This day in Music

[TinyDancer]

December 12th: On this Day
 
1955, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley all appeared at the National Guard Armory, Armory, Mississippi. 
 
1957, Still married to his first wife Jane Mitcham, Jerry Lee Lewis secretly married his 13-year old second cousin Myra Gale Brown. Lewis's personal life was hidden from the public until a May 1958 British tour where Ray Berry, a news agency reporter at London's Heathrow Airport learned about Lewis's third wife. The publicity caused an uproar and the tour was canceled after only three concerts. 
 
1957, Al Priddy a DJ on US radio station KEX in Portland was fired after playing Elvis Presley's version of 'White Christmas' The station management said, 'it's not in the spirit we associate with Christmas'. 
 
1963, The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', the group's third No.1 (and first Amercan No.1) and this year's UK Christmas No.1. 
 
1964, Bobby Vinton went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Mr Lonely', his second No.1 of the year. 
 
1967, Rolling Stone Brian Jones was given 3 years probation and a £1,000 fine for drug offences. Three psychiatrists agreed that Jones was an extremely frightened young man with suicidal tendencies.
 
 
1970, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Tears Of A Clown'. It was the group's 26th Top 40 hit and first No.1, and also a No.1 hit in the UK. The song was written by Stevie Wonder in 1966, and his producer Hank Cosby, Smokey Robinson wrote the lyrics. 
 
1970, The Doors played what would be their last ever live show with Jim Morrison when they played at the Warehouse in New Orleans.
 
1981, The Human League had their only UK No.1 single with 'Don't You Want Me.' The Christmas hit of 81, the biggest seller of 1981 and Virgin Records first No.1 UK single. The group's singer Phil Oakey disliked the song so much that it was relegated to the last track on their latest album' Dare'. 
 
1985, Scottish keyboard player Ian Stewart died of a heart attack in his doctor's Harley Street waiting room in London. Co-founder of The Rolling Stones (Stewart was the first to respond to Brian Jones's advertisement in Jazz News of 2 May 1962 seeking musicians to form a rhythm & blues group). Stewart was dismissed from the line-up by the band's manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, in May 1963 but remained as road manager and piano player. He played on all The Rolling Stones albums between 1964 and 1983, except for Beggars Banquet. Also played piano on Led Zeppelin's ‘Rock and Roll’ and ‘Boogie With Stu’ from Physical Graffiti. 
 
1987, George Michael started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Faith'. Taken from the album of the same name, it became the top-selling single of the year in the US in 1988. 
 
1992, Whitney Houston started a twenty-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'The Bodyguard'. It has sold over 44 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling soundtrack album of all time, as well as one of the best selling albums of all time.
 
 
1998, A seven inch single by the Quarry Men featuring John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison was named as the rarest record of all time, only 50 copies were made with each copy being valued at £10,000, ($20,500).
 
 
2001, Arthur Lee guitarist and singer from Love, was released from prison after serving almost six years of an eleven-year sentence. Lee had been convicted of possession of a firearm and for allegedly shooting a gun in the air during a dispute with a neighbour. 
 
2002, Eminem was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Lose Yourself', the rappers 4th No.1 taken from the soundtrack of his film 8 Mile. 
 
2003, Mick Jagger became a Sir after being knighted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. Jagger's 92-year-old father was at the Palace to see his son receive the award.
 
 
2007, Ike Turner, the former husband of Tina Turner died at the age of 76 at his home near San Diego, California. Turner who was a prolific session guitarist and piano player is credited by many music historians with making the first rock 'n' roll record in 1951. After marrying Tina Turner in 1959, the pair released a string of hits including the Phil Spector produced ‘River Deep Mountain High.’
 
 
2007, A copy of John Lennon's book, A Spaniard in the Works, which contained a lock of Lennon's hair, sold at Gorringes Auction House for £24,000, ($48,000). Lennon gave the book and the hair to Betty Glasgow, the Fab Four's hairdresser during their heyday. He wrote in the book, "To Betty, Lots of Love and Hair, John Lennon xx." The strands of hair and book had been expected to sell for between £2,000 and £4,000. 
 
2008, The town where Mick Jagger and Keith Richards grew up announced it was to name streets in a new estate after Rolling Stones hits. The 13 streets in Dartford, Kent, were to be given names such as Angie Mews, Babylon Close, Sympathy Street, Little Red Walk and Satisfaction Street. Leader of the council, Jeremy Kite, said he thought Ruby Tuesday Drive sounded a "fantastic" place to live, but police were concerned the street signs might be stolen by fans. 
 
2012, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Michael Stipe, Chris Martin, Bruce Springsteen and Roger Waters played at Madison Square Garden and raised over $30m (£18.6m) at a benefit gig in New York for those affected by superstorm Sandy which had caused the deaths of 120 people when it hit the Caribbean and US in October of this year. The surviving members of Nirvana, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, also joined Sir Paul McCartney on stage to perform.
 
 
 
December 12th: Born on this day
 
1915, Born on this day, Frank Albert Sinatra, US singer, actor, made his first record in 1939. First singer to encounter 'pop hysteria', 'My Way' holds the UK longevity record of 136 weeks on the charts, 1966 UK & US No.1 single 'Strangers In The Night'. Sinatra died on 14th May 1998.
 
 
1938, Born on this day, Connie Francis, singer, (1958 UK No.1 single 'Who's Sorry Now', 1960 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'Everybody's Fool', plus over & 20 UK Top 40 hits. 
 
1940, Born on this day, Dionne Warwick, US singer, (1964 UK No.9 single 'Walk On By', 1974 US No.1 & UK No.29 single 'Then Came You', plus over 25 US Top 40 hits).
 
 
1941, Born on this day, Terry Kirkman, vocals, The Association, (1967 US No.1 single 'Windy'). 
 
1942, Born on this day, Declan Clusky, The Bachelors, (1964 UK No.1 single 'Diane', plus 16 other UK Top 40 singles).
 
 
1942, Born on this day, Mike Heron, The Incredible String Band, UK folk group, (1967 album 'The 5000 Spirits or The Layers Of The Onion). 
 
1942, Born on this day, Tim Hauser, singer, Manhattan Transfer, (1977 UK No.1 'Chanson D'amour', 1981 US No.7 single 'Boy From New York City'). 
 
1943, Born on this day, Dave Munden, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, (1963 UK No.1 single 'Do You Love Me'). 
 
1943, Born on this day, Dicky Betts, guitar, vocals, Allman Brothers Band, (1973 US No.12 single 'Ramblin Man'). 
 
1943, Born on this day, Grover Washington Jr, singer, (1981 UK No.34 single 'Just The Two Of Us'). Died on 17th December 1999. 
 
1943, Born on this day, Mike Smith, Dave Clark Five, (1964 UK No.1 single 'Glad All Over', 1965 US No.1 single 'Over And Over', plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles). Smith died on 29th Feb 2008 from pneumonia at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, England at the age of 64. 
 
1944, Born on this day, Rob Tyner, US singer, MC5, (1969 album 'Kick Out The Jams'). Died 17th September 1991. 
 
1945, Born on this day, Alan Ward, The Honeycombs, (1964 UK No.1 single 'Have I The Right'). 
 
1947, Born on this day, Ralph Scala, The Blue Magoos, (1967 US No.5 single, 'We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet'). 
 
1948, Born on this day, Ray Jackson, Lindisfarne, (1972 UK No.3 single 'Lady Eleanor'). 
 
1953, Born on this day, Bruce Kulick, American guitarist, worked with Meat Loaf, Michael Bolton, Grand Funk Railroad and Kiss 
 
1959, Born on this day, Belouis Some, (Neville Keighley) 1986 UK No.17 single 'Imagination'). 
 
1959, Born on this day, Sheila E. singer and percussionist discovered by Prince, she had the 1985 US & UK Top 20 single ‘The Belle Of St Mark’. Also worked with Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston & Celine Dion. 
 
1961, Born on this day, Daniel O'Donnell, Irish singer, top UK Country 'n' Irish artist, (1998 UK No.7 single 'Give A Little Love', scored over 15 Top 40 albums). Received an MBE in 2002. 
 
1963, Born on this day, Claudia Brucken, Propaganda, (1985 UK No.21 single 'Duel'). 
 
1963, Born on this day, Eric Schenkman, guitar, The Spin Doctors, (1993 UK No.3 & US No.7 single 'Two Princes'). 
 
1968, Born on this day, Danny Boy, US rap group, House Of Pain, (1993 UK No.8 single, 'Jump Around'). 
 
1976, Born on this day, Dan Hawkins, guitar, The Darkness, (2003 UK No.2 single ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’, 2003 UK No.1 album ‘Permission To Land’). 
 
1980, Born on this day, Carl Dalemo, bass, Razorlight, (2005, UK No.2 single ‘Somewhere Else’, 2006 UK No.1 album ‘Razorlight’). 
 

[TinyDancer]

Allman Brothers Band....One Way Out

[TinyDancer]

December 13th: On this Day
 
1955, Dickie Valentine was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Christmas Alphabet', the first Christmas song to reach the No.1 position. It was the first Christmas No.1 that was actually about Christmas, a trend that would continue off and on over the next several decades. 
 
1961, The Beatles performed at the Cavern Club, Liverpool playing two shows at lunchtime and then again at night. Decca Records' Mike Smith attended the night performance with a view to offering The Beatles a recording contract. 
 
1962, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Return To Sender', his 13th UK No.1. Elvis performed 'Return To Sender' in the film Girls! Girls! Girls!. The opening bars and backing on baritone saxophone was performed by Bobby Keys who later went on to work with The Rolling Stones, The Who, Harry Nilsson, George Harrison and Eric Clapton. 
 
1966, Jimi Hendrix made his TV debut on ITV's 'Ready Steady Go!' (Marc Bolan was also on the show). The Jimi Hendrix Experience also recorded 'Foxy Lady' on this day. The United States version of Are You Experienced listed the song with a spelling mistake as 'Foxey Lady' and this is how it is still known among many North American fans.
 
 
1969, Diana Ross took the Latino Casino in Philadelphia to court for $27,500 after her two pet dogs died after eating cyanide tablets left by an exterminator in her dressing room. 
 
1969, Bob Dylan was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, on sale for 35 Cents (2/6).
 
 
1970, Dave Edmunds was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his version of the 1955 Smiley Lewis hit 'I Hear You Knocking.' The Welsh singer, songwriter and producers only No.1 hit. 
 
1975, Chicago started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Chicago IX-Chicago's Greatest Hits', the group's fifth No.1 album. 
 
1986, Bruce Hornsby & The Range went to No.1 on the US singles chart, with 'The Way It Is', a No.15 hit in the UK. Written by Bruce Hornsby and his brother John Hornsby, it made explicit reference to the American Civil Rights Movement. The song was heavily sampled by Tupac Shakur in his song, 'Changes' from 1998. 
 
1997, Children's TV characters The Teletubbies went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Teletubbies Say-eh-oh'. The single spent a total of 32 weeks on the chart. 
 
1999, Winners in the Smash Hits readers poll included, Backstreet Boys who won Best band, best album & best single, Britney Spears won best female singer, Robbie Williams best male singer, S Club 7 won best new band and worst group went to the Spice Girls.
 
 
1999, Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder was ordered to pay £160,000 to his ex management team over a dispute in his contract. Ryder said he was so high after a 'joint' he didn't bother to read the small print; the court was told the contract had 'done his nut in'.
 
 
2000, It was announced that after 74 years the UK rock weekly Melody Maker was to close down. The Christmas edition would be the last one then it would merge with the NME creating a more sizeable broad-based magazine.
 
 
2000, Sir Paul McCartney held his first-ever London book signing at Waterstone's in Piccadilly. Sir Paul was in the store to sign copies of his new book, Paul McCartney Paintings. 
 
2002, Canadian guitarist and singer Zal Yanovsky of The Lovin Spoonful died of a heart attack. Was a member of The Mugwumps with Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot. Formed Lovin Spoonful with John Sebastian in 1964, they scored the 1966 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Summer In The City'. 
 
2002, David Sneddon an unemployed busker and former children's TV presenter won a £1 million pound record deal after winning the BBC TV Fame Academy final. The singer songwriter from Glasgow went on to score a UK Number 1 with his debut single 'Stop Living The Lie' the following month.
 
 
2002, UK music channel Music Choice analysed all the Christmas No.1 singles from the past 30 years and identified criteria for their success. These included the use of sleigh bells, children singing, church bells harmony and references to love. They concluded that Sir Cliff Richards 1988 hit 'Mistletoe and Wine' was the perfect Christmas hit.
 
 
2003, Lauryn Hill launched a blistering attack on the Catholic church, urging religious figures to "repent" whilst speaking on a stage regularly used by the Pope. The former Fugees singer was playing at a Christmas show in Vatican City and took the opportunity to speak her mind about allegations of sexual abuse in America, before an audience that included top Vatican cardinals, bishops and the cream of Italian society. 
 
2005, A cheque signed by John Lennon made out to the Inland Revenue sold for £2,000 at a UK auction. It was sold by former madam Lindi St Clair, (formerly known as Miss Whiplash), after she decided she had no use for it. Clair who now runs a duck farm in Herefordshire had bought the cheque for £4,000 in 1988. It was signed by Lennon on 23rd January 1968 on a District Bank Limited form and made out for £6,946. 
 
2008, Dizzee Rascal was arrested in south-east London following an incident involving a baseball bat. The rapper allegedly approached another motorist with a baseball bat after a road rage incident. Rascal whose real name is Dylan Mills, was held on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in Sevenoaks Way, Orpington. 
 
2008, Alexandra Burke was voted the winner of The X Factor, beating four-piece group JLS into second place. The 20-year-old from Islington, London who made an unsuccessful bid to be in the contest three years ago sang with Beyonce, and performed her version of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'. 
 
2008, Kanye West went to No.1 on the US album chart with '808s & Heartbreak', his fourth studio album. 
 
2012, A collection of love letters written by Mick Jagger to American singer Marsha Hunt sold at auction for £187,250. The letters were penned in the summer of 1969 while the Rolling Stones frontman was in Australia. They are believed to be the inspiration for the band's hit single 'Brown Sugar'. 
 
 
December 13th: Born on this day
 
1940, Born on this day, Tony Gomez, The Foundations, (1967 UK No.1 single 'Baby Now That I've Found You'. 1969 US No.3 single 'Build Me Up A Buttercup'.) 
 
1945, Born on this day, Robert Martinez, ? & 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. 
 
1948, Born on this day, Andy Peebles, UK radio DJ. The last person to interview John Lennon. 
 
1948, Born on this day, Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter, guitar, Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, (1973 US No.11 single 'Reeling In The Years'). 
 
1948, Born on this day, Ted Nugent, guitarist, The Amboy Dukes, (1968 single, 'Journey To The Centre Of The Mind'). Solo, (1977 single 'Cat Scratch Fever'). Damn Yankees, (1990 album 'Damn Yankies').
 
 
1949, Born on this day, Tom Verlaine, guitar, vocals, Television, (1977 single and album 'Marquee Moon'). 
 
1950, Born on this day, Davy O'List, guitar, The Nice, (1968 UK No.21 single 'America'), Roxy Music, (1972 UK No.4 single 'Virginia Plain' plus 15 other UK Top 40 singles). 
 
1952, Born on this day, Berton Averre, The Knack, (1979 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'My Sharona'). 
 
1967, Born on this day, Jamie Foxx, (born Eric Marlon Bishop). US actor, R&B singer and pianist, (2005 US No.1 and UK No.2 single ‘Gold Digger’ with Kanye West, 2006 US No.1 & UK No.9 album ‘Unpredictable’). Academy Award winner in 2005 for his performance of musician Ray Charles in Ray. 
 
1970, Born on this day, Daniel Patrick, bass guitar, guitar and keyboards. Worked Nine Inch Nails, Tapeworm, Killing Joke, Methods of Mayhem. 
 
1974, Born on this day, Nick McCarthy, guitar, Franz Ferdinand, (winners of the 2004 Mercury Music Prize for their self-titled debut album). 
 
1975, Born on this day, Tom Delonge, Blink 182, (2000 UK No.2 single 'All The Small Things' 2001 US No.1 album 'Take Off Your...').
 
 
1981, Born on this day, Amy Lynn Lee, vocals, Evanescence, (2003 UK No.1 & US No.5 single ‘Bring Me To Life’, 2003 UK No.1 & US No.3 album ‘Fallen’). 
 
1989, Born on this day, American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift. Her third single, 'Our Song', made her the youngest person to single-handedly write and perform a No.1 song on the US country chart. She has sold over 26 million albums and 75 million digital single downloads worldwide. 
 

[TinyDancer]

December 14th: On this Day
 
1962, Bill Wyman made his live debut with The Rollin' Stones at the Ricky Tick Club, Star and Garter Hotel in Windsor, England. The group were know as The Rollin' Stones during this period.
 
 
1963, American blues and jazz singer Dinah Washington died aged 39. Known as the ‘Queen of the Blues’ she scored the 1959 US No.8 Grammy Award wining single 'What A Diff'rence A Day Makes' and the 1961 hit 'September In The Rain'. 
 
1963, The Beatles played a show for their Southern Area Fan Club at Wimbledon Palais, London. To prevent damage to the stage from fans the management of the Palais constructed a platform for The Beatles to perform on, surrounded by a steel cage.
 
 
1967, Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones was rushed to St Georges hospital in London after collapsing. A doctor reported Jones was tired and suffering from over strain and was also recovering from having some teeth out. 
 
1968, Marvin Gaye scored his first US No.1 single when 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' started a five-week run at the top. It was Marvin's 15th solo hit and also his first UK No.1 single in March 69. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966, the single was first recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles as well as Gladys Knight & the Pips.
 
1969, The Jackson Five made their first network television appearance in the US when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. 
 
1972, 'Born To Boogie' the Ringo Starr directed movie premiered in London. The film was based around a concert at Wembley Empire Pool, London, England starring Ringo Starr, Marc Bolan and T. Rex and was released on The Beatles' Apple Films label. 
 
1973, Bruce Springsteen appeared at the Pinecrest Country Club, Shelton, Connecticut. Only 200 tickets were sold for the show. 
 
1980, Yoko Ono called on fans to observe ten minutes of silence in memory of John Lennon. 30,000 gathered outside St George's Hall in Liverpool, while nearly 100,000 attend a memorial in New York's Central Park.
 
 
1981, During their Ghost In The Machine World Tour The Police played the first of three sold out nights at Wembley Arena, London, England. 
 
1985, Whitney Houston scored her first UK No.1 single with 'Saving All My Love For You'. The song which was written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin, had been a minor hit for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. in 1978 and was also a US No.1 for Houston.
 
 
1991, Michael Jackson started a four-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with his eighth studio album 'Dangerous'. The album has sold over 32 million copies worldwide making it one of the best selling albums of all time. Nine singles were released from the album spanning two years (1991–1993). 
 
1996, After presenting this week's edition of 'Top Of The Pops', John Peel was surprised to find he was the subject of the TV show 'This Is Your Life'. 
 
1997, Garth Brooks was at No.1 on the US album chart with his seventh studio album, 'Sevens' which became his fourth US No.1 album.
 
 
1998, Billy Preston pleaded guilty to insurance fraud in a Los Angeles court and agreed to testify against six other defendants who allegedly participated in starting fires, staging thefts and rigging car crashes for which a total of 18 fraudulent insurance claims were filed. Preston received five years of probation and one year in jail to run concurrently with a sentence he was already serving for violating probation on a prior conviction for cocaine possession. 
 
1999, Sir Paul McCartney appeared at The Cavern Club Liverpool, his last gig at the venue was in 1963. The show was filmed for TV and also went out live on the Internet.
 
 
2000, Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher recorded a cover version of Slade's 1973 number one 'Merry Xmas Everybody' for the Christmas Day edition of the BBC1 comedy show The Royle Family.
 
 
2003, Ozzy & Kelly Osbourne went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Changes' a remake of a track first sung by Ozzy on the Black Sabbath album Volume IV in 1972. It was the first father and daughter chart topper since Frank & Nancy Sinatra in 1967.
 
 
2004, The funeral took place in Arlington, Texas for Damageplan and Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, Eddie Van Halen, placed Darrell’s original black and yellow stripes guitar into the Kiss Kasket he was buried in. Several thousand fans and friends gathered at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, to mourn the guitarist’s death. Darrell was shot five times in the back of the head during a gig at the Alrosa Villa Club in Columbus on 8th Dec 04 by a mentally ill former US Marine. Damageplan's drum technician, John Brooks, and tour manager, Chris Paluska, were both injured in the incident. 
 
2005, Philomena Ward the mother of X Factor contestant Shayne Ward was arrested on suspicion of assault after an alleged brawl at Manchester’s Piccadilly Tavern. A bouncer claimed he was punched during the incident. Shayne Ward went on to have the UK Christmas No.1 single with ‘That’s My Goal.’ 
 
2011, Troggs singer Reg Presley was hospitalized in Winchester, England, with what was suspected to be a stroke. Presley had become ill during a gig in Germany a few days earlier.
 
 
 
December 14th: Born on this day
 
1932, Born on this day, Charlie Rich, singer, (1974 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'The Most Beautiful Girl'). Rich died on 25th July 1995. 
 
1938, Born on this day, Gary Usher, producer, songwriter. Worked with The Byrds, co-wrote The Beach Boys 'In My Room'. Died on 25th May 1990. 
 
1943, Born on this day, Frank Allen, The Searchers, (1964 UK No.1 single 'Needles And Pins'). 
 
1946, Born on this day, Jackie McAuley, Them, (1965 UK No.2 single 'Here Comes The Night'). 
 
1946, Born on this day, Jane Birkin, actress, singer, (1969 UK No.1 single with Serge Gainsbourg 'Je t'aime...Moi non plus', the only French language UK chart- topper). 
 
1946, Born on this day, Joyce Vincent Wilson, singer, Dawn, (1971 UK & US No.1 single 'Knock Three Times', 1973 US & UK No.1 single 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree'). 
 
1949, Born on this day, Cliff Williams, bass player for AC/DC (he replaced Mark Evans in 1977). UK No.36 single with 'Whole Lotta Rosie', the bands 1980 UK No.1 & US No.14 album Back in Black sold over 49 million copies.
 
 
1958, Born on this day, Mike Scott, singer, songwriter, The Waterboys, (1991 UK No.3 single 'Whole Of The Moon', first released 1985). 
 
1958, Born on this day, Peter 'Spider' Stacy, tin whistle, The Pogues, (1987 UK No.8 single 'The Irish Rover'). 
 
1966, Born on this day, Tim Skold, bass, Marilyn Manson, (1998 US No.1 album, 'Mechanical Animals', UK No. 12 single, 'The Dope Show'). 
 
1979, Born on this day, Sophie Monk, Bardot, winners of the Australian Popstars reality show, (2000 Australian No.1 single ‘Poison’, and 2000 Australian No.1 self-titled album). Now solo.
 
 
1988, Born on this day, Vanessa Hudgens, American actress and singer from High School Musical, as part of the cast had the 2006 US No.1 ‘High School Musical’ album and 2007, US No.1 ‘High School Musical 2’ album. Over 17 million viewers in the United States watched the TV premier of High School Musical; making it the highest rated basic cable broadcast in U.S. history.
 

[TinyDancer]

Marilyn Manson.....Beautiful People

[TinyDancer]

December 15th: On this Day
 
1943, American jazz musician, singer and composer, Fats Waller died of pneumonia on a train trip near Kansas City, Missouri. Wrote many songs including 'Ain't Misbehavin', 'Your Feet's Too Big' and 'The Reefer Song'. In 1926 Waller was kidnapped at gunpoint in Chicago and driven to a club owned by gangster Al Capone. Inside the club he was ordered to perform at what turned out to be a surprise birthday party for the gangster. 
 
1944, Hank Williams married Audrey Sheppard, with the ceremony taking place at a filling station Their son, Randall Hank Williams, would achieve fame in his own right as Hank Williams, Jr., who was born on May 26, 1949. The marriage ended in divorce on May 29, 1952. 
 
1956, Elvis Presley gave his final performance on Louisiana Hayride, a live radio program that was broadcast on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. Presley made 50 appearances on the show. At the end of the show, Horace Logan first made the now legendary phrase ‘Elvis has left the building’. 
 
1962, The Beatles played two separate shows at the same venue, the Majestic Ballroom in Birkenhead, Merseyside. First they played a standard Majestic booking then at midnight, the first-ever "Mersey Beat" poll awards show took place. As poll winners, The Beatles closed the show (at 4:00 am). 
 
1969, John Lennon played what would be his final ever gig in the UK when he appeared at The Lyceum Ballroom, London, with the Plastic Ono Band in a UNICEF 'Peace For Christmas' benefit. George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Delaney and Bonnie, Billy Preston and The Who's drummer, Keith Moon also took part. 
 
1973, Jermaine Jackson from The Jackson Five married the daughter of the boss of Motown Records, Hazel Gordy. 
 
1973, Charlie Rich started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the country & western ballad 'The Most Beautiful Girl', the singers only No.1 single, was also a No.2 hit in the UK. 
 
1973, David Cassidy went to No.1 on the UK album chart with his third solo album 'Dreams Are Nothin More Than Wishes.' 
 
1977, The Sex Pistols were refused entry into the USA two days before a scheduled NBC TV appearance. Johnny Rotten because of a drugs conviction, Paul Cook & Sid Vicious because of 'moral turpitude' and Steve Jones because of his criminal record.
 
 
1979, U2 appeared at the Windsor Castle Pub, Harrow Road, London, admission was free.
 
 
1979, Pink Floyd started a five week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Another Brick In The Wall, (Part 2),' their only UK chart topper. The song, which was also the final No.1 single of the 1970s, received a Grammy nomination for Best Performance by a Rock Duo or Group, but Floyd lost to Bob Seger's Against the Wind.
 
 
1984, 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' by Band Aid entered the UK chart at No.1 and stayed at the top for five weeks. It became the biggest selling UK single of all time with sales over 3 and a half million. Band Aid was masterminded by former Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof, who had been moved by a TV news story of famine in Ethiopia. Geldof had the idea of raising funds with a one-off charity single featuring the cream of the current pop world. Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Paul Young, Culture Club, George Michael, Sting, Bono, Phil Collins, Paul Weller, Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt of Status Quo and Bananarama all appeared on the recording.
 
 
1988, Soul singer James Brown was sentenced to six years in prison for various offences including possession of weapons and resisting arrest. 
 
1990, Rod Stewart married New Zealand model Rachel Hunter in Beverly Hills. Stewart was quoted as saying 'I Found the Girl that I Want, I won't be putting my banana in anybody's fruit bowl from now on'. They split in 1999. 
 
1990, Abba singer Agnetha Faltskog married Swedish surgeon Tomas Sonnenfeld. 
 
1994, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora married actress Heather Locklear. The couple divorced in 2006. 
 
1997, 'Spice World The Movie', featuring The Spice Girls premiered at The Empire, Leicester Sq, London. The following year it was nominated for the 'worst film' at the Golden Raspberry Awards. 
 
1998, Backstreet Boys roadie Michael Barrett filed a $3 million lawsuit against the group claiming damages after a 50-pound cannon fell on his head during a show.
 
 
1999, Boy George was knocked unconscious when a mirror ball fell on his head during a show in Dorset, England. 
 
1999, Former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren announced that he was running for the Mayor of London. He said he would be campaigning for brothels, pot shops and boozing in libraries. "I changed London with the Sex Pistols, I can change London as Mayor."
 
 
1999, Posh Spice Victoria Beckham knocked a crazed fan to the ground after he tried to grab her baby son Brooklyn as she left Harrods in London. 
 
2001, American funk and soul singer Rufus Thomas died of heart failure aged 84. Recorded on Sun Records in the 1950s and on Stax Records in the 1960s and 1970s. Scored the 1963 US No.10 single 'Walking The Dog' and the 1970 UK No.18 & US No.28 single 'Do The Funky Chicken'. A street is named in his honor, just off Beale Street in Memphis. 
 
2001, Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh was given an honorary Doctorate of Music from Kent State University in Ohio. 
 
2002, Blue featuring Elton John went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.' Previously a No.11 hit for Elton in 1976. It gave Elton only his 5th No 1 after over 30 years of hits! 
 
2003, Courtney Love was sentenced to 18 months in drug rehabilitation after she admitted being under the influence of cocaine and opiates. She was banned from taking non-prescription drugs, drinking alcohol or being in places that serve alcohol. 
 
2006, The co-founder of Atlantic Records Ahmet Ertegun died, aged 83. Ertegun who founded Atlantic Records with Herb Abramson in 1947 helped make Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin stars and signed the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin in the early 70s. He suffered a head injury when he fell at a Rolling Stones concert at New York's Beacon Theatre in October, and died after slipping into a coma. 
 
2008, Madonna paid former husband Guy Ritchie around £50m as part of their divorce settlement. The singers US spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg told The Associated Press the figure included the value of the couple's Ashcombe home in England, and the financial part of the settlement had been worked out but custody of the couple's children had yet to be finalised. 
 
2010, Various Pink Floyd items were sold at an Entertainment Memorabilia auction by Bonhams in Knightsbridge London. A demo pressing of the single 'Point Me To The Sky/Careful With That Axe Eugene' sold for £720. Pink Floyd signatures, in various blue marker pens on four separate pieces of paper mounted and framed together with a copy of 'Dark Side Of The Moon' sold for £624.00 and a demo pressing of the single by Syd Barrett, 'Octopus' / 'Golden Hair' from 1969, misspelt 'Barratt' corrected in ink on A-side, sold for £300. 
 
 
December 15th: Born on this day
 
1919, Born on this day, Max Yasgur, owner of the Woodstock farm where the 1969 festival was held. Yasgur died of a heart attack on 8th February 1973 aged 53.
 
 
1922, Born on this day, Alan Freed, American DJ. The man who gave 'Rock 'n' Roll' its name. Died 20th January 1965.
 
 
1938, Born on this day, Jerry Wallace, US singer, (1959 US No.8 single 'Primrose Lane'). 
 
1939, Born on this day, Cindy Birdsong, The Supremes, (joined in 1967, 1969 UK No.3 single 'I'm Gonna make You Love Me'). Labelle, (1975 US No.1 & UK No.17, single 'Lady Marmalade'). 
 
1942, Born on this day, Dave Clark, Dave Clark Five, (1964 UK No.1 single 'Glad All Over', 1965 US No.1 single 'Over And Over', plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles). 
 
1946, Born on this day, Harry Ray, Moments, (1970 US No.3 single 'Love On A Two-Way Street', 1975 UK No.3 single 'Girls'). 
 
1946, Born on this day, Carmine Appice, drummer, Vanilla Fudge, (1968 US No.6 single 'You Keep Me Hangin' On'). Also a member of Beck, Bogart and Appice and the Rod Stewart band. 
 
1949, Born on this day, Don Johnson, actor, singer, (Miami Vice), (1986 US No.5 & UK No.46 single, 'Heartbeat'). 
 
1955, Born on this day, Paul Simonon, bass, The Clash, (1979 UK No. 11 single 'London Calling', 1982 US No. 8 single 'Rock The Casbah', 1991 UK No.1 single 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go', first released 1982, plus 15 other UK Top 40 singles).
 
 
1957, Born on this day, Tim Reynolds, American multi-instrumentalist, Dave Matthews Band. 2009 US No.1 album with Dave Matthews Band, ‘Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King’. 
 
1961, Born on this day, Nick Beggs, bass, Kajagoogoo, (1983 UK No.1 single 'Too Shy'), also a member of the Howard Jones band. 
 
1979, Born on this day, Edele Lynch and Keavy Lynch, singers, B*Witched, (1998 UK No.1 single 'C'est La Vie'). 
 
1980, Born on this day, Sergio Pizzorno, guitar, vocals, Kasabian, (2005 UK No.8 single 'Cutt Off', 2006 UK No.1 album ‘Empire’). 
 

[TinyDancer]

December 16th: On this Day
 
1965, Released as a double A side The Beatles 'Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out', became their ninth UK No.1 and their third Christmas chart topper in a row. The single was a US No.1 in January 1966.
 
 
1966, The first Jimi Hendrix Experience single 'Hey Joe', was released in the UK on Polydor records, the track had been rejected by the Decca label. It went on to be a No.6 hit in the UK, but failed to chart in America. Chas Chandler, who was now managing Hendrix had seen Folk singer Tim Rose perform the song at the Cafe Wha? in New York City.
 
1967, The Rolling Stones announced that Marianne Faithfull was the first signing to their 'Mother Earth' label.
 
 
1970, Five singles and five albums by Credence Clearwater Revival were certified gold in the US. The singles were: ‘Down on the Corner’, ‘Lookin out My Back Door’, ‘Travelin' Band’, ‘Bad Moon Rising’ and ‘Up around the Bend’. The LPs were ‘Cosmo's Factory’, ‘Willy and the Poor Boys’, ‘Green River’, ‘Bayou Country’ and ‘Credence Clearwater Revival’.
 
 
1971, Frank Zappa's '200 Motels' film opened at London's Piccadilly Classic Cinema in the UK. The film which also featured Ringo Star, covers a loose storyline about The Mothers of Invention going crazy in the small town Centerville. 
 
1972, Billy Paul started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Me and Mrs Jones', a No.12 hit in the UK. The song which describes an extramarital affair between a man and his lover, was later recorded by Michael Buble. 
 
1974, Guitarist Mick Taylor announced he was leaving The Rolling Stones, saying he felt that now was the time to move on and do something new.
 
 
1984, Various stars named their favourite party songs in music magazine Smash Hits; Morrissey picked 'What's The World', by James, Siouxsie had 'Love Is The Drug' by Roxy Music, Robert Smith from The Cure picked 'Boogie Nights,' by Heatwave and Andy Partridge from XTC picked 'Take Five' by Dave Brubeck.'
 
 
1988, American soul and disco singer Sylvester James died of complications from AIDS in San Francisco aged 41. Scored the 1978 US No.36 & UK No.8 single 'You Make Me Feel, Mighty Real'. He sang back-up vocals for Aretha Franklin on her 1985 Who's Zoomin' Who’ Album. 
 
1989, Billy Joel went to No.1 on the US album chart with his 11th studio release 'Storm Front'. The album featured one of Joel's three No.1 hits, 'We Didn't Start the Fire', a fast-paced song, mentioning some of the major historical events that took place in his time, and 'Leningrad', Joel's take on the end of the Cold War. 
 
1989, Jive Bunny and The Mastermixes had their third and final UK No.1 single with 'Let's Party'. With their first three releases making No.1, they equaled the record set by Gerry & The Pacemakers in 1963 and Frankie Goes To Hollywood in 1984. 
 
1991, Chubby Checker filed a lawsuit against McDonald's in Canada seeking $14million for it's alleged use of an imitation of his voice. The song 'The Twist' had been used on a French fries commercial. 
 
1993, MTV aired Nirvana's 'Unplugged' session for the first time. The album featured an acoustic performance taped at Sony Music Studios in New York City on November 18, 1993. Unlike many artists who appeared on the show, Nirvana filmed its entire performance in a single take with the band's fourteen-song setlist included six cover versions.
 
 
1993, With stories beginning to surface about Michael Jackson's alleged improprieties with young boys, St. Louis radio station KEZK announced that it would be no longer playing the singer's records. 
 
1997, American singer songwriter Nicolette Larson died aged 45 of complications arising from cerebral edema. Worked with Neil Young, (Comes a Time and Harvest Moon albums), Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, The Beach Boys and The Doobie Brothers. Best known for her 1978 cover of Neil Young's ‘Lotta Love’. 
 
1999, A 28 year-old man died after falling more than 80ft at Earls Court, London, while dismantling the set at a Spice Girls concert. 
 
2000, The estranged father and former manager of LeAnn Rimes made embarrassing allegations during a legal battle involving millions of pounds. One fact told in court was that LeAnn paid her mother £6,700 every time she styled her hair before a show.
 
 
2001, Stuart Adamson, lead singer of Big Country was found dead in Hawaii a month after disappearing from his home in the US. The 43-year old Scottish musician had fought a long battle against alcoholism. His body was found in a hotel room.
 
 
2001, Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Frank and Nancy Sinatra 1967 No.1 hit 'Somethin' Stupid'. The Christmas No.1 for this year. From William's album Swing When You're Winning. 
 
2003, Michael Jackson was out on police bail of $3m after being arrested following allegations of child abuse. The 45-year-old singer strenuously denied the allegations, calling them a big lie. Following the allegations of child abuse a special information web site was set up by the District Attorney's office because of the level of media interest in the case. Mr Jackson, who was arrested, cited and released after surrendering to police on 20th November, was due to appear in court on 9 January. 
 
2004, A Detroit studio where Eminem recorded ‘My Name Is’ went up for auction on the website eBay. Studio 8, in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale was to be listed in eBay's commercial property section for 30 days, with a minimum bid is $215,000 (£161,448). 
 
2004, Gold and silver Black Sabbath discs were stolen from the Kent home of Ozzy Osbourne's former manager Patrick Meehan. Police recovered the discs a week later after they were offered for sale on the internet auction site eBay. 
 
2005, The surviving Beatles and relatives of the band's late members began legal action against EMI to get royalties allegedly worth £30m. Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and relations of George Harrison and John Lennon claimed EMI owed record royalties to their company Apple Corps.
 
 
2006, Sir Paul McCartney said he left EMI, his record label of 45 years, as it had become "boring" and he had "dreaded going to see" its executives. McCartney told The Times that the company's handling of his music had become "symbolic of the treadmill". The ex-Beatle went on to sign a deal with Starbucks' label, Hear Music. 
 
2007, American singer songwriter Dan Fogelberg died at his home in Maine at the age of 56. The US singer, songwriter discovered he had advanced prostate cancer in 2004. Had the 1981 album ‘The Innocent Age’, which featured the hits ‘Leader of the Band,’ ‘Hard to Say,’ and ‘Run for the Roses.’ 
 
2007, Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of 'What A Wonderful World' the version was released to raise money for the Red Cross. 
 
2011, An ultra-rare 'Beatles VI' in-store promotional poster sold at an eBay auction for $6,300. Seventeen bids were placed before the 20 - 28 inch rarity sold. Beatles VI Is Here! was printed in block letters across the top of the black-and-white photo of the Fab Four, with album art of the first five records printed along the bottom edge. 
 
2012, X Factor winner James Arthur topped the UK singles chart with his debut single, Impossible. The 24-year-old's cover of Shontelle's 2010 track sold 490,000 copies becoming the fastest-selling single of the year. 
 
 
December 16th: Born on this day
 
1934, Born on this day, Karl Denver, UK singer, (1962 UK No.4 single 'Wimoweh', 1990 UK No.46 hit 'Lazyitis- One Armed Boxer' with Happy Mondays). Denver died on 21st December 1998. 
 
1945, Born on this day, Tony Hicks, guitar, The Hollies, (over 25 Top 40 hits since 1963, 1972 US No.2 single 'Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress', 1988 UK No.1 single 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' first released in 1969.
 
 
1946, Born on this day, Benny Anderson, keyboards, vocals, Abba, (first UK hit 1974 No.1 single 'Waterloo', followed by 8 other UK No.1 singles and 9 UK No.1 albums, 1977 US No.1 single 'Dancing Queen').
 
 
1950, Born on this day, Bill Gibbons, guitar, vocals. Moving Sidewalks (who opened for Jimi Hendrix on his first US tour). ZZ Top, (1984 US No.8 & 1985 UK No.16 single 'Legs').
 
 
1959, Born on this day, Steven Irvine, drums, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, (1985 UK No.19 single 'Brand New friend'). 
 
1972, Born on this day, Michael McCary, vocals, Boyz II Men, (1992 US & UK No.1 single 'End Of The Road').
 

[TinyDancer]

ZZ Top......Just Got Paid

[coacheric]

Boys II Men ~ Motown Philly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHzkICG47LU

[TinyDancer]

December 17th: On this Day
 
1960, Returning from Hamburg, The Beatles appeared at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool. Chas Newby joined The Beatles on bass guitar (to replace Stuart Sutcliffe, who had remained in Hamburg), a position he would hold for only two weeks and four performances. When Newby bowed out to return to college, Paul McCartney became The Beatles' bass player.
 
 
1962, Bob Dylan arrived in England for the first time; he played his first UK date the following night at the Troubadour Club in London.
 
 
1963, James Carroll at WWDC in Washington, DC, became the first disc jockey to broadcast a Beatles record on American radio. Carroll played 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', which he had obtained from his stewardess girlfriend, who brought the single back from the UK. Due to listener demand, the song was played daily, every hour. Since it hadn't been released yet in the States, Capitol Records initially considered court action, but instead released the single earlier than planned. 
 
1968, The Who played their Xmas party at the Marquee Club, London. Also on the bill was a new group called Yes. Members 15 shillings, ($1.80) or £1 ($2.40) on the night. Other acts appearing at the club this month included Joe Cocker, Free and Led Zeppelin.
 
 
1971, David Bowie released his fourth album Hunky Dory, which was the first to feature all the members of the band that would become known the following year as Ziggy Stardust's Spiders From Mars. 
 
1973, Slade were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Merry Xmas Everybody' their sixth chart topper. It has been released during every decade since 1973, and has been covered by numerous artists. In a 2007 poll, 'Merry Xmas Everybody' was voted the UK's most popular Christmas song. 
 
1977, Mr David Ackroyd purchased the one-millionth copy of 'Mull Of Kintyre', by Wings in the UK and became the first record buyer to receive a Gold Disc.
 
 
1977, Deputising for The Sex Pistols on NBC- TVs 'Saturday Night Live', Elvis Costello stops his performance of 'Less Than Zero', saying ' there's no reason to do this', and launches into 'Radio Radio' which he'd been told not to perform.
 
 
1977, George Harrison played an unannounced live set for the regulars at his local pub in Henley-On-Thames near his home in the UK. 
 
1982, American Delta blues musician and songwriter Big Joe Williams died in Macon, Mississippi aged 79. Wrote 'Baby Please Don't Go', a 1965 UK Top 10 for Them, (featuring Van Morrison). 
 
1982, Karen Carpenter made her last live appearance with The Carpenters when she performed in Sherman, California. Carpenter suffered from anorexia nervosa, the eating disorder which was a little-known illness at the time. She died at the age of 32 from heart failure, on February 4, 1983 caused by complications related to her illness.
 
 
1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Big Country, Duran Duran, Ultravox, Paul Young and Wham! all appeared on the UK TV show 'Razzmatazz Solid Gold Christmas Special'.
 
 
1988, Featured on the front page of the NME, Bros, interviewed for the paper, a quote from Matt, 'We've got the quickest selling debut LP in the history of CBS Records. You don't do that if your talentless'. 
 
1994, A remixed version of The Four Seasons' "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" re-entered the US Hot 100, where it stayed for another 27 weeks, just as it did when it first charted in 1976. The combined run will establish a record for the longest total chart appearance in US chart history. 
 
1995, A statue of the late Frank Zappa was unveiled in Vilnius, the capital of the Republic Of Lithuania. It had been organised by Zappa fan club President Saulius Pauksty. 
 
1999, American jazz-funk, soul-jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr died of a heart attack aged 56. He collapsed in the green room after taping four songs for The Early Show, at CBS Studios in New York City, He released over 20 solo albums and featured on the 1981 Bill Withers hit ‘Just The Two of Us.’
 
 
2000, Bob The Builder started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Can We Fix It'. Taken from the children's television programme Bob the Builder. 
 
2000, Eminem was the subject of a sick Internet hoax after MTV reported that the rapper had been killed in a car crash en route to a party. 
 
2004, Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley agreed to sell 85% of his estate to businessman Robert Sillerman in a deal worth $100m. Sillerman would run Presley's Memphis home Graceland, and own Elvis' name and the rights to all revenue from his music and films. In the deal Lisa Marie would retain possession of Graceland and many of her father's ‘personal effects.’
 
 
2005, U2 had the top-grossing tour of 2005, according to an end-of-year chart compiled by US magazine Billboard. More than three million people watched the band's sell-out 90-date Vertigo tour which grossed $260m (£146.6m). The Eagles, took $117m (£66m) from 77 shows and Neil Diamond grossed more than $71m (£40m). Kenny Chesney was fourth with $63m (£35.5m), Paul McCartney $60m (£33.8m), Rod Stewart with $49m (£27m), Elton John with $45.5m (£25.6m), Dave Matthews Band with $45m (£25.3m), Jimmy Buffett with $41m (£23m) and Green Day with $36.5m (£20.5m).
 
 
2006, English saxophonist Denis Payton died. Member of Dave Clark Five who had the 1964 UK No.1 single 'Glad All Over', 1965 US No.1 single 'Over And Over', plus over 15 other UK top 40 singles. 
 
2006, Leona Lewis started a 4 week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'A Moment Like This', also a US No.1. 
 
2010, Captain Beefheart died aged 69 from complications from multiple sclerosis. The American musician, singer-songwriter, artist and poet born Don Glen Vliet in Glendale, California recorded 13 studio albums. 
 
2010, Sir Paul McCartney performed an intimate lunchtime gig at the 100 Club on London's Oxford Street, the historic music venue threatened with closure. Around 300 fans were treated to a set lasting almost two hours, in what was McCartney’s smallest gig in the UK for nearly 10 years. A campaign to keep the 100 Club open had attracted support from Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Sir Mick Jagger. 
 
2012, Adele was named Billboard's top artist of 2012, while her hit record 21 was named top album of the year in the music magazine's annual review. The 24-year-old became the first to receive both accolades two years in a row. The year's top three songs were Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know, Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe and Fun's We Are Young. respectively. 
 
 
December 17th: Born on this day
 
1936, Born on this day, Tommy Steele, singer, actor, (1957 UK No.1 single 'Singing The Blues', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles). 
 
1937, Born on this day, Art Neville, vocals, piano, The Neville Brothers, (1989 UK No.47 single 'With God On Our Side') 
 
1939, Born on this day, Eddie Kendricks, vocals, The Temptations, (1971 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Just My Imagination' and re- issued 'My Girl' UK No.2 in 1992, solo US No.1 & UK No.18 single 'Keep On Truckin'). Died on 5th October 1992. 
 
1942, Born on this day, Paul Butterfield, blues singer, harmonica player, (1965 album 'Paul Butterfield Blues Band'). Appeared at The Bands, 'Last Waltz'. Died on 4th May 1987. 
 
1943, Born on this day, David Dee, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, (1968 UK No.1 single 'Legend Of Xanadu'). Dee died on 9th Jan 2009 at the age of 65, following a three-year battle with cancer. The singer, whose real name was David Harman, was originally a police officer and as a police cadet was called to the scene of the car crash that killed Eddie Cochrane during a UK tour in 1960. 
 
1949, Born on this day, Paul Rodgers, singer, guitarist, Free, (1970 UK No.2 & US No.4 single 'All Right Now'). Bad Company, (1974 UK No.15 single 'Can't Get Enough'). Also a member of The Firm, with Jimmy Page.
 
 
1950, Born on this day, Carlton Barrett, The Wailers, (1983 UK No.4 single with Bob Marley, Buffalo Soldier', plus 10 other UK Top 40 singles). Barrett was shot dead outside his home on 17th April 1987.
 
 
1951, Born on this day, Wanda Hutchinson, The Emotions, (1977 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'Best Of My Love'). 
 
1958, Born on this day, Mike Mills, bass, 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'). 
 
1959, Born on this day, Bob Stinson, guitar, The Replacements died of an accidental drug overdose, (1984 album 'Let It Be'). 
 
1962, Born on this day, Sarah Dallen, singer Bananarama, (1984 UK No.3 single 'Robert De Niro's Waiting', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles, 1986 US No.1 single 'Venus').
 
 
1964, Born on this day, David Walls, 'Ginger', vocals, guitar, The Wildhearts, (1996 UK No.14 single 'Sick Of Drugs'). 
 
1969, Born on this day, Micky Quinn, bass, Supergrass, (1995 UK No.2 single 'Alright', 1995 UK No.1 album 'I Should Coco' spent 35 weeks on the UK chart). 
 
1970, Born on this day, DJ Homicide, Sugar Ray, (1999 UK No. 10 single 'Every Morning'). 
 
1973, Born on this day, Eddie Fisher, drummer and percussionist in OneRepublic who had the 2013 UK No.1 hit 'Counting Stars'. 
 
1978, Born on this day, Neil Christopher, drummer, Three Days Grace. 
 
1989, Born on this day, Taylor York, guitarist, Paramore, 2009 UK No.1 album ‘Brand New Eyes’ and their 2013 self-titled fourth studio album hit No.1 on the US chart. 

[TinyDancer]

One Republic.....Apologize

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fm0T7_SGee4

[coacheric]

1949, Born on this day, Paul Rodgers, singer, guitarist, Free, (1970 UK No.2 & US No.4 single 'All Right Now'). Bad Company, (1974 UK No.15 single 'Can't Get Enough'). Also a member of The Firm, with Jimmy Page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4F2Y1sGaqI

[TinyDancer]

December 18th: On this Day
 
1961, The Tokens started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'; it reached No.11 in the UK. REM included a live version of the song on the 1993 'Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight' single. 
 
1962, On their fifth visit to West Germany The Beatles played the first night of a two-week engagement at the Star-Club, Hamburg. A 13 night run, playing 3 hours each night. The final night's performance was recorded and became known as ‘The Star-Club Tapes’, released in 1977 against the wishes of the ex-Beatles themselves. 
 
1966, Tara Browne was killed when driving at high speed in his Lotus Elan after it collided with a parked lorry in South Kensington, London. A close friend of The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Brian Jones, his death was immortalized in The Beatles’s song ‘A Day In The Life’ after John Lennon read a report on the coroner's verdict into Browne's death. 
 
1971, Jerry Lee Lewis and his wife Myra who he married when she was 13 divorced, as he prepared to marry 29-year old Karen Elizabeth Gunn Pate. 
 
1971, Sly and the Family Stone went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'There's A Riot Going On'. 
 
1972, Bob Dylan starting filming his role in the film 'Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid.' 
 
1982, Hall and Oates started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Maneater', the duo's 5th US No.1 and biggest hit in the UK making No.6. 
 
1982, UK-based Italian tenor and English girl Renee And Renato were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Save Your Love', the duo's only UK Top 40 hit and this years Christmas No.1. 
 
1983, American guitarist Jimmy Nolan, died of a heart attack in Atlanta, Georgia, aged 47. Known for his distinctive ‘chicken scratch’ lead guitar playing, he worked with James Brown from 1965 until his death. 
 
1983, Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards married 27-year old Patti Hansen on his 40th birthday.
 
 
1988, Mike Peters of The Alarm was rushed to hospital after having his eyes burnt by spotlights during a gig in Chester, causing the remaining dates on their UK tour to be cancelled.
 
 
1993, Take That had their third UK No.1 single with the Gary Barlow penned song 'Babe'. 
 
1999, The Spice Girls unveiled their waxwork look-alikes at Madame Tussaud's, London. Each model had cost £35,000 to make.
 
 
2000, UK singer, songwriter Kirsty MacColl was killed in a boating accident off the coast of Mexico when a speedboat hit her. MacColl was aged 41. McColl and her sons were diving at the Chankanaab reef, of Cozumel, Mexico in a designated diving area that watercraft were restricted from entering. MacColl saw the boat coming before her sons did; Louis (then 13) was not in the boat's path, but Jamie (then 15) was. She was able to push him out of the way (he sustained minor head and rib injuries) but in doing so, she was hit by the boat and killed instantly.
 
 
2000, *NSYNC fan Danielle McGuire filed suit against group member Justin Timberlake, alleging that he harassed and verbally assaulted her. McGuire, 15, filed suit in St. Louis, Missouri, charging Timberlake with false imprisonment of a minor. 
 
2001, English singer songwriter Clifford T. Ward died aged 57 after suffering from multiple sclerosis since 1984. His first album, Singer Songwriter, was released in 1972 on Dandelion Records (a label formed by the late disc jockey John Peel). He had the 1973 UK No.8 single 'Gaye'. Working as an English teacher in the late 60’s, one of his pupils was the future wife of Sting, Trudie Styler.
 
 
2003, Out on bail, Michael Jackson was formally charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering intoxicating liquor to a minor with the intent of committing a crime. The abuse was claimed to have taken place between 7 February and 10 March 2003 and the alleged victim was identified only as 'John Doe'. Jackson's lawyer said the entertainer was 'unequivocally and absolutely innocent' and would fight the charges 'with every fibre of his soul.' 
 
2003, James Brown and country music star Loretta Lynn were honoured for their contributions to US culture. The pair were invited to a gala attended by President George Bush at the Kennedy Arts Centre in Washington. 
 
2004, A guitar played by George Harrison and John Lennon sold for £294,000 ($570,000) at auction in New York. The Gibson SG guitar was used by Harrison from 1966 to 1969, including the recording of Revolver, and by Lennon during White Album sessions. Other items sold in the Christie's auction included a letter by Kurt Cobain, which fetched £10,000 ($19,400), and a school book report by Britney Spears (£1,000).
 
 
2005, ‘Fairytale of New York’ was voted the favourite Christmas song ever in a VH1 poll. The song by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl took the top spot, Mariah Carey's ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’, was voted into 2nd place and Wham's ‘Last Christmas’ came third. Other songs voted into the Top 10 were, ‘Mistletoe and Wine’, Sir Cliff Richard at No.4, ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ by Slade at No.5, ‘I Wish it could be Christmas Everyday’, Wizzard, No.6, ‘Christmas Time’, The Darkness, No.7, ‘Saviour's Day’, Sir Cliff Richard No.8, ‘Do They Know It's Christmas’ (1984), Band Aid at No.9 and ‘Lonely This Christmas’ by Mud at No.10.
 
 
2005, Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs after being stopped by police in east London. Police said the 26-year-old had been driving erratically. Officers sent suspicious substances found in the vehicle for analysis, Doherty was released on bail.
 
 
2005, UK pop-folk act Nizlopi were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'JCB Song', their only No.1 hit. 
 
 
December 18th: Born on this day
 
1938, Born on this day, Chas Chandler, bass, The Animals, (1964 UK & US No.1 single 'House Of The Rising Sun'). Chandler became the manager of Jimi Hendrix and Slade, he died on 17th July 1996.
 
 
1941, Born on this day, Sam Andrews, Janis Joplin Band, (1971 US No.1 single 'Me And Bobby McGee', 1971 US No.1 single 'Pearl'). 
 
1943, Born on this day, Keith Richards, 'The Human Riff', guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of The Rolling Stones who have had over 35 Top 40 singles and albums. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created 'rock's greatest single body of riffs'.
 
 
1948, Born on this day, Bill Nelson, guitar, vocals, Be Bop Deluxe, (1976 UK No.23 single, 'Ships In The Night'). Solo. 
 
1950, Born on this day, Martha Johnson, Martha And The Muffins, (1980 UK No.10 single, 'Echo Beach').
 
 
1953, Born on this day, Elliot Easton, The Cars, (1978 UK No.3 single 'My Best Friend's Girl', 1985 UK No.4 single 'Drive'). 
 
1958, Born on this day, Geordie, Killing Joke, (1985 UK No.16 single 'Love Like Blood'). 
 
1959, Born on this day, Grant Marshall, Daddy-G, Massive Attack, (1991 UK No.13 single 'Unfinished Sympathy'). 
 
1964, Born on this day, Robson Green, actor/singer, (1995 UK No.1 single as Robson and Jerome 'Unchained Melody', 'The White Cliffs Of Dover'). 
 
1966, Born on this day, Steve Dullaghan, Primitives, (1988 UK No.5 single 'Crash'). 
 
1968, Born on this day, Andy Miller, Dodgy, (1996 UK No.4 single 'Good Enough'). 
 
1970, Born on this day, DMX, (Earl Simmons), US rapper, (UK No. 30 single 'Slippin'). 
 
1980, Born on this day, Christina Aguilera, US singer, (1999 US & UK No.1 single 'Genie In A Bottle', 1999 US No.1 album 'Christina Aguilera', 2001 US & UK No.1 single with Mya, Lil' Kim and Pink, 'Lady Marmalade'). 
 
1980, Born on this day, Lyndsay Armaou, singer, B*Witched, (1998 UK No.1 single 'C'est La Vie'). 

[coacheric]

1938, Born on this day, Chas Chandler, bass, The Animals, (1964 UK & US No.1 single 'House Of The Rising Sun'). Chandler became the manager of Jimi Hendrix and Slade, he died on 17th July 1996.

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

[TinyDancer]

Christine Aguilera....I'm Ok

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=quAFmNvk_Zs

[TinyDancer]

December 19th: On this Day
 
1957, Elvis Presley had his draft notice served on him for the US Army. He went on to join the 32nd Tank Battalion third Armor Corps based in Germany.
 
 
1958, Conway Twitty was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'It's Only Make Believe'. The first song to reach the UK Top 10 in four different years: Billy Fury (1964), Glen Campbell (1970) and Child (1978). 
 
1964, The Beatles fourth album 'Beatles For Sale' started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK album charts. Recorded when Beatlemania was just past its peak 'Beatles for Sale' was The Beatles' fourth album in just 21 months. 
 
1964, The Supremes scored their third US No.1 single of the year when 'Come See About Me', went to the top of the charts. It made No.27 on the UK chart. 
 
1967, Buffalo Springfield appeared at the Community Concourse, San Diego, California. The group became a springboard for the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina. 
 
1968, During a UK tour Led Zeppelin appeared at The Civic Hall, Exeter, England, supported by The Empty Vessels, featuring Martin Turner and Steve Upton who later formed Wishbone Ash. Zeppelin were paid £125 for the gig. 
 
1969, Mick Jagger was fined £200 plus 50 guineas costs at Marlborough Magistrates Court for illegal possession of cannabis.
 
 
1969, The Beatles' latest Christmas record, 'The Beatles' Seventh Christmas Record' was released to members of their fan club in the UK and the US. 
 
1970, Elton John's first US hit, ‘Your Song’ entered the Billboard Hot 100, where it went on to reach number eight. The Hollies had been offered the song and Three Dog Night had already recorded a version which was included on their ‘It Ain't Easy’ album. 
 
1976, During an interview with UK daily newspaper The Daily Mail, Sex Pistol Paul Cook's mother said he was no longer welcome at home and she was going to turn his bedroom in a dining room.
 
 
1979, Elvis Presley's personal physician, George Nichopoulos, was charged with 'illegally and indiscriminately' prescribing over 12,000 tablets of uppers, downers, and painkillers for the star during the 20 months preceding his untimely death. Although he was acquitted this time, he was charged again in 1980 and again in 1992 and was stripped of his medical license in July 1995. 
 
1981, Abba scored their seventh UK No.1 album with 'The Visitors', the Swedish pop group's eighth and final studio album. It was one of the first records to be recorded and mixed digitally, and was the first in history to be manufactured on the new CD format in 1982 on Atlantic.
 
 
1987, The Pet Shop Boys had their third UK No.1 single with their version of 'Always On My Mind. The duo had performed a version of 'Always on My Mind' on Love Me Tender, an TV special commemorating the tenth anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, their performance was so well-received that the group decided to record the song and release it as a single. 
 
1993, Michael Clarke drummer with The Byrds died of liver failure aged 47. Also worked with the Flying Burrito Brothers and Jerry Jeff Walker. Before his death Clarke had expressed a wish of alerting children to the dangers of alcoholism. Following his wishes, Clarke's girlfriend Susan Paul started a foundation in Clarke's name, called the Campaign for Alcohol-free Kids. 
 
1994, The Manic Street Preachers played the first of three nights at The Astoria, London, the last shows Richey Edwards made with the band before disappearing. Edwards vanished on February 1st 1995 leaving no clues to his whereabouts and has never been seen since. 
 
1999, Irish boyband Westlife started a four week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their versions of the Abba song 'I Have A Dream' and the Terry Jacks hit (written in French by Belgian, Jacques Brel and English lyrics by poet Rod McKuen), 'Seasons In The Sun'. It gave the group the Christmas No.1 and the last No.1 of the century.
 
 
2000, 10,000 Maniacs guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure aged 42. Best know for ‘Hey Jack Kerouac’, ‘What's The Matter Here’ and 'Candy Everybody Wants'. 
 
2000, Songwriter, guitarist and singer and founder member of The Staple Singers, Roebuck 'pop' Staples died. Best known for their 1970s hits ‘I'll Take You There’, ‘Respect Yourself’, and ‘Let's Do It Again’. 
 
2000, Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol Dirty Bastard was returned to New York from Philadelphia in police custody, in order to face outstanding drug charges for possessing crack cocaine. 
 
2001, Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton paid £3,000 for a custom built toilet. The singer ordered the hand painted porcelain loo complete with hand crafted toilet roll holder for her new £500,000 seaside apartment.
 
 
2005, Sir Elton John turned down £5.7m for the exclusive rights to his civil union to his partner David Furnish. The couple had considered the offer from a US television channel, putting the money in the Elton John Aids Foundation, but they told Attitude magazine they had decided to keep the day private. 
 
2006, Two giant eyeballs donated by Pink Floyd raised £16,500 for the homeless charity Crisis. The 6ft-high props, made to promote the Pulse DVD, were on the auction site eBay for a week and attracted 46 bids. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, a vice-president of Crisis, said extra help was needed in the winter months.
 
 
2012, Madonna's MDNA World Tour made more money than any other during 2012. The tour grossed $228m (£141m), according to figures complied by Billboard after more than 1.6 million fans paid to see her perform in 65 cities worldwide since last June. She beat Bruce Springsteen into first place on the highest-grossing tour list, who earned $198 million (£123 million). Also in the top 25 were Coldplay, who took fifth place, and Lady Gaga at number six, who attracted audiences reaching 1.1 million people in comparison. Jay-Z and Kanye West came in at number nine, while Justin Bieber's tour was the 20th highest-earning at $30.6 million (£18.9m).
 
 
2012, Nick Mason stepped in to help save Foote's, the historic London music shop where he bought his first ever drum kit. The Pink Floyd drummer, along with the store's sales director, Rob Wilson, were buying the business (which will now re-open in a new location at 41 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London) from the family who has owned it since the '30s. 
 
 
December 19th: Born on this day
 
1918, Born on this day, Professor Longhair, US rock & roll piano player. Influenced Fat's Domino and Dr John. Died on 30th Jan 1980.
 
 
1940, Born on this day, Phil Ochs, US folk singer songwriter. Wrote 'There But A Fortune', hit for Joan Baez. Hung himself on 9th April 1976 suffering from chronic depression. 
 
1941, Born on this day, Maurice White, vocals, Earth Wind and Fire, (1975 US No.1 single 'Shining Star', 1981 UK No.3 single 'Let's Groove'). 
 
1944, Born on this day, Alvin Lee, guitar vocals, Ten Years After, (1970 UK No.10 single 'Love Like A Man'). Lee died on 6 March 2013. According to his website, he died from "unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure", he was 68. 
 
1944, Born on this day, Zal Yanovsky, The Lovin Spoonful, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Summer In The City'). Died of a heart attack on 13th December 2002. 
 
1949, Born on this day, John McEuen, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, (1971 US No.9 single 'Mr Bojangles'). 
 
1958, Born on this day, Chris Hamill, (Limahl), vocals, Kajagoogoo, (1983 UK No.1 single 'Too Shy'). 

[TinyDancer]

Earth, Wind and Fire....Can't Hide Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wr0ekZlcM8E

[Well Behaved Lady]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlX-QidSHIA

I'm very fortunate to have seen nearly all the bands/artists I like live, however Manic Street Preachers I've missed out on, sadly like a few others I won't get to see the original line up. Here's just one song I love from their vast catalogue.

[coacheric]

1944, Born on this day, Alvin Lee, guitar vocals, Ten Years After, (1970 UK No.10 single 'Love Like A Man'). Lee died on 6 March 2013. According to his website, he died from "unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure", he was 68.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBAwv49slC8

Really cool intro with this video featuring Alvin Lee talking.

[coacheric]

I'm very fortunate to have seen nearly all the bands/artists I like live, however Manic Street Preachers I've missed out on, sadly like a few others I won't get to see the original line up. Here's just one song I love from their vast catalogue.

I'm with you. I'm young enough that I missed out on the hey day of a lot of music I grew up with but old enough to have seen most of these bands get back together and go back on tour. I have a shirt I like to wear to concerts that says "I may be old but I got to see all the cool Bands"