On This Day(In Music )

February 29th: On this Day


1964, The first night of a 29 date twice-nightly tour featuring The Searchers, Booby Vee and Dusty Springfield kicked off at The Adelphi Cinema, Slough.

1964, The Hollies appeared on UK music show 'Thank Your Lucky Stars.'

1968, Former Supremes singer Florence Ballard married Thomas Chapman in Detroit.

1968, The Beatles 'Sgt Pepper' won album of the year, best cover and best-engineered and recorded album at this years Grammy Awards.

1972, On the last date of an Australian tour Led Zeppelin played at the Festival Hall in Brisbane.

1976, 10cc kicked off a 30-date UK tour at the Fairfield Hall, Croydon promoting their new album 'How Dare You'. Also this week 10CC member Eric Stewart had been nominated for a Grammy award in America for his work on the 'Original Soundtrack' album.

1976, A Special 'Leap Year' concert with The Stranglers, Nasty Pop, Deaf School and Jive Bombers, at London's Roundhouse.

1980, The glasses that Buddy Holly had been wearing when he died were discovered in a police file in Mason, Iowa after being there for over 21 years.

1988, Robert Plant released his fourth solo album, Now And Zen. The album peaked at No. 10 on the UK chart. The tracks Heaven Knows and Tall Cool One featured guitarist Jimmy Page.

1992, Mr Big started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'To Be With You', a No.3 hit in the UK.

1992, U2 kicked off their north American leg of the 'Zoo TV Tour', at The Lakeland Civic Centre Arena, Florida.

1992, American blues singer and guitarist Willie Dixon died of heart failure. He wrote the classic songs 'You Shook Me', 'I Can't Quit You Baby', 'Hoochie Coochie Man', 'I Just Want to Make Love to You' and 'Little Red Rooster'. Dixon was a major influence on The Rolling Stones, Cream, The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin.

1996, American musician, songwriter and record producer, Wes Farrell died aged 56. He was one of the writers behind The Partridge Family American TV show and also wrote 'Hang On Sloopy' the 1965 hit for The McCoys.

1996, Status Quo sued Radio 1 for £250,000 ($425,000) on the grounds that the BBC station was breaking the law by not including their new record on their playlist.

2000, Eric Clapton was banned from driving for six months after speeding at 45mph in a 30mph zone near his UK home in Surrey.

2000, Sir Elton John stormed out of the opening of his new Broadway musical show, 'Aida', after 15 minutes complaining that his songs had been ruined.

2004, Peter Andre went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with a re-issue of his 1996 No.2 hit 'Mysterious Girl.' Andre had been a contestant in the UK TV show 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here' set in the Australian outback.

2008, Mike Smith, the lead singer of 1960s British group The Dave Clark Five, died from pneumonia at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, England at the age of 64. The Dave Clark Five had 19 UK Top 40 hits, including 'Bits and Pieces' and the number one single 'Glad All Over'. The band, which broke up in the 1970s, sold more than 100 million records and recorded 23 albums.


February 29th: Born on this day


1904, Born on this day, Jimmy Dorsey, alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, and brother of trombonist-bandleader Tommy Dorsey. Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra had 103 chart hits in the US, including 12 number ones. Their biggest hit was 'Amapola' in 1941, featuring the vocals of Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell. It was number one for ten weeks.

1940, Born on this day, Gretchen Christopher from American group The Fleetwoods who had the 1959 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'Come Softly To Me'.

1972, Born on this day, Saul Williams, most known for his blend of poetry and hip-hop. Williams had the 2007 album 'The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!'

1976, Born on this day, Ja Rule, US rapper, (Jeffrey Atkins) who had the 2001 UK No.4 with Jennifer Lopez, 'I'm Real', and the 2002 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'Always On Time', and the 2001 US No.1 album 'Pain Is Love'.

February 24th: On this day


1957, Buddy Holly recorded a new version of 'That'll Be The Day', the title being taken from a phrase used by John Wayne in the film 'The Searchers.'

1963, The Rolling Stones started a Sunday night residency at The Station Hotel, Richmond, Surrey. The Stones were paid £24 ($41) for the gig and played on the first night to a total of 66 people. £24 from 1963 would be worth £392, adjusted for inflation.

1965, The first full day of filming took place for The Beatles movie 'Help!' with the group riding bicycles on location near London Airport, England.

1969, The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their last ever-British performance when they appeared at the Royal Albert Hall.

1973, Roberta Flack had her second US No.1 when 'Killing Me Softly With His Song', started a five-week run at the top. The song was written about US singer songwriter Don McLean.

1973, The Byrds made their final live appearance when they played at The Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey. (The then-current incarnation of the Byrds, which included Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, John York and Gene Parsons).

1975, Led Zeppelin released their sixth album Physical Graffiti in the UK. Recording sessions had been disrupted when bassist and keyboard player John Paul Jones had proposed quitting the band, supposedly to become choirmaster at Winchester Cathedral, England, although in reality he just needed time to rest after Zeppelin's demanding tour schedule. The group decided on a double album so they could feature songs left over from their previous albums Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy.

1976, The Eagles 'Greatest Hits' became the first album to be certified platinum by the R.I.A.A. New certification's represented sales of 1 million copies for albums and two million for singles.

1979, A new UK TV show started on BBC2 called 'Seven To One', the title referring to the format of seven teenagers questioning a star guest, the first weeks guest was the singer from The Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof.

1982, The Police won best British group at the first annual Brit Awards held in London, Adam And The Ants won best album for 'Kings Of The Wild Frontier', Cliff Richard won British Male Solo Artist, Randy Crawford won British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act went to The Human League, British Producer was Martin Rushent and Outstanding Contribution went to John Lennon.

1982, Winners at the Grammy Awards included John & Yoko Album of the year with 'Double Fantasy, Kim Carnes for Song of the year with 'Bette Davis Eyes', Quincy Jones won producer of the year and Sheena Easton best new act.

1990, American singer, songwriter, pianist Johnnie Ray died of liver failure at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He scored over 20 Top 40 singles between 1952 & 1960 including 1956 UK No.1 & US No.2 single, 'Just Walking In The Rain'. Dexys Midnight Runners' name checked Ray in the lyrics to their 1982 hit 'Come On Eileen'.

1990, Manchester band The Happy Mondays had six singles on the UK indie chart.

1992, Kurt Cobain married Courtney Love in Waikiki, Hawaii. The press reported that the couple were expecting a baby on Sept 10th of this year.

1997, The Spice Girls won best single with 'Wannabe' at this years Brit Awards held in London. Other winners included, Best Group for Manic Street Preachers, Best Dance Act went to The Prodigy, George Michael won Best Male, Best Female went to Gabrielle, Best Newcomer was won by Kula Shaker, International Male was Beck, International Female Sheryl Crow and Best International Group was The Fugees.

2000, Carlos Santana won eight awards at this year Grammy Awards. Before the 'Supernatural' album, the guitarist had not had a Top 10 album since 1981. Sting won two awards, one for best pop album and another for best male pop vocalist. Sir Elton John won the legend award and Phil Collins the best soundtrack award for 'Tarzan'.

2000, Sixties pop star Georgie Fame was banned from driving for a year and fined £350 after being breathalysed the morning after a concert. Police stopped the 56 year old as he returned to his home in Somerset from a concert in Narberth, Wales.

2004, Estelle Axton, who helped create the legendary US soul music label Stax, died in hospital in Memphis, aged 85. Stax was home to Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Isaac Hayes and Booker T and the MG's and the Stax studio, 'Soulsville USA', was second only to Motown in its production of soul hits during its 1960s heyday.

2005, Former Orange Juice singer, guitarist and producer Edwyn Collins was rushed to hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

2009, The United States Mint launched a new coin featuring American composer, pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington, making him the first African-American to appear by himself on a US coin.

2010, 50 Cent was being sued over claims he unlawfully distributed a homemade sex video. Lastonia Leviston filed legal action in Manhattan, saying she made the private video with a lover in 2008 and alleged that 50 Cent posted the video on his website last year after blurring out the lover's face - and editing himself into it as narrator.

2010, The personal assistant to former Ramones manager Linda Stein was convicted in a New York court of bludgeoning her boss to death at her Manhattan apartment on 30 October 2007. Prosecutors said Natavia Lowery, 28, stole more than $30,000 (£19,500) from Stein, then clubbed her with a piece of exercise equipment. Jurors spent less than a day reaching a second-degree murder verdict.

2010, Promotions company MCD launched a $2.3 million lawsuit against Prince for pulling out of a concert in Dublin, Ireland in June, 2008, just ten days before it was to take place. The singer blamed the William Morris Agency for booking the event without permission, but the agency said the star cancelled the gig and gave "no reason of substance" for deciding to pull out.

2011, Suze Rotolo, Bob Dylan's girlfriend in the early-Sixties, who walked arm-in-arm with the songwriter on the iconic cover of 'The Freehweelin' Bob Dylan', died aged 67 after a long illness. She inspired such Dylan songs as 'Don't Think Twice', 'It's All Right', 'Boots Of Spanish Leather' and 'Tomorrow Is A Long Time'.


February 24th: Born on this day


1942, Born on this day, Paul Jones, singer, harmonica player, actor, radio presenter, from British group Manfred Mann who had the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy. Jones is also a member of The Blues Band.

1944, Born on this day, Nicky Hopkins, session piano player who worked with The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, The Beatles, John Lennon, The Who and Small Faces. Hopkins died on September 6th 1994.

1947, Born on this day, Rupert Holmes, writer, producer, singer who had the 1980 US No.1 & UK No. 23 single 'Escape, (The Pina Colada Song).

1947, Born on this day, Lonnie Turner, bassist with the Steve Miller Band who had the 1974 US No.1 & 1990 UK No.1 single 'The Joker'.

1948, Born on this day, Dennis Waterman, British singer, actor who had the1980 UK No.3 single with the theme from UK TV show 'Minder', 'I Could Be So Good For You'.

1959, Born on this day, Colin Farley, bassist with Cutting Crew who had the 1987 US No.1 & 1986 UK No.4 single 'I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight'.

1962, Born on this day, Michelle Shocked, American singer songwriter, 1988 single 'Anchorage'. She had the track 'Quality of Mercy' featured on the soundtrack for the film Dead Man Walking.

1974, Born on this day, Chad Hugo, one half of the music production and writing duo The Neptunes. His partner is Pharrell Williams, who has produced numerous number 1 hits for Mystikal, Jay-Z, *NSYNC, Britney Spears and Nelly.

1974, Born on this day, Noah "Wuv" Bernardo Jr founding member of the multi-platinum selling, San Diego based band P.O.D.

February 21st: On this Day


1961, The Beatles played three gigs in one day. The first was a lunchtime show at the Cavern Club, then at night they appeared at the Cassanova Club, Liverpool and at Litherland Town Hall, Liverpool.

1964, New York band The Echoes recruited a new young unknown piano player, named Billy Joel.

1964, Three classic British singles were released, The Rolling Stones 'Not Fade Away', (a UK No.3), The Hollies 'Just One Look', (a UK No.2), and Billy J Kramer's 'Little Children', (a UK No.1).

1968, Otis Redding had his first entry on the UK singles chart when '(Sittin On) The Dock Of The Bay' entered the chart, it went on to be a No.3 hit.

1970, Simon and Garfunkel went to No.1 on the UK chart with 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. The album went on to stay on the chart for over 300 weeks, returning to the top of the charts on eight separate occasions and spending a total of 41 weeks at No.1.

1976, Florence Ballard of The Supremes died of cardiac arrest, aged 32. Ballard had left The Supremes in 1967, lost an $8 million (£4.7 million) lawsuit against Motown records and was living on welfare when she died.

1976, The Four Seasons were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'December '63 (Oh What A Night). The group's only UK No.1.

1977, Fleetwood Mac released 'Rumours'. The album went on to sell more than 15 million copies world-wide and spent 31 weeks at No.1 on the US chart.

1980, Janet Vogel committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning aged 37. Vogel sang with The Skyliners on their 1959 US No.1 hit, 'Since I Don't Have You.'

1980, Fleetwood Mac kicked off a 17-date tour of Australia and New Zealand at the Entertainment Centre in Perth.

1981, Dolly Parton started a two week run at No.1 on the US charts with '9 to 5', the singers first No.1, a No.47 hit in the UK.

1981, REO Speedwagon went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Hi Infidelity'. The album spent a total of 15 weeks at No.1.

1981, Phil Collins entered the UK album chart at No.1 with 'Face Value.'

1982, American DJ Murry The K died. Murray is thought to be the first person to play a Beatles record on radio in America. During the early days of Beatlemania, he frequently referred to himself as "the Fifth Beatle". Married six times, he died of cancer a week after his 60th birthday.

1987, Ben E King was at No.1 in the UK singles chart with 'Stand By Me.' The track was first released in 1961 and became a hit in 1987 after being featured in the film 'Stand By Me.'

1998, Celine Dion went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'My Heart Will Go On'. The song was the theme from the movie Titanic. The world's best selling single of 1998.

2001, Robbie Williams was attacked and thrown from the stage during a concert in Stuttgart, Germany after a man got onto the stage and pushed Williams into the security pit. The attacker was arrested and taken to a secure psychiatric clinic.

2002, Elton John accused the music industry of exploiting young singers and dumping talented artists for manufactured group's. He said 'There are too many average and mediocre acts; it damages real talent getting airplay. It's just fodder.'

2003, Liberty X kicked off an-11 date UK tour at Manchester MEN Arena. Liberty X were the five runners up on the 'Popstars' UK TV show. The name Liberty was chosen to reflect the freedom they enjoyed from not being under the rigid enforcements of the television company and record label that was put upon the winners Hear'Say.

2004, Mud singer Les Gray died of a heart attack, whilst fighting throat cancer, aged 57, (1974 UK No.1 single 'Tiger Feet' plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles').

2004, Simon Cowell was set to appear in a new episode of The Simpsons. The TV Pop Idol judge would play a nursery boss who gets punched by Homer Simpson.

2008, Britney Spears failed in a court bid to regain visitation rights to her two children. Spears was banned from monitored visits in January of this year after refusing to hand the children back, resulting in a stand-off with police at her house. The singer's ex-husband Kevin Federline was awarded primary custody of two-year-old Sean Preston and Jayden James, aged one, in October.

2008, A computer expert was jailed for two years for electronically stalking Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington. Devon Townsend worked at a US national security laboratory in New Mexico, where she used a computer to track Bennington, she admitted to obtaining family photos, accessing e-mail and voicemail, and threatening his wife Talinda.

2008, A US music aficionado sold his collection of more than three million vinyl albums, singles and compact discs to an eBay buyer from Ireland for just over $3 million. An eBay spokeswoman said the sale was one of the highest ever for the online auction site.

2009, Rihanna issued a statement thanking fans for their support after an alleged assault by her R&B singer boyfriend Chris Brown, but the singer declined to comment on a leaked photograph which appeared to show her with facial injuries. The Los Angeles Police Department had launched an internal investigation and asked for the public's help in finding the person who leaked the photograph.

2009, The Fray started a two-week run at No.1 on the US album charts with their self-titled second album.


February 21st: Born on this day


1933, Born on this day, Nina Simone, (Eunice Wayman), US jazz, blues singer who had the 1959 US No.18 single 'I Love You, Porgy', and the 1968 UK No.2 single 'Ain't Got No I Got Life'. Simone died of cancer on 21st April 2003

1943, Born on this day, David Geffen, Geffen record label boss. Founder of Asylum records who signed The Eagles, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Jackson Browne and Joni Mitchell. Formed Dreamworks in 1995.

1949, Born on this day, Jerry Harrison, keyboards, guitar, Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers, Talking Heads, who had the 1983 US No.9 single 'Burning Down The House', and the 1985 UK No.6 single 'Road To Nowhere'. Also a member of Casual Gods.

1951, Born on this day, Vince Welnick, keyboards, The Tubes who had the 1977 UK No.28 single 'White Punks On Dope'. 1983 US No.10 single 'She's A Beauty'.

1952, Born on this day, Jean-Jacques Burnel, bassist, singer with The Stranglers who had the 1982 UK No.2 single 'Golden Brown' plus over 20 other UK Top 40 hits.

1954, Born on this day, Mike Pickering, DJ, M People who had the 1993 UK No.2 single 'Moving On Up', plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles.

1961, Born on this day, Ranking Roger, The Beat, who had the 1983 UK No.3 single 'Can't Get Used To Losing You'. As a member of Fine Young Cannibals had the 1989 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'She Drives Me Crazy'.

1967, Born on this day, Michael Ward, guitarist with The Wallflowers who had the 1997 US No.3 album 'Bringing Down The Horse'.

1969, Born on this day, James Dean Bradfield, guitarist, singer with Manic Street Preachers who had the 1996 UK No.2 single 'A Design For Life', 1998 UK No.1 album 'This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours'.

1986, Born on this day, Charlotte Church, Welsh singer, who had the 1999 UK No.34 single 'Just Wave Hello' and the 1998 UK No.4 album, 'Voice Of An Angel'.

1989, Born on this day, Corbin Bleu, American actor 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.

February 19th: On this Day


1956, Elvis Presley performed three shows at Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida, (2 matinee and 1 evening). A full scale riot broke out after the show when Elvis announced to the 14,000 strong crowd, "Girls, I'll see you backstage." Fans chased Elvis into the dressing room tearing off his clothes and shoes.

1957, American movie idol and singer Tab Hunter was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Young Love', the singers only UK No.1 hit.

1963, The Beatles, Freddie Starr & The Midnighters, The Pathfinders and Curtis & The All Stars all appeared at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, England. The Beatles had 'Please Please Me' at No.1 on the NME singles chart.

1965, Working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles recorded a new John Lennon song 'You're Going To Lose That Girl' in two takes. The track was released on the Help! album.

1966, Lou Christie went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Lightnin Strikes', a No.11 hit in the UK. Nancy Sinatra held the UK No.1 single position with 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

1972, Harry Nilsson started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of the Badfinger song 'Without You.'

1972, Led Zeppelin appeared at the Memorial Drive, Adelaide in Australia. A local paper who reviewed the show printed: Singer Robin Plant (sic) overcame an 'Australian bug' in his throat and broke into his own in 'Black Dog' and 'Stairway To The Stars' (sic).

1976, Kilburn And The High Roads, (featuring Ian Dury), appeared at Dingwalls, Camden Town, London, England.

1976, Former lead singer with Tower Of Power, Rich Stevens was arrested in connection with the drug related murders of three men in San Jose, California. Stevens was found guilty of the charges in November 1976.

1977, Leo Sayer had his only UK No.1 single with the Albert Hammond and Carole Bayer Sager song 'When I Need You.' Both Celine Dion and Cliff Richard have scored hits with the song.

1977, Manfred Mann's Earth Band scored a No.1 single in the US with their version of the Bruce Springsteen song 'Blinded By The Light.' The track was the first single from Bruce Springsteen's 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park N.J. The Earth Band's version features several changed lyrics. The most prominent change is in the chorus, where Springsteen's "cut loose like a deuce" is replaced with "revved up like a deuce." Springsteen himself has said that it was not until Manfred Mann rewrote the song to be about a "feminine hygiene product" that it became popular.

1982, Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in San Antonio, Texas for urinating on the Alamo. Osbourne was wearing a dress at the time of his arrest, (due to his wife Sharon hiding all his clothes so he couldn't go outside). Osbourne who apparently thought he was relieving himself on a pile of rubble was banned from ever playing in San Antonio, Texas again, (a ban which was lifted in 1992).

1983, Kajagoogoo had their only UK No.1 single with 'Too Shy'. Also a hit in other European countries, 5 weeks at No.1 in Germany, a Top 5 hit in Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, and Netherlands. The group had four other Top 40 hits UK hits.

1983, Patti Austin and James Ingram started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Baby Come To Me', a No.11 hit in the UK.

1992, During their Use Your Illusion Tour Guns n' Roses played the first of three nights at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

1994, Mariah Carey had her first UK No.1 with her version of the Peter Ham/Tom Evans song 'Without You'. Nilsson also took the song to No.1 in 1972. (Carey's version was released on January 24, 1994, just over a week after Nilsson had died following a heart attack). Both Ham and Evans committed suicide, (Ham in 1975 and Evans in 1983) after an ongoing battle to receive royalties from the song.

1995, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee married Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson on a Cancun beach, Mexico, the bride wore a white bikini. Anderson and Lee who married only four days after meeting had videotaped their sexual activities while on vacation which was later stolen and released on the Internet. After suing the video company who released the tape, the Lees entered into a confidential settlement agreement. The couple divorced in 1998.

1995, Roxette became the first Western group to perform in Beijing since George Michael in 1984 when they played a concert celebrating the Chinese New Year.

1996, Bjork was shown on UK breakfast TV attacking a news reporter as she arrived at Thailand Airport. The footage showed the singer pulling the female reporter to the floor and banging her head on the ground. Bjork later apologised for the attack.

1996, Winners at this year's Brit Awards included Paul Weller who won British Male Solo Artist, British Female Solo Artist went to Annie Lennox, Oasis won British Group, Best Album for ‘(What's The Story) Morning Glory' and Best British Video for ‘Wonderwall. British Breakthrough Act went to Supergrass, International Group was Bon Jovi, International Breakthrough Act went to Alanis Morissette and David Bowie was awarded Outstanding Contribution to music. Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker was arrested after a stage invasion during Michael Jackson's appearance, (who won Artist of a Generation). Cocker was accused of attacking children who were performing with Jackson; all charges against Cocker were dropped on March 11th of this year.

1999, Spice Girl Melanie B gave birth to a baby daughter and named her Phoenix Chi.

2000, Savage Garden went back to No.1 on the US singles chart for the second time with 'I Knew I Loved You.'

2004, Johnny Cash's family blocked an attempt by advertisers to use his hit song 'Ring of Fire' to promote haemorrhoid-relief products. The idea is said to have been backed by Merle Kilgore, who co-wrote the song with Cash's wife, June Carter Cash. Cash's daughter Rosanne said the family "would never allow the song to be demeaned like that."

2008, Two releases by Oasis were voted the best British albums ever recorded in a poll of 11,000 people. Their 1994 album Definitely Maybe came top, while their 1995 follow-up (What's the Story) Morning Glory was second in the vote for Q magazine and HMV. Radiohead's OK Computer finished third, followed by Revolver by The Beatles and the Stone Roses' self-titled debut. The full list of 50 British albums included five by The Beatles.


February 19th: Born on this day


1924, Born on this day, Lee Marvin, actor and singer who had a UK 1970 UK No.1 single with ‘Wand’rin Star’, taken from the film 'Paint Your Wagon'. Marvin died on August 29th 1987.

1940, Born on this day, Bobby Rogers, singer with The Miracles who had the 1970 UK & US No.1 single with Smokey Robinson 'Tears of a Clown'.

1940, Born on this day, Smokey Robinson, singer, songwriter and producer who with The Miracles had the1970 UK & US No.1 single 'The Tears Of A Clown'. As a solo artist Robinson scored the 1981 UK No.1 & US No.2 single 'Being With You'. He became the vice President of Motown Records in 1972. During the course of his 50-year career in music, Robinson has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit.

1943, Born on this day, Lou Christie, US singer, who had the 1966 US No.1 single 'Lightnin Strikes', and the 1969 UK No.2 single 'I'm Gonna Make You Mine'.

1946, Born on this day, Pierre Van Den Linden, drummer with Focus who had the 1973 UK No.4 single 'Sylvia', 1973 US No. 9 single 'Hocus Pocus'.

1948, Born on this day, Toni Iommi, guitarist with Black Sabbath who had the 1970 UK No.4 single 'Paranoid'. The bands self-titled album was voted as the best British rock album ever by Kerrang! in 2005. At the age of 17 and on his last day of work in a sheet metal factory, he lost the tips of the middle and ring finger of his right hand. After attempting to learn to play right-handed, Iommi instead strung his guitars with lighter strings and made thimbles to extend his fingers.

1948, Born on this day, Mark Andes, from American group Spirit who had the 1969 US No.25 single 'I Got A Line On You'. Also joined Jo Jo Gunne, who had the 1972 UK No.6 & US No. 27 single 'Run Run Run'.

1950, Born on this day, Andy Powell, guitarist with English prog rock group Wishbone Ash who had the 1972 UK No.3 album 'Argus', and eight other Top 40 albums.

1957, Born on this day, Dave Wakeling, from The Beat, who had the 1983 UK No.3 single 'Can't Get Used To Losing You'.

1957, Born on this day, Falco, (Hans Holzl), who had the1986 UK & US No.1 single 'Rock Me Amadeus'. Falco became the first-ever Austrian act to score a UK and US No.1 hit single. He was killed in a car accident on 6th February 1998.

1960, Born on this day, Prince Mark D, rapper with the Fat Boys who had the 1988 UK No.2 single 'Wipeout'.

1963, Born on this day, Henry Samuel, singer, songwriter, (Seal). Had the 1991 UK No.2 single 'Crazy', and the 1995 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'Kiss From A Rose'. His 1991 self-titled album spent 65 weeks on the UK chart.

1975, Born on this day, Daniel Adair, drummer with 3 Doors Down who had the 2003 US No.4 single 'When I'm Gone'. Joined Nickelback in 2005.

February 17th: On this Day


1960, Elvis Presley won his first Gold record for the album 'Elvis'.

1960, The Everly Brothers signed a $1 million (£1.7 million) contract with Warner Brothers Records.

1962, Gene Chandler started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Duke Of Earl.'

1966, Nancy Sinatra was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'These Boots Are Made For Walking', Frank's eldest daughters first No.1.

1967, The Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song 'Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite' at Abbey Road studios, London. John's lyrics for the song came almost entirely from an antique poster advertising a circus performance scheduled to take place in Rochdale, Lancashire, in February 1843. John had purchased the poster in Sevenoaks on January 31 while The Beatles were on location for the filming of the 'Strawberry Fields Forever' promotional film.

1969, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash recorded 'Girl From The North Country' together in Nashville at CBS Studios. The track appeared on Dylan's 'Nashville Skyline' album.

1970, Joni Mitchell announced she was retiring from live performances during a concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. Joni was on stage again by the end of the year.

1971, James Taylor made his TV debut on The Johnny Cash Show. Other guests included Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt and Tony Joe White.

1972, At the end of a 14 date UK tour, Pink Floyd started a four night run at London's Rainbow Theatre. Tickets cost £1 ($1.70).

1972, Los Angeles radio station KDAY played two new Rolling Stones tracks non-stop for a day after obtaining stolen tapes from a producer's home.

1975, AC/DC released their debut album 'High Voltage'. The album featured a cover of 'Baby, Please Don't Go' a blues song first recorded by Big Joe Williams and 'She's Got Balls' which was written about singer Bon Scott's ex-wife Irene - the first AC/DC song for which he wrote lyrics.

1979, Blondie scored their first UK No.1 album when 'Parallel Lines' started a four-week run at the top of the charts, featuring the singles 'Heart Of Glass', 'Hanging On The Telephone' and 'Sunday Girl.'

1979, The Clash opened the US leg of their 'Pearl Harbour '79', North American tour at New York's Palladium.

1980, US country singer Kenny Rogers was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Coward Of The County', his second and last UK chart topper.

1989, R.E.M. Hoodoo Gurus and The Go-Betweens all appeared at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia.

1989, David Coverdale married actress Tawny Kitaen (known for her provocative appearances in Whitesnake's music videos 'Here I Go Again, 'Is This Love' and 'Still of the Night'). The couple divorced in 1991.

1996, A Platinum American Express card once belonging to Bruce Springsteen was sold for $4,500 (£2,650) at a New York memorabilia sale. The singer had given the expired card to a waiter in a LA restaurant by mistake and let them keep it as a souvenir.

2000, John Lennon's Steinway piano, on which he composed 'Imagine', went on display at the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool, England. The piano was set to be auctioned on the Internet later in the year and was expected to fetch more than £1 million ($1.7 million).

2003, The man behind the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC was being investigated over complaints that aspiring stars paid $1,500 (£882) to feature on his website. Lou Pearlman was accused by Florida authorities of getting young actors and models to pay upfront to appear on his Trans Continental company's website by saying he would also help them to find work.

2004, Prosecutors in the murder case of producer Phil Spector demanded that a fingernail overlooked by police investigating Lana Clarkson's shooting should be put forward as evidence. They claimed the fingernail, blackened with gunpowder, could indicate that the 40-year old actress killed herself at Spector's Los Angeles mansion. Spector, had denied murdering Clarkson.

2004, Winners at this years Brit awards included, Daniel Bedingfield who won Best British male, Dido won Best British Female, The Darkness won Best British group, Best Rock group and Best British album with 'Permission To Land', Busted won British Breakthrough act and Duran Duran won Outstanding Contribution to Music.

2005, A 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar belonging to Jimi Hendrix sold for £100,000 at an auction in London. Other Hendrix items sold included a poem written two weeks after his appearance at the Monterey Festival which went for £10,000 and the first Jimi Hendrix Experience's single 'Hey Joe', signed by all the band sold for £2,000.

2005, Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand made music history after taking two top prizes at the NME Awards. The band, who won best album and best single, became the first act ever to win the Mercury Music Prize, Brit Awards and NME awards in the same year.

2008, British soul singer Duffy started a five week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Mercy', from the Welsh singers debut album 'Rockferry'. 'Mercy' was the UK'S best selling single of 2008, and won Duffy a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.


February 17th: Born on this day


1905, Born on this day, Orville ‘Hoppy’ Jones, bassist, singer and cello player with the Ink Spots, who had a 1955 UK No.10 single with ‘Melody Of Love’. He Died 18th October 1944.

1922, Born on this day, Tommy Edwards, singer who had the 1958 US & UK No.1 single with 'Its All In The Game'). The song was written by US Vice President Charles Dawes. Edwards died on October 22nd 1968, aged 47.

1933, Born on this day, Bobby Lewis, US singer, who had the 1961 US No.1 single 'Tossin' and Turnin'.

1939, Born on this day, John Leyton, UK singer, actor, who had the 1961 UK No.1 single 'Johnny Remember Me'.

1941, Born on this day, Gene Pitney, singer, who had the 1962 US No.4 single 'Only Love Can Break A Heart'. Also scored the 1967 solo UK No.5 & 1989 UK No.1 single with Marc Almond 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart', plus over 15 other US & UK Top 40 hits. Pitney was found dead aged 65 in his bed in a Cardiff hotel on 5th April 2006. The American singer was on a UK tour and had shown no signs of illness.

1966, Born on this day, Melissa Brooke-Bellard, Voice Of The Beehive, who had the 1988 UK No.15 single 'Don't Call Me Baby'.

1972, Born on this day, Billie Joe Armstrong, guitarist and vocalist with Green Day who had the 1995 UK No.7 single with 'Basket Case'. Their 1994 album Dookie has sold over 10 million copies. Top Modern Rock Act in US in 1995.

1981, Born on this day, John Hassall, bassist with English group The Libertines who had the 2004 UK No.1 album 'The Libertines'.

1981, Born on this day, Paris Hilton, American socialite, singer, actress and fashion model. Heiress to a share of the Hilton Hotel fortune, featured in the reality TV series, The Simple Life.

February 15th: On this Day


1961, Singer Jackie Wilson was left with a stomach wound after Juanita Jones a female fan went to his New York apartment demanding to see him. Jones' gun went off as he tried to disarm her.

1964, The Beatles scored their first US No.1 album with 'Meet The Beatles!' The album stayed at No.1 for eleven weeks.

1965, American singer and pianist Nat King Cole died of lung cancer. First hit was the 1943 'Straighten Up and Fly Right', had the 1955 US No.2 single 'A Blossom Fell' and 1957 UK No.2 single 'When I Fall In Love' plus over 20 other US & UK Top 40 singles. Father of singer Natalie Cole. In 1956 he became the first black American to host a television variety show.

1968, US blues harmonica player Little Walter died from injuries incurred in a fight while taking a break from a performance at a nightclub in Chicago. First harmonica player to amplify his harp giving it a distorted echoing sound. Joined Muddy Waters' band in 1948.

1968, John and Cynthia Lennon, along with George and Patti Harrison, flew to India to study meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Paul and Ringo joined them a few days later, but Starr would become bored and leave on March 1st, comparing the experience to be like a 'Butlins holiday camp.' Much of the Beatles' 'White Album' was written during their stay.

1969, Singer Vickie Jones was arrested on fraud charges for impersonating Aretha Franklin in concert at Fort Myers, Florida. No-one in the audience had asked for their money back.

1969, Sly and the Family Stone started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Everyday People', their first No.1.

1975, Linda Ronstadt went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'You're No Good', the singers only solo chart topper out of 12 other top 40 hits. Also today Ronstadt went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Heart Like A Wheel.'

1977, Glen Matlock was fired as bass player from The Sex Pistols, being replaced by Sid Vicious. Matlock rejoined in the 90's when the Pistol's reformed.

1981, American guitarist Mike Bloomfield was found dead in his car in San Francisco from an accidental heroin overdose. He was a member of the Paul Butterfield band and Electric Flag and had played on Bob Dylan's album 'Highway 61 Revisited'. In 2003 he was ranked at number 22 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

1986, Whitney Houston started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'How Will I Know', which was also a No.5 in the UK.

1988, After singer Jo Elliot had referred to El Paso as 'the place with all those greasy Mexicans', Def Leppard were forced to cancel a concert in El Paso, after they received threats that the gig would be disrupted.

1991, Kelly Emberg the ex-girlfriend of Rod Stewart filed a $25 million (£14.7 million) palimony suit in Los Angeles. The couple lived together from 1985 to 1990. Rod Stewart later said: "Instead of getting married again, I'm going to find a woman I don't like and just give her a house."

1994, A federal court jury ruled Michael Jackson did not steal the idea for his hit song 'Dangerous' from a Denver woman who had sent him a demo tape.

1996, It was reported that Take That were the UK's biggest single selling artists with sales over 3.9.million.

1997, U2 went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Discotheque', the bands third UK No.1 single. The entire track was leaked onto the internet in December 1996, forcing U2 to move the release date.

2000, Sting pulled-out of a concert in Vienna in protest at the inclusion of Jorg Haider's far right freedom party in Austria's new government. Lou Reed had also cancelled shows in the country.

2002, Kerrang! Magazine overtook the New Musical Express for the first time to become the best selling UK weekly music publication. It claimed new bands such as Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park had given them a new teenage audience.

2004, Sam and Mark went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of The Beatles song 'With A Little Help From My Friends.' Sam and Mark were the second and third placed entrants from the 2003 "Pop Idol" TV show. The Beatles song had also been a hit for Joe Cocker and Wet Wet Wet.

2006, Winners at this year's Brit Awards included, James Blunt who won British male solo artist, British female solo artist went to KT Tunstall. Coldplay won Best British album for X&Y and Best British single for 'Speed of Sound.' Kaiser Chiefs won Best British group and Best British Live Act, British urban act went to Lemar, British breakthrough act was Arctic Monkeys, International breakthrough act was won by Jack Johnson. International male solo artist was Kanye West with Madonna winning International female solo artist. Green Day won International group and Best International album with American Idiot and Outstanding contribution to music went to Paul Weller.

2008, A flat once rented by the Beatles in London went up for sale for £1.75m. The band shared the three-bedroom top floor property in Green Street, Mayfair in the autumn of 1963. A publicity photo of the Fab Four peering over a banister, used as the cover for the December 1963 edition of The Beatles Book, was taken at the top of the property's communal stairwell.

2009, Lily Allen went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'It's Not Me, It's You' the singers second album.


February 15th: Born on this day


1941, Born on this day, Brian Holland, Holland/Dozier/Holland, producer and songwriter who wrote many hits for Motown artists such as the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Four Tops, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Freda Payne and Chairmen Of The Board.

1942, Born on this day, Glyn Johns, UK producer, who worked with Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Beatles, ('Let It Be' sessions), Joan Armatrading, Midnight Oil, The Eagles, The Faces and Led Zeppelin.

1944, Born on this day, Denny Zager, singer with Zager and Evans who had the 1969 US & UK No.1 single 'In The Year 2525'.

1944, Born on this day, Mick Avory, drummer with The Kinks who had the 1964 UK No.1 & US No.7 'You Really Got Me', and the 1967 UK No.2 single 'Waterloo Sunset' plus 19 other UK Top 40 singles.

1945, Born on this day, John Helliwell, saxophonist with Supertramp, who had the 1979 UK No.7 & US No.6 single 'The Logical Song'.

1952, Born on this day, Melissa Manchester, US singer, songwriter who had the 1975 US No.6 single 'Midnight Blue'.

1959, Born on this day, Ali Campbell, singer with UB40, who had the 1983 UK No.1 & 1988 US No.1 single 'Red Red Wine' and over 30 other top 40 hits. Had the solo 1995 UK No.5 single 'That Look In Your Eye'.

1960, Born on this day, Mikey Craig, bassist with Culture Club, who had the 1983 UK No.1 and 1984 US No.12 single 'Karma Chameleon' plus 7 other UK Top 10 singles'.

1974, Born on this day, Stuart Richardson, bassist, with Lostprophets, who had the 2004 UK No.8 single 'Last Train Home', and the 2006 UK No.1 album 'Liberation Transmission'.

1974, Born on this day, Tomi Petteri Putaansuu, Mr. Lordi, lead vocalist Lordi. Became Finland's first ever Eurovision Song Contest winners after their song 'Hard Rock Hallelujah' won the contest held in Athens in 2006.

1976, Born on this day, Brandon Boyd, from Incubus, who had the 2001 US No.9 & UK No.40 single, 'Drive', and the 2004 US No.2 and UK No.6 album ‘A Crow Left of the Murder’’, and the 2006 US No.1 album ‘Light Grenades’.

1976, Born on this day, Ronnie Vannucci Jr, drummer, with The Killers, who had the 2005 UK No.1 with their debut album 'Hot Fuss'.

1981, Born on this day, Olivia Theresa Longott, US R&B singer, and member of G-Unit, who had the 2005 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'Candy Shop' with 50 Cent.

February 13th: On this Day


1961, Lawrence Welk started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Calcutta'.

1961, Frank Sinatra launched his own record label, Reprise Records, in order to allow more artistic freedom for his own recordings. Hence, he garnered the nickname “The Chairman of the Board.” One of the label’s founding principles under Sinatra’s leadership was that each artist would have full creative freedom, and at some point complete ownership of their work; including publishing rights. Reprise later became the home of many influential US acts such as Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman and The Beach Boys.

1965, The Rolling Stones played the last night on a 16-date tour of Australia and New Zealand at the Capital Theatre in Perth. Also appearing on the tour was Roy Orbison, The Newbeats and Ray Columbus and the Invaders.

1967, The Monkees announced that from now on they would be playing on their own recordings instead of session musicians.

1967, The Beatles released the double A sided single 'Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane' on Capitol Records in the US. The single spent 10 weeks on the chart peaking at No.1.

1969, A launch party was held for the release of Mary Hopkin's album Postcard at the Post Office Tower in London. Guests included Jimi Hendrix, Donovan and Paul McCartney with his new girlfriend Linda Eastman.

1969, Bob Dylan recorded 'Lay, Lady, Lay' at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

1970, On this day, Friday the 13th, Black Sabbath released their debut self-titled studio album on Vertigo records in the UK. Peaking at #8 on the charts, the album has been recognised as the first main album to be credited with the development of the heavy metal genre.

1971, The Osmonds started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'One Bad Apple'. The group had been appearing on TV in the US from 1962, on the Andy Williams Show and then the Jerry Lewis show.

1971, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross and the Supremes and Mungo Jerry all appeared live at the Grand Theater, Gary, Indiana.

1972, The Greasy Truckers concert took place at the Roundhouse in London, featuring Man, Brinsley Schwarz and Hawkwind. The eveining was recorded and released as a double vinyl album, in a limited edition of 20,000 which sold at just £1.50. The release rapidly sold out, becoming a collector's item.

1973, After becoming ill during a concert in Las Vegas Elvis Presley presented Doctor Sidney Bowers with a Lincoln Continental to show his appreciation for all his work.

1974, David Bowie turned down an offer from the Gay Liberation group to compose 'the world's first Gay National Anthem.'

1976, Genesis released their first album since the departure of Peter Gabriel, 'A Trick Of The Tail' featuring eight new tracks with drummer Phill Collins taking on the role of lead vocalist.

1976, The 101'ers featuring Joe Strummer played at The Town Hall, Hampstead, London, and on the same night DP Costello, (Elvis Costello) played at The Half Moon, Putney, London supporting Vivian Stanshall.

1977, Julie Covington was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', taken from the Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical Evita. Covington had been in the 1977 UK TV series based on an all female group called Rock Follies. Madonna had a hit with her version of the song in 1996.

1980, Thin Lizzy leader Phil Lynott married Caroline Crowther the daughter of TV personality Leslie.

1980, Police raided the home of former Sex Pistol John Lydon who greeted them waving a ceremonial sword, the only illegal item they found was a canister of tear gas, claimed to be for defence against intruders.

1981, Island Records launched 'One Plus One' cassettes, one side had one of their artist's albums and the other was blank so you could record on it!

1982, The Jam became the first band since The Beatles to play two numbers on the same edition of 'Top Of The Pops', when they performed 'A Town Called Malice', and 'Precious', their latest double A sided No.1.

1982, The marble slab was stolen from the grave of Lynyrd Skynyrd's singer Ronnie Van Zant, police found it two weeks later in a dried up river bed.

1989, Michael Jackson fired his manager, Dileo, who reportedly sought a $60 million (£35.3 million) settlement to prevent him revealing Jackson's lifestyle to the press.

1989, This years Brit Awards was hosted by Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood in which just about everything went wrong - lines were fluffed and bands mis-cued onto the stage. Winners included Phil Collins who won British Male Solo Artist, British Female Solo Artist was Annie Lennox, Erasure won Best British Group, Best British Album went to Fairground Attraction for 'First Of A Million Kisses', British Breakthrough Act was Bros, Michael Jackson won International Male, International Female went to Tracey Chapman and U2 won Best International Group. This was the last year the show was broadcast live.

1993, Founder member of Musical Youth, Patrick Waite died aged 24, of natural causes (hereditary heart condition), whilst awaiting a court appearance on drug charges. Scored the 1982 UK No.1 and Grammy-nominated single 'Pass the Dutchie.'

1993, Dutch dance group 2 Unlimited started a five-week run at the UK No.1 with the single 'No Limit.' One of the most successful Euro dance acts of the 90s, they scored 11 successive Top 20 hits.

1996, Take That split up, the biggest band of the 90s announced their demise in front of the world's press at The Hilton in Manchester, the band had achieved 7 No.1 singles & 2 No.1 albums. They released one more single and a Greatest Hits album. (Take That reformed in 2006 and have now scored another 5 No.1 albums in the UK ).

1997, Michael Menson of Rebel MC died from burns sustained in a racial attack aged 30. Lost on a street in North London, Menson was attacked twice. His tormentors were determined to burn him alive, throwing fuel at him, setting his back on fire. He suffered terrible burns and died 16 days later. Rebel MC had the 1989 UK No.3 single 'Street Tuff'.

1997, Michael Jackson became a father when Debbie Rowe gave birth to a baby boy, Prince Michael Jackson Jr.

1997, During their The Alive Worldwide tour, Kiss played the first of three sold out nights at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

1998, Police at Manchester Airport arrested former Stone Roses singer, Ian Brown after an incident during a flight from Paris. Brown was found guilty in August the same year and jailed for four months; British Airways also banned him from flying with the airline.

2000, Oasis scored their fifth UK No.1 single with 'Go Let It Out'. The first release on the bands 'Big Brother' label and the first single from their fourth studio album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants.

2002, American country singer, songwriter Waylon Jennings died in his sleep after a lengthy fight with diabetes. Was bassist for Buddy Holly following the break-up of The Crickets. Released a series of duet albums with Willie Nelson in the late 1970s. Scored the 1980 US No.21 single 'Theme From The Dukes Of Hazzard', he was also the narrator on the television series. Member of The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson.

2004, Led Zeppelin were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Grammys. Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham all attended. Robert Plant did not, since he was working on a new album and tour.

2005, Readers of UK newspaper The Sun voted George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ as the greatest British pop single of the past 25 years. Oasis came second with ‘Wonderwall’ and Kate Bush third with ‘Wuthering Heights’. The rest of the Top 10: No.4, Robbie Williams, ‘Angels’, No.5, The Jam, ‘Going Underground’, in equal 6th, The Sex Pistols, ‘God Save The Queen’ and Joy Division, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, 7th was Queen, ‘We Are The Champions’, 9th, The Stone Roses, ‘Fool’s Gold’ and 10th The Undertones ‘Teenage Kicks’.

2005, U2 were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own', their 6th No.1, taken from their album 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb'.

2007, Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty was fined £300 and disqualified from driving for two months after admitting to two charges of driving without insurance or a licence at Thames Magistrates Court in London.

2007, Robbie Williams checked into rehab on his birthday to deal with an addiction to prescription drugs. The singer, who was 33 today, was admitted into an unnamed clinic in the US.

2007, Rod Stewart was paid $1million when he performed at a billionaire's birthday bash. Stewart was booked to play a one-hour gig to help Steve Schwarzman celebrate his 60th birthday held at New York's Park Avenue Armory.

2008, Former Blue singer Lee Ryan was charged with an attack on a taxi driver in Surrey. The 24-year-old was accused of assaulting the man following a minor traffic accident in Oxted on New Year's Eve

2008, A fan paid $3,000 (£1,500) for a jewelled bra, which Shakira wore on her Oral Fixation world tour in 2007, in an auction for the pop star's children's charity. More than $60,000 (£30,700) had been raised so far, with one fan paying $14,100 (£7,200) to meet Shakira. The charity was currently building a school for poor children in the singer's home country, Colombia. Other items in the auction included a purple wig and Gibson guitar used in the video for Las De La Intuicion, which sold for $3,301 (£1,700), a shiny lavender skirt with turquoise and coral beading that Shakira wore while singing Hips Don't Lie on tour, fetched more than $1,076 (£550).

2010, Doug Fieger singer, songwriter with The Knack died after a long battle with cancer. Had the 1979 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'My Sharona'.


February 13th: Born on this day


1919, Born on this day, Tennessee Ernie Ford, singer and TV presenter, who had a 1955 US No.1 & 1956 UK No.1 single with ‘Sixteen Tons’. It was Capitol Records’ first No.1 of the rock era. Ford died on October 17th 1991

1920, Born on this day, Boudleaux Bryant, songwriter with his wife Felice. They wrote The Everly Brothers hits, ‘Bye Bye Love’, ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’ and ‘Wake Up Little Susie’ as well as ‘Raining In My Heart’, which was a hit for Buddy Holly. Bryant died on June 25th 1987.

1943, Born on this day, Bill Szymczyk, US producer, worked with The Eagles, The Who, B.B. King, Joe Walsh, Wishbone Ash, The J. Geils Band and The James Gang.

1944, Born on this day, Peter Tork, vocals, keyboards and bass with American group The Monkees who had the 1967 UK & US No.1 single 'I'm A Believer' plus 10 US & 8 UK Top 40 singles'.

1945, Born on this day, Roy Dyke, Ashton Gardner & Dyke, who had the 1971 UK No.3 single 'The Resurrection Shuffle'.

1950, Born on this day, Peter Gabriel, singer, songwriter with Genesis, who had the 1974 UK No.21 single 'I Know What I Like In Your Wardrobe'. Gabriel left Genesis in 1975 to launch his solo career and had the 1986 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'Sledgehammer' from the 1986 UK No.1 & US No.2 album 'So'.

1950, Born on this day, Roger Christian, vocals, with The Christians who had the 1988 UK No.8 single 'Harvest For The World'.

1951, Born on this day, Rod Dees, singer with Showaddywaddy, who had the 1976 UK No.1 single 'Under The Moon Of Love' plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles.

1952, Born on this day, Ed Gagliardi, bassist with Foreigner who had the 1985 UK & US No.1 single 'I Want To Know What Love Is'.

1956, Born on this day, Peter Hook, bass, vocals, with Joy Division, who had the 1980 UK No.13 single 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'. Formed New Order, who had the 1983 UK No.9 single 'Blue Monday'. And with Revenge and Monaco, had the 1997 UK No.11 single 'What Do You Want From Me'.

1958, Born on this day, Mark Fox, percussion, with English group Haircut 100 who had the 1982 UK No.3 single 'Love Plus One'.

1961, Born on this day, Henry Rollins, singer and actor who was a member of Black Flag and fronted the Rollins Band who had the 1994 UK No.27 single 'Liar/Disconnected'.

1966, Born on this day, Freedom Williams, singer with C & C Music Factory, who had the 1991 UK No.4 single 'Things That Make You Go Hmmm..., and the 1991 US No.1 single 'Gonna Make You Sweat'.

1971, Born on this day, Sonia, (Sonia Evans), who had the UK No.1 single in 1989 with 'You'll Never Stop Me Loving You.'

1972, Born on this day, Robert Harrell, bassist, with 3 Doors Down, who had the 2003 US No.4 single 'When I'm Gone, 2005 US No.1 album 'Seventeen Days'.

1974, Born on this day, Robbie Williams, vocalist with Take That, who had the 1995 UK No.1 single with 'Back For Good' and seven other UK No.1 singles. He left to pursue a solo career and since then has had a 1998 UK No.1 single with 'Millennium' and six other UK No.1 singles. His 1997 UK No.1 album 'Life Thru A Lens' spent 123 weeks on the UK chart. Re joined Take That in 2010.

1976, Born on this day, Leslie Feist, Canadian singer-songwriter, who worked with Peaches and Broken Social Scene. As a solo artist had the 2007 UK No.4 single ‘1 2 3 4’ which was was used in the iPod nano advertisements. ‘Mushaboom’ from her 'Let It Die' album was featured in advertisements for Lacoste perfume, (McDonald's had offered $1m for the rights to use the song in their commercials which Feist refused). HSBC Direct used ‘Gatekeeper’ and ‘My Moon My Man’ was used by Verizon Wireless and LG.

1988, Born on this day, Aston Merrygold, singer with JLS, who were the runners-up of the fifth series of The X Factor in the UK.

February 11th: On this Day


1956, Elvis Presley appeared on American TV's 'Stage Show' and performed 'Heartbreak Hotel' and 'Blue Suede Shoes.'

1958, English singer Michael Holliday was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Story Of My Life.' The song gave writers Bacharach and David their first UK No.1 hit.

1963, In less than ten hours, The Beatles record ten new songs for their first album plus four other tracks which would be the next two singles. John Lennon's vocal on The Isley Brothers 'Twist & Shout' was recorded in one take to complete the album.

1964, The Beatles made their live concert debut in the US at the Washington Coliseum. Over 350 police surrounded the stage to keep the 8,000 plus screaming fans in control. One police officer who found the noise so loud stuck a bullet in each ear as ear plugs. The Beatles had to stop three times and turn Ringo's drum kit around and re-position their microphones so that they faced a different part of the audience. The set list: ‘Roll Over Beethoven’, ‘From Me to You’, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, ‘This Boy’, ‘All My Loving’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘Please Please Me’, ‘Till There Was You’, ‘She Loves You’, ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’, ‘Twist and Shout’, and ‘Long Tall Sally’.

1965, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr married his long-time girlfriend Maureen at Caxton Hall Register Office in London. John and George attended, Paul was away on holiday.

1969, The Monkees set a new record when their second album, 'More Of The Monkees' jumped from No.122 to the top of the US chart. The album then stayed in pole position for eighteen weeks.

1970, Fleetwood Mac, The Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead all appeared at the Fillmore East in New York City.

1972, During their Dark Side Of The Moon tour, Pink Floyd appeared at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England. The show was abandoned after 25 minutes due to a power cut.

1973, A local charity raised over £500 ($850) selling bedsheets and pillowcases used by the Rolling Stones after a show at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.

1978, The Brotherhood Of Man were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Figaro', the group's third and last UK No.1.

1985, The Police won Outstanding Contribution to British music at the fourth annual Brit Awards held in London. Other winners included Prince for best International Act and Best Soundtrack for Purple Rain, British Single was Frankie Goes To Hollywood 'Relax', British Video was Duran Duran for 'Wild Boys', British Comedy Recording Neil 'Hole In My Shoe', British Album went to Sade for 'Diamond Life', British Male Solo Artist was won by Paul Young, British Female Solo Artist, Alison Moyet and Best British Group went to Wham!

1987, The Smiths were at No.1 in the UK indie charts with 'Shoplifters Of The World Unite.'

1989, Paula Abdul started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Straight Up', the first of three No.1's in 1989, a No.3 hit in the UK.

1992, Motley Crue fired their singer Vince Neil when he turned up for rehearsals, claiming that he had lost his passion for the band and was now more involved with racing cars.

1998, The hand-written lyrics to 'Candle in the Wind' by Bernie Taupin were auctioned off at Christie's in LA for £278,512.

2000, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell appeared in court to give evidence over the dispute with Aprilla Motorcycles. The company were suing the Spice Girls for £1.6 million ($2.72 million) over lost advertising as sponsors for the 1998 Spiceworld World tour.

2001, Outkast went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Mrs Jackson', a No.2 hit in the UK. Shaggy started a four-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Hotspot.'

2003, The British Phonographic Industry reported its biggest sales decline in decades, with the biggest slump in a single year since the birth of the CD market in the early 1980s. Piracy, illegal duplication and distribution by international criminals of CD's were all blamed for the decrease.

2007, Mika went to No.1 on the UK album chart with his debut album 'Life In Cartoon Motion.' Pretty Ricky were at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Late Night Special' the American R&B & hip-hop group's second album and first No.1.

2008, Heather Mills and Sir Paul McCartney appeared at the High Court in London for a hearing to reach a financial settlement for their divorce. The hearing in the Family Division, which was taking place in private, was expected to last five days. The couple, who had a four-year-old daughter, Beatrice, announced the end of their four-year marriage in
2006. There had been speculation among divorce experts, based on recent cases, that the settlement could reach £60m.

2008, Jack Johnson started a five-week run at No.1 on the Australian album chart with 'Sleep Through The Static'.

2009, Ronettes singer Estelle Bennett died at her home in Englewood, N.J. She was 67. The 60's girl group best known for their work with producer Phil Spector had the 1963 hit 'Be My Baby' which epitomized the famed "wall of sound" technique.


February 11th: Born on this day


1935, Born on this day, Gene Vincent, (born Eugene Craddock), US rock ‘n’ roll singer with His Blue Caps who had a 1956 US No.7 & UK No.16 single with ‘Be Bop A Lula’. Vincent died on October 12th 1971.

1939, Born on this day, Gerry Goffin, American songwriter of over 20 US hits with Carol King, including The Shirelles 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow', The Drifters 'Up On The Roof', The Chiffons, 'One Fine Day', Herman's Hermits, 'I'm Into Something Good'.

1940, Born on this day, Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, who had the 1962 US No.1 & 1973 UK No.3 single 'The Monster Mash'. The song was a spoof on the dance crazes popular at the time, including the Twist and the Mashed Potato. Pickett died of leukemia at the age of 69 on April 25th 2007.

1941, Born on this day, Sergio Mendes, Brazilian singer, who had the 1983 US No.4 & UK No.45 single 'Never Got Let You Go'.

1946, Born on this day, Ray Lake, singer with The Real Thing, who had the 1976 UK No.1 single 'You To Me Are Everything'.

1950, Born on this day, Rochelle Fleming, singer, with First Choice who had the 1973 UK No.9 single 'Smarty Pants.

1953, Born on this day, Alan Rubin, The Blues Brothers, who had the 1990 UK No.12 single 'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love'.

1953, Born on this day, Neil Henderson, from Scottish group Middle Of The Road, who had the 1971 UK No.1 single 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep'.

1962, Born on this day, Sheryl Crow, US singer, songwriter, who had the 1994 US No.2 & UK No.4 single 'All I Wanna Do', 1993 album 'Tuesday Night Music Club'. Crow worked as a backing singer on the Michael Jackson 'Bad' tour.

1969, Born on this day, Andrew Lovell, percussion, with English group M People, who had the 1993 UK No.2 single 'Moving On Up', plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles.

1974, Born on this day, D'Angelo, (Michael Archer), who had the 1996 UK No. 21 single 'Lady'.

1977, Born on this day, Mike Shinoda, guitar, vocals, with Linkin Park, who had the 2002 US No.2 & UK No.4 single 'In The End', and the 2002 US No.2 & 2001 UK No.4 album 'Hybrid Theory'.

1979, Born on this day, Brandy, American singer, who had the 1998 US No.1 and UK No.2 single with Monica, 'The Boy Is Mine'.

1981, Born on this day, Kelly Rowland, singer with Destiny's Child who had the 2000 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Say My Name', and the 2001 US & UK No.1 single & album 'Survivor'. as a solo artist had the 2003 UK No.2 single 'Stole', and the 2002 US & UK No.1 single with Nelly 'Dilemma'. Rowland joined the judging panel on the eighth series of the British reality television competition The X Factor in 2011.

1984, Born on this day, Aubrey O'Day, singer, with Danity Kane, who were formed on the MTV reality show Making the Band 3. Had the 2006 US No.1 self-titled album.

February 9th: On this Day


1961, The Beatles appeared at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, for the very first time (as The Beatles), they would go on to make a total of 292 other appearances at the Club.

1963, Paul and Paula started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles charts with 'Hey Paula', it made No.8 in the UK.

1964, The Beatles made their US live debut on CBS-TV's 'The Ed Sullivan Show'; they performed five songs including their current No.1 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' watched by an estimated 73 million people. The show had received over 50,000 applications for the 728 seats in the TV studio.

1967, Canadian conductor Percy Faith died aged 67. He scored the 1953 hit 'Song from the Moulin Rouge' and 1960 US No.1 'Theme From A Summer Place', nine weeks at No.1, which won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1961.

1967, The film for the latest Beatles single 'Penny Lane' and 'Strawberry Fields Forever' was shown on BBC-TV's Top Of The Pops. It was the first Beatles single not to make No.1 in the UK since 1963, held off the top by Engelbert Humperdinck's 'Release Me.'

1968, Hal Cone former manager of The Monkees and Head of Jones Records was found guilty of theft, forgery, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

1972, Paul McCartney's Wings played the first night of a UK College tour in Nottingham. The group arrived unannounced asking social secretaries if they would like them to perform that evening. The band's intended first stop on the tour, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, refused to allow them to play so they drove on to Nottingham. Admission was 40p, British pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz was the opening act for the tour.

1974, The Love Unlimited Orchestra went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Love's Theme', it made No.10 in the UK.

1981, American singer Bill Haley was found dead, fully clothed on his bed at his home in Harlington, Texas from a heart attack, Haley had sold over 60 million records during his career. Scored the 1955 UK & US No.1 single 'Rock Around The Clock', and became known as the first Rock 'n' Roll star. Haley was blinded in his left eye as a child due to a botched operation and later adopted his distinctive spit-curl hairstyle to distract attention from his blind eye.

1982, George Harrison presented UNICEF with a cheque for $9 million (£5.3 million), ten years after the fundraising concert for Bangladesh.

1985, Elaine Page and Barbara Dickson were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Know Him So Well.' The song was taken from the musical Chess, written by Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson from Abba. It gave Benny and Bjorn their 10th No.1 as writers.

1985, Madonna started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Like A Virgin', a No.3 hit in the UK.

1987, Winners at this years Brit awards held in London included Peter Gabriel who won British Male Solo Artist, Kate Bush won British Female Solo Artist, Best British Group went to Five Star, British Album was Dire Straits 'Brothers In Arms', British Breakthrough Act was The Housemartins, International Solo Artist went to Paul Simon, The Bangles won Best International Group, Best British Video went to Peter Gabriel for 'Sledgehammer' and Best British Single was The Pet Shop Boys for 'West End Girls'.

1990, Nirvana set out on a short west coast tour opening for Dinosaur Jr. at the Pine Street Theater, Portland, Oregon.

1991, C & C Music Factory started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Gonna Make You Sweat', a No.3 hit in the UK.

1992, Touring Australia and New Zealand for the first and only time Nirvana appeared at the Logan Campbell Center in Auckland, New Zealand.

1993, British broadcaster Bill Grundy died of a heart attack aged 69. He conducted the famous Sex Pistols interview on Thames Television on December 1, 1976; when Grundy provoked the band into using obscenities on live TV. The broadcast wrecked Grundy's television career. He was also the first television presenter to present The Beatles on Granada Television on October 17, 1962.

1997, Mississippi blues artist Jack Owens died aged 92. In 1995 he appeared in a TV advertisement for Levi's jeans, showing him seated on his front porch.

1998, Brit Award winners included All Saints best single and video with 'Never Never', The Verve, best group and album with 'Urban Hymns', best male artist was Finley Quaye, best female was Shola Ama and Stereophonics won the best newcomers.

2001, Eminem beefed up security for his UK shows following the threat of gay rights protests. Campaigners said the rapper was a homophobe who fuelled prejudice with hate-filled lyrics.

2002, Billboard published the Top 5 selling albums in the world from
2001: Britney Spears 'Britney', $7m (£4.1m); Shaggy's 'Hotshot', $7.2m £4.24m); Destiny's Child's 'Survivor', $7.8m (£4.6m); Linkin Park's 'Hybrid', $8.5m (£5m) and Dido's 'No Angel', $8.6m (£5.06m) sales.

2005, Winners at this years Brit Awards included The Streets who won Best British male solo artist, Joss Stone won British female solo artist, Best British Album went to Keane for 'Hopes and Fears', Franz Ferdinand won Best British Group and Best Rock Act, McFly won Best Pop Act, Scissor Sisters won Best International group and the Best Album award the Brits 25 best song award went to Robbie Williams for 'Angels' and Sir Bob Geldof won the Outstanding Contribution To Music award.

2009, Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant took home five prizes for his collaboration with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss at this years Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles. The duo won album of the year for Raising Sand and record of the year for ‘Please Read The Letter.’ Coldplay, (who won song of the year for ‘Viva La Vida’) Adele, Duffy, Radiohead and Peter Gabriel were among other UK acts to be honoured. John Mayer won Best solo rock vocal performance for ‘Gravity’, Kings of Leon won Best rock performance by a group with ‘Sex on Fire’, Best rock song went to Bruce Springsteen for ‘Girls In Their Summer Clothes’ and Lil' Wayne won Best rap solo performance and Best rap album for Tha Carter III.

2009, Ringo Starr became the 2,401st person to be added to the Hollywood Walk Of Fame during a ceremony that marked the 50th anniversary of the attraction. The Beatles as a group were given a star in 1998.

2010, The White Stripes were taking on the US Air Force, complaining that it used one of the group's songs 'Fell In Love With A Girl' in a TV advert without permission. In a statement on their website, the duo said they took "strong insult and objection, with the implication that we licensed one of our songs to encourage recruitment during a war that we do not support."


February 9th: Born on this day


1939, Born on this day, Barry Mann, US singer, songwriter. Wrote many early 60's pop hits including 'Saturday Night At The Movies', 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling', 'Walking In The Rain'. Also had the 1961 US No.7 solo single 'Who Put The Bomp, In The Bomp, Bomp, Bomp.'

1940, Born on this day, Brian Bennett, drummer with The Shadows, who had the 1963 UK No.1 single 'Foot Tapper' plus 28 other UK Top 40 singles as well as having hits with Cliff Richard.

1942, Born on this day, Carole King, US singer, songwriter who wrote many songs with Gerry Goffin including the 1962 UK No.3 & US No.22 single, 'It Might As Well Rain Until September'. Her 1970 US No.1 album 'Tapestry' has sold over 15 million copies and became a Grammy award winner in 71.

1947, Born on this day, Joe Ely, country singer who toured with The Clash in the late 70's, and was a one time member of Linda Ronstadt's band.

1947, Born on this day, Major Harris, singer with The Delfonics who had the 1968 US No.4 & 1971 UK No.19 single 'La- La Means I Love You'.

1951, Born on this day, Dennis Thomas, singer with Kool & The Gang who had the 1981 US No.1 & UK No.7 single 'Celebration', and the 1984 UK No.2 single 'Joanna' plus over 15 other Top 40 hits.

1955, Born on this day, Jimmy Pursey, singer with UK punk group Sham 69 who had the 1979 UK No.6 single, 'Hersham Boys'.

1960, Born on this day, Holly Johnson, singer who was a member of Liverpool based groups Big In Japan and Frankie Goes To Hollywood who had the 1984 UK No.1 & US No. 10 single 'Relax' and six other UK Top 40 singles. As a solo, artist scored the 1989 UK No.4 'Love Train' and 1989 UK No.1 album 'Blast'.

1963, Born on this day, Dave Rotheray, guitarist with English group The Beautiful South who had the 1990 UK No.1 single 'A Little Time' plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles.

February 7th: On this Day


1959, Buddy Holly was buried in Lubbock, Texas. His tombstone reads "Holley", the correct spelling of his given surname and includes pictures of a guitar.

1963, The first Beatles single 'Please Please Me' was released in the US on the Vee Jay label.

1963, The Blues By Six plus The Rolling Stones appeared at The Manor House, London, tickets cost 4 shillings, ($0.56c).

1964, Pan Am flight 101 was greeted by over 5,000 Beatles fans as it arrived at New York's JFK airport, bringing The Beatles to the US for the first time and causing riotous scenes as they touched down.

1967, Robin, Maurice and Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees returned to the UK after living in Australia for nine years.

1969, John and Yoko were featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, on sale for 35 Cents, (2/6). John was named as Rolling Stones Man Of The Year.

1969, The Who recorded 'Pinball Wizard' at Morgan Studio's, London, England.

1969, Doors singer Jim Morrison was arrested for drunk driving and driving with no license in Los Angeles, California.

1970, Led Zeppelin scored their first UK No.1 album with 'Led Zeppelin II'. Released in November 1969, and featuring the US No. 4 single 'Whole Lotta Love', it went on to stay on the UK chart for 136 weeks. Also reaching No. 1 in the US, the RIAA in the US has now certified it as having sold over 12 million copies in the US alone.

1970, One hit wonders Shocking Blue went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Venus', making them the first Dutch act to top the US charts. It made No.8 in the UK; Bananarama took the song to No.8 on the UK chart in 86.

1976, Paul Simon started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with '50 Ways To Leave Your Lover', the singers first solo US No.1.

1979, Stephen Stills became the first rock performer to record on digital equipment in Los Angeles' Record Plant Studio.

1980, Pink Floyd played the first of seven sold out nights at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California.

1981, Kool & The Gang started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Celebration' the group's first No.1 and 8th top 40 hit, a No.7 hit in the UK.

1981, John Lennon was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Woman', an ode to his wife Yoko Ono. It was Lennon's third No.1 in seven weeks after his death on December 8, 1980.

1985, Matt Monro, 60's UK ballad singer died from liver cancer at the Cromwell Hospital, Ealing, London. 1964 UK No.4 & US No.23 single 'Walk Away' plus 10 other UK Top 40 hits including the 1965 hit with his version of The Beatles' 'Yesterday'.

1987, George Michael and Aretha Franklin were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)'. Written by Simon Climie it gave Aretha her first UK No.1 almost 20 years after her first hit.

1987, Madonna went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Open Your Heart', her 5th US No.1, a No.4 hit in the UK.

1989, Georgia state representative Billy Randall introduced a bill to make Little Richards 'Tutti Frutti', the state's official rock song.

1994, Blind Melon's lead singer Shannon Hoon was forced to leave the American Music Awards ceremony for his loud and disruptive behavior. Hoon was later charged with battery, assault, resisting arrest, and destroying a police station phone.

1999, Blondie went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Maria', giving the group their 6th UK No.1 single, 20 years after their first. At the age of 54, lead singer Debbie Harry became the oldest female to make No.1.

2000, Big Punisher died of a heart attack, aged 28. The rapper had weighed 318kg (50 stone) when he had the attack. His second album, Yeeeah Baby, completed before his death, was issued as scheduled in April 2000. It peaked at No.3 on the Billboard charts.

2000, English guitarist and singer Dave Pevertt died from kidney cancer aged 56. Had been a member of Savoy Brown and Foghat who had the 1970's hit singles 'My Babe', and 'Slow Ride'.

2001, U2 played a secret show at London's Astoria. Stars attending the show included actor John Hurt, Queen's Roger Taylor, Mick Jagger, Bob Geldof, Chris Evans and members of Toploader.

2003, Courtney Love arrived at a benefit concert at London's Old Vic Theatre dressed as Donald Duck. Courtney joined Elton John on stage for a version of 'The Bitch Is Back'.

2004, Queen's single 'We Will Rock You' topped a poll of music fans to find the greatest rock anthem of all time. The 1977 song beat the band's classic 'Bohemian Rhapsody' into second place in a survey of 1,000 people carried out for the UCI cinema chain. The poll was carried out to mark the release of new Jack Black comedy 'School of Rock.'

2005, Michael Jackson's Thriller was named the top pop video in a poll of Channel 4 viewers in the UK. The 1983 video, which depicts the singer as a werewolf and a zombie, beat videos by Madonna and Robbie Williams. Animated videos for Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer and A-Ha's Take On Me were in second and third place respectively. 4th was Queen with Bohemian Rhapsody, 5th, Madonna Like a Prayer, 6th, Robbie Williams, Rock DJ, 7th, Michael Jackson, Billie Jean, 8th, The Verve, Bittersweet Symphony, 9th, Madonna Vogue and 10th Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit.

2008, Amy Winehouse was told she could not perform at this year's Grammy awards ceremony because her US visa application has been rejected by the embassy in London. The singer was arrested for marijuana possession in Norway last year. Winehouse has been nominated for six Grammy awards ahead of the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.


February 7th: Born on this day


1924, Born on this day, Dora Bryan English actress and singer who had the 1963 UK No.20 single 'All I Want For Christmas Is A Beatle'.

1934, Born on this day, Earl King, New Orleans Blues guitarist. King died on April 17th 2003 aged 69. He wrote 'Come On, (Let The Good Times Roll').

1934, Born on this day, US sax player King Curtis who was stabbed to death by a vagrant on the front steps of his New York home on 13th August 1971. Curtis worked with John Lennon, and had played on The Coasters hit 'Yakety Yak'.

1948, Born on this day, Jimmy Greenspoon, organist with Three Dog Night, who had the 1970 UK No.3 & US No.1 single 'Mama Told Me Not To Come'.

1949, Born on this day, Alan Lancaster, bassist with English group Status Quo. He left the band in 1984. Famous for the 1977 UK No.3 single 'Rockin' All Over The World' plus the Quo have scored over 50 other UK Top 75 singles since 1968.

1959, Born on this day, Brian Travers, saxophonist with UB40, who had the 1983 UK No.1 & 1988 US No.1 single 'Red Red Wine' and over 30 other top 40 hits.

1960, Born on this day, Steve Bronski, from English group Bronski Beat who had the 1984 UK No.3 single 'Smalltown Boy'.

1962, Born on this day, David Bryan, keyboards with Bon Jovi who had the 1987 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'Livin' On A Prayer'. Bryan is also the writer of the successful Broadway musical Memphis.

1962, Born on this day, Garth Brooks, US country singer, who had the 1991 US No.1 album 'Ropin' The Wind' which spent 70 weeks on the US chart, and the 1994 UK No.13 single 'The Red Strokes.' Brooks is the biggest selling artist of the 90's with over 60 million sales.

1962, Born on this day, Deborah Bonham, English rock and blues vocalist and the sister of John Bonham, the late drummer for the band Led Zeppelin.

1968, Born on this day, Sully Erna, guitar, vocals, Godsmack, who had the 2003, US No.1 album 'Faceless', 2006 US No.1 album 'IV'.

1974, Born on this day, Danny Goffey, drummer with English group Supergrass who had the 1995 UK No.2 single 'Alright', and the 1995 UK No.1 album 'I Should Coco' which spent 35 weeks on the UK chart.

1974, Born on this day, James Dewitt Yancey, (J Dilla or Jay Dee), hip hop producer and MC. He died on Feb 10th 2006 of a rare blood disease at his home in Los Angeles, California.

1975, Born on this day, Wes Borland, guitarist with Limp Bizkit, who had the 2001 UK No.1 single 'Rollin' & US & UK No.1 album 'Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavoured Water'.