On This Day(In Music )

January 22nd: On this Day


1959, Jane Morgan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Day The Rains Came'.

1959, Alone with an acoustic guitar and tape recorder in his New York City apartment Buddy Holly made his last recordings, including ‘Peggy Sue Got Married’, ‘Crying, Waiting, Hoping’, ‘That's What They Say’, ‘What To Do’, ‘Learning The Game’ and ‘That Makes It Tough’. The recordings would be overdubbed posthumously and were later released by Coral Records.

1960, Soul singer, Sam Cooke signed to RCA Records.

1963, The Shadows were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Dance On', the group's fourth UK No.1.

1963, The Beatles appeared on three UK radio programs. First The Beatles recorded a session for the show Pop Inn at the BBC Paris studio, they then went to the Playhouse Theatre also in London, to tape a radio appearance on Saturday Club, recording five songs. Then the Beatles went back to the BBC Paris studio to record an appearance on The Talent Spot recording ‘Please Please Me’, ‘Ask Me Why’ and ‘Some Other Guy’ before a live audience.

1964, The Yardbirds featuring Eric Clapton appeared at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, England.

1965, The Rolling Stones began a 16-date tour of Australia and New Zealand at the Manufactures' Auditorium in Sydney with Roy Orbison, The Newbeats and Ray Columbus and the Invaders.

1966, The Beach Boys went into the studio to record 'Wouldn't It Be Nice', which would be the opening track on their forthcoming album 'Pet Sounds.'

1967, The Monkees performed live for the very first time at The Cow Palace, San Francisco to a sell-out crowd.

1968, During the bands first Australian tour The Who played the first of two nights at Sydney Stadium with The Small Faces and Paul Jones.

1969, The Beatles moved from Twickenham Film Studios to Apple studios in London to start recording the "Get Back" LP. Billy Preston was brought into the sessions (John, Paul, and George knew Preston from 1962, when he was a member of Little Richard's backing group). The Beatles were determined to record the album "live", flaws and all.

1970, Steel Mill, (featuring Bruce Springsteen) opened for The Elvin Bishop Band at The Matrix in San Francisco, California. Steel Mill were paid only $5 for the gig, The Elvin Bishop Band received $90 as headliner.

1972, David Bowie 'came out' as bisexual during an interview in the British music weekly Melody Maker.

1972, Don McLean's album 'American Pie' started a seven week run at No.1 in the US album chart.

1977, Stevie Wonder went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Wish', his 5th US No.1, it made No.5 in the UK.

1977, Wings went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Wings Over America', Paul McCartney's sixth US No.1 after The Beatles.

1980, This week's US Top 5 singles: No.5, Rupert Holmes, 'Escape, (The Pina Colada Song)', No.4, Smokey Robinson, 'Crusin', No.3, Kenny Rogers, 'Coward Of The County', No.2, Captain and Tennille, 'Do That To Me One More Time', and No.1, Michael Jackson, 'Rock With You.'

1980, During their 22 date UK tour The Clash appeared at the Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland.

1983, The new 24-hour music video network MTV started broadcasting to the West Coast of America after being picked up by Group W Cable, Los Angeles.

1986, Frankie Goes To Hollywood appeared at the Glasgow Exhibition Centre, Scotland, tickets cost £8 ($13.60).

1987, One hit wonder Steve 'Silk' Hurley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Jack Your Body', the first 'House' record to top the UK chart.

1988, Faith No More made their live UK debut at Dingwalls, London at the start of a 13-date tour.

1992, Mariah Carey's stepfather went to court seeking damages, claiming that he had paid for her Manhattan apartment, a car and dental work in her early years on the understanding that she would repay him when she became successful.

1993, Metallica kicked off their 77-date Nowhere Else To Roam world tour at Wings Stadium, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

1994, American actor and singer Telly Savalas died of prostrate cancer aged 72. He scored the 1975 UK No.1 single 'If'. Played Lt. Theo Kojak a bald New York City detective in the television series Kojak, with a fondness for lollipops and whose trademark line was "Who loves ya, baby?"

1994, Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'All For Love', a No.2 hit in the UK. Taken from the film 'The Three Musketeers'.

1994, D:Ream had their first UK No.1 single with 'Things Can Only Get Better', it stayed at No.1 for four weeks. In 1997 the track was adopted by the UK Labour Party as their theme for the 1997 UK General Election.

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

2001, The Strokes released their first record 'The Modern Age EP' on Rough Trade records in the UK.

2001, Former rubbish collector Mark Oliver was found guilty by a London court of stealing luggage belonging to Victoria Beckham from Heathrow Airport. Police issued a list of the £23,000 ($39,100) worth of clothes, which included 14 pairs of shoes and a miniskirt worth £2,000 ($3,400).

2004, Ryan Adams broke a wrist after falling during a gig at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool. Adam’s fell from the stage and suffered a fractured wrist. A fan said, ‘One minute he was on the stage and the next he had disappeared. He went down with a thud and we couldn't believe he was trying to continue singing’.

2006, Hard-Fi went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut album 'Stars of CCTV', the album had been nominated for the Mercury Music prize in 2005.

2006, Arctic Monkeys scored their second UK No.1 single with 'When The Sun Goes Down', from their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. The song contains the line, "and he told Roxanne to put on her red light," a reference to The Police song, Roxanne.


January 22nd: Born on this day


1931, Born on this day, Sam Cooke, US soul singer (1957 US No.1 & UK No.29 single with ‘You Send Me’ and a 1986 UK No.2 single with ‘Wonderful World’ first released in 1960). He died on December 11th 1964.

1940, Born on this day, Addie Harris, vocals, The Shirelles, (1961 US No.1 & UK No. 4 single 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow'). She died on 10th June 1982.

1947, Born on this day, Malcolm Mclaren, manager of the Sex Pistols and solo artist, (1983 UK No.3 single 'Double Dutch'). Died aged 64 from cancer on 8th April 2010.

1949, Born on this day, Nigel Pegrum, Steeleye Span, UK folk group, (1975 UK No.5 single 'All Around My Hat').

1953, Born on this day, Steve Perry, vocals, Journey, (1982 US No.2 single 'Open Arms', solo 1984 US No.3 single, Oh, Sherrie').

1962, Born on this day, Michael Hutchence, vocals, INXS, (1988 UK No.2 & US No.1 single 'Need You Tonight'). 1987 album 'Kick' has sold over 10m copies in the US alone and features four Top 10 singles; 'Need You Tonight,' 'Devil Inside', 'New Sensation,' and 'Never Tear Us Apart.' Hutchence was found dead in his hotel suite in Sydney on 22nd Nov 1997 age 37. Hutchence body was found naked behind the door to his room, he had apparently hanged himself.

1965, Born on this day, DJ Jazzy Jeff, (1993 UK No.1 single 'Boom! Shake The Room').

1965, Born on this day, Roachford, UK singer, (1989 UK No.4 single 'Cuddly Toy').

1965, Born on this day, Steven Adler, drums, Guns N' Roses, (1988 US No.1 & 1989 UK No.6 single 'Sweet Child O' Mine').

January 24th: On this Day


1953, Eddie Fisher was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Outside Is Heaven'. American singer and entertainer divorced his first wife, Debbie Reynolds to marry his best friend's widow, Elizabeth Taylor, too much unwelcome publicity at the time. Eddie is father of actress Carrie Fisher.

1958, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Jailhouse Rock'. It became the first ever single to enter the chart at No.1 and was Presley's second UK No.1. It went on to sell over 4 million copies in the US.

1958, The Quarry Men performed at the Cavern Club, in Liverpool, (this was the bands only performance at the club). It was three years later when they appeared again at the Cavern but under their new name as The Beatles.

1962, Brian Epstein signed a management deal with The Beatles. Epstein was to receive 25 per cent of the bands gross earnings, the normal management deal was 10 per cent.

1963, American lyricist Otto Harbach died aged 90 in New York City. He co-wrote, 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes', US & UK No.1 for The Platters in 1958.

1968, Georgie Fame was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Ballad Of Bonnie and Clyde', the singers third and last UK No.1.

1969, New Jersey state prosecutors issue a warning to US record dealers that they would be charged with distributing pornography if they were caught selling the John Lennon / Yoko Ono LP ‘Two Virgins’. The front cover of the album showed the pair frontally nude, while the back cover showed them from behind. The album still managed to reach No.124 on the US, but failed to chart at all in the UK, where only 5,000 copies were ever pressed.

1969, The Doors appeared at Madison Square Garden, New York City, They were paid over $50,000 for the gig making them one of the highest paid acts this year.

1969, During their first North American tour Led Zeppelin played the second of four nights at the Boston Tea Party, Boston.

1970, James Sheppard, the lead singer from the Heartbeats and Shep and the Limelites, was found murdered in his car on the Long Island Expressway. The US singer had been beaten and robbed. The Limelites reached No.2 in the US in 1961 with ‘Daddy's Home’.

1976, Bob Dylan started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Desire' his third US No.1.

1976, Diana Ross went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Theme From Mahogany', the singers third US No.1, a No.5 hit in the UK.

1977, The Buzzcocks appeared at the Roxy, in London, England, supported by Chelsea. Also appearing at the venue over the last week; The Damned, The Boys, The Adverts, Slaughter And The Dogs and Squeeze.

1978, Workers at EMI's record pressing plant refused to press copies of The Buzzcocks forthcoming release 'What Do I Get' because of the title on the B-side 'Oh sh*t.'

1979, The Clash released their first single in the US, 'I Fought The Law' (written by Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly's Crickets).

1979, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys divorced his wife Marilyn after 15 years together. She was a member of the Honeys and mother of Wendy and Carnie Wilson, who would go on to sing in Wilson-Phillips.

1980, Spandau Ballet appeared at The Blizt Club, London, England.

1980, A billboard was erected on Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, California to promote Pink Floyd’s new album ‘The Wall’. Every day workmen added another brick to the wall until it was finished.

1981, Adam And The Ants started a 10-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with their debut album 'Kings Of The Wild Frontier'.

1981, Steve Tyler of Aerosmith was hospitalised after being involved in a crash on his motorbike.

1987, Billy Vera and the Beaters started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'At This Moment' not a hit in the UK.

1992, Nirvana played their first ever show in Australia at the Phoenician Club in Sydney. Also on the bill, Tumbleweed and The Meanies.

1995, David Cole producer, keyboards, C & C Music Factory died of meningitis aged 32. (1991 UK No.4 single 'Things That Make You Go Hmmm...', 1991 US No.1 single 'Gonna Make You Sweat'. Produced Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.

1998, Oasis went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'All Around The World'. The longest running-time for a UK No.1 with a total duration of 9 minutes 38 seconds. It was one of the first songs to be written by Noel Gallagher, with the band rehearsing it as early as 1992.

1999, The Offspring went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Pretty Fly, For A White Guy'. Taken from their fifth studio album Americana the single was a No.1 hit in ten other countries.

2003, Girls Aloud were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Sound Of The Underground’ and Avril Laviagne had the UK No.1 album with ‘Let Go.’

2005, Country singer Lynn Anderson was arrested for shoplifting after being caught stealing a Harry Potter DVD from a New Mexico supermarket and punching a police officer during her arrest. The 57 year-old had the 1970 Top 5 hit ‘Rose Garden’.

2007, Record producer Dave Shayman (also known as Disco D) was found dead at his home in New York City. 26-year-old Shayman was famous for his production work on hip hop records and was a rising star in the business. His death was being treated as a potential suicide after he was recently diagnosed with manic depression.

2008, Amy Winehouse was admitted into rehab in a battle to kick her addiction to drugs. A statement from her record company, Universal said she entered the facility "after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors to continue her ongoing recovery against drug addiction."


January 24th: Born on this day


1933, Born on this day, Zeke Carey, The Flamingos (1959 US No.11 single 'I Only Have Eyes For You'. 1975 UK No.1 hit for Art Garfunkel). Died on 24th December 1999.

1941, Born on this day, Aaron Neville, vocals, The Neville Brothers, (1966 US No.2 single 'Tell It Like It Is', 1989 UK No.2 single with Linda Ronstadt' Don't Know Much').

1941, Born on this day, Neil Diamond, singer, songwriter, (1970 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Cracklin' Rose' plus over 30 US & 10 UK Top 40 singles. Wrote 'I'm A Believer', No.1 for The Monkees. Many acts from Elvis Presley, Lulu and Deep Purple have all covered his songs.

1941, Born on this day, Ray Stevens, singer, songwriter, (1970 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'Everything Is Beautiful' 1974 US & UK No.1 single 'The Streak').

1947, Born on this day, Warren Zevon, singer, songwriter. He had played piano with The Everly Brothers, recorded over 15 solo albums and had the 1978 US No.21 single ‘Werewolves Of London’). He died on September 7th 2003.

1949, Born on this day, John Belushi, actor, singer who played Joliet 'Jake' Blues in The Blues Brothers, died of a drug overdose on 5th March 1982. Had the 1990 UK No.12 single 'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love'.

1955, Born on this day, Jools Holland, keyboards, Squeeze, Jools Holland Big Band, TV presenter on The Tube, Juke Box Dury and Later. (1979 UK No.2 single with Squeeze, 'Up The Junction').

1963, Born on this day, Keech Rainwater, drums, Lonestar, (2000 US No.1 & UK No. 21 single ‘Amazed’).

1974, Born on this day, Christopher River Hesse, drummer, Hoobastank, 2004 US No.2 hit ‘The Reason.’

1975, Born on this day, Paul Marazzi, vocals, A1, (2000 UK No.1 single, 'Same Old Brand New You').

January 26th: On this Day


1961, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Are You Lonesome Tonight'. The singers sixth UK No.1. The single included a spoken passage loosely based on Shakespeare.

1963, The Rooftop Singers started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Walk Right In', a No.10 hit in the UK.

1963, The Beatles played two gigs, the first was at the El Rio Club/Dance Hall in Macclesfield, Cheshire, supported by Wayne Fontana and the Jets. Then The Beatles drove 20 miles to their next gig at King's Hall, Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.

1965, During a Rolling Stones tour of Australia and New Zealand, guitarist Keith Richards had his shirt torn off after 50 fans invaded the stage during the gig at The Town Hall in Brisbane.

1965, 'Downtown' by Petula Clark was at No. 1 on the US singles chart. A young Jimmy Page had played as a session guitarist on the track, giving him his first US No.1 hit, (and a No. 2 hit in the UK).

1970, Elvis Presley played the first night of a four-week engagement playing 2 shows every night at The International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nirvada

1970, John Lennon wrote, recorded and mixed his new single 'Instant Karma' all in one day.

1971, Elvis Presley played the first night of a 31 date run at The Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Nirvana. Elvis played a 8.30pm and midnight shows on most days.

1972, Sean Combs’ (Puff Daddy) father Melvin was shot dead in his car in a Manhattan park aged thirty-three. Sean was aged 2 at the time.

1973, Sweet were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Blockbuster'. The glam rockers only UK No.1 of 15 Top 40 hits.

1974, Mud were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Nicky Chinn & Mike Chapman song 'Tiger Feet', the group's first of three UK No.1's.

1974, Ringo Starr went to No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of the Johnny Burnette 1960 hit 'Your Sixteen', a No.3 hit in the UK.

1975, The BBC 'Omnibus' documentary 'Cracked Actor' a film about David Bowie was shown on UK TV.

1977, Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green was committed to a mental hospital following an incident when he threatened his accountant Clifford Adams with an air rifle when he was trying to deliver a £30,000 ($51,000) royalty cheque to him.

1978, Adam And The Ants appeared at The Marquee, London, England, tickets cost 65p.

1980, Prince made his TV debut on the US show American Bandstand.

1980, During their 22 date UK tour The Clash appeared at Deeside Leisure Centre.

1985, Foreigner started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Agent Provocateur'.

1986, Allen Collins, guitarist from Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed his car, paralysing him from the waist down and killing his girlfriend Debra Jean Watts. Collins had survived a plane crash in 1977 that killed two other band members.

1989, American singer Donnie Elbert died of a stroke aged 52. (1972 US No. 22 & UK No.11 single 'I Can't Help Myself', Sugar Pie Honey Bunch', ‘Where Did Our Love Go?’ and ‘A Little Piece of Leather’).

1989, Bon Jovi kicked of the North American leg of their New Jersey Syndicate Tour at the Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas.

1991, Cher made a special video for the troops involved in Desert Storm during the gulf war. Cher's Video Canteen, featured Janet Jackson, Paul Simon, Van Halen and Bonnie Raitt.

1991, German duo Enigma went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'MCMXC' featuring the UK No. 1 single 'Sadness Part 1'. Enigma were German Michael Creut and his wife Sandra.

1991, Queen had their second UK No.1 with 'Innuendo'. It was the third longest No.1 song of all time behind The Beatles 'Hey Jude' and Simple Minds 'Belfast Child'. The flamenco guitar solo on the track was performed by Yes guitarist Steve Howe.

1991, US act Surface went to No.1 on the US singles charts with 'The First Time'; it made No.60 in the UK.

1993, During a UK tour Rage Against The Machine appeared at The Underworld, Camden, London.

2003, Billy Joel was airlifted to hospital after his car smashed into a tree. The singer lost control of his Mercedes S500 and skidded for 100 yards before crashing. The accident happened in The Hamptons, New York.

2003, B2K and Puff Daddy went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Bump Bump Bump'.

2003, Justin Timberlake went to No.1 on the UK album chart with his debut solo album ‘Justified’, which went on to spend over a year on the UK chart.

2004, John Lydon was one of ten contestants to take part in the latest I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here UK TV show set in the Australian outback. The former Sex Pistols singer was seen by 11 million viewers on the first night covered in bird seed being pecked by giant ostriches. Lydon who was paid £25,000 ($42,500) to appear in the show, but walked off the jungle set after four days.

2007, The Rolling Stones topped the US music rich list for the second year running after making $150.6m (£76.2m) in 2006. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were second in the poll with a combined fortune of $132m (£67.2m) and American country band Rascal Flatts appeared third, having earnt $110.5m (£56.2m) in the past year.

2008, Alicia Keys was at No.1 on the US album chart with her third album ‘As I Am.’ The album sold over 742,000 copies in its first week the largest ever first week sales for any female R&B artist.


January 26th: Born on this day


1934, Born on this day, Huey 'Piano' Smith, US R&B pianist, (1958 US No.9 single 'Don't You Just Know It', played on Frankie Ford's hit 'Sea Cruise').

1945, Born on this day, Ashley Hutchings, bass, Fairport Convention, UK folk group, (1969 UK No.21 single 'Si Tu Dois Partir').

1948, Born on this day, Corky Laing, drums, Mountain, (1971album 'Nantucket Sleighride').

1949, Born on this day, Derek Holt, Climax Blues Band, (1976 UK No.10 & 1977 US No.3 single 'Couldn't Get It Right').

1951, Born on this day, David Briggs, Little River Band, Australian group, (1978 US No.3 single 'Reminiscing' plus 12 other US Top 40 singles).

1957, Born on this day, Eddie Van Halen, guitar, (1984 US No.1 & UK No. 7 single 'Jump').

1957, Born on this day, Norman Hassan, percussion, UB40, (1983 UK No.1 & 1988 US No.1 single 'Red Red Wine' and over 30 other Top 40 hit singles).

1958, Born on this day, Anita Baker, US soul singer, 1986 UK No.13 single 'Sweet Love', 1998 US No.1 album 'Giving You The Best That I Got').

1963, Born on this day, Andrew Ridgeley, vocals, Wham! (1984 UK & US No.1 single 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' plus 10 other UK Top 20 hit singles).

1963, Born on this day, Jazzie B, Soul II Soul & producer, (1989 UK No.1 single 'Back To Life').

1964, Born on this day, Susannah Melvoin, American vocalist, songwriter. Worked with Prince, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Mike Oldfield. As a songwriter, has co-written songs performed by Madonna, Eric Clapton, Prince.

January 28th: On this Day


1956, Elvis Presley (with Scotty Moore and Bill Black), made his first National Television appearance on the Dorsey brother's "Stage Show". It was the first of six appearances on the show and the first of eight performances recorded and broadcast from CBS TV in New York City. After the success of their first appearance they were signed to five more in early 1956.

1963, Touring the UK The Beatles played at the Majestic Ballroom in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.

1965, The Moody Blues were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Go Now!' the group's only UK No.1.

1965, The Who made their first appearance on UK TV show Ready Steady Go! To project the desired image, the hand-picked audience consisted only of teens dressed in the current Mod fashion.

1967, The Four Tops appeared at The Royal Albert Hall, London. Also on the bill, The Dakotas, Madeline Bell, The Remo Four and Johnny Watson.

1968, Jim Morrison of The Doors was arrested and charged with public drunkenness after harassing a security guard at a Las Vegas adult movie theatre.

1977, Pink Floyd's tenth studio album 'Animals' entered the UK charts at #2. The sleeve concept was that of Roger Waters, who lived at the time near Clapham Common, and regularly drove past Battersea Power Station. A view of the imposing but disused former power station building was chosen for the cover image, complete with massive inflatable pig suspended between two of the towers.

1978, The Fleetwood Mac album 'Rumours' went to No.1 on the UK album chart, also a No.1 in the US. The album went on to sell over 15 million copies world- wide and spent over 440 weeks on the UK chart.

1983, British Rock & Roll singer Billy Fury died of heart failure. 1961 UK No.3 single 'Halfway To Paradise', plus 25 other Top 40 UK singles. His 'We Want Billy' (released 1963, with The Tornados) was one of the first live albums in British rock history. Played rock 'n' roller "Stormy Tempest" in the film That'll Be The Day along side David Essex and Ringo Starr.

1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Relax!' BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read expressed on air his distaste for both the record's suggestive sleeve and its lyrics, he announced his refusal to play the record, not knowing that the BBC had decided that the song was not to be played on the BBC anyway. Produced by Trevor Horn the song remained on the chart for 48 weeks.

1984, Backstage after a Motley Crue show in Buffalo, New York, Tommy Lee found out that his girlfriend has posed for the current issue of Penthouse magazine without his knowledge, after a fan passes comment on the pictures. Tommy punched the fan unconscious with one hit, Motleys manager Doug Thaler convinced the fan not to press any charges.

1985, The recording took place for We Are The World the US equivalent of Band Aid at A&M Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie the all star cast included Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, (who contributed four lines to the charity single), Ray Charles, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Perry and Bob Geldof. The session was produced by Quincy Jones.

1988, Eleven years after it was released, The Sex Pistols album 'Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols' went Gold in the US with sales over 500,000.

1990, Paul Abdul started a 10-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Forever Your Girl'. Abdul spent sixty-four consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 before hitting number one, making it the longest time for an album to reach the number one spot.

1994, Paul and Linda McCartney attended the premiere of Wayne's World II in London. The couple then went on to Hard Rock Cafe, where the film star Mike Myers presented them with a cheque for LIPA (the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) for £25,000 ($42,500) from the sale of Linda's vegetarian burgers.

1995, TLC started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Creep' the group's first US No.1, it made No.6 in the UK the following year.

1998, Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher played a 20-minute solo gig at the King Head, an English pub in Santa Monica in front of 250 fans.

2000, Saxophonist and bandleader Thomas 'Beans' Bowles died of prostate cancer aged 73. Played on many Motown sessions including Marvin Gaye's, 'What's Going On', Martha and the Vandellas' 'Heat Wave' and The Supremes 'Baby Love' and wrote the melody on Stevie Wonder's 'Fingertips Pt. 2.'

2001, Limp Bizkit started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Chocolate Starfish'.

2001, Shaggy feat Ricardo Rikrot started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'It Wasn't Me'. Also a No.1 in the UK.

2003, H-Town singer Keven Conner was killed in a car crash in Houston aged 28. Conner died when an SUV ran a red light and crashed into the car he was a passenger in, which had just picked him up from the recording studio.

2004, Elvis Presley fans expressed their anger at plans to cut up a rare tape of the singer's early songs and sell the snippets at auction. The tape, which featured a recording made by Presley during the early 1950s, was now too fragile to play. US firm Master Tape Collection said the tape would be cut into two-inch snippets and sold for £270 ($460) each.

2004, R&B singer Faith Evans appeared before an Atlanta judge after being arrested on drug possession charges. Evans and her husband-manager, Todd Russaw, were charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine.

2005, English drummer and singer songwriter Jim Capaldi died of stomach cancer aged 60. Member of Traffic, (1967 UK No.2 single 'Hole In My Shoe') and solo, (1975 UK No.4 single 'Love Hurts'). Also worked with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and George Harrison.

2007, Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture was at No.1 on the US album chart. The musical based on the history of Diana Ross and the Supremes featured Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose and Keith Robinson.

2008, Madonna topped the list for the richest female musician, according to the Forbes.com. Its first-ever list focusing on women in the music industry estimated the 49-year-old banked $72m (£36m) between June 2006 and June 2007. Madonna earned much of that from her Confessions tour - the highest-grossing tour for a female artist - earning $260m (£130m) worldwide. Barbra Streisand came second, with $60 million (£30 million) followed by Celine Dion with $45 million (£23.6), mainly from her recent concerts at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

2009, Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell died at the age of 56 of a suspected heart attack in Florida. Powell called police saying he was having trouble breathing and emergency services tried to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead an hour later. Powell had missed a doctor's appointment on the day before his death; the appointment was for a checkup on his heart. He played piano on Kid Rock's 'All Summer Long' (which sampled the Lynyrd Skynyrd song 'Sweet Home Alabama').


January 28th: Born on this day


1927, Born on this day, Ronnie Scott, jazz musician. Formed his own nine-piece group in 1953 and opened the first Ronnie Scott's night club in London in 1959 where he presented the cream of the world's jazz musicians at the club. He died on December 23rd 1996.

1941, Born on this day, King Tubby, reggae producer who has worked with Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar and Carlton Barrett. He was killed on 6th February 1989 after being shot in the street outside his home.

1943, Born on this day, Dick Taylor, guitarist and singer with The Pretty Things who had the 1964 UK No.10 single 'Don't Bring Me Down'.

1945, Born on this day, Robert Wyatt multi instrumentalist who was a member of Soft Machine. As a solo artist Wyatt scored the 1983 UK No.35 single 'Shipbuilding'. During an alcohol-fuelled party in London in 1983, an inebriated Wyatt fell from a fourth floor window. He was paralysed from the waist down and consequently uses a wheelchair.

1946, Born on this day, Rick Allen, bassist with The Box Tops who had the 1967 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'The Letter'.

1951, Born on this day, William Nelson from Funkadelic who had the 1978 US No.16 album 'One Nation Under A Groove'.

1959, Born on this day, Dave Sharpe, guitarist and singer with The Alarm who had the 1983 UK No.17 single '68 Guns'.

1968, Born on this day, Lawrence Muggerud, DJ Muggs with Cypress Hill who had the 1993 UK No.15 single 'I Ain't Goin' Out Like That', and the 1993 US No.1 album 'Black Sunday'.

1968, Born on this day, Canadian musician singer songwriter, Sarah McLachlan, who had the 1997 US No.2 album 'Surfacing'. McLachlan who has sold over 40 million albums worldwide is the organiser of the Lilith Fair US tour.

1975, Born on this day, Lee Latchford-Evans, singer with English pop group Steps who had the 1998 UK No.1 single 'Heartbeat / Tragedy'.

1977, Born on this day, Joseph Fatone, singer with American boy band *NSYNC. Scored the 2000 US No.1 single 'It's Gonna Be Me', and the 1999 UK No.5 single 'I Want You Back'.

1980, Born on this day, Nicolas Carter singer with American boy band Backstreet Boys who had the 1997 US No.2 single 'Quit Playing Games With My Heart', and the 1999 UK No.1 single 'I Want It That Way'.

January 30th: On this day


1956, Elvis Presley started recording what would be his first album at RCA's New York Studios. Songs recorded included his version the Carl Perkins song 'Blue Suede Shoes'.

1958, On the first night of a six date Australian tour, Buddy Holly, Paul Anka, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jodie Sands and Johnny O'Keefe all appeared at Sydney Stadium in Sydney, New South Wales.

1959, Elvis Presley had his third UK No.1 single 'One Night / I Got Stung' a double A side, (originally written and recorded under the title ‘One Night of Sin)’ a revival of the Smiley Lewis's R&B hit. Presley was in the army by the time this song reached No.1.

1961, The Shirelles became the first girl group to have the number one song on the US chart when ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ reached the top. The song peaked at No.4 in the UK.

1964, The Searchers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Sonny Bono song 'Needles And Pins'. The group's second UK No.1 had originally been recorded by Jackie DeShannon.

1967, The Beatles went to Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent, for the first day of filming for the ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ promotional video. The film was shot in colour, for the benefit of the US market, (UK television was still broadcasting only in black and white).

1969, The Beatles played their lunchtime rooftop gig on top of the Apple building on Savile Row in London. Lasting for just over 40 minutes it was the last time The Beatles performed live.

1970, Marc Bolan married June Child at Kensington registry office, they divorced in 1975.

1970, Edison Lighthouse were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes).' The group's only Top 40 hit spent five weeks at the top of the charts. In February 1970, Tony Burrows became the first (and still the only) person to appear on BBC Television's Top Of The Pops fronting three different acts in one show: Edison Lighthouse (who were number one that week), White Plains, and Brotherhood of Man.

1972, Paul McCartney wrote and recorded his protest song 'Give Ireland Back To The Irish' within 24 hours of Bloody Sunday, when 13 Catholics were killed by British paratroopers.

1973, After recently changing their name from Wicked Lester, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss made their first appearance as Kiss at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York.

1973, Kiss appeared at The Popcorn, Queens, New York.

1975, The Bee Gees begin recording ‘Jive Talkin’, which became their second US chart topper and No.5 UK hit. Barry Gibb's inspiration for the song came when his wife commented on the sound their car made while crossing a bridge over Biscayne Bay into Miami. She noted, "It's our drive talkin'."

1978, The Police appeared at the Vortex Club, Wardour Street, London, England.

1981, Toyah appeared at the newly opened Rock City in Nottingham, England. Forthcoming acts included, Alex Harvey, Bad Manners, The Stranglers, After The Fire, Gillan and Frankie Valli.

1982, American blues guitarist, singer Sam Lightnin Hopkins died of cancer aged 70. Influenced Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. R.E.M. recorded a song named after him on their Document album.

1982, Barbra Streisand started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with the 'Love Songs LP'.

1982, Hall and Oates went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Can Go For That, (No Can Do)' the duo's fourth US No.1, a No.8 hit in the UK.

1982, Paul McCartney guested on BBC radios Desert Island Discs his selections include, Elvis Presley's 'Heartbreak Hotel', Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Sixteen', John Lennon's 'Beautiful Boy 'and Little Richards 'Tutti Frutti'.

1988, During a court case involving Holly Johnson and ZTT Records it was revealed that Frankie Goes To Hollywood had not played on their hits 'Relax' and 'Two Tribes'. The court was told that top session musicians were used to make the records.

1988, INXS had their first US No.1 hit single with 'Need You Tonight'.

1988, Terence Trent D'arby went back to No.1 on the UK album chart for an 8 week run with Introducing 'The Hardline To Terence Trent D'arby'.

1988, Tiffany was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Think We're Alone Now', the singers only UK No.1 single. The song was a hit for Tommy James & The Shondells in 1967.

1990, Unhappy with the re-issue of the bands early single 'Sally Cinnaman' The Stone Roses trashed their former record company Revolver FM's offices and threw paint over cars. The band were arrested and charged with criminal damage.

1991, 22 years to the day that The Beatles played live on the roof of their London offices, Manchester band James played a live set on the roof of Manchester's Piccadilly radio station attracting several thousand on-lookers.

1992, Touring Australia and New Zealand for the first and only time Nirvana appeared at the The Barton Theater in Adelaide.

1994, Dina Carroll went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'So Close'.

1999, After spending 11 weeks on the chart Britney Spears started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with '...Baby One More Time.' Britney's debut album also went to No.1 on the US chart on the same day.

1999, In the NME readers poll results the winner of 'The pop personality that you would like as your doctor' was won by singer Natalie Imbruglia.

2000, Gabrielle went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Rise'. The song used a sample from Bob Dylan's 'Knocking On Heaven's Door' giving Dylan his third UK No.1 as a writer, the other two being The Byrds version of 'Mr Tambourine Man' and Manfred Mann's 'The Mighty Quinn'.

2005, The Chemical Brothers went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Push The Button’, the duo’s fourth UK No.1 album. The Game had the US No.1 album with 'The Documentary.'

2010, Neil Young was named the Musicares person of the year for his "influential artistic accomplishments and philanthropic work". A string of artist including Elton John, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Elvis Costello, John Forgarty, Dave Matthews and Sheryl Crowe performed his songs as he was honoured by the US Recording Academy at the Los Angeles Convention Centre.


January 30th: Born on this day


1928, Born on this day, Ruth Brown, US singer, (1957 US No.25 single, 'Lucky Lips'), Atlantic Records top selling artist of the 50's.

1936, Born on this day, Horst Jankowski, German pianist, (1965 UK No.3 & US No.12 single 'A Walk In The Black Forrest'). He died of cancer on 29th June 1998.

1941, Born on this day, Joe Terranova, Danny and the Juniors, (1958 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'At The Hop').

1942, Born on this day, Martyn Balin, vocals, Jefferson Airplane, (1967 US No.18 single 'White Rabbit').

1943, Born on this day, Sandy Deane, Jay and the Americans, (1969 US No.6 single 'This Magic Moment' plus nine other US Top 30 hits).

1947, Born on this day, Steve Marriott, guitarist and singer/songwriter. He was a major influence on many UK bands. Marriott was a member of Small Faces, (1967 UK No.3 & US No.16 single with ‘Itchycoo Park’ plus the 1968 No.1 UK album 'Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake') and Humble Pie, (1969 UK No.4 single with ‘Natural Born Bugie’). He died in a house fire on April 20th 1991.

1949, Born on this day, William King, trumpet, The Commodores, (1978 UK & US No.1 single 'Three Times A Lady').

1951, Born on this day, Phil Collins, drums, piano, vocals, Genesis, (1986 US No.1 'Invisible Touch', 1992 UK No.7 single 'I Can't Dance' plus six UK No.1 albums). Solo, (1988 UK & US No.1 single 'A Groovy Kind Of Love' plus six other US No.1's and four UK No.1 solo albums). Acting roles include Oliver, Buster and Miami Vice, also worked with Brand X.

1959, Born on this day, Mark Eitzel, guitarist, singer, songwriter, American Music Club, (1993 album 'Mercury').

1961, Born on this day, Jody Watley, vocals, Shalamar, (1980 US No. 8 single ‘The Second Time Around’, 1982 UK No.5 single ‘A Night To Remember’). Solo (1987 UK No.13 single, ‘Looking For A New Love’, 1989 US No.2 single, ‘Real Love’). Destiny’s Child covered the Watley penned song ‘Sweet Sixteen.’

1964, Born on this day, Angie Stone, singer, songwriter, Vertical Hold, solo. Written hits for Mary J. Blige & D'Angelo.

February 1st: On this Day


1949, RCA Records issued the first ever 45rpm single, the invention of this size record made jukeboxes possible.

1963, 17 year-old Neil Young performed his first professional date at a country club in Winnipeg.

1964, The Beatles started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', the first US No.1 by a UK act since The Tornadoes 'Telstar' in 1962 and the first of three consecutive No.1's from the group.

1965, P.J. Proby split his pants during his first number at the ABC, Luton, the manager stopped the show and gave everyone in the audience a refund. The incident caused a ban on Proby's performance in UK halls and TV.

1967, During a UK tour The Jimi Hendrix Experience played at The Celler Club, South Shields.

1967, At Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles started work on a new song ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band’. It wasn't until The Beatles had recorded the song that Paul McCartney had the idea to make the song the thematic pivot for their forthcoming album.

1968, The Who kicked off their third North American tour at the Civic Auditorium San Jose, California

1969, Tommy James and the Shondells started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Crimson And Clover', the group's second and last No.1. Billy Idol had a 1987 US No.1 with 'Mony Mony' a No.3 hit for Tommy James in 1968.

1972, Chuck Berry had his first UK No.1 single with a live recording of a song he'd been playing live for over 20 years 'My Ding-a-Ling'. UK public morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse attempted to have the song banned due to its innuendo-laden lyrics. The Average White Band members guitarist Onnie McIntyre and drummer Robbie McIntosh played on the single.

1975, Neil Sedaka had his second US No.1 single with 'Laughter In The Rain', over 12 years after his last chart topper 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do'.

1975, Pilot were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'January', the Scottish group's only No.1. The song was a No.1 hit in Australia for eight weeks.

1977, The Sex Pistols began a European tour in Belgium.

1980, Uriah Heep kicked off their 19 date 10th Anniversary UK tour at Birmingham's Odeon, supported by Girlschool.

1986, Music publisher Dick James died of a heart attack aged 65. Worked with many UK 60's acts including The Beatles. James signed Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin as unknown artists in 1967 and was the founder of the DJM record label.

1986, Diana Ross married Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Naess in Geneva, Stevie Wonder performed at the reception. The couple divorced in 2000.

1986, During a UK tour The Bangles appeared at Portsmouth Polytechnic, England.

1988, The Cars announced they were breaking up after 12 years of working together.

1989, Paul Robi from The Platters died of cancer. UK & US No.1 single 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes'. Robi left The Platters in the early 60's being replaced by Nate Nelson from the Flamingos.

1992, George Michael and Elton John went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me', also a No.1 in the UK. All proceeds from the single went to Aids charities.

1995, Richey James guitarist with the Manic Street Preachers vanished leaving no clues to his whereabouts. He left The Embassy Hotel in London at 7am, leaving behind his packed suitcase. His car was found on the Severn Bridge outside Bristol, England sixteen days later. Edwards has never been found, despite constant searching, and in November 2008 he was declared officially dead.

1997, Blur went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Beetlebum'. The song's title, is said to be a stab at Liam Gallagher, lead singer of Oasis, for his over-idolisation of The Beatles.

1997, Boy George was beaten up by two bouncers after trying to jump the queue outside The Ministry Of Sound in London where George had been a guest DJ.

1997, The original soundtrack from the film 'Evita' went to No.1 on the UK album chart.

1999, Four hundred people were injured at an Australian concert by Marilyn Manson when he stormed off stage after being bombarded with missiles and abuse at the show in Perth. One of Manson's guitar technicians needed treatment for cuts to his head.

2001, A collection of Sir Elton John's private photos on display at a museum in Atlanta were withdrawn. The exhibition, which included snaps of nude men, was said to be too explicit, some school trips to the museum had been cancelled.

2002, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club made their UK live debut when they appeared at Liverpool University.

2002, The father of S Club 7's Paul Cattermole was jailed for nearly three years for sex acts with two 14 year-old girl fans of the group. Gerald Cattermole, 50 had been warned by police not to get involved with fans who often visited his house.

2004, LMC vs U2 started a two week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Take Me To The Clouds Above.' Based on the guitar riff from U2's classic song 'With Or Without You'.

2005, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'It's Now Or Never', the singers 21st No.1, first released in 1960.

2008, US space agency Nasa announced that ‘Across the Universe’ by the Beatles was to become the first song ever to be beamed directly into space. The track would be transmitted through the Deep Space Network - a network of antennas - on the 40th anniversary of the song being recorded, being aimed at the North Star, Polaris, 431 light-years from Earth. In a message to Nasa, Sir Paul McCartney said the project was an "amazing" feat. "Well done, Nasa," he added. "Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul."

2009, Lily Allen started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Fear', the singers second UK No.1.

2009, Bruce Springsteen started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Working on a Dream’ his 16th studio album.


February 1st: Born on this day


1934, Born on this day, Bob Shane, The Kingston Trio, (1958 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'Tom Dooley plus nine other US Top 40 hits).

1937, Born on this day, Don Everly, guitar, vocals, The Everly Brothers, (1958 UK & US No.1 single 'All I Have To Do Is Dream' plus over 25 other UK hit singles).

1937, Born on this day, Ray Sawyer, vocals, Dr Hook, (1972 US No.5 & UK No.2 single 'Sylvia's Mother' plus 9 other US Top 40 hits).

1938, Born on this day, Jimmy Carl Black, drummer, Frank Zappa, (1970 UK No.9 album 'Hot Rats'). Died on 1st Nov 2008.

1939, Born on this day, Joe Sample, keyboards, The Crusaders, (1979 UK No.5 single 'Street Life').

1947, Born on this day, Normie Rowe, singer, biggest solo star of Australian pop in the Sixties, (1965, Australian No.1 single ‘Que Sera Sera’ spent 11 weeks at No.1).

1948, Born on this day, Rick James, US singer, (1980 UK No.41 single 'Big Time'. 1981 US No.3 album 'Street Songs', 1981 US No 16 single 'Super Freak part 1'). Found dead at his Los Angeles home on 6th August 2004.

1954, Born on this day, Mike Campbell, guitar, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, (1977 single 'American Girl', 1989 UK No.28 single 'I Won't Back Down', 1991 UK No.3 album 'Into The Great Wide Open').

1957, Born on this day, Dennis Brown, reggae singer, (1979 UK No.14 single 'Money In My Pocket'). He died on July 1st 1999.

1968, Born on this day, Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis. Married Michael Jackson in 1994, separated on 10th December 1995. Had the UK No.16 single 'Lights Out'.

1969, Born on this day, Patrick Wilson, Weezer, (1995 UK No.12 single, 'Buddy Holly').

1971, Born on this day, Ron Welty, drums, The Offspring, (1999 UK No.1 & US No. 59 single 'Pretty Fly, (For A White Guy)', 1999 US No.6 & UK No.10 album 'Americana').

1975, Born on this day, Big Boi, (Antoine Patton), Outkast, US rapper, (2001 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Ms Jackson'. 2004 US No.1 single 'Hey Ya').

February 3rd: On this Day


1959, 22 year old Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, aged 17, died in a crash shortly after take-off from Clear Lake, Iowa, the pilot of the single-engined Beechcraft Bonanza plane was also killed. Holly hired the plane after heating problems developed on his tourbus. All three were traveling to Fargo, North Dakota, for the next show on their Winter Dance Party Tour which Holly had set - covering 24 cities in three weeks, to make money after the break-up of his band, The Crickets, last year.

1960, Anthony Newley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Why', the singers first of two UK No.1 hits.

1966, Beach Boy Carl Wilson married his girlfriend Annie Hinsche in LA.

1966, During a UK tour Stevie Wonder played at the Scotch Of St James night-club in London.

1967, Otis Redding, The Marvelettes, Aaron Neville, James and Bobby Purify and The Drifters all appeared at The Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, Tennessee. Tickets cost $2.50–3.50 (£1.47–2.06).

1967, Producer Joe Meek shot his landlady Violet Shenton and then shot himself at his flat in London, Meek produced The Tornadoes hit 'Telstar', the first No.1 in the US by a British group. Meek was interested in spirituality and often attended séances. At one such meeting in 1958 he was warned that Buddy Holly would die on February 3. Meek tried his best to find Holly when he was in London to warn him but failed in his mission. Holly died on February 3, 1959.

1968, One hit wonders The Lemon Pipers went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Green Tambourine' the song was a No.7 hit in the UK.

1968, The Beatles started work on their new single ‘Lady Madonna’ at Abbey Road studios in London. Recording three piano and drum takes with overdub bass, fuzz guitars, drums, and vocals.

1973, Elton John started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Crocodile Rock'. Elton's first of five US No.1 singles.

1979, Blondie had their first of five UK No.1 singles, with 'Heart Of Glass', taken from the band's third studio album, Parallel Lines. 'Heart of Glass' was originally recorded in 1975 under the name 'Once I Had a Love.'

1979, The Blues Brothers went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Briefcase Full Of Blues'.

1985, Everything But The Girl and The Woodentops appeared at the Studio, Bristol, England.

1990, During a European tour Bob Dylan started a six-night residency at London's Hammersmith Odeon.

1990, For the first time ever, the UK Top 3 singles featured non-British and non-American acts. Ireland's Sinead O'Connor, Australia's Kylie Minogue and Belgium's Technotronic. Sinead O'Connor had her first No.1 single with Nothing Compares To U', a song written by Prince.

1992, On their first Europe tour Pearl Jam played at The Esplanade Club in Southend, England to 300 people, the bands first ever UK show. The tour also took Pearl Jam to Norway, Sweden, Holland, France, Spain and Italy.

1993, Radiohead appeared at The Wheatsheaf, Stoke On Trent, England, tickets cost £3.50 ($5.95).

1996, Queen Latifah was stopped by police for speeding who found a concealed weapon and marijuana, the singer was given two years probation.

1996, The Ramones claimed to have played their last gig in the UK, at The Brixton Academy, after 22 years together.

1999, Tony Hadley singer with Spandau Ballet told a High Court in London of his "desperate" financial situation after his solo career failed. Hadley and band members Steve Norman and drummer John Keeble, were suing Spandau Ballet songwriter Gary Kemp for hundreds of thousands of pounds of allegedly unpaid publishing royalties. Hadley earned £120,000 a year during the band's heyday in the early 1980s, but the court heard that when he fell on hard times he was forced him to sell his home to pay off a £50,000 overdraft in 1993.

2001, The commercial television regulator warned Granada TV about over- promoting its manufactured band from the show Pop Stars. It claimed Granada TV would make money from T- shirts, videos and calendars and was 'treading a fine line.'

2002, The Chemical Brothers scored their third UK No.1 album with ‘Come With Us.’

2003, The exclusive documentary 'Living With Michael Jackson' was shown on UK television. Reporter Martin Bashir had spent eight months with the star, the shows editor said, 'viewers will not believe what they're seeing.'

2004, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs settled a $3 million (£1.76 million) court case filed by his former driver after an incident in 1999. Wardell Fenderson had driven Mr Combs and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez away from a New York nightclub where three people had been wounded in a shooting. Mr Fenderson said he was traumatized by having guns in the car and being ordered to ignore police orders to stop, for which he was arrested.

2004, R. Kelly appeared in Court and entered of plea of not guilty to 21 charges of child pornography. Kelly, who was free on bond, did not talk during the brief hearing. Outside the Cook County Criminal Courthouse fans voiced their support for the singer, proclaiming his innocence with placards and T-shirts. Kelly had been arrested in Florida after he was indicted by a grand jury in Chicago on 21 counts of child pornography, stemming from a videotape that allegedly shows the star performing sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl.

2004, Irish singer, songwriter Damien Rice appeared at Vicar Street, Dublin.

2006, Former Dynasty star Heather Locklear filed for divorce from Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora after 11 years of marriage. Locklear who was previously married to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and Sambora were married in 1994 and have an eight-year-old daughter called Ava.

2007, Daughtry were at No.1 on the US album chart with their self-titled debut. Lead singer Chris Daughtry was the fourth-place finalist on the fifth season of American Idol. The album sold over a 1m copies after just five weeks of release, becoming the fastest selling debut rock album of all time.

2008, UK singer Adel went to No.1 on the UK album chart with her debut album ‘19’

2010, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson, joined a growing group of critics of Bob Geldof and U2 singer Bono over their very public charity work, saying they should stop lecturing audiences about charity work and instead do their good deeds in private. Johnson said “When I was a working man I didn’t want to go to a concert for some bastard to talk down to me that I should be thinking of some kid in Africa. I’m sorry mate, do it yourself, spend some of your own money and get it done. It just makes me angry.”


February 3rd: Born on this day


1928, Born on this day, Frankie Vaughan, UK singer. During the 50's he scored twenty UK Top 30 singles including, UK No.2 'Green Door'. Made an OBE in 1965. Died 17th Sept 1999 aged 71.

1928, Born on this day, Val Doonican, Irish singer, (1964 UK No. 4 single 'Walk Tall', and 1967 UK No.1 album 'Val Doonican Rocks, But Gently'.

1935, Born on this day, Johnny 'guitar' Watson, guitarist, singer, (1976 UK No.35 single 'I Need It'). Watson died on 17th May 1996.

1940, Born on this day, Angelo D'Aleo, vocals, Dion And The Belmonts, (1961 US No.1 & UK No.11 single 'Runaround Sue').

1943, Born on this day, Dennis Edwards, The Temptations, (1971 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Just My Imagination' and re- issued 'My Girl' UK No.2 in 1992).

1943, Born on this day, Eric Haydock, bass, The Hollies, over 25 Top 40 singles since 1963, (1972 US No.2 single 'Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress', 1988 UK No.1 single 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother', first released in 1969.

1946, Born on this day, Stan Webb, guitar, vocals, Chicken Shack, (1969 UK No.14 single 'I'd Rather Go Blind').

1947, Born on this day, Dave Davies, guitarist, 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).

1947, Born on this day, Melanie Safka, US singer, songwriter, (1971 US No.1 & 1972 UK No.4 single 'Brand New Key').

1949, Born on this day, Arthur “Killer” Kane, bass guitarist with The New York Dolls, (1973 album 'New York Dolls'). Kane died in Los Angeles on July 13th 2004, due to complications from leukaemia, aged 55.

1956, Born on this day, Lee Ranaldo, guitar, Sonic Youth, (1993 UK No.26 single 'Sugar Kane').

1957, Born on this day, Tony Butler, bass, Big Country, (1983 UK No.10 single 'Fields Of Fire' plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles).

1959, Born on this day, Lol Tolhurst, keyboards, The Cure, 1989 US No.2 single 'Love Song', 1992 UK No.6 single 'Friday I'm In Love', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles).

1965, Born on this day, Nick Hawkins, guitar, Big Audio Dynamite, (1986 UK No.11 single 'E=MC2'.

1970, Born on this day, Richie Kotzen, Mr. Big, (1992 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'To Be With You'). Also worked with Poison.

1990, Born on this day, Sean Kingston, (Ka'Shon Anderson), Jamaican-American reggae, rap and pop musician. (2007 US and UK No.1 single ‘Beautiful Girls’).

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'.

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 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.