked the band to be called JANC but the group didn't agree.


1992, Whitney Houston started a ten-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Will Always Love You'. The longest ever run at No.1 for a female artist the Dolly Parton penned song was taken from the Bodyguard soundtrack.

1993, Co-founder of Gin Blossoms Doug Hopkins died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds age 32. The guitarist and songwriter was in a detox unit of Phoenix's St. Luke's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona when he snuck out and bought a .38 caliber pistol. The next day Hopkins committed suicide.

2004, Band Aid 20 started a four week at No.1 on the UK singles chart with a new version of 'Do They Know It’s Christmas’' The third time the song had reached No.1. The new version featured, Joss Stone, Busted, Chris Martin, Bono, Justin Hawkins, Dizzee Rascal, Tom Chaplin, Ms Dynamite, Beverly Knight, Will Young, Jamelia, Fran Healy, Sugababes, Dido and Robbie Williams.


2004, U2 started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb', the bands ninth UK No.1 album. The band also went to No.1 on the US album chart giving them their sixth US No.1 album.

2006, Beatles lyrics handwritten by Sir Paul McCartney to an early version of Maxwell's Silver Hammer sold for $192,000 (£97,000) at an auction in New York. A guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix fetched $168,000 (£85,000), a notebook containing lyrics written by Bob Marley, sold for $72,000 (£36,445) and a poem penned by Doors frontman Jim Morrison made $49,000 (£25,500) at the Christie's sale.

2007, Robbie Williams apologised to Nigel Martin-Smith the ex-manager of Take That and agreed to pay undisclosed damages over an allegation he made about him in a song. In the lyrics of ‘The 90s’ Williams had suggested that Nigel Martin-Smith had stolen funds from the band.


2009, In an interview with the UK daily newspaper The Guardian, George Michael said he had cut back on his cannabis intake and now only smoked 'seven or eight' spliffs per day instead of the 25 he used to smoke.

2009, Phish played the final show of their 2009 Fall Tour at the John Paul Jones Arena at the University of Virginia. At the beginning of a first set an erratic fan proceeded to run on stage fully naked. He ran up and hugged guitarist Trey Anastasio and kissed him on the cheek. He made three laps around the stage before finally being chased down by security.


2011, After spending 45 weeks at the top end of the UK charts, singer Adele’s second album ‘21’ become the biggest selling LP in Britain this century, surpassing the late Amy Winehouse’s 2006 LP ‘Back to Black’.

December 5th: Born on this day
1899, Born on this day, Sonny Boy Williamson, Blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter. Van Morrison, The Who, The Animals, Yardbirds and Moody Blues all covered his songs. He died on 25th May 1965.


1932, Born on this day, Richard Penniman, (Little Richard), 1956 US No. 6 & 1957 UK No.3 single 'Long Tall Sally', plus over 10 other US & UK Top 40 singles). Read the full story

1938, Born on this day, JJ Cale, US guitarist, singer songwriter, (1972 US No. 22 single 'Crazy Mama', 1982 UK No.36 album 'Grasshopper'). Cale died on 26th July 2013 of a heart attack.

1945, Born on this day, Eduardo Delgado, ? & The Mysterians, (1966 US No. 1 & UK No.37 single '96 Tears'). '96 Tears' was a UK No.17 hit for The Stranglers in 1990.

1947, Born on this day, Jim Messina, Buffalo Springfield, (1967 US No.17 single 'For What It's Worth'). Loggins and Messina, (1972 US No.4 single 'Your Mama Don't Dance').

1952, Born on this day, Andy Kim, singer, (1974 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Rock Me Gently')

1960, Born on this day, Les Nemes, bass, Haircut 100, (1982 UK No.3 & US No. 37 single 'Love Plus One')

1965, Born on this day, Johnny Rzeznik, singer and guitarist with Goo Goo Dolls who had the 2002 US No.3 album 'Gutterflower'. In 2007, Rzeznik was a judge on the Fox network's The Next Great American Band.

1971, Born on this day, Craig Gill, Inspiral Carpets, (1990 UK No.14 single 'This Is How It Feels').

1980, Born on this day, Zainam Higgins, vocals, Cleopatra, (1998 UK No.3 single 'Cleopatra's Theme').

1980, Born on this day, Christian Smith Pancorvo, drummer, Serafin. Previously a member of Razorlight with Johnny Borrell.

1982, Born on this day, Keri Lynn Hilson, American R&B singer and songwriter, part of a collective of writers and producers known as The Clutch.

[coacheric]

1932, Born on this day, Richard Penniman, (Little Richard), 1956 US No. 6 & 1957 UK No.3 single 'Long Tall Sally', plus over 10 other US & UK Top 40 singles).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJW-XQtycmw

[coacheric]

December 6th: On this Day

1949, American blues artist, Leadbelly died. Huddie William Ledbetter wrote many songs including 'Goodnight Irene', ‘Cotton Fields’, 'The Rock Island Line', and ‘The Midnight Special'. Leadbelly was jailed several times for fights and knife related incidents, he was once jailed for shooting a man dead during an argument over a woman.

1961, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best met with Brian Epstein for further discussions about his proposal to manage them. Epstein wanted 25% of their gross fees each week. He promises that their bookings will be better organised, more prestigious, and will expand beyond the Liverpool area. He also promises that they will never again play for less than £15, except for Cavern lunchtime sessions, for which he will get their fee doubled to ten pounds. Lennon, as leader of The Beatles, accepts on their behalf.

1962, During sessions for the 'Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan' album, Dylan recorded 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall' and versions of 'Hero Blues', 'Whatcha Gonna Do', 'Oxford Town', and 'I Shall Be Free', at Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios in New York City.

1964, The film 'Ferry Cross The Mersey' premiered in London. Featuring Gerry And The Pacemakers, Cilla Black and other Liverpool acts. It was written by Tony Warren, creator of the UK's longest running TV soap 'Coronation Street'.

1965, The Rolling Stones record '19th Nervous Breakdown' and 'Mother's Little Helper' at RCA's Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles.

1966, The Beatles recorded Christmas and New Year's greetings for pirate radio stations Radio Caroline and Radio London. Both stations were broadcasting from ships anchored off the British coastline.

1969, Led Zeppelin made their debut on the US singles chart with 'Whole Lotta Love', it went on to make No.4 on the chart and was the first of six Top 40 singles for the group in the US. During the bands career, Zeppelin never released any singles in the UK.
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1969, One hit wonders Steam started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye'. The song was actually recorded by Gary De Carlo, who intended it to be the "B" side of his first single. Gary didn't like the song and when record executives wanted to issue it as the "A" side, he insisted it be released under an assumed name. The song became a UK No.5 single for girl group Bananarama in 83.

1969, The Rolling Stones played a free festival at Altamont in California, along with Jefferson Airplane, Santana, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Crosby Stills Nash & Young. Rolling Stones fan Meredith Hunter was stabbed to death as the group played by Hell's Angels who'd been hired to police the event. It's claimed Hunter was waving a revolver. One other man drowned, two men were killed by in a hit-and run accident and two babies were born.
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1972, While reading the morning newspaper in Nice, France, The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards was surprised to learn that arrest warrants had been issued for him and his girlfriend, Anita Pallenberg for drug possession.

1975, Paul Simon went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Still Crazy After All These Years', his first US No.1 solo album. Bob Egan Pop Spots
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1975, Rev Charles Boykin of Tallahassee, Florida organised the burning of Elton John and Rolling Stones records, claiming they were sinful. Boykin was reacting to the results from a survey that said, 984 of the 1,000 local unmarried mothers had sex when listening to rock music.
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1976, Showaddywaddy were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Under The Moon Of Love', (originally a hit in 1961 for Curtis Lee). The rock 'n' roll revival group from Leicester, England had nine other Top 10 hits with remakes.

1978, Sex Pistol Sid Vicious smashed a glass in the face of Patti Smith's brother Todd Smith during a fight at New York City club Hurrah.
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1986, Europe were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Final Countdown'. They became only the second Swedish act to score a UK No.1. The song reached No.1 in 25 countries and the song's lyrics were inspired by David Bowie's song 'Space Oddity'.

1988, American singer songwriter Roy Orbison died of a heart attack aged 52. Scored the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'Pretty Woman', plus over 20 US & 30 UK Top 40 singles including ‘Only the Lonely’ and ‘Crying’. Formed his first band The Wink Westerners in 1949, was a member of The Traveling Wilburys (known as Lefty Wilbury) with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty and had the 1988 UK No.21 single 'Handle With Care'. Orbison endured a great deal of tragedy in his life. His first wife, Claudette died in a motorcycle accident in 1966 and two of his three sons, died in a house fire. Read the full story

1994, Tower Records released The Beatles' 'Live At The BBC', a 69 track, double album of tunes recorded for BBC shows such as Top Gear, Easy Beat, Saturday Club and Pop Go The Beatles. The LP will rise straight to the top of the UK chart, selling over 600,000 copies by the end of the year and 2,000,000 in the US four weeks later.

1995, Michael Jackson collapsed and was treated for dehydration while rehearsing for the HBO special Michael Jackson: One Night Only at The Beacon Theater in New York.

2003, Elvis Costello married jazz artist Diana Krall in a ceremony at Elton John's UK mansion. About 150 guests, including Sir Paul McCartney, attended the wedding. It was Costello's third marriage.

2005, A Jeep hit a patch of ice on Elvis Presley Boulevard and crashed through ‘the graffiti wall’ outside the Graceland mansion. No-one was hurt in the accident.
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2005, Robbie Williams accepted substantial libel damages over claims that he was secretly homosexual. The People newspaper, Star and Hot Stars magazines in 2004 published stories alleging Mr Williams had engaged in casual homosexual sex. The publications' owners, MGN Limited and Northern & Shell plc, now accepted the stories were untrue and had agreed undisclosed damages. Tom Shields QC, told the court: "Mr Williams is not, and has never been, homosexual."
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2008, Beyonce went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘I Am’ Sasha Fierce’, the singers third studio album. It debuted at No.1, making Knowles the third female artist this decade after Britney Spears and Alicia Keys to have her first three albums debut in the top spot.


December 6th: Born on this day

1916, Born on this day, Hugo Peretti, songwriter, producer. Wrote many classic hits including, 'Twistin' The Night Away', 'Shout', 'You Make Me Feel Brand New.' Died on 1st May 1986.
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1920, Born on this day, Dave Brubeck, jazz pianist, (1962 UK No.12 album 'Time Further Out').
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1943, Born on this day, Keith West, (Keith Hopkins), UK singer, (1967 UK No.2 single 'Excerpt From A Teenage Opera').

1944, Born on this day, Jonathan King, UK pop mogul, singer, producer, TV presenter, (1965 UK No.4 single 'Everyone's Gone To The Moon', plus 12 other UK Top 40 singles under various names, Bubblerock, Shag, Weathermen, Father Abraphart, Sakkarin). King was jailed for seven years in 2001 for sex attacks on five boys.

1947, Born on this day, Miroslav Vitous, Weather Report, (1976 single 'Birdland', 1977 album Heavy Weather').

1947, Born on this day, Fritz Fryer, The Four Pennies, (1964 UK No.1 single 'Juliet').

1955, Born on this day, Edward Tudor-Pole, vocals, actor, Tenpole Tudor, (1981 UK No.6 single 'Swords Of A Thousand Men'), appeared in the film 'Absolute Beginners' and became the presenter on TV's Crystal Maze.

1955, Born on this day, Rick Buckler, drums, The Jam, (1980 UK No.1 single 'Going Underground' plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles).
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1956, Born on this day, Peter Buck, guitar, R.E.M. (1991 UK No.6 & US No.10 single 'Shiny Happy People', plus over 20 Top 40 UK singles, 1992 UK No.1 & US No.2 album 'Automatic For The People').
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1961, Born on this day, David Lovering, drums, Pixies, (1990 UK No.28 single 'Velouria').

1962, Born on this day, Ben Watt, Everything But The Girl, (1995 UK No.3 & 1996 US No.2 single 'Missing').

1969, Born on this day, Mark Gardener, Ride, (1992 UK No.9 single 'Leave Them All Behind').

1969, Born on this day, Steven Drozd, drums, Flaming Lips, (2002 UK No. 32 single ‘Do You Realize’).

1970, Born on this day, Ulf Ekberg, keyboards, vocals, Ace Of Base, (1993 UK No.1 single 'All That She Wants', 1994 US No.1 single 'The Sign').

[Well Behaved Lady]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iISqdmsekLQ

1956, Born on this day, Peter Buck, guitar, R.E.M. (1991 UK No.6 & US No.10 single 'Shiny Happy People', plus over 20 Top 40 UK singles, 1992 UK No.1 & US No.2 album 'Automatic For The People').

[Well Behaved Lady]

December 7th: On this Day

1963, The Beatles second album 'With The Beatles' started a 21-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart. It replaced their first album 'Please Please me' which had been at the top of the charts since it's release 30 weeks previously. Also today, all four Beatles appeared on BBC TV's 'Juke Box Dury'. Some of the songs The Beatles judged were ‘Kiss Me Quick’ by Elvis Presley, ‘The Hippy Hippy Shake’ by the Swinging Blue Jeans. ‘Did You Have a Happy Birthday’ by Paul Anka and ‘Where Have You Been All My Life’ by Gene Vincent.


1963, The Singing Nun started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Dominique', it reached No.7 on the UK chart. The song sold over 1.5 million copies in the US, winning a Grammy Award for the year's best Gospel song.

1964, Beach Boy Brian Wilson married Marilyn Rovell in L.A. The couple divorced in 1979. Marilyn and her sister and cousin were in a group, the Honeys, who were produced by Brian Wilson. Marilyn and Brian had two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, who became members of Wilson Phillips.


1964, On his first tour of the UK Jerry Lee Lewis with The Yardbirds, Twinkle and The Quite Five appeared at The Town Hall In Birmingham.

1967, Otis Redding went into the studio to record '(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay'. The song went on to be his biggest hit. Redding didn't see its release; he was killed three days later in a plane crash. Redding wrote the first verse of the song, under the abbreviated title 'Dock of the Bay', on a houseboat at Waldo Point in Sausalito, California a short time after his appearance at The Monterey pop festival. Redding's familiar whistling, heard before the song's fade was the singer fooling around, he had intended to return to the studio at a later date to add words in place of the whistling.

1967, The Beatles Apple boutique on 94 Baker Street, London, opened its doors. The store closed seven months later when it fell foul of council objections over the psychedelic mural painted on the outside. All the goods from the shop were given away free to passers by and to people who had queued throughout the night for a chance of getting a free item.

1968, The Beatles 'White Album' started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK chart. The double set was the first on the Apple label and featured 'Back In The USSR', 'Dear Prudence', and the Harrison song 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps.'

1974, Barry White was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'You're The First, The Last, My Everything', the singers first UK No.1. Originally written in the 1950's as a country song with the title 'You're My First, You're My Last, My In-Between.'


1974, Carl Douglas started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Kung Fu Fighting'. The song was recorded in 10 minutes, had started out as a B-side and went on to sell over 10 million.

1977, Inventor Dr Peter Carl Goldmark was killed in a car crash aged 71. Goldmark invented the long-playing microgroove record in 1945 that went on to revolutionise the way people listened to music.

1979, The Police had their second UK No.1 single with 'Walking on the Moon', taken from their second album 'Reggatta De Blanc'. The video for the song was filmed at Kennedy Space Center interspersed with NASA footage.

1985, Mr Mister started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Broken Wings', a UK No.4 hit.

1991, George Michael and Elton John were at No.1 in the UK with a live version of 'Don't Let The Sun Go down On Me', (a hit for Elton in 1974). All proceeds from the hit went to aids charities.

1991, Michael Jackson started a 7 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Black Or White', his 12th solo No.1, also a No.1 in the UK.

1991, U2 went to No.1 on the US album charts with 'Achtung Baby'. Featuring 'One', Zoo Station', 'The Fly' and 'Even Better Than The Real Thing'.


1992, Mariah Carey's MTV Unplugged EP became the first Sony Minidisc to be released in the US.

1993, Manic Street Preachers co-manager Phillip Hall died from cancer. Hall was a former Record Mirror journalist and had also worked in PR for Stiff Records. Represented many acts including The Stone Roses, The Pogues, James, The Waterboys, The Beautiful South and Radiohead.

1996, Australian singer Peter Andre scored his second No.1 UK single when 'I Feel You'. Andre scored a further 4 Top 10 hits by the end of 1998.

1996, Toni Braxton started a 11 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Un- Break My Heart'. Written by Dianne Warren it gave Braxton her second US solo No.1, a No.2 hit in the UK.

1997, Shane MacGowen spent the night in police cells after being arrested in Liverpool. He was charged after throwing a mike stand into the crowd and injuring a fan.

2003, Britney Spears was at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘In The Zone’ the singer's fourth US No.1 album. The singer broke her own record from being the first female artist to have three albums enter the US chart at No.1 to being the first female artist to have 4 albums enter at No.1 consecutively.


2005, The MBE medal that John Lennon returned to the Queen was found in a royal vault at St James' Palace. Lennon returned his medal in November, 1969 with a letter accompanying saying, "Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. With Love, John Lennon." Historians were calling for the medal to be put on public display.


2007, Ray Charles Plaza was opened in Albany, Georgia, with a revolving, bronze sculpture of Charles seated at a piano.

2008, Leona Lewis went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Run’ which became the fastest-selling digital-only track. Take That went to No.1 on the UK album after selling over 432,000 copies of their new album The Circus. Britney Spears' album Circus, released on the same day as Take That's album entered the chart at number four.


December 7th: Born on this day

1942, Born on this day, Harry Chapin, US singer, songwriter, (1974 UK No.34 single 'W.O.L.D. & 1974 US No.1 single 'Cat's In The Cradle'). Killed on 16th July 1981, when a tractor-trailer crashed into the car he was driving.

1949, Born on this day, Tom Waits, US singer, songwriter, actor, (1980 album 'Heart Attack And Vine', as used in a Levi's TV ad. Wrote 'Ol' 55', 1974 US No.17 single for The Eagles). Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Paul Young have all covers his songs.

1954, Born on this day, Mike Nolan, vocals, Bucks Fizz, (1981 UK No.1 single 'Making Your Mind Up', plus 12 other UK Top 40 singles').

1958, Born on this day, Tim Butler, bass, Psychedelic Furs, (1986 UK No.18 single 'Pretty In Pink').

1961, Born on this day, Robert Downes, guitar, Then Jerico, (1989 UK No.13 single 'Big Area').

1963, Born on this day, Barbara Weathers, Atlantic Starr, (1987 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Always').

1963, Born on this day, Huw Chadbourne, keyboards, Babybird, (1996 UK No.3 single ‘You’re Gorgeous’, 1996 UK No. 9 album ‘Ugly Beautiful’).

1965, Born on this day, Brian Futter, guitar, Catherine Wheel, (1992 UK No.35 single 'I Want To Touch You').

1973, Born on this day, Damien Rice, Irish singer, songwriter, former member of Juniper, now solo, (2003 album 'O' featuring the single 'Cannonball', 2006 UK No.1 album '9').

1974, Born on this day, Nicole Appleton, vocals, All Saints, (1998 UK No.1 single 'Never Ever' and 2003 UK No. 5 single as Appleton, 'Don't Worry').

1986, Born on this day, Jonathan "JB" Benjamin Gill, singer, JLS, runners-up of the fifth series of The X Factor.

1987, Born on this day, Aaron Carter, singer, (1998 UK No. 7 single 'Crazy Little Party Girl').

[coacheric]

1942, Born on this day, Harry Chapin, US singer, songwriter, (1974 UK No.34 single 'W.O.L.D. & 1974 US No.1 single 'Cat's In The Cradle'). Killed on 16th July 1981, when a tractor-trailer crashed into the car he was driving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeMX1JfqKuc

So I have to say that I had forgot this was his song. AS much as I love "Cats in the Cradle" This song is so fucking great. And here live, he sounds just as good as the studio cut.

[Well Behaved Lady]

December 9th: On this Day
1955, Johnny Cash played two shows at Arkansas High School, in Swifton, Elvis Presley opened the show.

1961, The Beatles played at the Palais Ballroom in Aldershot to a crowd of just 18 people. The date had not been advertised, owing to the local newspaper's refusal to accept the promoter's cheque. After the show The Beatles became rowdy, getting themselves ordered out of town by the local police.

1966, Supergroup Cream released their debut studio album 'Fresh Cream' in the UK. The three piece of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker also released their second single 'I Feel Free' on the same day.


1967, The Doors appeared at the New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut. Before the show a policeman found singer Jim Morrison making out with an 18 year-old girl in a backstage shower and after an argument the policeman sprays mace in Morrison’s face. Once on stage Morrison tells the story of the backstage episode and starts taunting the police who drag him off the stage and arrest him. The crowd riots leaving the venue in disarray and many are arrested. Later over 100 protestors gathered at the police station in demonstration and more arrests were made.


1968, Free appeared at the Marquee Club in London England. Other acts appearing at the club this month included Joe Cocker, The Who and Led Zeppelin.


1978, Boney M had their second UK No.1 single with their version of the Harry Belafonte 1957 hit 'Mary's Boy Child'. On the list of the all-time best selling singles in the UK, Boney M. appear in fifth place (with 'Rivers of Babylon') and tenth place (with 'Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord'). The single sold almost 1.8 million copies.

1978, Chic started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Le Freak.' Nile Rodgers later stated that the song was devised during New Years Eve of 1977, as a result of him and bassist Bernard Edwards being refused entrance to Studio 54, in New York City, where they had been invited by Grace Jones, due to Jones's failure to notify the nightclub's staff. He said the lyrics of the refrain were originally "Fuck off!" rather than "Freak out!"



1988, According to a poll released in the US, the music of Neil Diamond was favoured as the best background music for sex, Beethoven was the second choice and Luther Vandross was voted third.

1988, Michael Jackson played the first of nine sold-out nights on his Bad World Tour at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan.

1989, Billy Joel started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'We Didn't Start The Fire'. Its lyrics are made up from rapid-fire brief allusions to over a hundred headline events between 1949 (Joel was born on May 9 of that year) and 1989, when the song was released on his album Storm Front.


1990, Paula Abdul was taken to North Hollywood Medical Centre after being involved in a car crash in Los Angeles.

1991, During their Use Your Illusion Tour, Guns n' Roses played the first of three nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

1992, George Harrison was the recipient of the first Century Award, presented by Tom Petty at the third Billboard Music Awards in Universal City, California.

1995, Darren Robinson, founder member of The Fat Boys died of a heart attack, weighing 450lb (204kg) at the time of his death. Also known as Buffy, The Human Beat Box, and DJ Doctor Nice.

1995, Michael Jackson scored his 6th solo UK No.1 single when 'Earth Song' started a 6-week run at the top of the charts. It gave Jackson the UK Christmas No.1 of 1995 and his best-selling UK single ever. The song kept the first single released by The Beatles in 25 years, 'Free as a Bird', off the No.1 position.

1997, Oasis played the first of three sold out nights at Wembley Arena, London, supported by Supergrass.


2000, Sharon Corr of The Corrs called for the legalisation of cannabis, claiming that the drug has medicinal properties. Sharon said, 'Some people with certain conditions can get a brief reprieve from their symptoms through cannabis'.

2000, U2 made their first-ever appearance on the long-running NBC program 'Saturday Night Live.' The band played ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘Elevation.’


2001, Channel 4 TV apologised to viewers after Madonna said 'motherfucker' during live UK TV coverage at The Tate Gallery, London. Madonna was presenting a prize to artist Martin Creed. A TV spokesman said that did have a bleeper system but they missed the offending word.

2001, Winners at The Smash Hits awards included Atomic Kitten, Best single for 'Whole Again', Westlife won Best band and Best album for 'World Of Our Own', and Blue won Best newcomer, Steps won Best live act, Shaggy won Best male act, Britney Spears won Best Female Act, Destiny's Child won Best R&B act, S Club 7's Rachel Stevens won Most Fanciable Female and Best Video went to Gorillaz, 'Clint Eastwood.'


2003, Ozzy Osbourne was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berkshire after being injured in a quad bike accident at his UK home. The 55 year-old singer broke his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck. News of Osbourne's accident reached the House of Commons, where the government sent a goodwill message.


2005, Joss Stone, Lemar and Ms. Dynamite backed by the African Children's Choir and 1,200 school children set a new world record for the most children singing simultaneously. The ‘Big Sing’ was held at The Royal Albert Hall, London. The singers led a performance of ‘Lean On Me’ which was broadcast to more than half a million people.

2005, A man charged with stealing more than $300,000 worth of Elvis Presley's jewelry from the Elvis-A-Rama museum appeared in a Las Vegas court. 30 year old Eliab Aguilar was arrested on November 3rd after police said he approached a retired Elvis impersonator and offered to sell him several items including Presley's 1953 class ring from Humes High School worth $32,000, a 41 carat ruby and diamond ring worth $77,000 and a gold-plated Smith & Wesson .38 special.

2006, Mariah Carey threatened legal action against porn star Mary Carey in an attempt to stop her trademarking her similar-sounding stage name. The singer believed fans could get the two performers confused if the adult film actress Mary Carey's trademark application was successful.

2010, Eric Clapton announced he was to sell off part of his extensive guitar collection to raise money for his Crossroads rehab Centre in Antigua. Highlights of the sale would include a guitar Clapton played at the Cream reunion shows in 2005, estimated to sell for more than £13,000. The sale to be held by Bonhams in New York would also feature a vast collection of amps and speakers, including a pair of Marshall speaker cabinets.

December 9th: Born on this day
1932, Born on this day, Junior Wells, US blues singer, harmonica player. Worked with Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, toured with The Rolling Stones in 1970. He died on 5th January 1998.

1941, Born on this day, Sam Strain, The O'Jays, (1973 US No.1 & UK No.9 single 'Love Train').

1943, Born on this day, John Traynor, Jay and the Americans, (1969 US No.6 single 'This Magic Moment plus nine other US Top 30 hits). Left the group after their 1962 hit, 'She Cried'. He was replaced by new lead singer David Blatt, who began calling himself Jay Black.

1944, Born on this day, Neil Innes, vocals, guitar, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, 1968 UK No.5 single 'I'm The Urban Spaceman'. Composed music for Monty Python's Flying Circus wrote and performed The Rutles a TV spoof on The Beatles.

1946, Born on this day, Walter 'Clyde' Orange, drums, vocals, The Commodores, (1978 UK & US No.1 single 'Three Times A Lady').

1950, Born on this day, Joan Armatrading, singer, songwriter, (1983 UK No.11 single 'Drop The Pilot').

1954, Born on this day, Jack Sonni, guitarist, Dire Straits.

1957, Born on this day, Donny Osmond, singer, (1971 US No.1 single with ‘Go Away Little Girl’, a 1972 UK No.1 single with ‘Puppy Love’ plus seven other UK Top 40 singles). As part of The Osmonds he enjoyed a 1971 US No.1 single with ‘One Bad Apple’, and the 1974 UK No.1 single with ‘Love Me For A Reason’.


1958, Born on this day, Nick Seymour, bass, Crowded House, (1992 UK No.7 single 'Weather With You').

1964, Born on this day, Paul H. Landers, rhythm-guitarist, Rammstein.

1968, Born on this day, Brian Bell, Weezer, (1995 UK No.12 single, 'Buddy Holly').

1969, Born on this day, Jakob Dylan, guitar, vocals, The Wallflowers, (1997 US No.3 album, 'Bringing Down The Horse').

1970, Born on this day, Zak Foley, EMF, (1990 UK No.3 & 1991 US No.1 single 'Unbelievable'). Died 31st December 2001 aged 31.

1971, Born on this day, Geoff Barrow, Portishead, (1995 UK No.13 single 'Glory Box').

1972, Born on this day, Frank Wright III, 'Tre Cool', drums, Green Day, (1995 UK No.7 single 'Basket Case').

1978, Born on this day, Chris Wolstenholme, bass, Muse, (2003 UK No.1 album ‘Absolution’, 2003 UK No.8 single, ‘Time Is Running Out’).

[Well Behaved Lady]

1950, Born on this day, Joan Armatrading, singer, songwriter, (1983 UK No.11 single 'Drop The Pilot').

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One of my all time faves

[Well Behaved Lady]

December 11th: On this Day

1961, Elvis Presley started a 20-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Blue Hawaii', his seventh US No.1 album.

1961, The Marvelettes went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Please Mr Postman'. The session musicians on the track included 22 year old Marvin Gaye on drums. The song gave the Carpenters a US No.1 and UK No.2 single in 1975.


1964, Soul singer Sam Cooke was shot dead at the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, California. Bertha Franklin, manager of the motel, told police that she shot and killed Cooke in self-defense because he had attacked her. Police found Cooke's body in Franklin's apartment-office, clad only in a sports jacket and shoes, but no shirt, pants or underwear. The shooting was ultimately ruled a justifiable homicide.



1968, Liverpool folk group The Scaffold were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Lily The Pink', this year's Christmas No.1. 'Lily the Pink' was a new version of an older folk song entitled 'The Ballad of Lydia Pinkham', and a similar version was the unofficial regimental song of the Royal Tank Corps, at the end of World War II.


1968, Filming began for The Rolling Stones 'Rock & Roll Circus.' As well as clowns and acrobats, John Lennon and his fiancee Yoko Ono performed as part of a supergroup called The Dirty Mac, along with Eric Clapton, Mitch Mitchell, and Keith Richards. It was originally meant to be aired on the BBC, but the Rolling Stones withheld it because they were unhappy with their performance. The film was eventually released in 1996.


1971, UK comedian Benny Hill was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the innuendo-laden novelty song, 'Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)', giving Hill his only No.1 and the Christmas No.1 hit of 1971. The song was originally written in 1955 as the introduction to an unfilmed screenplay about Hill's milkman experiences.

1972, James Brown was arrested after show in Tennessee for trying to incite a riot. Brown threatened to sue the city for $1m, the charges were later dropped.

1973, Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley was nearly electrocuted during a concert in Florida when he touched a short-circuited light. The guitarist was carried from the stage but returned 10 minutes later to finish the show.

1980, U2 appeared at The Mudd Club in New York City, the first date of four US shows which also took the band to Boston and Washington DC.


1982, Singer, TV actress and dancer Toni Basil went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Mickey', making her a US one hit wonder. Also a No.2 hit in the UK, the song was written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn as 'Kitty', and was first recorded by UK group Racey during 1979. More One Hit Wonders

1982, The Jam played their last ever gig as a band when they appeared in Brighton, England. Singer and guitarist Paul Weller went on to form The Style Council with keyboardist Mick Talbot. The permanent line-up grew to include drummer Steve White and Weller's then-wife, vocalist Dee C. Lee.

1983, The Flying Pickets were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Yazoo song 'Only You'. Also this years Christmas No.1 and the first a cappella chart-topper in the UK.



1989, The Recording Industry Association of America certified four Led Zeppelin albums as multi-platinum: ‘Presence’ (2 million), ‘Led Zeppelin’ (4 million), ‘Physical Graffiti’ (4 million) and ‘In Through The Out Door’ (5 million).


1992, Manic Street Preacher Nicky Wire was quoted as saying 'I hope Michael Stipe goes the same way as Freddie Mercury'.

1993, Janet Jackson started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Again', her 7th US No.1, a No.6 hit in the UK.

1993, The character Mr Blobby as featured on UK TV's 'The Noel Edmunds House Party', started a one-week run as the UK No.1 single with the novelty song 'Mr Blobby'. The single later received the dubious honour of being voted the most irritating Christmas No.1 single in a HMV poll.

1996, Johnny Marr and Morrissey were left with a £300,000 legal bill after loosing a case over unpaid royalties with former Smiths members Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce.


1998, During a gig in Tuscon, Arizona, a bottle thrown from the audience hit Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson. A security guard was then stabbed trying to eject a man from the crowd.


2000, Former Verve front man Richard Ashcroft was forced to cancel the remaining dates on his current UK tour after he fell on stage and broke two ribs. The accident happened during a show in Birmingham.


2001, Brian Harvey underwent surgery after suffering a serious head injury in an attack. The former East 17 singer was attacked by a group of youths as he left the Works nightclub in Nottingham, having appeared at a promotional event.


2001, David Soul won a lawsuit against Matthew Wright, a London theatre critic who criticised Soul's stage performance without even seeing it. Wright's column had made reference to the Monday performance, when in fact, the play did not run on Mondays.

2003, Bobby Brown was charged with battery after allegedly hitting wife Whitney Houston in the face. Brown, turned himself in to the police three days after a reported domestic dispute at the couple's home in Atlanta, Georgia. Houston, who accompanied her husband to court, said they were trying to work out their problems "privately."


2008, Simon Cowell said he was "very embarrassed" after contracts signed by this year's X Factor contestants were leaked to the Daily Mirror newspaper. The 80-page document, which is enforceable "anywhere in the world or the solar system" was signed by all 12 finalists before the live shows began. It included a clause that prevents them from saying anything "unduly negative, critical or derogatory" about Cowell. Also the show claimed the prize as a "£1m recording contract", but the contestants' contract said the prize money was £150,000.

December 11th: Born on this day

1916, Born on this day, Perez Prado, (1955 US & UK No.1 single 'Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White'). He died on 14th September 1989.


1926, Born on this day, Big Mama Thornton, singer, songwriter, Janis Joplin covered her song 'Ball And Chain'. Thornton also scored the 1953 hit with her version of 'Hound Dog' before Elvis Presley. She died in 1984.

1940, Born on this day, David Gates, vocals, bass, Bread, (1970 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'Make It With You').

1944, Born on this day, Brenda Lee, singer, (1960 US No.1 single 'I'm Sorry', UK No.4 single 'Sweet Nothin's', plus 27 US & 18 other UK Top 40 singles).

1951, Born on this day, Philip 'Spike' Edney, keyboard player, was known as the fifth member of Queen. Also worked with Duran Duran, Boomtown Rats, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Haircut 100, The Cross, Brian May and the Rolling Stones.

1954, Born on this day, Jermaine Jackson, The Jackson Five, (1970 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'I Want You Back',) The Jackson's, (1977 UK No.1 single 'Show You The Way To Go'), solo, (1985 UK No.6 single 'Do What You Do').

1958, Born on this day, Nikki Sixx, bass, Motley Crue, (1988 UK No.23 single 'You're All I Need' & 1989 US No.1 album 'Dr Feelgood').

1961, Born on this day, Darryl Jones also known as "The Munch.’ American bassist who has played with the Rolling Stones since Bill Wyman's departure in 1993. Also worked with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Madonna, Eric Clapton and Joan Armatrading.

1962, Born on this day, Curtis Williams, Kool & The Gang, (1981 US No.1 & UK No.7 single 'Celebration', 1984 UK No.2 single Joana' and 15 other UK Top 40 hits).

1964, Born on this day, Justin Currie, bass player, Del Amitri, (1990, UK No.11 single, 'Nothing Ever Happens').

1967, Born on this day, DJ Yella, NWA, (1990 UK No.26 single 'Express Yourself').

1972, Born on this day, Easther Bennett, Eternal, (1997 UK No.1 single 'I Wanna Be The Only One').

[TinyDancer]

Damn, this woman has soul.

Big Mama Thornton...Ball & Chain