On This Day(In Music )

December 27th: On this day


1960, The Beatles appeared at Litherland Town Hall Ballroom in Liverpool. Added to the bill at the last minute, The Beatles were not advertised to appear, so banners had been pasted onto advertising posters, saying "Direct From Hamburg, The Beatles!" Since The Beatles were playing in an area they'd only played in once before, most of the audience assumes they were a German group.

1963, The music critics from the UK newspaper The Times, named John Lennon and Paul McCartney as The Outstanding Composers of 1963. Two days later, the Sunday Times' music critic Richard Buckle proclaims the same two songwriters "the greatest composers since Beethoven."

1964, The Who appeared at the Ealing Club, Ealing Broadway, London, England.

1967, The Doors appeared on the Jonathon Winters Show CBS TV show from Los Angeles, California.

1969, Led Zeppelin II was at No.1 on the US album charts, it went on to sell over six million copies in the US.

1969, Diana Ross and the Supremes went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Someday We'll Be Together', the group's 12th US No.1. A No.13 hit in the UK.

1969, Miles Davis was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, on sale for 35 Cents, (2/6).

1975, Queen started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with 'A Night At The Opera' the group's first No.1 album.

1975, The Faces split became official. Rod Stewart had severed all connections with the group to work as a solo artist, Ron Wood was on permanent loan to the Stones, Ronnie Lane went on to form Slim Chance and drummer Kenny Jones joined The Who.

1975, The Staple Singers went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Let's Do It Again' the group's second US No.1.

1975, Future Smiths singer Steve Morrissey had a letter published in this week’s music magazine the NME, complaining about the lack of media coverage for the New York Dolls.

1976, Blues guitarist Freddie King died of heart trouble and ulcers aged 42. Eric Clapton covered his 'Have You Ever Loved A Woman' on his Layla album. Major influence on British and American blues-rock musicians such as Jimmy Vaughan, Ronnie Earl, Peter Green and Eric Clapton.

1980, John and Yoko's 'Double Fantasy' album started an eight-week run at No.1 on the US chart. 'Just Like Starting Over' started a five-week stay at No.1 on the singles chart.

1981, American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader Hoagy Carmichael died aged 82. Composer of 'Georgia On My Mind', (covered by many acts including Ray Charles), 'Star Dust' and 'Lazy River'.

1983, Walter Scott lead singer of Bob Kuban & The In-Men, who scored a 1966 US hit with ‘The Cheater’, was seen alive for the last time. On April 10th, 1987, his badly decomposed, bound body was found floating face down in a cistern, he’d been shot in the back. Scott's second wife, Jo Ann Calceterra, pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution in his murder and received a five-year sentence. Her boyfriend (whom she married in 1986), James H. Williams Sr. was found guilty of two counts of capital murder in the deaths of Walter Scott as well as his previous wife, Sharon Williams. James Williams received two life terms.

1983, The Police played the first of four sold-out nights at Wembley Arena in London, England, on their Synchronicity world tour.

1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Madness, Nik Kershaw, Gloria Gaynor, Spandau Ballet, The Flying Pickets and Helen Terry all appeared on the Granada TV music show Brighton Rock.

1985, Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon married model Yasmin Parvanah.

1986, Jackie Wilson had the UK Christmas No.1 single with 'Reet Petite' two years after Wilson's death, following its use in a commercial for Levi's. Written in 1957 by Berry Gordy and Tyran Carlo, the success of the song helped Gordy fund the launch of Motown Records.

1989, A former chef at the Chuck Berry owned restaurant Southern Air started court proceedings against Berry alleging that the singer had installed secret video cameras in the ladies toilets. A further 200 other women also took action claiming that the recordings were used for improper sexual fetishes.

1992, Harry Connick Jr was arrested at Kennedy Airport, New York after police discovered a 9mm pistol in his hand luggage.

1997, The Spice Girls went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Too Much'. The group set another new world record as their first six singles all made No.1.

1999, Sean 'Puff Daddy' Combs and his girlfriend Jennifer Lopez were arrested after a gun was found in their car as they left a Manhattan nightclub. Police were investigating a shooting in the club.

2001, Steps announced they were splitting up. The group had notched up 13 Top 5 UK singles and had become Britain's biggest live act.

2004, Mario was at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Let Me Love You.'

2005, It was announced that ‘Crazy Frog’ by Axel F was the best selling UK ringtone of 2005. ‘Tweet Tweet’ by Sweetie Chick was the second and ‘(Is This The Way To) Amarillo’ by Tony Christie and Peter Kay was the third biggest seller. The UK ringtone market was now worth more than double the value of the CD singles sales.

2008, Thieves broke into a house belonging to Allman Brothers Band singer and keyboardist Gregg Allman in Georgia and stole a coin collection, knives and unreleased concert recordings. Two men where charged with the burglary two days later.

2008, Singer, songwriter, guitarist, Delaney Bramlett died in Los Angeles from complications after gall bladder surgery. Was a member of Delaney, Bonnie & Friends and worked with George Harrison, The Everly Brothers, John Lennon, Janis Joplin, J.J. Cale, and Eric Clapton.

2008, Taylor Swift started a seven-week run at No.1 on the US album charts with ‘Fearless’.


December 27th: Born on this day


1931, Born on this day, Scotty Moore, guitarist, whose first group was Doug Poindexter & the Starlite Wranglers. He played on the first Sun Studios session with Elvis Presley and went on to a lengthy career with Presley, playing on many of his most famous recordings including 'Baby Let's Play House', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Mystery Train', 'That's All Right', 'Hound Dog' and 'Jailhouse Rock'.

1941, Born on this day, Les Maguire, Gerry And The Pacemakers, (1963 UK No.1 single 'You'll Never Walk Alone' 1965 US No.6 single, 'Ferry Across The Mersey').

1941, Born on this day, Mike Pinder, The Moody Blues, (1965 UK No.1 single 'Go Now' and 1968 UK No.19 & 1972 US No.2 single 'Nights In White Satin').

1943, Born on this day, Pete Quaife, bass, The Kinks, (1964 UK No.1 & US No.7 'You Really Got Me', 1967 UK No.2 single 'Waterloo Sunset' plus 19 other UK Top 40 singles).

1944, Born on this day, Mike Jones, guitar, Foreigner, (1985 UK & US No.1 single 'I Want To Know What Love Is')

1948, Born on this day, Larry Byrom, guitar, Steppenwolf, (1969 UK No.30 single 'Born To Be Wild').

1952, Born on this day, David Knopfler, Dire Straits, left in early 1980, (1979 UK No.8 single 'Sultans Of Swing').

1961, Born on this day, Youth, Killing Joke, (1985 UK No.16 single 'Love Like Blood'), producer, worked with U2.

1972, Born on this day, Matt Slocum, guitarist, keyboards, Sixpence None The Richer, (1999 UK No.4 single, 'Kiss Me', 1999 US No.8 single 'There She Goes').

1984, Born on this day, Spectacular Blue Smith, singer, Pretty Ricky, (2007 US No.1 album ‘Late Night Special’).

1988, Born on this day, Hayley Williams, singer, Paramore, 2009 UK No.1 album ‘Brand New Eyes’.

December 25th: On this day


1954, Bing Crosby's ‘White Christmas’ entered the Billboard Pop chart for the eleventh time. Bing's rendition has sold over 100 million copies around the world, with at least 50 million sales as singles. It was the largest selling single in music history until it was surpassed by Elton John's ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’.

1958, the first day of a 10 day residency in Alan Freeds Christmas rock n' roll spectacular in New York with Chuck Berry, Frankie Avalon, Dion, Jackie Wilson, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley and The Everly Brothers.

1964, Beatles fans attacked George Harrison's girlfriend Patti Boyd as they arrived at London's Hammersmith Odeon for tonight's Beatles concert.

1964, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Miracles, Stevie Wonder and The Marvelettes all appeared at The Fox Theatre, Brooklyn, New York.

1964, The Beatles, recorded six songs for the BBC radio program Saturday Club in London: ‘Rock and Roll Music’, ‘I'm a Loser’, ‘Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby’, ‘I Feel Fine’, ‘Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey’ and ‘She's a Woman.’

1965, Dave Clark Five went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Over And Over'. They became the 7th UK act of 1965 to score a US No.1 single.

1965, The Beatles 6th album 'Rubber Soul' started a nine-week run at No.1 on the UK chart. It spent a total of 42 week's on the UK chart and was also a No.1 in the US.

1968, Led Zeppelin arrived in the United States for the very first time in preparation of their debut North American tour. The group were paid an average of $1,500 for each show.

1971, Melanie started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Brand New Key', the first release on her new label Neighbourhood Records.

1976, American MOR singer Johnny Mathis was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'When A Child Is Born', the singers only UK No.1 and the Christmas hit of 1976.

1976, The Eagles started a eight-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Hotel California.'

1978, John Lydon's new group Public Image Ltd played their first live gig at the Rainbow Theatre, London.

1981, Michael Jackson phoned Paul McCartney and suggested they write and record together, the first result being ‘The Girl Is Mine’. The song was a US No.2 & UK No.8 in 1982.

1982, David Bowie had a No.3 UK hit with a duet with Bing Crosby, 'Peace On Earth - Little Drummer Boy.'

1993, Mariah Carey started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Hero', a No.7 hit in the UK. Also on this day Mariah went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Music Box'.

1995, American singer, actor and TV host Dean Martin died. Had the 1956 UK & US No.1 single 'Memories Are Made Of This' plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles including ‘That's Amore‘, ‘Everybody Loves Somebody‘, ‘Mambo Italiano‘. In 1965, Martin launched his weekly NBC comedy-variety series, The Dean Martin Show.

1995, Mariah Carey was at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Daydream'.

1998, Bryan MacLean, guitarist with Love, died of a heart attack aged 62 while having Christmas dinner with a young fan who was researching a book about the band. Love had the 1966 US No.33 single '7 And 7 Is', and the 1968 album 'Forever Changes'.

2003, Michael Jackson recorded his first interview since news of the allegations of sexual abuse with a 12-year old boy. He told the CBS TV network he would 'slit his wrists' before he would hurt a child. He also claimed he suffered a dislocated shoulder after police 'manhandled' him and treated him 'very roughly' during his arrest.

2006, James Brown, the ‘Godfather of Soul’, died at the age of 73 after being diagnosed with severe pneumonia. Brown went to his dentist in Atlanta the previous day who told him something was wrong, and sent him to a doctor immediately. His hits included ‘Papa's Got a Brand New Bag‘, ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)‘, and ‘Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine, Pt. 1‘. Brown was married four times, at the age of 16, was arrested for theft and served 3 years in prison. In 1988, Brown was arrested following a high-speed car chase on along the Georgia-South Carolina state border. He was convicted of carrying an unlicensed pistol and assaulting a police officer and was sentenced to six years in prison.

2008, American actress, singer, and cabaret star Eartha Kitt died from colon cancer at her Weston, Connecticut home at the age of 81. Best known for her 1953 Christmas song ‘Santa Baby.‘


December 25th: Born on this day


1929, Born on this day, Chris Kenner, US singer, (1961 US No.2 single 'I Like It Like That'). Also a hit for Dave Clarke Five.

1937, Born on this day, O'Kelly Isley, The Isley Brothers, (1968 UK No.3 single 'This Old Heart Of Mine'). Died on 31st March 1986.

1940, Born on this day, Phil Spector, producer, 'The Spector Wall Of Sound’. Spector was a member of Teddy Bears, who had the 1958 US #1 single To Know Him Is To Love Him. He went on to produce many classic songs including; Ben E King, Spanish Harlem, The Crystals, Da Doo Ron Ron, The Ronettes, Baby I Love You, The Righteous Brothers, You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, Ike and Tina Turner, River Deep, Mountain High. Also produced albums for The Ramones, John Lennon, George Harrison, The Beatles, Cher and Harry Nilsson. The 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra, California home led to his 2009 conviction of murder in the second degree. He is serving a prison sentence of 19 years to life.

1940, Born on this day, Pete Brown, lyricist, poet, singer, producer, Cream, (1967 UK No.11 single 'I Feel Free'). Also worked with Jack Bruce, Graham Bond, Mick Jagger and Peter Green.

1943, Born on this day, Trevor Lucas, Fairport Convention, UK folk group, (1969 UK No.21 single 'Si Tu Dois Partie'). Also worked with Al Stewart and The Strawbs. Lucas died 4th February 1989.

1944, Born on this day, Henry Vestine, guitar, Canned Heat, (1970 UK No.2 & US No.26 single 'Let's Work Together'). Died on 20th October 1997.

1944, Born on this day, Kenny Everett, UK radio and TV presenter, (1983 UK No.9 single 'Snot Rap'). Died 4th April 1995.

1945, Born on this day, Noel Redding, bassist with the Jimi Hendrix Experience who had the 1967 UK #3 single 'Purple Haze', and the 1970 UK #1 single 'Voodoo Chile'. Redding was the first person to join the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and the first to leave, his final concert with them was in June 1969. Redding died on 11th May 2003 aged 57.

1946, Born on this day, Jimmy Buffett, American singer songwriter, (1977 US No.8 single 'Margaritaville', 2004 US No.1 album 'License to Chill').

1948, Born on this day, Country singer Barbara Mandrell, named Country Music Association entertainer of the year in 1979, 1980 & 1981, (1977 US No.1 Country single 'Sleeping Single In A Double Bed').

1954, Born on this day, Annie Lennox, singer, The Tourists, (1979 UK No.4 single 'I Only Want To Be With You'). Eurythmics, (1983 US No.1 single 'Sweet Dreams', 1985 UK No.1 single 'There Must Be An Angel'). Solo, (1995 UK No.2 single 'No More I Love You's').

1954, Born on this day, Robin Campbell, guitar, vocals, UB40, (1983 UK No.1 & 1988 US No.1 single 'Red Red Wine' and over 30 other Top 40 singles).

1957, Born on this day, Shane MacGowan, guitar, vocals, The Pogues, (1987 UK No.8 single 'The Irish Rover', 1987 UK No.2 single with Kirsty MacColl, 'Fairytale Of New York').

1958, Born on this day, Alannah Myles, Canadian singer, 1990 US No.1 and UK No.2 single 'Black Velvet.'

1964, Born on this day, Bob Stanley, Saint Etienne, (1993 UK No.12 single 'You're In A Bad Way')

1971, Born on this day, Dido, singer, songwriter, (2001 UK No.1 & US No.4 album 'No Angel', 2001 UK No.4 single 'Here With Me').

1971, Born on this day, Noel Hogan, guitar, The Cranberries, (1994 UK No.14 single 'Linger'). The bands 1993 album 'Everybody Else Is Doing It So Why Can’t We' spent 86 weeks on the UK chart.

1972, Born on this day, Josh Freese, drummer, Nine Inch Nails, (2005 US No.1 album ‘White Teeth’). Also worked with The Vandals, Devo, Viva Death and A Perfect Circle.

December 23rd: On this Day


1959, Chuck Berry was arrested after taking 14 year old Janice Norine (who unbeknown to Berry was working as a prostitute), across a state line. He was sentenced to 5 years jail but after racist comments by the judge Berry was freed.

1962, during his first visit to the UK Bob Dylan performed at the King and Queen pub in London’s West End, the singer songwriter’s third UK gig.

1962, The Beatles appeared at the Star-Club, Hamburg, West Germany.

1964, Pirate station 'Radio London', started broadcasting from the former US Minesweeper 'Mv Galaxy'.

1964, During a US tour Beach Boy Brian Wilson had a nervous breakdown during a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. Wilson left the band to concentrate on writing and producing. Glen Campbell replaced Wilson for the bands live shows.

1966, ITV (Redifusion) broadcast Ready, Steady Go! for the last time, after the Musicians Union enforced a ban on miming. The special guests for the farewell show were Mick Jagger, The Who, Eric Burdon, The Spencer Davis Group, Donovan and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.

1972, Former Grand Funk Railroad manager Terry Knight arrived during a concert by the band with a court order to seize $1m in money or assets. Police inform the ex manager that he couldn't take anything until after the show.

1977, Cat Stevens formally changed his name to Yusef Islam.

1984, Howard Jones played the first of three sold out shows at London's Hammersmith Odeon, with support band Strawberry Switchblade.

1985, During a concert by LL Cool J at a Rollerrink in Baltimore, a fight broke out, one person was trampled underfoot and three people were shot.

1985, Judas Priest fans Raymond Belknap and James Vance shot themselves after listening to the Judas Priest album ‘Stained Class.’ The two had drunk beer, smoked marijuana and then listened to hours of the album. Afterwards they took a shotgun to a nearby school playground where Belknap shot and killed himself. Vance then blew away his jaw, mouth and nose but lived for more than three years before dying of effects of the shooting.

1989, Phil Collins started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Another Day In Paradise', his 7th US solo No.1, a No.2 hit in the UK.

1989, The second version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas' by Band Aid II, went to No.1 on the UK singles chart.

1996, Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx married TV's 'Baywatch' star Donna Deruico.

1999, George Harrison's home in Maui was broken into by Cristin Keleher, who cooked a frozen pizza, drank beer from the fridge, started some laundry and phoned her mother in New Jersey. Keleher was arrested and charged with burglary and theft.

2000, Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall was given a police caution for possessing cocaine and cannabis. Police found the Class A and Class B drugs at his Surrey home after a woman falsely accused him of rape in November.

2002, Sir Paul McCartney was granted his own coat of arms by the College of Arms, the English heraldic body formed in 1484. The crest featured a bird that appeared to be holding a guitar in its claw. The motto is "Ecce Cor Meum", Latin for 'Behold My Heart', which is the title of an oratorio he composed.

2005, Geezer Butler, the bass player with Black Sabbath offered £5,000 for any information leading to the safe return of Toga, the three-month-old penguin that had been stolen from a zoo on the Isle of Wight a few days earlier.

2006, It was reported that U2 singer Bono was to be given an honorary knighthood in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music and humanitarian work.

2006, Ciara was at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Ciara : The Evolution’ the American singers second album.

2007, The Police were named as the highest earning touring group for the past year, bringing in nearly £66.5m, ($132m). The band's 54 date North American tour had generated almost double the total of the second-placed act, Country star Kenny Chesney.

2007, The 2007 X-Factor winner Leon Jackson went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'When You Believe', the singers only No.1 hit.

2008, a spokesman for Michael Jackson denied reports the singer was suffering from a rare respiratory disease and was in need of a lung transplant. Dr Tohme Tohme said in a statement issued to Reuters that stories claiming the singer was unwell were not true. He added that author Ian Halperin had made the claims to promote his unauthorised biography of the 50-year-old singer.

2008, Clint Ballard Jr. died. He wrote ‘Game Of Love’ a hit for Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders', and Linda Ronstadt's, ‘You're No Good’. His songs have been recorded by The Hollies, Frankie Avalon, Ricky Nelson, The Zombies and Jan And Dean.


December 23rd: Born on this day


1935, Born on this day, Esther Phillips, US soul singer, (1975 US No. 20 & UK No.6 single 'What A Difference A Day Makes'). She died on 7th August 1984.

1939, Born on this day, Johnny Kidd, singer, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, (1960 UK No.1 single 'Shakin' All Over'). Killed in a car crash while on tour in Manchester, England on 7th October 1966.

1940, Born on this day, Eugene Record, vocals, The Chi-lites, (1972 US No.1 single 'Oh Girl', 1972 UK No.3 single 'Have You Seen Her'). He died of cancer on 22nd July 2005.

1940, Born on this day, Jorma Kaukonen, guitar, Jefferson Airplane, (1967 US No.18 single 'White Rabbit'). Hot Tuna.

1941, Born on this day, Ron Bushy, Iron Butterfly, (1968 US No.14 single 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

1941, Born on this day, Tim Hardin, US singer, songwriter, (1967 UK No.50 single 'Hang On To A Dream'). Wrote 'Reason To Believe' and 'If I Were A Carpenter.' Died of a heroin overdose on 29th December 1980.

1943, Born on this day, Derek Smalls, bass, Spinal Tap, (1984 rock film 'This Is Spinal Tap').

1946, Born on this day, Duster Bennett, singer, guitarist, harmonica player. Worked with Alexis Korner, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac and B.B. King. Killed in a car crash on 26th March 1976.

1949, Born on this day, Ariel Bender, guitarist, Mott The Hoople, (1972 UK No.3 single 'All The Young Dudes'), Spooky Tooth.

1949, Born on this day, Adrian Belew, American guitarist and singer, worked with King Crimson and David Bowie.

1958, Born on this day, Dave Murray, guitar, Iron Maiden, (1982 UK No.1 album 'The Number Of The Beast', 1991 UK No.1 single 'Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter').

1960, Born on this day, Wil Sinnott, The Shamen, (1991 UK No.4 single 'Move Any Mountain'). Drowned on May 22nd 1991 while swimming off the coast of La Gomera when he was pulled under by strong currents. The Shamen were in Tenerife filming a video for their new single 'Move Any Mountain.'

1964, Born on this day, Eddie Vedder, vocals, Pearl Jam, (1992 UK No.15 single 'Jeremy', 1993 US No.1 & UK No.2 album 'Vs', 1994 US No.1 & UK No.4 album Vitalogy' and 1996 US No.1 & UK No.3 album 'No Code').

1974, Born on this day, Montsho Eshe, Arrested Development, (1992 UK No.2 single 'People Everyday').

1975, Born on this day, Katie Underwood, Bardot, winners of the Australian Popstars reality show, (2000 Australian No.1 single ‘Poison’, and 2000 Australian No.1 self-titled album).

1985, Born on this day, Harry Judd, drummer, McFly, (2004 UK No.1 single ‘Colours In Her Hair’, 2004 UK No.1 album ‘Room On The 3rd Floor’).

December 21st: On this Day


1966, The Who played at The Uppercut, London, England, tickets cost 17/6.

1967, The Beatles held a party at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London to preview their new movie ‘Magical Mystery Tour’.

1967, Pink Floyd appeared at the Speakeasy Club, London, England.

1968, Glen Campbell topped the US album chart with ‘Wichita Lineman’. Although the LP would stay on the chart for 46 weeks, it would be Campbell's only No.1 album.

1969, The Supremes made their last TV appearance together with Diana Ross on 'The Ed Sullivan show', singing their last No.1 'Someday We'll Be Together'.

1969, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Canned Heat appeared at the Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California.

1970, A stretch limousine carrying Elvis Presley pulled up outside the White House in Washington, D.C. The driver handed over a letter from Elvis addressed to President Nixon requesting a meeting to discuss how the King of Rock and Roll could help Nixon fight drugs. The President agreed to give Presley a Narcotics Bureau badge - but only after learning that the chief of the narcotics bureau had turned down the same request earlier that day and told Presley the only person who could overrule his decision was the President. At Elvis' request, the meeting remained secret for more than a year, until the Washington Post broke the story on January 27th, 1972.

1974, Mud were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Chinn & Chapman song 'Lonely This Christmas'. The group's second No.1 and third chart topper for Chinn & Chapman in 1974.

1976, Barry Manilow appeared on the first night of a two-week residency at The Uris Theatre on Broadway, New York City, tickets $20.

1977, During a North American tour Queen appeared at Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, California.

1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood played the first of 3 sold out nights at Liverpool Royal Court, tickets £5.30.

1985, Heart went to No.1 on the US album chart with their self- titled album.

1985, Lionel Richie started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Say You, Say Me', a No.8 hit in the UK.

1985, Bruce Springsteen's album, ‘Born in the USA’ passed Michael Jackson's ‘Thriller’ to become the second longest-lasting LP on the Billboard US Top 10. It stayed there for 79 weeks. Only ‘The Sound of Music’ with Julie Andrews lasted longer at 109 weeks.

1987, John Spence, singer, original member of No Doubt in the late 80's, committed suicide.

1988, Ex Cockney Rebel bass player Paul Jeffreys was one of the passengers killed by a terrorist bomb on Pan Am flight 103. The plane crashed over Lockerbie, Scotland.

1991, Jesus Jones, Blur, Diesel Park West, Sensitize and Whirlpool all appeared at the Food Records Xmas party at The Brixton Academy, London, tickets £10.

1991, 'Bohemian Rhapsody / These Are The Days Of Our Lives' by Queen started a five week run at No.1 in the UK, the 1975 word-wide hit had been re-released following the death of Freddie Mercury.

1995, Former Oasis drummer Tony McCarrol, issued a writ against the band seeking damages and royalties from his work on ('What's The Story) Morning Glory'.

1995, Northern Uproar singer Leon Meya received a letter from the Spanish Ministry Of Defence ordering him to sign up for national service. Meya had lived in Spain until he was five

1996, The charity record Knockin' on Heaven's Door' went to No.1 on the UK singles chart. With the consent of Bob Dylan, musician Ted Christopher of Dunblane, Scotland wrote a new verse for the song in memory of the schoolchildren and teacher killed in the Dunblane massacre. The cover version of the song included brothers and sisters of the victims singing the chorus and Mark Knopfler on guitar.

1998, Scottish singer Karl Denver died from a brain tumour aged 67. Had the 1962 UK No.4 single 'Wimoweh' and 1990 UK hit 'Lazyitis- One Armed Boxer' with Happy Mondays.

2001, Police launched an investigation into why Olivia Harrison listed a non-existent Beverly Hills address as the place of George Harrison's death.

2002, Keane appeared at the 12 Bar Club, London and were spotted by Simon Williams of Fierce Panda records who asked them to put a single out on his label.

2003, Eminem's ex-wife Kimberley Mathers pleaded guilty to a drug and driving offences. Mathers had been pulled by traffic police in June and was charged with possession of cocaine, two other charges driving with a suspended license and maintaining a drug house in which police discovered marijuana and Ecstasy were dropped. The 28 year-old mother appeared in a Michigan court after turning herself in, having previously failed to attend a November 1 hearing and removed an electronic tagging device used to monitor her movements.

2003, Michael Andrews feat Gary Jules went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Tears For Fears song 'Mad World.' The song took just 90 minutes to record in 2001 and was featured in the film 'Donnie Darko.'

2003, American Idol winner Ruben Studdard was at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Soulful.’

2003, Tommy Hubbard from Whitby, aged 14, won the 2003 Riffathon, a nationwide guitar competition in aid of Action For Brazil's Children Trust. The final was held at the University of Surrey and was judged by Jimmy Page and Brian May. The ten Riffathon finalists each performed a Led Zeppelin classic track with a full live band. Tommy's performance of 'Ramble On' won him the star prize of a 1958 re-issue Gibson Les Paul standard guitar, donated by Gibson Guitars.

2005, The Sugababes unveiled their new member just a day after Mutya Buena announced she was leaving. Self-confessed Sugababes fan Amelle Berrabah, 21, from Hampshire, was named as the new singer in the group. "For years I've dreamt of breaking into the music business but never did I dream of waking up one day to be the third Sugababe," she said. Buena said she left because she wanted a break from promoting the band's album Taller in More Ways.

2005, Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish became the first gay celebrities to register their relationship as a civil partnership. The 20 minute ceremony took place at The Guild Hall, Windsor, England, guest’s included Ringo Starr, Victoria Beckham, Joss Stone, Sting, Elvis Costello, Jamie Cullum, George Michael and The Osbournes - Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly.

2005, Madonna was forced to cancel a romantic holiday at Skibo Castle in Scotland after her private jet broke down with technical difficulties at London Airport.

2006, P Diddy’s girlfriend, Kim Porter gave birth to twin girls, who were named D'Lila Star and Jessie James Combs.

2008, The 2008 X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Hallelujah'. The song was written by Leonard Cohen, and his version charted at the same time, and Jeff Buckley's cover reached No 2, just being held off by Alexandra. Three versions of the same song were in the chart at once, something not seen since the 1950s.

2010, A concert by Kings of Leon was postponed after a fire broke out on two of their tour buses which were parked at The O2 arena in London. The blaze began on one coach before spreading to another tour bus in the loading bay of the venue in Greenwich. About 60 firefighters were at the scene and ambulance crews treated six people for smoke inhalation. An O2 spokesman said the fire meant there was not enough time to rig the arena for the sell-out concert.


December 21st: Born on this day


1940, Born on this day, Frank Zappa, multi' instrumentalist, producer and composer. Recorded with The Mothers Of Invention and solo, 1969 album 'Hot Rats', 1974 album 'Apostrophe', featuring 'Don't Eat The Yellow Snow'. First band was The Blackouts, recorded one of the first concept albums 'Freak Out'. Zappa died of prostrate cancer on 4th December 1993.

1940, Born on this day, Ray Hilderbrand, Paul and Paula, (1963 US No.1 & UK No.8 single, 'Hey Paula').

1943, Born on this day, Albert Lee, UK country guitarist. Worked with Emmylou Harris Hot Band, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Joe Cocker. One time member of Heads Hands And Feet.

1946, Born on this day, Carl Wilson, guitar, vocals, The Beach Boys, (1966 UK & US No.1 single 'Good Vibrations', plus over 25 other UK Top 40 singles'). Died 6th February 1998 after a long battle with lung cancer.

1953, Born on this day, Betty Wright, US singer, (1971 US No. 6 single 'Clean Up Woman', 1975 UK No. 27 single 'Shoorah! Shoorah!).

1964, Born on this day, Emmett Murphy, Dinosaur Jr, (1993 UK No.20 single 'Start Choppin').

1964, Born on this day, Patrick Murphy, The Lemonheads, (1993 UK No.14 single 'Into Your Arms'). Dinosaur Jr.

1966, Born on this day, Gabrielle Glaser, US singer, Luscious Jackson, (1997 UK No.25 single 'Naked Eye').

December 19th: On this Day


1957, Elvis Presley had his draft notice served on him for the US Army. He went on to join the 32nd Tank Battalion third Armor Corps based in Germany.

1958, Conway Twitty was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'It's Only Make Believe'. The first song to reach the UK Top 10 in four different years: Billy Fury (1964), Glen Campbell (1970) and Child (1978).

1964, The Beatles fourth album 'Beatles For Sale' started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK album charts.

1964, The Supremes scored their third US No.1 single of the year when 'Come See About Me', went to the top of the charts. It made No.27 on the UK chart.

1967, Buffalo Springfield appeared at the Community Concourse, San Diego, California.

1969, Mick Jagger was fined £200 plus 50 guineas costs at Marlborough Magistrates Court for illegal possession of cannabis.

1969, The Beatles' seventh Christmas record, "The Beatles' Seventh Christmas Record" was released to members of their fan club in the UK and the US.

1970, Elton John's first US hit, ‘Your Song’ entered the Billboard Hot 100, where it went on to reach number eight. The Hollies had been offered the song and Three Dog Night had already recorded a version which was included on their ‘It Ain't Easy’ album.

1976, During an interview with UK daily newspaper The Daily Mail, Sex Pistol Paul Cook's mother said he was no longer welcome at home and she was going to turn his bedroom in a dining room.

1978, During a North American tour Queen appeared at the Forum, Inglewood, California.

1979, Elvis Presley's personal physician, George Nichopoulos, was charged with 'illegally and indiscriminately' prescribing over 12,000 tablets of uppers, downers, and painkillers for the star during the 20 months preceding his untimely death. Although he was acquitted this time, he was charged again in 1980 and again in 1992 and was stripped of his medical license in July 1995.

1981, Abba scored their seventh UK No.1 album with 'The Visitors'.

1987, The Pet Shop Boys had their third UK No.1 single with their version of 'Always On My Mind. The duo had performed a version of 'Always on My Mind' on Love Me Tender, an TV special commemorating the tenth anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, their performance was so well-received that the group decided to record the song and release it as a single.

1993, Michael Clarke drummer with The Byrds died of liver failure aged 47. Also worked with the Flying Burrito Brothers and Jerry Jeff Walker. Before his death Clarke had expressed a wish of alerting children to the dangers of alcoholism. Following his wishes, Clarke's girlfriend Susan Paul started a foundation in Clarke's name, called the Campaign for Alcohol-free Kids.

1994, The Manic Street Preachers played the first of three nights at The Astoria, London, the last shows Richie James made with the band before disappearing.

1999, Irish boyband Westlife started a four week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their versions of the Abba song 'I Have A Dream' and the Terry Jacks hit (written in French by Belgian, Jacques Brel and English lyrics by poet Rod McKuen), 'Seasons In The Sun'. It gave the group the Christmas No.1 and the last No.1 of the century.

2000, 10,000 Maniacs guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure aged 42. Best know for ‘Hey Jack Kerouac’, ‘What's The Matter Here’ and 'Candy Everybody Wants'.

2000, Songwriter, guitarist and singer and founder member of The Staple Singers, Roebuck 'pop' Staples died. Best known for their 1970s hits ‘I'll Take You There’, ‘Respect Yourself’, and ‘Let's Do It Again’.

2000, Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol Dirty Bastard was returned to New York from Philadelphia in police custody, in order to face outstanding drug charges for possessing crack cocaine.

2001, Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton paid £3,000 for a custom built toilet. The singer ordered the hand painted porcelain loo complete with hand crafted toilet roll holder for her new £500,000 seaside apartment.

2005, Sir Elton John turned down £5.7m for the exclusive rights to his civil union to his partner David Furnish. The couple had considered the offer from a US television channel, putting the money in the Elton John Aids Foundation, but they told Attitude magazine they had decided to keep the day private.

2006, Two giant eyeballs donated by Pink Floyd raised £16,500 for the homeless charity Crisis. The 6ft-high props, made to promote the Pulse DVD, were on the auction site eBay for a week and attracted 46 bids. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, a vice-president of Crisis, said extra help was needed in the winter months.


December 19th: Born on this day


1918, Born on this day, Professor Longhair, US rock & roll piano player. Influenced Fat's Domino and Dr John. Died on 30th Jan 1980.

1940, Born on this day, Phil Ochs, US folk singer songwriter. Wrote 'There But A Fortune', hit for Joan Baez. Hung himself on 9th April 1976 suffering from chronic depression.

1941, Born on this day, Maurice White, vocals, Earth Wind and Fire, (1975 US No.1 single 'Shining Star', 1981 UK No.3 single 'Let's Groove').

1944, Born on this day, Alvin Lee, guitar vocals, Ten Years After, (UK rock group, 1970 UK No.10 single 'Love Like A Man').

1944, Born on this day, Zal Yanovsky, The Lovin Spoonful, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Summer In The City'). Died of a heart attack on 13th December 2002.

1949, Born on this day, John McEuen, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, (1971 US No.9 single 'Mr Bojangles').

1958, Born on this day, Chris Hamill, (Limahl), vocals, Kajagoogoo, (1983 UK No.1 single 'Too Shy').

December 17th: On this Day


1960, Returning from Hamburg, The Beatles appeared at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool. Chas Newby joined The Beatles on bass guitar (to replace Stuart Sutcliffe, who had remained in Hamburg), a position he would hold for only two weeks and four performances. When Newby bowed out to return to college, Paul McCartney became The Beatles' bass player.

1962, Bob Dylan arrived in England for the first time; he played his first UK date the following night at the Troubadour Club in London.

1963, James Carroll at WWDC in Washington, DC, became the first disc jockey to broadcast a Beatles record on American radio. Carroll played 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', which he had obtained from his stewardess girlfriend, who brought the single back from the UK. Due to listener demand, the song was played daily, every hour. Since it hadn't been released yet in the States, Capitol Records initially considered court action, but instead released the single earlier than planned.

1968, The Who played their Xmas party at the Marquee Club, London. Also on the bill was a new group called Yes. Members 15 shillings, ($1.80) or £1 ($2.40) on the night. Other acts appearing at the club this month included Joe Cocker, Free and Led Zeppelin.

1973, Slade were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Merry Xmas Everybody' their sixth chart topper. The song has re-entered the UK charts on eight other occasions.

1975, Hawkwind appeared at Brunel University, Middlesex, tickets, £1.50.

1975, Aerosmith and Blue Oyster Cult appeared at the San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, California.

1977, Mr David Ackroyd purchased the one-millionth copy of 'Mull Of Kintyre', by Wings in the UK and became the first record buyer to receive a Gold Disc.

1977, Deputising for The Sex Pistols on NBC- TVs 'Saturday Night Live', Elvis Costello stops his performance of 'Less Than Zero', saying ' there's no reason to do this', and launches into 'Radio Radio' which he'd been told not to perform.

1977, George Harrison played an unannounced live set for the regulars at his local pub in Henley-On-Thames.

1982, American Delta blues musician and songwriter Big Joe Williams died in Macon, Mississippi aged 79. Wrote 'Baby Please Don't Go', a 1965 UK Top 10 for Them, (featuring Van Morrison).

1982, Karen Carpenter made her last live appearance with The Carpenters when she performed in Sherman, California.

1983, Culture Club, Duran Duran and The Police all appeared on the children's UK TV show Saturday Superstore.

1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Big Country, Duran Duran, Ultravox, Paul Young and Wham! all appeared on the UK TV show 'Razzmatazz Solid Gold Christmas Special'.

1988, New Order, A Certain Ratio, Happy Mondays and DJ Mike Pickering all appeared at the G-Mex, Manchester, tickets £8.50.

1988, Featured on the front page of the NME, Bros, interviewed for the paper, a quote from Matt, 'We've got the quickest selling debut LP in the history of CBS Records. You don't do that if your talentless'.

1993, Sting's wife Trudie Styler gave birth to a son, Giacomo Luke, at a London hospital.

1994, Celine Dion married her manager Rene Angelil at the Notre Dame Basilica, Montreal.

1994, Ini Kamoze started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Here Comes The Hotstepper', a No.4 hit in the UK.

1994, A remixed version of The Four Seasons' "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" re-entered the US Hot 100, where it stayed for another 27 weeks, just as it did when it first charted in 1976. The combined run will establish a record for the longest total chart appearance in US chart history.

1995, A statue of the late Frank Zappa was unveiled in Vilnius, the capital of the Republic Of Lithuania. It had been organised by Zappa fan club President Saulius Pauksty.

1997, David Bowie launched his BowieNet on the Internet.

1999, American jazz-funk, soul-jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr died of a heart attack aged 56. He collapsed in the green room after taping four songs for The Early Show, at CBS Studios in New York City, He released over 20 solo albums and featured on the 1981 Bill Withers hit ‘Just The Two of Us.’

1999, The NME writers albums and singles of 1999; Super Furry Animals 'Guerrilla' came 3rd, Shack 'HMS Fable' 2nd and The Flaming Lips 'The Soft Bulletin' was voted album of the year. Aphex Twin 'Windowlicker' was voted best single of the year.

2000, Bob The Builder started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Can We Fix It'. Taken from the children's television programme Bob the Builder.

2000, Eminem was the subject of a sick Internet hoax after MTV reported that the rapper had been killed in a car crash en route to a party.

2004, Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley agreed to sell 85% of his estate to businessman Robert Sillerman in a deal worth $100m. Sillerman would run Presley's Memphis home Graceland, and own Elvis' name and the rights to all revenue from his music and films. In the deal Lisa Marie would retain possession of Graceland and many of her father's ‘personal effects.’

2005, U2 had the top-grossing tour of 2005, according to an end-of-year chart compiled by US magazine Billboard. More than three million people watched the band's sell-out 90-date Vertigo tour which grossed $260m (£146.6m). The Eagles, took $117m (£66m) from 77 shows and Neil Diamond grossed more than $71m (£40m). Kenny Chesney was fourth with $63m (£35.5m), Paul McCartney $60m (£33.8m), Rod Stewart with $49m (£27m), Elton John with $45.5m (£25.6m), Dave Matthews Band with $45m (£25.3m), Jimmy Buffett with $41m (£23m) and Green Day with $36.5m (£20.5m).

2006, English saxophonist Denis Payton died. Member of Dave Clark Five who had the 1964 UK No.1 single 'Glad All Over', 1965 US No.1 single 'Over And Over', plus over 15 other UK top 40 singles.

2006, The first winner of American Idol Leona Lewis started a 4 week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'A Moment Like This', also a US No.1.

2010, Captain Beefheart died aged 69 from complications from multiple sclerosis.

2010, Sir Paul McCartney performed an intimate lunchtime gig at the 100 Club on London's Oxford Street, the historic music venue threatened with closure. Around 300 fans were treated to a set lasting almost two hours, in what was McCartney’s smallest gig in the UK for nearly 10 years. A campaign to keep the 100 Club open had attracted support from Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Sir Mick Jagger.


December 17th: Born on this day


1936, Born on this day, Tommy Steele, singer, actor, (1957 UK No.1 single 'Singing The Blues', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles).

1937, Born on this day, Art Neville, vocals, piano, The Neville Brothers, (1989 UK No.47 single 'With God On Our Side')

1939, Born on this day, Eddie Kendricks, vocals, The Temptations, (1971 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Just My Imagination' and re- issued 'My Girl' UK No.2 in 1992, solo US No.1 & UK No.18 single 'Keep On Truckin'). Died on 5th October 1992.

1942, Born on this day, Paul Butterfield, blues singer, harmonica player, (1965 album 'Paul Butterfield Blues Band'). Appeared at The Bands, 'Last Waltz'. Died on 4th May 1987.

1943, Born on this day, David Dee, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, (1968 UK No.1 single 'Legend Of Xanadu'). Dee died on 9th Jan 2009 at the age of 65, following a three-year battle with cancer. The singer, whose real name was David Harman, was originally a police officer and as a police cadet was called to the scene of the car crash that killed Eddie Cochrane during a UK tour in 1960.

1948, Born on this day, Jim Bonfanti, The Young Rascals, (1967 US No.1 and UK No.8 single 'Groovin'). The Raspberries, (1972 US N.5 single 'Go All The Way').

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

1950, Born on this day, Carlton Barrett, The Wailers, (1983 UK No.4 single with Bob Marley, Buffalo Soldier', plus 10 other UK Top 40 singles). Barrett was shot dead outside his home on 17th April 1987.

1951, Born on this day, Wanda Hutchinson, The Emotions, (1977 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'Best Of My Love').

1958, Born on this day, Mike Mills, bass, R.E.M. (1991 UK No.6 & US No.10 single 'Shiny Happy People', plus over 20 Top 40 UK singles, 1992 UK No.1 & US No.2 album 'Automatic For The People').

1959, Born on this day, Bob Stinson, guitar, The Replacements died of an accidental drug overdose, (1984 album 'Let It Be').

1962, Born on this day, Sarah Dallen, singer Bananarama, (1984 UK No.3 single 'Robert De Niro's Waiting', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles, 1986 US No.1 single 'Venus').

1964, Born on this day, David Walls, 'Ginger', vocals, guitar, The Wildhearts, (1996 UK No.14 single 'Sick Of Drugs').

1969, Born on this day, Micky Quinn, bass, Supergrass, (1995 UK No.2 single 'Alright', 1995 UK No.1 album 'I Should Coco' spent 35 weeks on the UK chart).

1970, Born on this day, DJ Homicide, Sugar Ray, (1999 UK No. 10 single 'Every Morning').

1978, Born on this day, Neil Christopher, drummer, Three Days Grace.

1989, Born on this day, 1989, Taylor York, guitarist, Paramore, 2009 UK No.1 album ‘Brand New Eyes’.

December 15th: On this Day


1943, American jazz musician, singer and composer, Fats Waller died of pneumonia on a train trip near Kansas City, Missouri. Wrote many songs including 'Ain't Misbehavin', 'Your Feet's Too Big' and 'The Reefer Song'. In 1926 Waller was kidnapped at gunpoint in Chicago and driven to a club owned by gangster Al Capone. Inside the club he was ordered to perform at what turned out to be a surprise birthday party for the gangster.

1944, Hank Williams married Audrey Guy. The ceremony took place at a filling station.

1956, Elvis Presley gave his final performance on Louisiana Hayride, a live radio program that was broadcast on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. Presley made 50 appearances on the show. At the end of the show, Horace Logan first made the now legendary phrase ‘Elvis has left the building’.

1962, The Beatles played two separate shows at the same venue, the Majestic Ballroom in Birkenhead, Merseyside. First they played a standard Majestic booking then at midnight, the first-ever "Mersey Beat" poll awards show took place. As poll winners, The Beatles closed the show (at 4:00 am).

1969, John Lennon played what would be his final ever gig in the UK when he appeared at The Lyceum Ballroom, London, with the Plastic Ono Band in a UNICEF 'Peace For Christmas' benefit. George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Delaney and Bonnie, Billy Preston and The Who's drummer, Keith Moon also took part.

1973, Jermaine Jackson from The Jackson Five married the daughter of the boss of Motown Records, Hazel Gordy.

1973, Charlie Rich started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Most Beautiful Girl', the singers only No.1 single, a No.2 hit in the UK.

1973, David Cassidy went to No.1 on the UK album chart with his third solo album 'Dreams Are Nothin More Than Wishes.'

1977, The Sex Pistols were refused entry into the USA two days before a scheduled NBC TV appearance. Johnny Rotten because of a drugs conviction, Paul Cook & Sid Vicious because of 'moral turpitude' and Steve Jones because of his criminal record.

1979, U2 appeared at the Windsor Castle Pub, Harrow Road, London, admission was free.

1979, Pink Floyd started a five week run at #1 on the UK singles chart with 'Another Brick In The Wall, (Part 2),' their only UK chart topper. The song, which was also the final #1 single of the 1970s, received a Grammy nomination for Best Performance by a Rock Duo or Group, but Floyd lost to Bob Seger's Against the Wind.

1979, Released on the Anti- Pop label, a 28- minute mini- album priced at £2.50 by Wavis O'Shave, titled 'Anna Ford's Bum'. (Anna was a TV newsreader).

1984, 'Do They Know It's Christmas' by Band Aid entered the UK chart at No.1 and stayed at the top for five weeks. It became the biggest selling UK single of all time with sales over 3 and a half million. Band Aid was masterminded by former Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof, who had been moved by a TV news story of famine in Ethiopia. Geldof had the idea of raising funds with a one-off charity single featuring the cream of the current pop world. Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Paul Young, Culture Club, George Michael, Sting, Bono, Phil Collins, Paul Weller, Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt of Status Quo and Bananarama all appeared on the recording.

1988, Soul singer James Brown was sentenced to six years in prison for various offences including possession of weapons and resisting arrest.

1989, The Charlatans appeared at Winnington Rec, Northwich, Cheshire, England, tickets £3.00.

1990, Rod Stewart married New Zealand model Rachel Hunter in Beverly Hills. Stewart was quoted as saying 'I Found the Girl that I Want, I won't be putting my banana in anybody's fruit bowl from now on'. They split in 1999.

1990, Abba singer Agnetha Faltskog married Swedish surgeon Tomas Sonnenfeld.

1994, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora married actress Heather Locklear. The couple divorced in 2006.

1997, 'Spice World The Movie', featuring The Spice Girls premiered at The Empire, Leicester Sq, London. The following year it was nominated for the 'worst film' at the Golden Raspberry Awards.

1998, Backstreet Boys roadie Michael Barrett filed a $3 million lawsuit against the group claiming damages after a 50-pound cannon fell on his head during a show.

1999, Boy George was knocked unconscious when a mirror ball fell on his head during a show in Dorset, England.

1999, Former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren announced that he was running for the Mayor of London. He said he would be campaigning for brothels, pot shops and boozing in libraries. "I changed London with the Sex Pistols, I can change London as Mayor."

1999, Posh Spice Victoria Beckham knocked a crazed fan to the ground after he tried to grab her baby son Brooklyn as she left Harrods in London.

2001, American funk and soul singer Rufus Thomas died of heart failure aged 84. Recorded on Sun Records in the 1950s and on Stax Records in the 1960s and 1970s. Scored the 1963 US No.10 single 'Walking The Dog' and the 1970 UK No.18 & US No.28 single 'Do The Funky Chicken'. A street is named in his honor, just off Beale Street in Memphis.

2001, Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh was given an honorary Doctorate of Music from Kent State University in Ohio.

2002, Blue featuring Elton John went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.' Previously a No.11 hit for Elton in 1976. It gave Elton only his 5th No 1 after over 30 years of hits!

2003, Courtney Love was sentenced to 18 months in drug rehabilitation after she admitted being under the influence of cocaine and opiates. She was banned from taking non-prescription drugs, drinking alcohol or being in places that serve alcohol.

2006, The co-founder of Atlantic Records Ahmet Ertegun died, aged 83. Ertegun who founded Atlantic Records with Herb Abramson in 1947 helped make Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin stars and signed the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin in the early 70s. He suffered a head injury when he fell at a Rolling Stones concert at New York's Beacon Theatre in October, and died after slipping into a coma.

2008, Madonna paid former husband Guy Ritchie around £50m as part of their divorce settlement. The singers US spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg told The Associated Press the figure included the value of the couple's Ashcombe home in England, and the financial part of the settlement had been worked out but custody of the couple's children had yet to be finalised.

2010, Various Pink Floyd items were sold at an Entertainment Memorabilia auction by Bonhams in Knightsbridge London. A demo pressing of the single 'Point Me To The Sky'/'Careful With That Axe Eugene' sold for £720. Pink Floyd signatures, in various blue marker pens on four separate pieces of paper mounted and framed together with a copy of 'Dark Side Of The Moon' sold for £624.00 and a demo pressing of the single by Syd Barrett, 'Octopus' / 'Golden Hair' from 1969, misspelt 'Barratt' corrected in ink on A-side, sold for £300.


December 15th: Born on this day


1919, Born on this day, Max Yasgur, owner of the Woodstock farm where the 1969 festival was held. Yasgur died of a heart attack on 8th February 1973 aged 53.

1922, Born on this day, Alan Freed, American DJ. The man who gave 'Rock 'n' Roll' its name. Died 20th January 1965.

1938, Born on this day, Jerry Wallace, US singer, (1959 US No.8 single 'Primrose Lane').

1939, Born on this day, Cindy Birdsong, The Supremes, (joined in 1967, 1969 UK No.3 single 'I'm Gonna make You Love Me'). Labelle, (1975 US No.1 & UK No.17, single 'Lady Marmalade').

1942, Born on this day, Dave Clark, Dave Clark Five, (1964 UK No.1 single 'Glad All Over', 1965 US No.1 single 'Over And Over', plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles).

1946, Born on this day, Harry Ray, Moments, (1970 US No.3 single 'Love On A Two-Way Street', 1975 UK No.3 single 'Girls').

1946, Born on this day, Carmine Appice, drummer, Vanilla Fudge, (1968 US No.6 single 'You Keep Me Hangin' On'). Also a member of Beck, Bogart and Appice and the Rod Stewart band.

1949, Born on this day, Don Johnson, actor, singer, (Miami Vice), (1986 US No.5 & UK No.46 single, 'Heartbeat').

1955, Born on this day, Paul Simonon, bass, The Clash, (1979 UK No. 11 single 'London Calling', 1982 US No. 8 single 'Rock The Casbah', 1991 UK No.1 single 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go', first released 1982, plus 15 other UK Top 40 singles).

1957, Born on this day, Tim Reynolds, American multi-instrumentalist, Dave Matthews Band. 2009 US No.1 album with Dave Matthews Band, ‘Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King’.

1961, Born on this day, Nick Beggs, bass, Kajagoogoo, (1983 UK No.1 single 'Too Shy'), also a member of the Howard Jones band.

1979, Born on this day, Edele Lynch and Keavy Lynch, singers, B*Witched, (1998 UK No.1 single 'C'est La Vie').

1980, Born on this day, Sergio Pizzorno, guitar, vocals, Kasabian, (2005 UK No.8 single 'Cutt Off', 2006 UK No.1 album ‘Empire’).

December 13th: On this Day


1955, Dickie Valentine was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Christmas Alphabet', the first Christmas song to reach the No.1 position.

1961, The Beatles performed at the Cavern Club, Liverpool playing two shows at lunchtime and then again at night. Decca Records' Mike Smith attended the night performance with a view to offering The Beatles a recording contract.

1962, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Return To Sender', his 13th UK No.1.

1966, Jimi Hendrix made his TV debut on ITV's 'Ready Steady Go!' (Marc Bolan was also on the show). The Jimi Hendrix Experience also recorded 'Foxy Lady' on this day.

1969, Diana Ross took the Latino Casino in Philadelphia to court for $27,500 after her two pet dogs died after eating cyanide tablets left by an exterminator in her dressing room.

1969, Bob Dylan was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, on sale for 35 Cents (2/6).

1970, Dave Edmunds was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his version of the 1955 Smiley Lewis hit 'I Hear You Knocking.' The Welsh singer, songwriter and producers only No.1 hit.

1975, Chicago started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Chicago IX-Chicago's Greatest Hits', the group's fifth No.1 album.

1979, Simple Minds played the first of two nights at The Marquee in London, tickets £1.25. And down the road at the Hope & Anchor, Islington, Tenpole Tudor, tickets 75p.

1986, Bruce Hornsby & The Range went to No.1 on the US singles chart, with 'The Way It Is', a No.15 hit in the UK.

1997, Children's TV characters The Teletubbies went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Teletubbies Say-eh-oh'. The single spent a total of 32 weeks on the chart.

1999, Winners in the Smash Hits readers poll included, Backstreet Boys who won Best band, best album & best single, Britney Spears won best female singer, Robbie Williams best male singer, S Club 7 won best new band and worst group went to the Spice Girls.

1999, Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder was ordered to pay £160,000 to his ex management team over a dispute in his contract. Ryder said he was so high after a 'joint' he didn't bother to read the small print; the court was told the contract had 'done his nut in'.

2000, It was announced that after 74 years the UK rock weekly Melody Maker was to close down. The Christmas edition would be the last one then it would merge with the NME creating a more sizeable broad-based magazine.

2000, Sir Paul McCartney held his first-ever London book signing at Waterstone's in Piccadilly. Sir Paul was in the store to sign copies of his new book, Paul McCartney Paintings.

2002, Canadian guitarist and singer Zal Yanovsky of The Lovin Spoonful died of a heart attack. Was a member of The Mugwumps with Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot. Formed Lovin Spoonful with John Sebastian in 1964, they scored the 1966 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Summer In The City'.

2002, David Sneddon an unemployed busker and former children's TV presenter won a £1 million pound record deal after winning the BBC TV Fame Academy final. The singer songwriter from Glasgow went on to score a UK Number 1 with his debut single 'Stop Living The Lie' the following month.

2002, UK music channel Music Choice analysed all the Christmas No.1 singles from the past 30 years and identified criteria for their success. These included the use of sleigh bells, children singing, church bells harmony and references to love. They concluded that Sir Cliff Richards 1988 hit 'Mistletoe and Wine' was the perfect Christmas hit.

2003, Lauryn Hill launched a blistering attack on the Catholic church, urging religious figures to "repent" whilst speaking on a stage regularly used by the Pope. The former Fugees singer was playing at a Christmas show in Vatican City and took the opportunity to speak her mind about allegations of sexual abuse in America, before an audience that included top Vatican cardinals, bishops and the cream of Italian society.

2005, A cheque signed by John Lennon made out to the Inland Revenue sold for £2,000 at a UK auction. It was sold by former madam Lindi St Clair, (formerly known as Miss Whiplash), after she decided she had no use for it. Clair who now runs a duck farm in Herefordshire had bought the cheque for £4,000 in 1988. It was signed by Lennon on 23rd January 1968 on a District Bank Limited form and made out for £6,946.

2008, Dizzee Rascal was arrested in south-east London following an incident involving a baseball bat. The rapper allegedly approached another motorist with a baseball bat after a road rage incident. Rascal whose real name is Dylan Mills, was held on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in Sevenoaks Way, Orpington.

2008, Alexandra Burke was voted the winner of The X Factor, beating four-piece group JLS into second place. The 20-year-old from Islington, London who made an unsuccessful bid to be in the contest three years ago sang with Beyonce, and performed her version of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'.

2008, Kanye West went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘808s & Heartbreak’, his fourth studio album.


December 13th: Born on this day


1940, Born on this day, Tony Gomez, The Foundations, (1967 UK No.1 single 'Baby Now That I've Found You'. 1969 US No.3 single 'Build Me Up A Buttercup'.)

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

1948, Born on this day, Andy Peebles, UK radio DJ. The last person to interview John Lennon.

1948, Born on this day, Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter, guitar, Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, (1973 US No.11 single 'Reeling In The Years').

1948, Born on this day, Ted Nugent, guitarist, The Amboy Dukes, (1968 single, 'Journey To The Centre Of The Mind'). Solo, (1977 single 'Cat Scratch Fever'). Damn Yankees, (1990 album 'Damn Yankies').

1949, Born on this day, Tom Verlaine, guitar, vocals, Television, (1977 single and album 'Marquee Moon').

1950, Born on this day, Davy O'List, guitar, The Nice, (1968 UK No.21 single 'America'), Roxy Music, (1972 UK No.4 single 'Virginia Plain' plus 15 other UK Top 40 singles).

1952, Born on this day, Berton Averre, The Knack, (1979 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'My Sharona').

1967, Born on this day, Jamie Foxx, (born Eric Marlon Bishop). US actor, R&B singer and pianist, (2005 US No.1 and UK No.2 single ‘Gold Digger’ with Kanye West, 2006 US No.1 & UK No.9 album ‘Unpredictable’). Academy Award winner in 2005 for his performance of musician Ray Charles in Ray.

1970, Born on this day, Daniel Patrick, bass guitar, guitar and keyboards. Worked Nine Inch Nails, Tapeworm, Killing Joke, Methods of Mayhem.

1974, Born on this day, Nick McCarthy, guitar, Franz Ferdinand, (winners of the 2004 Mercury Music Prize for their self-titled debut album).

1975, Born on this day, Tom Delonge, Blink 182, (2000 UK No.2 single 'All The Small Things' 2001 US No.1 album 'Take Off Your...').

1981, Born on this day, Amy Lynn Lee, vocals, Evanescence, (2003 UK No.1 & US No.5 single ‘Bring Me To Life’, 2003 UK No.1 & US No.3 album ‘Fallen’).

December 11th: On this Day


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

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

1964, Soul singer Sam Cooke was shot dead by his manager Bertha Franklin, who claimed to have been assaulted by Cooke while staying at the Hacienda Hotel, Los Angeles. Cooke was 33 years old.

1965, The Beatles, on their last tour of Britain, played two shows at the Astoria Cinema in Finsbury Park, London.

1968, Liverpool folk group The Scaffold were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Lily The Pink', this year's Christmas No.1. Graham Nash sang backing vocals on the track.

1968, Filming began for The Rolling Stones 'Rock & Roll Circus.' As well as clowns and acrobats, John & Yoko, The Who, Eric Clapton and Jethro Tull all took part. The film was eventually released in 1996.

1971, UK comedian Benny Hill was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)', giving Hill his only No.1 and the Christmas No.1 hit of 1971.

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

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

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

1982, Singer, TV actress and dancer Toni Basil went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Mickey', making her a US one hit wonder. It made No.2 hit in the UK.

1982, The Jam played their last ever gig as a band when they appeared in Brighton, England.

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

1989, Big Audio Dynamite appeared at Rock City, Nottingham, England, tickets £6.

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

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

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

1993, Snoop Doggy Dogg went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Doggy Style'.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


December 11th: Born on this day


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 9th: On this Day


1955, Johnny Cash played two shows at Arkansas High School, in Swifton, Elvis Presley opened the show.

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

1966, The Beatles album 'A Collection Of Beatles Oldies' was released in the UK.

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

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

1972, Helen Reddy went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Am Woman', didn't chart in the UK.

1972, The Moody Blues started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Seventh Sojourn'.

1975, The Sex Pistols appeared at Ravensbourne College, Chistlehurst, London.

1978, Boney M had their second UK No.1 single with their version of the Harry Belafonte 1957 hit 'Mary's Boy Child'.

1978, Chic started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Le Freak', a No.7 hit in the UK.

1984, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions appeared at The Powerhouse, Birmingham, and on the same night Spandau Ballet played at Wembley Arena, London.

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

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

1989, Billy Joel started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'We Didn't Start The Fire', a No.7 hit in the UK.

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

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

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

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

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

1998, All Saints singer Nicole Appleton walked out during the recording of BBC2's 'Later' saying she had quit the band.

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

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

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

2001, Usher went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'U Got It Bad'.

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

2002, Stereolab singer Mary Hanson was killed in a cycling accident after colliding with a tipper truck in East London.

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

2003, ‘A Celebrity Thumbprints’ auction took place on ebayliveauctions.com. Beyonce, Kelly Osbourne, Coldplay, Blue and Westlife were among the stars whose thumbprints went under the hammer.

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

2006, Jay-Z was at No.1 on the US album chart with his comeback album ‘Kingdom Come.’

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

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


December 9th: Born on this day


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

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

1943, Born on this day, Rick Danko, guitar, vocals, The Band, (1970 UK No.16 single 'Rag Mama Rag'). Died 10th December 1999.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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