On This Day(In Music )

May 4th: On this Day


1956, Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps recorded 'Be Bop A Lula.' The track was written three days before the session. The song became a 1956 US No.7 & UK No.16 hit single spending 20 weeks on the US chart. In April 1957, the record company announced that over 2 million copies had been sold to date.

1961, The Marcels were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Rodgers & Hart song from the 1930s 'Blue Moon', their only UK No.1.

1961, The Beatles performed at the Top Ten Club, Reeperbahn, Hamburg, West Germany.

1963, Andy Williams started a 16-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Days Of Wine And Roses'.

1967, The Young Rascals started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Groovin.'

1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared on UK TV's Top Of The Pops'.

1968, Mary Hopkin won her heat on the ITV talent show 'Opportunity Knocks'. She later signed with The Beatles owned Apple Records, Paul McCartney produced her UK No.1 single 'Those Were The Days', which also made No. 2 in the US. Hopkin later married record producer Tony Visconti.

1970, Four students at Kent University were killed and eleven wounded by National Guard troops at a campus demonstration protesting the escalation of the Vietnam War. The incident inspired Neil Young to compose 'Ohio' which became a hit for Crosby Stills Nash & Young.

1973, Led Zeppelin opened their 1973 North American tour, which was billed as the 'biggest and most profitable rock & roll tour in the history of the United States'. The group would gross over $4 million from the dates, flying between gigs in 'The Starship' a Boeing 720 passenger jet, complete with bar, shower room, TV and video in a 30' lounge and a white fur bedroom.

1974, Abba were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Waterloo', the group's first of nine UK No.1 singles was the 1974 Eurovision song contest winner for Sweden. The song was first called 'Honey Pie'.

1974, Grand Funk Railroad started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with their version of the Little Eva hit 'The Loco-Motion.' It was only the second time that a cover version had been a No.1 as well as the original.

1974, The film soundtrack to 'The Sting' by Marvin Hamlisch started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart.

1975, Mud were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Buddy Holly hit from 1958 'Oh Boy'. Their third and final No.1 single.

1975, Elvis Presley kicked off a 31 date North American Tour by playing two shows at the Civic Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

1977, The Patti Smith Group, David Johansen, Dead Boys, Blondie, Suicide and Richard Hell & The Voidoids all appeared at a Punk Benefit at CBGB's in New York City.

1978, 'Night Fever' by The Bee Gees was at No.1 on the UK singles chart. The group's third No.1 and the theme from the film 'Saturday Night Fever.' The song was a US No.1 for over two months.

1985, Phyllis Nelson was at No.1 on the UK singles with 'Move Closer', her only UK hit making the American singer a One-hit Wonder.

1987, American blues vocalist, harmonica player Paul Butterfield, who fronted The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, died at his home in North Hollywood, California, of drug-related heart failure, he was 44. Gained international recognition as one of the early acts performing during the Summer of Love, at The Monterey festival and Woodstock festival.

1989, Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine in Jersey, he was released on £5,000 bail.

1989, Stevie Ray Vaughan set out on what would be his last ever tour at the Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, British Columbia. The guitarist was killed in a helicopter crash on 27th Aug 1999 after a concert at Alpine Valley Music Theater in Wisconsin, after playing 107 of the 110 dates.

1990, Madonna played the first night of the North American leg on her 57-date Blond Ambition World Tour at The Summit in Houston, Texas.

1991, Cher scored her first solo UK No.1 single with 'The Shoop Shoop Song' from the film 'Mermaids'. The song had been a hit for Betty Everett on 1964, and gave Cher her first No.1 in the UK since 1965's 'I Got You Babe'.

1991, MC Hammer played the first of three nights at London's Wembley Arena.

1996, Alanis Morissette started a six-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Jagged Little Pill'.

1996, George Michael scored his seventh UK No.1 single as a solo artist when 'Fastlove' started a three-week run at the top of the chart. The second of six singles to be taken from George's comeback album Older.

1996, Mariah Carey started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Always Be My Baby', her 11th US No.1, a No.3 hit in the UK.

1997, Courtney Love placed an advert in The Seattle Times selling the house she had shared with Kurt Cobain. The five bedroom four bathroom house was on the market for $3m. The carriage house where Kurt Cobain died had been knocked down during refurbishment.

2000, Metallica were demanding online music service Napster cut off 335,000 users who they claimed had been illegally trading their songs. The band had passed on the names of all those they considered to be "stealing" their material over the internet in the latest development in an ongoing battle over the protection of music copyrights on the web.

2003, Sean Paul started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Get Busy.' A No.4 hit in the UK.

2003, Madonna was at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘American Life’, the singers fifth US No.1.

2004, Clement Seymour Dodd died aged 72. Producer and major force in the development of ska and reggae, made the first recordings of Bob Marley.

2008, Madonna's latest album Hard Candy went straight to No.1 in the UK, giving the singer a chart double, with her song 4 Minutes, featuring Justin Timberlake, on top of the singles chart for a third week. Hard Candy was Madonna's 10th number one album.

2008, Thieves broke into the childhood home of Motown star Martha Reeves and stole about $1 million worth of uninsured recording equipment, including speakers, microphones and karaoke machines. A suspect was arrested at his home later in the day after he tried to sell the goods to a pawnshop for $400.



May 4th: Born on this day


1923, Born on this day, Ed Cassidy, drummer, Spirit, (1969 US No.25 single 'I Got A Line On You').

1942, Born on this day, Nicholas Ashford, Ashford and Simpson, (1979 US No.36 single 'Found A Cure', 1985 UK No. 3 single 'Solid').

1942, Born on this day, Ronnie Bond, drummer, The Troggs, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Wild Thing'). Bond died on 13th November 1992.

1945, Born on this day, George Wadenius, Blood Sweat & Tears, (1969 US No.12 & UK No.35 single 'You've Made Me So Very Happy').

1949, Born on this day, Zal Cleminson, guitar, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, (1975 UK No.7 single 'Delilah, 1975 album 'Next').

1951, Born on this day, Bruce Day, Santana, (1970 US No.4 single 'Black Magic Woman', 1977 UK No.11 single 'She's Not There'), Pablo Cruise.

1951, Born on this day, Jackie Jackson, The Jackson Five, (1970 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'I Want You Back',) The Jacksons, (1977 UK No.1 single 'Show You The Way To Go').

1951, Born on this day, Mick Mars (real name Bob Deal), Motley Crue, (1988 UK No.23 single 'You're All I Need' & 1989 US No.1 album 'Dr Feelgood').

1959, Born on this day, Randy Travis, Country singer, 1989 US No.3 album 'No Holdin Back'.

1961, Born on this day, Jay Aston, Bucks Fizz, (1981 UK No.1 single 'Making Your Mind Up' plus 12 other UK Top 40 singles).

1970, Born on this day, Gregg Alexander, US singer, songwriter, New Radicals, (1999 UK No. 5 single 'You Get What You Give'). Written hits for Ronan Keating, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Enrique Iglesias and the 2003 Grammy award winning song 'The Game Of Love' by Santana and Michelle Branch.

1972, Born on this day, Mike Dirnt, bass, Green Day, (1995 US No.2 album 'Dookie', 1995 UK No.7 single 'Basket Case').

1979, Born on this day, Lance Bass, *NSYNC, (2000 US No.1 single 'It's Gonna Be Me', 1999 UK No.5 single 'I Want You Back').

May 2nd: On this Day


1957, Elvis Presley recorded the Leiber and Stoller song 'Jailhouse Rock' as featured in his third motion picture of the same name.

1963, The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'From Me To You', the group's first No.1 and the first of eleven consecutive No.1's. The title of the song was inspired from a letters column called From You To Us that ran in the British music newspaper, The New Musical Express.

1964, The Rolling Stones self-titled debut album started a 12-week run at No.1 on the UK charts. The album spent a total of 51 weeks on the UK chart. Also on his day The Stones made their first appearance on the US singles chart when 'Not Fade Away' entered the chart at No.98.

1967, The Beach Boys, Helen Shapiro, Simon Dupree And The Big Sound and Terry Reid with Peter Jay's Jaywalkers all appeared at The Adelphi Theatre, Dublin.

1969, The Who gave a press preview of their new rock opera 'Tommy' at Ronnie Scott's in London, England.

1969, The Beatles recorded a re-make of the new George Harrison song ‘Something’ at Abbey Road Studios in London. They recoded 36 takes of the song, which included Billy Preston on piano.

1969, Pink Floyd appeared at Manchester Chamber Of Commerce, England. The show was recorded for the forthcoming album ‘Ummagumma.

1970, One hit wonder Norman Greenbaum was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Spirit In The Sky.' Also a No.1 hit for Doctor and the Medics in 1986 and Gareth Gates in 2003.

1972, Bruce Springsteen auditioned for CBS Records A&R man John Hammond in New York. Springsteen played a short set for him in his office; Hammond was so impressed that he arranged a real audition that night at the Gaslight Club in New York for other Columbia executives. Bruce passed the audition.

1978, The Fall and Slaughter And The Dogs appeared at Band On The Wall in Manchester and at London's Hackney, The Clash, The Tom Robinson Band and X-Ray Spec all appeared on the same night.

1978, Kate Bush was on the UK charts with her debut album 'The Kick Inside'. The album which featured the singers No.1 hit 'Wuthering Heights' peaked at No.3 spent a total of 70 weeks on the UK chart.

1980, Joy Division played what would be their last gig with singer Ian Curtis when they appeared at Birmingham University, England. Curtis committed suicide two weeks later.

1981, Scottish singer Sheena Easton started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Morning Train (9 to 5)'. The title of the song was changed to avoid any confusion with the Dolly Parton hit '9 to 5', in the same year.

1983, Spandau Ballet were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'True', the group's only No.1. The song spent four weeks at the top of the UK chart and was a hit in 20 other countries. Parts of the original version have been sampled and used in a number of songs - most notably PM Dawn's 1991 US No.1 hit 'Set Adrift on Memory Bliss', which contains a sample of the song's famous guitar hook.

1987, Cutting Crew started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with '(I Just), Died In Your Arms', a No.4 hit in the UK.

1989, A security guard alerted the police after a man wearing a wig, fake moustache and false teeth walked into Zales Jewellers, California. Three squad cars arrived and police detained the man, who turned out to be Michael Jackson in disguise.

1991, The video for the R.E.M. song 'Losing My Religion', was banned in Ireland because its religious imagery was seen as unfit for broadcast.

1991, Nirvana booked into Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California for 16 days. On a budget of $65,000 and with Butch Vig producing the band started recording what would become the ‘Nevermind’ album.

1992, Little known UK duo Nirvana filed a suit against the American band of the same name claiming that they had been using the name since 1968. The dispute was settled out of court in the British bands favour.

1992, The Cure scored their first UK No.1 album with 'Wish', their 15th album release, featuring the top 10 single 'Friday I'm In Love'.

1998, Japanese rock star Hideto Matsumoto was found hanged in the bathroom at his Tokyo apartment and died in hospital a short time later at the age of 33. His funeral, held on May 7th, was attended by over 70,000 people and required 100 police officers, 170 security guards, police boats and helicopters. 21 people were hospitalised for injuries caused by the massive crowd at his funeral.

1999, Sinead O'Connor made her first performance since her ordination as Mother Bernadette when she appeared on Irish television's 'Late Late Show'.

1999, St Vincent and the Grenadines issued a *NSYNC postage stamp in honour of the boy band.

2003, Kings Of Leon played their first ever UK date when they appeared at The Empress Ballroom in Blackpool.

2004, D-12 were at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘D12 World.’

2004, Total Guitar magazine's readers voted Guns N' Roses' anthem ‘Sweet Child O' Mine’ as the greatest guitar riff ever ahead of Nirvana's grunge anthem ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’. Led Zeppelin's ‘Whole Lotta Love’ came third, followed by Deep Purple's ‘Smoke On The Water’. Total Guitar editor Scott Rowley said: "To a new generation of guitarist's, Guns N' Roses are more thrilling than the Sex Pistols."

2005, Eric Clapton joined former Cream members drummer Ginger Baker and bass player Jack Bruce for the first of four nights at London's Royal Albert Hall 36 years after they had split up. Tickets were changing hands for more than £500 on eBay and fans had flown over from the USA to witness the reunion, which Clapton aged 60, is said to have agreed to because of the failing health of the other former members of the band.

2006, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards was released from hospital in New Zealand after the 62 year-old suffered "mild concussion" when he fell out of a coconut tree while on holiday in Fiji. He was airlifted to Auckland's Ascot Hospital for observation, where he underwent a brain scan.

2007, Almost 2,000 musicians gathered in the Polish city of Wroclaw to play a rock anthem by Jimi Hendrix. The guitarists were aiming to set a new Guinness World Record by gathering 1,876 guitarist's in the city's market square to play 'Hey Joe'. Organisers say it was the biggest guitar ensemble in recorded history.

2007, Britney Spears made her first appearance on stage since she left a rehabilitation clinic. Spears performed five songs at the House of Blues club in San Diego, California.

2008, Chad Kroeger was banned from driving for a year after being convicted of drink-driving in the Canadian city of Vancouver. The 33-year-old Nickelback singer had almost twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system when he was stopped by police speeding in his Lamborghini.

2009, A rare Motown seven-inch single sold for £25,742, ($38,378), setting a new world record. Kenny Burrell, from Fife in Scotland, put the unreleased 1965 single ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)’ by Frank Wilson up for auction; the single was one of only two in the world. Motown boss Berry Gordy had all other copies destroyed after Wilson moved into songwriting and producing. British Record dealer John Manship, who organised the sale, said the buyer wished to remain anonymous. Wilson went on to write hits for The Supremes and The Four Tops.

2009, Bob Dylan mingled unnoticed with other Beatles tourists during a minibus tour to John Lennon's childhood home. He was one of 14 tourists to examine photos and documents in the National Trust-owned home, where Lennon grew up with his aunt Mimi and uncle George. Dylan who was on a day off on a European tour paid £16 for the public trip to the 1940s house in Woolton, Liverpool.

2009, Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack went to No.1 on the US album chart. The album featured songs by Miley Cyrus (as both Hannah Montana and herself), Billy Ray Cyrus, Taylor Swift, and Rascal Flatts.



May 2nd: Born on this day


1904, Born on this day, Bing Crosby, US singer who recorded an estimated 2,600 songs in his lifetime including ‘White Christmas’, which was written by Irving Berlin. Crosby had 317 other hits in the USA. Died of a heart attack on a golf course in Madrid, Spain, on October 14, 1977.

1935, Born on this day, Link Wray, guitarist, (1958 US No.16 single 'Rumble'). Wray was credited with inventing 'fuzz' guitar after punching a hole in a speaker giving him a distorted sound. Wray died on 5th Nov 2005 aged 76.

1936, Born on this day, Engelbert Humperdinck, (1967 UK No.1 and US No. 4 single 'Release Me', plus 12 other UK Top 40 hits).

1945, Born on this day, Goldy McJohn, Steppenwolf, (1968 US No.2 and 1969 UK No.30 single 'Born To Be Wild').

1945, Born on this day, Randy Cain, The Delfonics, (1968 US No.4 & 1971 UK No.19 single 'La- La Means I Love You'). Died on 9th April 2009 at the age of 63.

1946, Born on this day, Bob Henrit, drums, Argent, 1972 UK No.5 single 'Hold Your Head Up'), also a member of The Kinks.

1946, Born on this day, Lesley Gore, singer, (1963 US No.1 & UK No.9 single 'It's My Party').

1950, Born on this day, Lou Gramm, vocals, Foreigner, (1985 UK & US No.1 single 'I Want To Know What Love Is').

1951, Born on this day, Jo Callis, Synthesizer, keyboards, guitar, Human League, (1981 UK No.1 & 1982 US No.1 single 'Don't You Want Me' plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles). Callis had been a member of the Rezillos and wrote their 1978 hit 'Top of the Pops'.

1954, Born on this day, Prescott Niles, The Knack, (1979 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'My Sharona').

1961, Born on this day, Dr Robert, The Blow Monkeys, (1987 UK No.5 single 'It Doesn't Have To Be This Way').

1967, Born on this day, David McAlmont, singer, (1995 UK No.8 with Bernard Butler, 'Yes.')

1969, Born on this day, Ben Leach, The Farm, (1990 UK No.4 single 'All Together Now').

1985, Born on this day, Lily Allen, UK singer, (2006 UK No.1 single ‘Smile’, 2006 UK No.2 album ‘Alright, Still’).

April 30th: On this Day


1956, Ronnie Hilton was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Rodgers & Hammerstein song 'No Other Love', (his only chart topper). Hilton scored a total of 18 UK Top 40 hits during his career.

1960, The Everly Brothers started a seven week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Cathy's Clown', giving Warner Bros a No.1 with their first release.

1964, During a UK tour The Beatles played two shows at The Odeon Cinema in Glasgow. They were also interviewed by BBC Scotland and STV for the evening news programs.

1965, Manchester group Herman's Hermits began their first US tour supported by The Zombies.

1965, This was the first night of a twice-nightly UK package tour with The Yardbirds, The Kinks and Goldie & The Gingerbreads, at The Adelphi Cinema, Slough, England.

1965, Bob Dylan played the first night of an 8-date UK tour at Sheffield City Hall.

1966, The Rolling Stones fourth album 'Aftermath' went to No.1 on the UK chart, the group's third UK No.1 album.

1966, The Young Rascals went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Good Lovin'. The song had been a hit for The Olympics the year before.

1967, Jimi Hendrix, The Walker Brothers, Engelbert Humperdink and Cat Stevens all appeared at the Granada Theatre, Tooting, London.

1968, BBC TV launched The Cilla Black Show making Cilla the first British female performer to have her own TV show. The theme song, ‘Step Inside Love’, was written by Paul McCartney.

1970, Twiggs Lyndon, the road manager for the Allman Brothers Band, was arrested for murder after he stabbed a club manager during an argument over a contract. At the ensuing trial, Lyndon's lawyers argued that he had been temporarily insane at the time of the incident and that touring with the Allman Brothers would drive anyone insane. Lyndon was acquitted.

1976, The Who's drummer Keith Moon paid nine cab drivers to block-off both ends of a New York street so he could throw the contents of his hotel room out of the window.

1977, Glen Campbell went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Southern Nights', his second US No.1.

1977, Led Zeppelin broke a new world attendance record at a concert when they played to 76,229 people at a gig at the Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan. The Who held the previous record at the same venue with 75,962 people.

1978, An Anti Nazi League Benefit concert at London's Victoria Park featuring The Clash, Steel Pulse, X Ray Spex and the Tom Robinson Band.

1980, The film 'McVicar' with The Who's Roger Daltrey in the title role premiered in London.

1982, American music journalist, author and musician Lester Bangs died of a heart attack aged 33. Bangs worked for Rolling Stone, Creem and The Village Voice.

1983, American Blues legend Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) died in his sleep at his home in Westmont, Illinois, aged 68. Major influence of many acts, Cream, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones named themselves after Waters' 1950 song 'Rollin' Stone.' Best know songs include 'I Just Want To Make Love To You', 'I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man', 'Got My Mojo Working.'

1983, Michael Jackson started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Beat It', his fifth solo US No.1, a No.3 UK hit.

1988, Erasure went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their third album 'The Innocents'.

1988, S'Express were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Theme From S'Express'. One of the landmarks of early acid house and late 1980s sampling culture, the British track sampled Rose Royce, TZ's 'I Got the Hots for You' and the count-in 'Uno, dos, uno, dos, tres, quatro' is from Debbie Harry's 1985 single 'Feel the Spin'.

1990, Prince played a concert at Rupert's Night-club, Minneapolis. The $100 a head ticket proceeds all went to the family of his former bodyguard Charles 'Big Chick.' Huntsberry who had died from a heart attack.

1991, Nirvana signed a recording contract with Geffen's DGC label for $290,000.

1998, Boyzone singer Ronan Keating married Yvonne Connolly on the Caribbean island Nevis.

1999, Nazareth drummer Darrell Sweet died aged 52, after suffering a fatal heart attack before a show in New Albany, Indiana. Nazareth had the 1973 UK No.9 single 'Broken Down Angel' 1976 US No. 8 single 'Love Hurts'.

1999, The three former members of Spandau Ballet lost a court case against band songwriter Gary Kemp. They had claimed they were owed £1 million in lost royalties. The Judge said he had become a fan of the bands during the case.

2001, A light aircraft carrying Sting went off the runway as it landed in Florence. None of the four aboard, Sting a friend and two pilots were hurt. Brake failure was suspected as the cause of the accident.

2004, New child abuse charges were made against Michael Jackson including a count of conspiracy, covering allegations of child abduction, extortion and false imprisonment. A new court date of May 28th 2004 was set.

2005, The Dave Matthews Band agreed to pay $200,000 (£105,000) after their tour bus dumped human waste on a boatload of tourists in Chicago in August 2004. Bus driver Stefan Wohl who was alone on board the bus at the time the sewage was dumped was fined $10,000 (£5,200), the band had already donated $100,000 (£54,252) to two group's that protect the Chicago River and its surrounding area. The Dave Matthews Band offered their "deepest apologies" to more than 100 boat passengers who were on an architectural tour.

2005, American guitarist Norma-Jean Wofford died. Known as 'The Duchess', she worked with Bo Diddley as a Bo-ette from 1962 to 1966. (Diddley was one of the first artists to have female musicians in his group).

2006, Gnarls Barkley went to No.1 on the UK abum chart with 'St Elsewhere' the duo's debut album which was also a US No.4 hit.

2008, Mariah Carey married actor Nick Cannon in the Bahamas following a whirlwind two-month romance. The pop diva met Cannon, 27, while shooting the music video for her single 'Bye Bye.' It was the second marriage for Carey, who married Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola in 1993, which ended in 1998. 


2008, A giant inflatable pig which floated away during a Roger Waters concert was recovered in tatters in California. Two families from La Quinta who found what was left of the inflatable, decided to share four life tickets to the Coachella festival that were offered as part of the reward.

2008, Gail Renard, who was given the hand written lyrics to 'Give Peace A Chance' by John Lennon in 1969, announced plans to sell the lyric sheet at a Christie's auction. At the time, Lennon told Renard to hang on to the piece of paper, saying "It will be worth something someday." The piece of music history was expected to fetch around $400,000, but when it was actually sold in July of this year, it went for $790,000 (£400,000).

April 28th: On this Day


1958, Alan Feed’s Big Beat Show played 2 shows at the Central High School Auditorium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The tour featured Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon, Buddy Holly, The Diamonds, Billy Ford, Danny & The Juniors,
The Chantels, Larry Williams, Screaming Jay Hawkins and The Pastels.

1964, The Beatles recorded the TV special ‘Around The Beatles’ at Wembley studios England. As well as performing songs they played Act V Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ with John playing the female role of Thisbe, Paul as Pyramus, George as Moonshine and Ringo as Lion. Paul later named his cat Thisbe.

1966, The Kinks appeared at the Mecca Ballroom, Nottingham, England.

1968, The Broadway musical 'Hair' opened at the Baltimore Theatre in New York City. The show featured the songs ‘Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In’, ‘Good Morning Starshine’ and the title song. The production ran for 1,729 performances, finally closing on July 1st, 1972.

1973, Pink Floyd's album 'Dark Side Of The Moon' went to No.1 on the US chart, it went on to enjoy a record breaking 741 weeks, selling over 20 million copies world-wide.

1973, The Faces scored their first UK No.1 album with 'Ooh La La.'

1978, Mike Oldfield played the first of two nights at London's Wembley Arena, England.

1979, Blondie scored their first US No.1 single with 'Heart Of Glass', also No.1 in the UK.

1979, The Very Best Of Leo Sayer started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart, giving Sayer his first and only No.1 LP.

1980, Marshall Tucker Band bass player Tommy Caldwell died of injures from a car accident aged 30 in his hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Original frontman for the Marshall Tucker Band between 1973 and 1980.

1981, Former member of T Rex, Steve Currie was killed in a car crash returning to his home near Vale de Parra, Algarve, Portugal, he was 33 years old. Joined T. Rex (recently renamed from Tyrannosaurus Rex) as bass guitarist in late 1970, also worked as a session player, played on 'Motorbikin' by Chris Spedding.

1982, The California State Assembly consumer-protection-committee heard testimony from "experts" who claimed that when ‘Stairway To Heaven’ was played backward, contained the words: "I sing because I live with Satan. The Lord turns me off, there's no escaping it. Here's to my sweet Satan, whose power is Satan. He will give you 666. I live for Satan."

1983, During the second leg of their 'War' North American tour, U2 appeared at the Rochester Institute Of Technology Ice Rink, Rochester, New York.

1988, During a North American tour, Pink Floyd appeared at the Texas Stadium, Irving, Dallas, Texas.

1990, Guns N' Roses leader Axl Rose married Erin Everly, daughter of The Everly Brothers Don at Cupid's Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. They divorced in January 91 after a stormy nine months of marriage.

1990, Sinead O'Connor started a six-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got.'

1997, Mark Morrison was fined £750 after admitting threatening behaviour during an incident in Leicester city centre when he believed someone had kicked his car.

1999, The tour bus carrying The Clint Boon Experience was involved in a near fatal accident when it was involved in a crash outside Glasgow. Members of the band had to be airlifted to hospital.

1999, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2000, A blaze swept through James Brown Enterprises, the office that co-ordinate the superstar's tours. Nobody was injured, but memorabilia and live tapes were destroyed in the blaze. An employee was later arrested charged with arson.

2000, Paul Atkinson was jailed for three years after being found guilty of stealing more than £25,000 from Rolling Stone Charlie Watts. Atkinson had been the manager of an Arabian stud farm owned by Watts.

2001, Toploader, Catatonia, Idlewind, Wheatus and Dumdums appeared at the Campaign For A Living Wage concert at Manchester Arena, Manchester, England.

2002, UK boy band Blue went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘All Rise’.

2002, Sugababes scored their first UK No.1 single with 'Freak Like Me.' The song was originally by American Adina Howard (1995) and was mixed with the synth line from Gary Numan's 1979 hit 'Are 'Friends' Electric?'.

2003, Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack went into rehab. The 17 year old was a patient at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, California.

2006, Abba star Bjorn Ulvaeus was accused of avoiding paying 87m Swedish kronor (£6.5m) in taxes on the band's hit songs and musicals. The Swedish government was demanding he repaid the money. Abba sold over 370 million records and he also co-wrote the musical Mamma Mia.

2007, Sugababes singer Amelle Berrabah was arrested and spent the night in a police cell over allegations she assaulted an 18-year-old woman in a Guildford bar. Police confirmed a 23-year-old female was arrested following an "incident".

2009, A TV commercial for insurance featuring Iggy Pop was ruled as misleading by the Advertising Standards Authority. In the advert, the singer was seen exclaiming that he had an insurance policy with Swiftcover but the company did not cover musicians at the time of the ad being shown. Swiftcover had since started to offer policies to musicians, and stated that Mr Pop would continue to endorse the company.

April 26th: On this Day


1960, Anthony Newley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Do You Mind', the UK singers second and final No.1. The song gave writer, Lionel Bart his second No.1.

1964, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Dave Clark Five headlined the NME poll winner's concert at Wembley Empire Pool, London.

1965, During a UK tour The Who appeared at Bridgewater Town Hall in England.

1966, Dusty Springfield was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me', the singers only UK No.1.

1967, Mamas and the Papas singer Mama Cass gave birth to a daughter, Owen Vanessa, in Los Angeles.

1969, The Original Cast of 'Hair' started a 13-week run at No.1 on the US album chart.

1969, During the band's second North American tour Led Zeppelin played the second of two nights at The Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco in California. It was during this show that 'Whole Lotta Love' was played live for the first time.

1975, BJ Thomas went to No.1 on the US singles chart with '(Hey Won't You Play), Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song'. It was the singers second US No.1. Not a hit in the UK.

1977, Grateful Dead appeared at the Capitol Theatre, Passaic, New Jersey.

1978, Ringo Starr's TV special, Ringo, a musical version of The Prince and the Pauper aired on American television. Ringo played both characters, George Harrison provided the narration.

1980, Blondie were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Call Me', the group's fourth UK No.1, featured in the Richard Gere movie 'American Gigolo', the track was also a No.1 in the US where it became the band's biggest selling single. Producer Giorgio Moroder originally asked Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac to help compose and perform a song for the soundtrack, but she declined.

1980, The Beat released 'Mirror In The Bathroom' it was the first digitally recorded single in the UK.

1982, Out on a day's shopping, Rod Stewart was robbed by a gunman of his $50,000 Porsche on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.

1982, Meat Loaf played the first of four sold out nights at Wembley Arena, London.

1984, Mike McCartney unveiled the £40,000 statue of The Beatles by John Doubleday at the new £8 million Cavern Walks shopping centre in Liverpool, England. John's first wife, Cynthia, was also in attendance.

1986, Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Street Life-20 Greatest Hits.'

1986, Van Halen started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with '5150'.

1988, A jury in White Plains, New York ruled that Mick Jagger did not pirate an unknown reggae musician's song and turn it into his 1985 hit, 'Just Another Night'. Patrick Alley of New York City had accused Jagger of copyright infringement.

1990, New Kids On The Block's Danny Wood injured his ankle while on stage in Manchester when he tripped over a toy animal thrown on stage by a fan; he was forced to fly back home to the US for treatment.

1990, Nirvana appeared at the Pyramid Club in New York City. The bands label Sub Pop filmed the show and the performance of ‘In Bloom’ was later used as a promo clip.

1994, Grace Slick pleaded guilty to pointing a shotgun at police in her California home. She claimed she was under stress because her home had burned down the previous year. She was later sentenced to 200 hours of community service and told to attend four Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week for three months.
1995, Courtney Love reportedly turned down an offer of $1m from Playboy to pose nude for the magazine.

1997, Ernest Stewart, keyboard player with KC and the Sunshine Band, died of an asthma attack. (1975 US No.1 single 'That's The Way, I Like It', 1983 UK No.1 single 'Give It Up').

2001, Destiny's Child were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Survivor', Janet Jackson was at No.1 on the US chart with 'All For You' and Shaggy and Ricardo RikRok Ducent had the Australian No.1 single with 'It Wasn't Me'

2008, Amy Winehouse spent the night in custody after being arrested on suspicion of assault. Police said Winehouse had been "in no fit state" to be questioned when she arrived at the London station and she was kept in the cells. The 24-year-old was to be questioned about an incident said to have occurred 3 days earlier after a 38-year-old man claimed he was assaulted.
2008, Leona Lewis was at No.1 on the US album chart with her debut album ‘Spirit.’

2009, Tinchy Stryder feat N-dubz started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Number 1', the first time ever that a single called 'Number 1' has made it to the top of the UK charts.



April 26th: Born on this day


1938, Born on this day, Duane Eddy, guitarist, (1960 UK No.2 and US No.4 single 'Because They're Young', plus over 15 other UK & US Top 40 singles).


1938, Born on this day, Maurice Williams, (1960 US No.1 & 1961 UK No.14 single with The Zodiacs, 'Stay'). Also a hit for Jackson Browne and The Hollies.

1940, Born on this day, Giorgio Moroder, producer, (1979 US No.33 & UK No. 48 single, 'Chase' from the film Midnight Express. Produced Donna Summer's world- wide 1976 hit 'Love To Love You Baby', 1984 UK No.3 single with Phil Oakey, 'Together In Electric Dreams.')

1942, Born on this day, Bobby Rydell, US singer, (1960 US No.2 & UK No.7 single 'Wild One', plus 17 other US Top 40 hits).

1945, Born on this day, Tony Murray, The Troggs, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Wild Thing').

1945, Born on this day, Gary Wright, Spooky Tooth, solo, (1976 US No.2 single 'Dream Weaver').

1951, Born on this day, Nick Garvey, The Motors, (1978 UK No.4 single 'Airport').

1952, Born on this day, Neol Davies, Selecter, (1979 UK No.8 single 'On My Radio').

1960, Born on this day, Roger Taylor, drums, Duran Duran, (1983 UK No.1 single 'Is There Something I Should Know' plus 25 other UK Top 40 singles, 1984 US No.1 single 'The Reflex'), Arcadia, (1985 UK No.7 single 'Election Day').

1961, Born on this day, Chris Mars, drums, The Replacements, (1984 album 'Let It Be').

1970, Born on this day, Ruth Anne, vocals, Olive, (1997 UK No.1 single 'You're Not Alone').

1970, Born on this day, Tionne Watkins, T- Boz, vocals, TLC, (1995 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'Waterfalls' 1999 US No.1 album 'Fanmail' spent 57 weeks on the UK chart).

1971, Born on this day, Jay DeMarcus, (real name: Stanley Wayne DeMarcus Jr.), bassist, Rascal Flatts, (2004 US country No.2 single ‘I Melt’, 2006 US No.1 album ‘Me And My Gang’).

1975, Born on this day, Joey Jordison, drums, Slipknot, (2001 UK No.1 album ‘Iowa’).

1976, Born on this day, Jose Antonio Pasillas II, drummer, Incubus, (2004 US No.2 and UK No.6 album ‘A Crow Left of the Murder…’, 2006 US No.1 album ‘Light Grenades’).

1981, Born on this day, Ms Dynamite, (Niomi McLean Daley), UK rapper, singer, (2002 UK No. 7 single 'It Takes More').

1982, Born on this day, Jonathan Lee, vocals, S Club 7, (1999 UK No.1 single 'Bring It All Back'). 2000 UK No.1 album '7' spent over a year on the UK chart.

April 24th: On this Day


1955, Perez Prado was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White'. Known as the ‘King of the Mambo’ the instrumental was the theme from the film 'Underwater' where Jane Russell can be seen dancing to ‘Cherry Pink’.

1959, Buddy Holly was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Paul Anka song 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore.' A No.1 hit six weeks after Holly's death.

1961, Bob Dylan appeared on Harry Belafonte's album 'The Midnight Special' playing harmonica on the track 'Calypso King'; Dylan was paid a $50 session fee for this his first ever recording.

1961, Del Shannon started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Runaway', also a No.1 in the UK. Del was the first person to have a hit with a Beatles song in the US with his version of 'From Me To You.'

1965, Beatles manager Brian Epstein won the 'star prize' of an album when he had his letter published in UK music weekly 'Melody Maker' informing it's readers that Paul McCartney played lead guitar on 'Ticket To Ride.'

1965, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Game Of Love', a No.2 hit in the UK. Wayne took his name from DJ Fontana the Elvis Presley drummer. Eric Stewart guitarist in the Mindbenders went on join Hotlegs and 10CC.

1968, The Beatles new company Apple Records turned down the offer to sign new artist David Bowie.

1968, Enjoying a wild birthday party Keith Moon drummer with The Who drove his Lincoln car into a Holiday Inn swimming pool.

1968, Louis Armstrong was at No.1 in the UK with the single 'What A Wonderful World / Cabaret.' At 69 years of age, it made Armstrong the oldest act ever to score a UK No.1.

1971, Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to No.1 on the US album chart with '4 Way Street.'

1972, John Lennon's controversial single, ‘Woman Is the Nigger of the World’ was released in the US. The song peaked at No.57, despite virtually every radio station in the country refusing to play it. Yoko Ono said the phrase during a magazine interview in 1967 and Lennon later explained that he was making a point that women deserved higher status in society.

1975, Peter Ham, British singer, songwriter with Badfinger committed suicide by hanging himself in the garage of his Surrey home, aged 27. Ham co-wrote 'Without You', with band mate Tom Evans (who also later committed suicide). The song won an Ivor Novello award for Song Of The Year in 1973, and was a hit for Harry Nilson and Mariah Carey. Ham was a founder member of The Iveys, who became Badfinger, were signed to the Beatles' Apple label, their first hit 'Come And Get It' was written by Paul McCartney.

1976, Led Zeppelin scored their sixth UK No.1 album with 'Presence', also No.1 in the US.

1976, 'Wings At The Speed Of Sound' went to No.1 on the US album chart. Paul McCartney's fifth No.1 after The Beatles.

1976, Paul and Linda McCartney spent the evening with John Lennon at his New York Dakota apartment and watched Saturday Night Live on TV. Producer of the show Lorne Michaels made an offer on air asking The Beatles to turn up and play three songs live. Lennon and McCartney thought about taking a cab to the studio, but decided they were too tired. This was the last time Lennon and McCartney were together.

1979, Ray Charles’ ‘Georgia On My Mind’ was proclaimed the state song of Georgia.

1981, New Order started work on their first album at Strawberry studios in Stockport, England.

1982, Status Quo scored their fourth UK No.1 album with '1982'.

1984, Jerry Lee Lewis married wife number six, 22- year old Kerrie McCarver.

1984, R.E.M. kicked off a 7-date UK tour at the Tin Can Club, Birmingham, England, the bands first full UK tour.

1990, The road crew for Roger Waters discovered an unexploded World War II bomb while constructing the set for 'The Wall' concert in Potsdamer Platz, Germany.

1992, David Bowie married Somali born model and actress Iman in Switzerland.

1995, Oasis released 'Some Might Say' which went on to give the band their first UK No.1 single.

2003, The first official UK download chart was compiled after the big five record companies- EMI, Warners, Sony, BMG and Universal combined for a Digital Download day. Over 150,000 computer users had downloaded 1.1m tracks. The Net Parade Top 3: No.3, Tatu, 'All The Things She Said', No, 2, Coldplay, 'Clocks' and No.1 Christina Aguilera, 'Beautiful.'

2004, Marion "Suge" Knight, the founder of Death Row records was released from Mule Creek State Prison in California after serving 10 months for breaking his parole on a 1997 assault. Knight was sent back to prison on 4 August for a second parole violation after he punched a parking attendant outside a Hollywood night-club in 2003.

2005, US singer Akon went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Trouble’. Mariah Carey was at No.1 on the US album chart with 'The Emancipation of Mimi.'

2007, Sheryl Crow said a ban on using too much toilet paper should be introduced to help the environment. The singer suggested using "only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required". Crowe made the comments on her website after touring the US on a biodiesel-powered bus to raise awareness about climate change. Crow had also designed a clothing line with what she called a "dining sleeve". The sleeve is detachable and can be replaced with another "dining sleeve" after the diner has used it to wipe his or her mouth.

2007, The Arctic Monkeys sold 85,000 copies of their new album ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ on its first day in UK shops, putting it on course to be the year's fastest-selling new release.

Edited by monarch

April 22nd: On this Day


1955, Elvis Presley appeared at the New Boston High School Football Field in Texas.

1957, Elvis Presley had his custom built ‘Music Gates’ installed at Gracelands. The gates were designed by Abe Saucer and custom built by John Dillars Jr, of Memphis Doors inc.

1964, The President of The National Federation Of Hairdressers offered a free haircut to the next No.1 group in the UK pop charts. He said 'The Rolling Stones are the worst, one of them looks as if he's got a feather duster on his head.'

1965, The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Ticket To Ride.' Taken from the film Help! it was the group's seventh UK No.1.

1966, 'Wild Thing' by The Troggs (who were originally called The Troglodytes) was released in the U.S. on both the Atco and Fontana labels. The song went on to reach No.1. Fronted by Reg Presley, 'Wild Thing' became a major influence on garage rock and punk rock.

1966, Two dozen local group's appeared at a “battle of the bands” gig in Matawan Keyport Roller Drome in New Jersey. All acts performed three songs each. The Rogues won first place, second was Sonny & The Starfires, and third place went to The Castiles, (with Bruce Springsteen on vocals). The three winners were given an opportunity to perform at the Roller Drome the following week as part of a major concert headlined by The Crystals.

1967, In the most popular Monkee poll conducted in the music paper Disc & Music Echo, Davy Jones received 63% of the votes, Mickey Dolenz 22%, Peter Tork 8% and Mike Nesmith 7%.

1969, On the roof of the Apple building in London, John Lennon changed his middle name from Winston to Ono.


1969, Fleetwood Mac kicked off a 10-date UK tour at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Also on the bill, BB King, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and Duster Bennett.

1972, Deep Purple scored their second UK No.1 album with 'Machine Head.'

1977, The Jam released their first single 'In The City', which peaked at No. 40 in the UK charts. They achieved 17 other Top 40 hits including four UK No.1s.

1978, Bob Marley and the Wailers performed at the 'One Love Peace Concert' in Jamaica. It was Marley's first public appearance in Jamaica since being wounded in an assassination attempt a year and a half earlier.

1978, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd made their first ever appearance as The Blues Brothers when they appeared on US TV's 'Saturday Night Live'.

1981, Eric Clapton was hospitalised with injuries from a car crash.

1989, Madonna started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Like A Prayer', the singers seventh US No.1, also a No.1 in the UK.

1991, The Dave Matthews Band played their first ever-live show when they appeared at The Earth Day festival in Charlottesville, Virginia.

1993, The Who's 'Tommy' opened on Broadway at the St James Theatre.

2001, Destiny's Child went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Survivor.' Their second chart topper, they were the first US female band to have more than one UK No.1. The song won the trio a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Group.

2003, Songwriter Felice Bryant died of cancer. Wrote many hits with her husband Boudleaux including; The Everly Brothers, 'Bye Bye Love', 'All I Have To Do Is Dream', 'Wake Up Little Susie' and 'Raining In My Heart' a hit for Buddy Holly. Other acts to record their song include Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Tony Bennett, Simon & Garfunkel, Sarah Vaughan, Grateful Dead, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, Count Basie, Dean Martin, Ruth Brown, Cher, R.E.M. and Ray Charles.

2006, Rascal Flatts started a three week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Me and My Gang’ the American country pop group's fifth album.

2007, Avril Lavigne went to No.1 on the UK album chart with her third album 'The Best Damn Thing', also a No.1 on the US chart.

2007, Beyonce & Shakira were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Beautiful Liar'. The track won the Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration award at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards and the song won an Ivor Novello Award for Best-Selling British Song.

2008, It was revealed that 60’s singer Tommy Steele took Elvis Presley on a secret tour of London in 1958 after Presley struck up a friendship with Steele. When the rock legend flew into London for a day, Steele apparently took him round the city, showing him famous landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament. For more than 50 years, Presley fans had believed the only time Elvis ever set foot in the UK was during a stop-over at Prestwick Airport in Scotland in March 1960.

April 20th: On this Day


1957, Elvis Presley started an eight week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'All Shook Up.' It went on to be the biggest single of 1957 selling over 2 million copies.

1959, Goldband Records released 'Puppy Love' by a 13-year old Dolly Parton in the US, a song that was recorded two years earlier when she was just eleven years old. The song didn't chart, (later to be a hit for Donny Osmond).

1966, During a 12 hour session at Abbey Road studios in London The Beatles worked on a new John Lennon song ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’’, and a new George Harrison song ‘Taxman’.

1967, During a UK tour, Pink Floyd appeared at the Queen's Hall in Barnstable, England.

1968, Deep Purple made their live debut in Tastrup, Denmark.

1968, Apple Music ran advertisements soliciting tapes from unknown artists, offering financial grants as part of a deal to release records on the Apple label. Artists such as Badfinger, James Taylor, Mary Hopkin, Jackie Lomax, David Peel and Elephant's Memory were signed up.

1969, Session drummer Benny Benjamin died. One of 'The Funk Brothers' played on many Tamla Motown hits including, The Four Tops, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder. The film 'Standing In The Shadows Of Motown' released in 2003 features his work.

1970, The New York Times reported that Catholic and Protestant youth group's had adopted The Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' as a religious symbol.

1970, Traffic, Mott The Hoople, If and Bronco all appeared at The Roundhouse, London, tickets, 25 shillings.

1974, MFSB and the Three Degrees started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'TSOP, (The Sound Of Philadelphia), a No.22 hit in the UK.

1979, Lighting director Billy Duffy was killed in an accident during a Kate Bush concert in Southampton, England. 21-year old Duffy fell twenty feet through an open trap door on the stage. Kate Bush held a benefit concert on 12th May with Peter Gabriel and Steve Harley at London's Hammersmith Odeon for his family.

1981, John Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to drug possession charges; the sentence was suspended after 30 days. Phillips started touring the US lecturing against the dangers of taking drugs.

1985, The charity record 'We Are The World' by USA For Africa was at No.1 on the UK singles chart. The US artists' answer to Band Aid had an all-star cast including Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Paul Simon plus the composer's of the track, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

1990, Janet Jackson was bestowed with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame at the start of 'Janet Jackson week' in Los Angeles.

1991, Steve Marriott leader of Small Faces and Humble Pie, died in a fire at his home in Essex. His work became a major influence for many 90's bands. Small Faces had the 1967 UK No.3 & US No.16 single 'Itchycoo Park', plus 1968 No.1 UK album 'Ogden's Nut Gone Flake', Humble Pie, 1969 UK No.4 single 'Natural Born Bugie'. As a child actor he played parts in Dixon of Dock Green and The Artful Dodger in Oliver.

1991, Wilson Phillips scored their third US No.1 single with 'You're In Love', a No.29 hit in the UK.

1992, 'A Concert For Life' took place at Wembley Stadium as a tribute to Queen singer Freddie Mercury and for aids awareness. Acts appearing included; Elton John, Roger Daltrey, Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), David Bowie, Mick Ronson, James Hetfield, George Michael, Seal, Paul Young, Annie Lennox, Lisa Stansfield, Robert Plant, Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, Axl Rose and Slash.

1993, Aerosmith released the album ‘Get a Grip’, which became their first album to debut at No.1. It went on to sell 7 million copies in a 2-year timespan in the United States alone and sold 20 million copies worldwide as well as winning the band two Grammy awards.

1995, Oasis supported by The Verve appeared at The Bataclan Club, Paris, France.

1996, English R&B singer Mark Morrison had his first UK No.1 single when 'Return Of The Mack' started a two-week run at the top of the charts. A No.2 hit in the US, the beat was sampled from Tom Tom Club's 'Genius of Love.'

1997, The Chemical Brothers went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their album 'Dig Your Own Hole.'

1997, Michael Jackson attended an unveiling of a wax statue of himself at the Grevin Museum of Wax in Paris, France. Jackson provided one of his own outfits to dress the figure.

2000, Robert Plant appeared at Disney's Theatre of the Stars in Orlando, Florida to leave his handprints outside the theatre.

2001, A memorial concert for former Small Faces and Humble Pie front man Steve Marriott took place at the London Astoria with Peter Frampton, Midge Ure, Chris Farlowe and Humble Pie.

2002, American singer Alan Dale died. During the 50's he had his own US TV & radio show, had the 1955 US No.7 single 'Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White.'

2002, In the dispute over who owned the rights to Nirvana's recordings former members Dave Grohl and Kirst Novoselic asked a Seattle Court to prove that Courtney Love was mentally stable. They told the court that Love was 'irrational, mercurial, self-centered, unmanageable, inconsistent and unpredictable.' They also claimed a contract was invalid because Love was 'stoned' at the time.

2003, Godsmack were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Faceless.’

2006, Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty was arrested in east London on suspicion of drugs possession only hours after a court appearance. Doherty had earlier admitted to seven charges of possessing drugs when he appeared before magistrates in east London. He was given a community order with two years supervision and 18 months drug rehabilitation and was also banned from driving for six months.

2008, The Kooks went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their second album ‘Konk.’

April 18th: On this Day


1953, Frankie Laine was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Believe.' The single stayed at No.1 for nine weeks. Laine holds the record for most (non-consecutive) weeks at No.1 than any other single in three chart runs with a total of 18 weeks.

1956, Elvis Presley played 2 shows at the Fairgrounds Pavilion in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1964, The Beatles appeared on the UK TV comedy program The Morecambe and Wise Show, playing ‘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 Beatles also held the UK and US No.1 position on this day with 'Can't Buy Me Love'.

1968, During a European tour, Pink Floyd played 2 shows at the Piper Club, in Rome, Italy.

1969, Lulu married Bee Gee Maurice Gibb, Brother Barry was the best man. The couple split in 1973.

1970, Santana, Taj Mahal and It's A Beautiful Day all appeared at London's Royal Albert Hall.

1970, Steel Mill, (featuring Bruce Springsteen) played in the Main Gym at Ocean County College in New Jersey. Tickets cost $2.00.

1972, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Amazing Grace.' The single enjoyed a five-week run at No.1.

1975, Four Bay City Rollers fans were taken to hospital and 35 others required on site treatment after they attempted to swim across a lake to meet their heroes. The group were making an appearance at a BBC Radio 1 fun day at Mallory Park.

1981, This years Eurovision Song contest winners Bucks Fizz were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their first No.1 single 'Making Your Mind Up.'

1984, Michael Jackson underwent surgery in a Los Angeles hospital to repair damage done after his hair caught fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial.

1985, Wham! Became the first-ever Western pop act to have an album released in China.

1987, Aretha Franklin and George Michael started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Knew You Were Waiting' also a No.1 in the UK. Aretha Franklin set a record for the artist with the longest gap between US No.1 singles, it had been 19 years, 10 months from her last hit 'Respect' in June 1967.

1987, On the first leg of their Joshua Tree tour, U2 played the second of five nights at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in California.

1992, Def Leppard started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Adrenalize.'

1992, Annie Lennox went to No.1 on the UK album chart with her debut solo release 'Diva.'

1992, Right Said Fred had their first and only UK No.1 single with 'Deeply Dippy' ('I'm Too Sexy' and 'Don't Talk Just Kiss' both made the Top 3).

1995, Oasis drummer Tony McCarrol was told by phone that he was being sacked from the group. McCarrol sued the Manchester group for millions in unpaid royalties and in 1996 Oasis agreed to pay him a one-off sum of £550,000 ($935,000).

1996, Bernard Edwards bass guitarist and producer from Chic, died of pneumonia in a Tokyo Hotel room while touring Japan. Also worked with ABC, Power Station, Sister Sledge, Sheila and B. Devotion, Diana Ross, Johnny Mathis, Debbie Harry, Air Supply, and Rod Stewart.

1999, Catatonia scored their second UK No.1 album with 'Equally Cursed And Blessed' the group also had their two other albums in the top 40.

2000, Four Monkee look-alikes were signed to play the 60's pop legends in a TV movie about the group's meteoric rise. The film called 'Daydream Believers' was set to start filming in Toronto.

2003, It was reported that the British share of the most played tracks on UK radio had fallen from 60% to 30% in the past five years. The chart from 2002 had only three UK acts in the Top 10, Sugababes, Blue and Liberty X. The most played single from 2002 was Kylie Minogue's 'Love At First Sight' which had a total of 48,486 plays on UK stations

2004, Guns N' Roses were at No.1 on the UK album chart with their 'Greatest Hits.'

2004, R&B singer from New York Eamon started a four week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'f**k It, (I Don’t Want You Back)' his debut single. The song earned a listing on the Guinness World Record for "the most expletives in a No.1 song", with 33.

2005, Reebok pulled a UK TV ad featuring 50 Cent after a mother whose son was shot dead complained it glamorised gun crime. Lucy Cope, from London went to the Advertising Standards Authority about the campaign featuring the US rapper. The ASA had been investigating 54 other complaints from viewers over a reference to the rapper having been shot nine times.

2006, A sale of clothes belonging to Sir Elton John raised more than $700,000 (£395,000) for the singer's Aids charity. Over 10,000 pieces were sold during a five-day sale in New York City at the specially-created shop, Elton's Closet, at New York's Rockefeller Centre.

2006, A line from U2's 1992 hit ‘One’ was voted the UK's favourite song lyric after in a poll of 13,000 people by music channel VH1. The line "One life, with each other, sisters, brothers" came top. The Smiths lyric “So you go, and you stand on your own, and you leave on your own, and you go home, and you cry, and you want to die" from the song ‘How Soon is Now?’ came second in the poll, followed by "I feel stupid and contagious, here we are now, entertain us", from Nirvana's ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ which was voted into third place.

2009, The Black Eyes Peas started a 12 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Boom Boom Pow’. The single was knocked off the No.1 position by the bands next single ‘I Gotta Feeling’.

2009, Keith Urban went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Defying Gravity’, the Australian singers fifth studio album.

April 16th: On this Day


1955, Elvis Presley (with Scotty Moore and Bill Black), performed at the Jamboree at the Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas. Also on the bill, Sonny James, Hank Locklin, Charline Arthur, tickets were $.60 for adults, $.30 for children.

1956, Buddy Holly's first single 'Blue Days, Black Nights', was released.

1964, The Rolling Stones first album was released in the UK, it went to No.1 two weeks later and stayed on the chart for 40 weeks, with 11 weeks at No.1.

1964, The Beatles filmed the "chase scenes" for A Hard Days Night with actors dressed as policemen in the Notting Hill Gate area of London. In the evening they recorded the title track for the film, ‘A Hard Day's Night’ at Abbey Road. John and Paul had the title first, and had to write a song to order, completing the track in nine takes.

1967, Cream appeared at the 'Daily Express Record Star Show' at The Empire Pool, Wembley, England.

1969, Desmond Dekker and the Aces were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Israelites', making Dekker the first Jamaican artist to have an UK No.1 single.

1969, Elektra Records dropped Detroit's MC5 from their label after the band took out an advertisement in a local paper that included the company logo and said; "f**k Hudsons." The band were protesting at the Michigan department store's refusal to stock their albums.

1970, Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' was certified Gold in the US after selling over a million copies. The single had peaked at No. 4 on the US singles chart.

1972, The Electric Light Orchestra made their debut at The Fox and Greyhound in Croydon, London.

1972, Pink Floyd appeared at the Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, USA. A typical set list on this the Dark Side of The Moon tour was: The Dark Side of the Moon (entire album), One of These Days, Careful with that Axe Eugene, Echoes, Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun.

1973, During his Ziggy Stardust World tour, David Bowie appeared at the Kobe, Kobe Kokusai Kaikan, Japan.

1976, Aerosmith played at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, the first date on their 76 date North American Rocks Tour.

1977, David Soul one half of TV cop show "Starsky & Hutch", went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Don't Give Up On Us', his only US hit. Also No.1 in the UK.

1983, Bonnie Tyler went to No.1 on the UK chart with her debut album and only chart topper 'Faster Than The Speed Of Night.'

1985, During the North American leg of their Unforgettable Fire tour U2 played the first of three nights at The Centrum, in Worcester, Massachusetts.
1990, Nirvana appeared at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1993, David Lee Roth was arrested in New York's Washington Square Park for allegedly buying a $10 bag of marijuana.

1993, Paul McCartney headlined a concert at the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate 'Earth Day' along with Ringo Starr, Don Henley and Steve Miller. McCartney had last performed there as a member of the Beatles in 1965.

1994, Bonnie Raitt went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Longing In Their Hearts.'

1994, Prince had his first UK No.1 with 'The Most Beautiful Girl In The World', (his 37th single release). It was his first release since changing his stage name to an unpronounceable symbol.

1996, Kiss appeared in full make-up at the 38th Grammy Awards, where they announced a reunion tour. It would mark the first time all four members had appeared together in over fifteen years.

1997, Mark Morrison was convicted with threatening a police officer with an illegal 23,000-volt electric stun gun. The singer left Maryebone Magistrates' Court in tears after being warned he was likely to be sent to prison.

1998, Janet Jackson played the first night on her third world tour at The Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Support acts on her Velvet Rope Tour included Usher, N Sync and Boyz II Men.

1999, Skip Spence, an original member of Jefferson Airplane and founding member of Moby Grape, died of lung cancer in a San Francisco hospital aged 52. He had battled schizophrenia and alcoholism.

2000, German eurohouse group Fragma went to No. 1 on the UK singles chart with 'Toca's Miracle.'

2003, 52 year-old soul singer Luther Vandross was admitted to a New York hospital after suffering a stroke.

2003, Jerry Lee Lewis filed for divorce from his sixth wife, Kerrie McCarver Lewis. The 67-year-old singer married Kerrie in 1984 who was the president of Lewis Enterprises Inc. fan club.

2005, OK Computer by Radiohead was voted the best album of all time in a poll by UK TV station Channel 4. U2 were in second place with The Joshua Tree and Nirvana in third with Nevermind.

2006, The Streets went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living