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2020 - Little Richard died of bone cancer at the age of 87. He had his biggest hits in the 1950s and was known for his exuberant performances and flamboyant outfits. With the likes of Chuck Berry and Elvis, he was one of the handful of US acts who mixed blues, R&B and gospel that led to the evolution of rock 'n' roll. He sold more than 30 million records worldwide with hits including 'Good Golly Miss Molly', 'Lucille', 'Tutti Frutti' and 'Long Tall Sally'.
2003 - The Eagles trimmed to a four-man lineup (Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit) after parting ways with Don Felder, started their Farewell I tour in Richmond, Virginia, the title a mocking reference to the many "farewell" tours that aren't really. They played 168 dates on the tour over three years.
1980 - 'I Don't Like Mondays' by The Boomtown Rats won the best pop song and outstanding British lyric categories at the 25th Ivor Novello Awards. And Supertramp's 'The Logical Song' won Best Song Musically and Lyrically. Boomtown Rats lead singer Bob Geldoff was inspired to write the song after reading about the tragic shooting spree when 16-year-old Brenda Spencer killed two people and wounded nine others when she fired from her house across the street onto the entrance of San Diego's Grover Cleveland Elementary School.
Born on this day:
1949 - American singer-songwriter Billy Joel who had the 1980 US No.1 single 'It's Still Rock And Roll To Me', the 1983 UK No.1 single 'Uptown Girl', plus over 20 other US & UK Top 40 singles and 4 US No.1 albums.
1944 - American singer, songwriter Richie Furay who with Buffalo Springfield had the 1967 US No.17 single 'For What It's Worth', with Poco the 1979 US No. 17 single 'Crazy Love', and with The Souther, Hillman, Furay Band the 1974 US No.27 single 'Fallin' In Love'.
1942 - American pop singer, songwriter Tommy Roe, singer, who scored the 1962 hit 'Sheila' and the 1969 UK & US No.1 single 'Dizzy'. His final Top 10 single, a track co-written with Freddy Weller, titled 'Jam Up and Jelly Tight, became his fourth gold record, peaking at number 8 in the US and number 5 in Canada in 1970.
1941 - Danny Rapp, American musician and the frontman from doo-wop and rock and roll vocal group Danny and the Juniors famous for their 1958 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'At The Hop'. Rapp shot himself dead in a hotel in Arizona on 5th April 1983 a few weeks short of his 42nd birthday.
1937 - Sonny Curtis, from American rock and roll band The Crickets, who had the 1957 US No.1 single 'That'll Be The Day', the 1959 UK No.1 single 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore' plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles. He wrote 'Walk Right Back', which was a 1960 hit for the Everly Brothers.
1960 - Irish singer-songwriter, Paul Hewson, (Bono), U2, who had the 1984 UK No.3 single 'Pride, In The Name Of Love' plus over 25 other UK Top singles. Their 1987 UK and worldwide No.1 album The Joshua Tree spent 156 weeks on the UK chart. U2 are one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold more than 170 million records worldwide. They have won 22 Grammy Awards.
1957 - John Ritchie (Sid Vicious), bass, vocals, Sex Pistols, 1977 UK No.2 single 'God Save The Queen', and 1977 UK No.1 album Never Mind The *******s, Here's The Sex Pistols'. Vicious died of a heroin overdose on 2nd February 1979.
1947 - English singer-songwriter Dave Mason who with Traffic had the 1967 UK No.2 single 'Hole In My Shoe' and the solo, 1977 US No.12 single 'We Just Disagree'. Mason has worked with many notable musicians including Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix (twelve-string guitar on 'All Along the Watchtower' and Fleetwood Mac.
1946 - Donovan, Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist, who scored the 1966 US No.1 & 1967 UK No.2 single 'Sunshine Superman'. 'Mellow Yellow' reached US No.2 the following year, with 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' reaching the Top 5 on both shores in 1968.
2003 - Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist Noel Redding died at his home in Ireland aged 57. Redding played on the classic Hendrix albums 'Are You Experienced', 'Axis: Bold as Love' and 'Electric Ladyland,' Right up until his death, Redding had been taking legal action against the Hendrix estate for payment estimated at £3.26 million for his part in recordings and for ongoing royalties. Had also been a member of Fat Mattress and formed The Noel Redding Band.
1981 - Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley died aged 36. In July 1977, Marley was found to have a type of malignant melanoma under the nail of a toe, Marley's health deteriorated as the cancer had spread throughout his body. Marley had the 1981 single 'No Woman No Cry', plus over ten other UK Top 40 singles. In 1990, the 6th February was proclaimed a national holiday in Jamaica to commemorate his birth. The compilation album, Legend, released in 1984, is the best-selling reggae album ever with sales of more than 20 million copies. Time magazine chose Bob Marley & The Wailers' Exodus as the greatest album of the 20th century.
1974 - Led Zeppelin attended an Elvis Presley show at the Los Angeles Forum in California. After a shaky start to the show, Elvis stopped the band and jokingly said: ‘Wait a minute, if we can start together fellas, because we’ve got Led Zeppelin out there, lets try to look like we know what we're doing.’ All four members of Zeppelin met with Elvis after the show, spending over 2 hours backstage. Elvis asked for all the group’s autographs for his daughter Lisa Marie.
1970 - The triple soundtrack album Woodstock was released in the US, going gold within two weeks. The album featured tracks by; Canned Heat, Richie Havens, Country Joe McDonald, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, Santana and others. The couple on the album cover are Bobbi Kelly and Nick Ercoline.
1963 - The Beatles started a 30 week run at No.1 on the UK album charts with their debut album 'Please Please Me', making it the longest running No.1 album by a group ever. The bands follow up 'With The Beatles' replaced it at the top of the charts on 7th December 1963 and stayed there for 21 weeks.
Born on this day:
1941 - English singer-songwriter and actor Eric Burdon, who with The Animals had the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'House Of The Rising Sun'. He later joined forces with Californian funk rock band War.
1939 - Canadian musician R. Dean Taylor, singer, songwriter, and record producer for Motown during the 1960s and 1970s. He co-wrote hits for the Four Tops, Temptations and Diana Ross & the Supremes. As a singer, Taylor is best known for his chart-topping 1970 hit 'Indiana Wants Me' and the 1974 hit 'There's a Ghost in My House' (first released in 1967). Taylor died at home on 7 January 2022, at the age of 82.
1936 - Tony Barrow, who worked as The Beatles' press officer between 1962 and 1968. He coined the term 'The Fab Four' to describe the band and also wrote sleeve notes for their early albums, as well as the strip cartoon for the Magical Mystery Tour booklet. Barrow died on 14th May 2016 aged 80.
2018 - Singer-songwriter Neil Young had a spider named after him. US university biologist Jason Bond discovered a new species of trapdoor spider and decided to name it after his favourite musician. Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi was found in Jefferson County, Alabama, in 2007.
2000 - Thieves stole the gates to Strawberry Fields the Merseyside landmark immortalised by The Beatles song. The 10' high iron gates were later found at local scrap metal dealers in Liverpool.
1981 - Meat Loaf filed for bankruptcy with debts of over $1 million. The singer stated; "I made almost nothing. That’s how it was back then. The record company said Bat Out Of Hell never made a profit."
1972 - The Rolling Stones released Exile on Main Street, the second album on their own label. The double set featured two hit singles, 'Tumbling Dice' and 'Happy'. In 2003, the album was ranked No. 7 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, the highest of any Stones album on the list.
1963 - Bob Dylan walked out of rehearsals for the US TV Ed Sullivan show after being told he couldn't perform his song 'Talking John Birch Paranoid Blues' due to it mocking the US military and segregation. CBS officials asked Dylan to substitute it for another song, but the singer reportedly said: 'No, this is what I want to do. If I can't play my song, I'd rather not appear on the show'.
Born on this day:
1950 - American rock musician Billy Squier, who had the 1982 hit 'The Stroke', 1984 US No.15 single 'Rock Me Tonight'.
1948 - English musician Steve Winwood, who with the Spencer Davis Group had the 1966 UK No.1 single 'Keep On Running', with Traffic the 1967 UK No.2 single 'Hole In My Shoe', Blind Faith, (with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech), 1969 UK & US No.1 album. Winwood played Hammond organ on the Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland album track 'Voodoo Chile'. He also had a successful solo career with hits including 'While You See a Chance', 'Valerie', 'Back in the High Life Again' and during the late 80s two US No.1 hits 'Higher Love' and 'Roll with It'.
1946 - English keyboard instrumentalis Ian McLagan, Small Faces who had the 1967 UK No.3 & US No.17 single 'Itchycoo Park', and the 1968 UK No.1 album 'Ogden's Nut Gone Flake'. With Faces he had the 1971 UK No.6 & US No.17 single 'Stay With Me'. Also worked with The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Billy Bragg and Bruce Springsteen. He died on 3rd Dec 2014 died aged 69, due to complications from a stroke.
1942 - English rock and roll singer-songwriter and actor Ian Dury. His 1977 UK No.5 album New Boots And Panties!! spent 90 weeks on the UK chart and he scored the 1979 UK No.1 single 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick'. He was also a member of of Kilburn and the High Roads. Dury died on 27th March 2000 aged 57.
1928 - American composer, songwriter, record producer, pianist, and singer Burt Bacharach. With Hal David he wrote many classic songs including, 'Close To You', '24 Hours From Tulsa', 'Make It Easy On Yourself', 'Magic Moments', 'I Say A Little Prayer'. He won two Oscars for the film score to Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, and for the song 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head'. Bacharach's songs have been recorded by more than 1,000 different artists and as of 2014, he had written 73 US and 52 UK Top 40 hits. Bacharach died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, California, on 8 February 2023, at the age of 94.
2016 - Tower of Power played a California prison with former lead singer Rick Stevens, who had served 36 years for a 1976 drug-related triple homicide. Stevens was in his 30s, four years out of Tower of Power and addicted to drugs, when he shot to death three men in a 1976 dealing dispute. A jury voted for his execution, but the California Supreme Court ruled not long afterward that the death penalty was unconstitutional. After the show Stevens talked to the audience about how he rebuilt his life.
2007 - Brian May was under 24-hour security watch after a deranged man announced he was setting off to murder him - then disappeared. Police were hunting for a schizophrenic who left a letter behind at his home blaming the Queen guitarist for his illness. In it the man - said May was an "impostor" and that HE was the real rock star. He signed the letter "Brian May."
2003 - Michael Jackson launched a court case suing Motown Records. Jacko filed the lawsuit in LA, saying he hadn't been paid royalties due for the music he did with the Jackson Five in the 60s and 70s. The singer also claimed his music has been used in TV ads without his permission.
Born on this day:
1966 - American singer and songwriter Darius Rucker, from American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish who had the 1995 US No.1 album Cracked Rear View. As a country music singer, his first single, 'Don't Think I Don't Think About It', made him the first black artist to reach No.1 on the Hot Country Songs charts since Charley Pride in 1983.
1950 - American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist Stevie Wonder. A child prodigy who developed into one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th century. Wonder who has been blind from shortly after birth, signed with Motown's Tamla label at the age of eleven and continues to perform and record for Motown to this day. Wonder has scored over 40 US & UK Top 40 singles. Albums include Talking Book, Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life.
1943 - American singer Mary Wells, who had the 1964 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'My Guy', (written by Smokey Robinson). Other hits include, 'The One Who Really Loves You', 'Two Lovers' and the Grammy-nominated 'You Beat Me to the Punch'. Wells died of cancer on 26th July 1992 at the age of 59.
1941 - American singer, songwriter, Ritchie Valens, who had the 1958 US No.2 hit single 'Donna' and a hit with 'La Bamba'. On February 3, 1959, on what has become known as "the Day the Music Died", Valens died in a plane crash in Iowa, an accident that also claimed the lives of fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson.
Born On This DayBorn On This Day
2016 - The Beatles' former press officer, Tony Barrow, who coined the term 'The Fab Four' to describe the band, died aged 80. Barrow represented the band between 1962 and 1968 and also wrote sleeve notes for their early albums, as well as the strip cartoon for the Magical Mystery Tour booklet.
2015 - Blues singer, songwriter and guitarist B.B. King died in his sleep aged 89 from a series of small strokes caused by type 2 diabetes. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time, Rolling Stone magazine placed him behind only Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman in its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
2002 - The musical We Will Rock You opened in London, England at the Dominion Theatre. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor. The musical tells the story of a group of Bohemians who struggle to restore the free exchange of thought, fashion, and live music in a distant future where everyone dresses, thinks and does the same. Musical instruments and composers are forbidden, and rock music is all but unknown. WWRY has since become the longest-running musical at the Dominion Theatre.
1998 - George Michael was fined £500 after being convicted of a "lewd act" in a Los Angeles lavatory. The Los Angeles court also ordered him to undergo psychological counselling and carry out 80 hours community service.
1976 - 33 year-old Keith Relf, former lead singer for The Yardbirds, was electrocuted while tuning a guitar which was not properly grounded. The accident happened in his West London home where he was found by his eight year old son, still holding the plugged-in electric guitar. The Yardbirds had the hits 'For Your Love', 'Heart Full of Soul', and 'Shapes of Things'.
1957 - Elvis Presley was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after swallowing a porcelain cap from one of his front teeth, which then lodged its-self in one of his lungs.
Born on this day:
1979 - Dan Auerbach, American guitarist and vocalist for The Black Keys who had the 2014 US No.1 album Turn Blue.
1963 - Fabrice Morvan, singer from German R&B duo Milli Vanilli, who had the 1989 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Girl I'm Gonna Miss You'. Their success quickly turned to infamy when they confessed that they did not sing any of the vocals heard on their hits. Consequently, the duo was stripped of their Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
1962 - C.C. Deville, lead guitarist from American rock band Poison who scored the 1988 US No.1 & 1989 UK No.13 single 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' and have sold over 45 million records worldwide. Ian Astbury, English singer with Southern Death Cult, who became The Cult. In 2002 he became lead singer of The Doors of the 21st Century, featuring original Doors members Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek.
1952 - Scottish-American musician David Byrne, who was the founding member of American new wave band Talking Heads. They scored the 1983 US No.9 single 'Burning Down The House', and the 1985 UK No.6 single 'Road To Nowhere'. Byrne scored the 2002 solo UK No.2 single with 'Lazy' with X-Press. He has received Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe awards and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1943 - Scottish musician, singer and songwriter Jack Bruce who was a member of the Graham Bond Organization, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Manfred Mann and Cream, who had the 1967 UK No.11 single 'I Feel Free', and the 1968 US No.5 single 'Sunshine Of Your Love'. Their 1968 Wheels of Fire becoming the first platinum-selling double album. Also a member of West, Bruce and Laing. Bruce died on 25 October 2014 from liver disease in Suffolk, England, aged 71.
1936 - American singer, songwriter Bobby Darin. He recorded his first million-selling single, 'Splish Splash', in 1958 followed by the hits 'Dream Lover', 'Mack the Knife', and 'Beyond the Sea'. He became politically active and worked on Robert F. Kennedy's Democratic presidential campaign. He was present on the night of June 4/5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles at the time of Kennedy's assassination. In 1973, after failing to take antibiotics to protect his heart before a dental visit, Darin developed an overwhelming systemic infection (sepsis) and died on 20th December 1973 aged 37.
1932 - American record producer Bob Johnston who produced a string of notable and highly influential albums including; Bob Dylan: Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde, John Wesley Harding, Nashville Skyline, Self Portrait, New Morning, as well as Simon And Garfunkel: Sounds of Silence, Leonard Cohen: Songs from a Room and many others. Johnson died on 14 August 2015 aged 83.
2013 - It was reported that George Michael had been injured after the car in which he was travelling in crashed on the M1 during the evening rush-hour. Ambulance crews confirmed that the singer had to be airlifted from the scene, near the junction with the M25. Three days later Katherine Fox told The Sun newspaper that she was driving behind a silver Range Rover when the singer tumbled from out the passenger door on to the third lane of the northbound carriageway. She said Michael had “a nasty cut on his forehead and the back of his head. There was blood all down his face and on his teeth. He was breathing and conscious but in shock.”
2009 -Bob Dylan went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Together Through Life’, his 33rd studio album. The album received two Grammy Award nominations in Best Americana Album category and Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance category for 'Beyond Here Lies Nothin'. The album also is significant as the only album by Dylan to top the US and UK charts consecutively.
1998 - Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards fell while reaching for a book of nude art in his Connecticut home. The fall broke his ribs, causing the Stones to postpone many dates on their Bridges To Babylon tour.
1984 - Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee for 'staggering drunk' down Beale Street. Osbourne was released from the Memphis jail five hours later, after drying out, and was not required to return for a court appearance. He continued on with a tour in support of 1983’s Bark at the Moon.
1977 - The London Evening Standard reported that Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant had been arrested at Atlanta Airport for being drunk and pulling a knife. Since Plant was at his home in Wales at the time of the incident, the person arrested was a man impersonating Plant and the British paper ran an apology the following night.
1969 - Pete Townshend spent the night in a US jail for assaulting a man during a Who gig at The Fillmore East. What Townshend didn't know was the man who jumped onto the stage was a plainclothes policeman trying to warn the audience that a fire had broken out. The Who guitarist was later fined $30 for the offence.
1966 - The Beach Boys released the classic album Pet Sounds widely ranked as one of the most influential records ever released and has been ranked at No.1 in several music magazines lists of greatest albums of all time, including New Musical Express, The Times and Mojo Magazine. In 2003, it was ranked No.2 in Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, (The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's came first).
Born on this day:
1966 - American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress Janet Jackson. The youngest child of the Jackson family, she has amassed an extensive catalogue of hits, with singles such as 'Nasty', 'Rhythm Nation', 'That's the Way Love Goes', 'When I Think Of You', 'Together Again' and 'All for You', selling over 100 million records worldwide.
1953 - Richard Page, lead singer and bassist from American pop rock band Mr Mister who scored the 1985 US No.1 & 1986 UK No.4 single 'Broken Wings'.
1948 - American saxophonist Alto Reed. He is best known as a long-time member of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and also worked with many artists including Grand Funk Railroad, Little Feat, Otis Rush, Spencer Davis, The Blues Brothers, The Ventures and George Thorogood. He died of colon cancer on 30 Dec 2020 age 72.
1946 - English guitarist, composer and record producer Robert Fripp, who with King Crimson had the 1969 UK No.5 album, In The Court Of The Crimson King. He has also worked extensively as a studio musician, notably with David Bowie on the albums Heroes and Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), Brian Eno, Porcupine Tree, Andy Summers, Slow Music, Theo Travis, The Humans, Jakko Jakszyk and many others.
2017 - American musician, singer and songwriter Chris Cornell died suddenly in Detroit after performing at a show with Soundgarden. Cornell was known for his role as one of the architects of the 1990s grunge movement, and for his near four octave vocal range as well as his powerful vocal belting technique. He released four solo studio albums as well as working with Audioslave and Temple of the Dog.
1980 - 23-year-old Joy Division singer and guitarist Ian Curtis took his own life at home in Macclesfield, England. The artist, who struggled with depression and epilepsy, left a note that said, 'At this very moment, I wish I were dead. I just can't cope anymore.' Joy Division released the critically acclaimed debut album Unknown Pleasures in 1979, and recorded their follow-up 'Closer' in 1980.
1968 - The first Miami Pop event took place with an estimated 100,000 people attending the concert, which was promoted by Richard O'Barry & Michael Lang (later famous as the promoter of Woodstock). Bands featured at the festival included Steppenwolf, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Mothers of Invention, Blue Cheer, Chuck Berry, The Blues Image, Pacific Gas and Electric, Three Dog Night and the Crazy World of Arthur Brown.
Born on this day:
1949 - Rick Wakeman, English keyboardist, songwriter, television and radio presenter. As a session musician his early sessions included playing on "Space Oddity", for David Bowie and songs by Junior's Eyes, T. Rex, Elton John, and Cat Stevens. Wakeman became a member of Strawbs and then the classic line-up in Yes. As a solo artist he scored the 1974 UK No.1 album 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth'.
1942 - Albert Hammond, Gibraltarian singer, songwriter, and record producer. In 1966 Hammond co-founded the British vocal group the Family Dogg, scoring a UK Top 10 hit with "A Way of Life" in 1969. As a solo artist he scored the 1972 US No.5 single 'It Never Rains In Southern California', and the 1973 UK No.19 single 'Free Electric Band'. Other hits Hammond has written with collaborator Mike Hazlewood include "Little Arrows" for Leapy Lee, "Gimme Dat Ding" for the Pipkins and "The Air That I Breathe" which was a hit for the Hollies.
1911 - Joe Turner, (best known as Big Joe Turner), US blues songwriter. He wrote 'Sweet Sixteen' and was the first to record 'Shake, Rattle and Roll'. Turner died on 23rd November 1985 at the age of 74 of heart failure, having suffered the earlier effects of arthritis, a stroke and diabetes and was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
2023 - English performance poet, lyricist, and singer Pete Brown died at the age of 82. Together with Jack Bruce he wrote many of Cream's songs, including the hits 'I Feel Free', 'White Room' and with Eric Clapton 'Sunshine of Your Love'.
Andy Rourke, the bassist for indie legends The Smiths, died from pancreatic cancer aged 59. Rourke played on the Smiths’ classic back catalogue including hits such as 'This Charming Man' and 'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out' as well as featuring on solo singles for singer Morrissey after the group broke up in 1987. Later in his career, Rourke played as part of a supergroup called Freebass with two other Mancunian bass players, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, from the Stone Roses, and Peter Hook, from New Order.
2016 - John Berry, a founding member of rap group Beastie Boys died at the age of 52. Berry originally formed the four-piece hardcore punk band, the Young Aborigines, in 1978 who later became the Beastie Boys and came up with the name for the group.
1988 - James Brown was arrested for the fifth time in 12 months, following a car chase near his home, he was charged with assault, resisting arrest and being in charge of illegal weapons, he was given a 6 year jail sentence.
1980 - Ringo Starr and his future wife were involved in a car crash less than half a mile from where Marc Bolan was killed, the car was a write-off but Starr and Bach were not seriously injured.
1973 - Paul Simon released the single 'Kodachrome' named after the Kodak 35mm film Kodachrome which became a No.2 hit in the US. It was not released as a single in Britain, because the BBC would not play the trademarked name.
1960 - American DJ Alan Freed was indicted along with seven others for accepting $30,650 in payola from six record companies. Two years later, he was convicted and given a suspended sentence and a $300 fine.
Born on this day:
1956 - English musician Martyn Ware who with Heaven 17 had the 1983 UK No.2 single 'Temptation'. He was also a member of the Human League. As a record producer he helped to revitalise Tina Turner's career in 1983 with 'Let's Stay Together', and also kick started Terence Trent D'Arby's career by co-producing his solo debut, Introducing the Hardline According to.
1954 - Phil Rudd, drums, AC/DC, from 1975 through 1983, and again from 1994 to 2015. Thier 1980 UK No.1 & US No.14 album Back In Black has sold over 49 million copies). On 6 November 2014 Rudd was arrested and charged with attempting to procure a murder, threatening to kill, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cannabis, following a police raid on his home.
1952 - Jeffrey Hyman, (Joey Ramone), from American punk rock band Ramones who had the 1977 hit single 'Sheena Is A Punk Rocker'. They are often cited as the first band to define the punk rock sound. He died on 15th April 2001 after losing a long battle with lymphatic cancer aged 49. On November 30, 2003, a block of East 2nd Street in New York City was officially renamed Joey Ramone Place.
1949 - Dusty Hill, bass, keyboardist, and co-vocalist with ZZ Top, who had the 1984 US No.8 and 1985 UK No.16 single 'Legs'. ZZ Top has had global album sales in excess of 50 million as of 2014. Along with his brother Rocky Hill and future fellow ZZ Top member Frank Beard, Hill played in local Dallas bands the Warlocks, the Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues. He died on 28 July 2021 at his home in Houston, Texas, at the age of 72.
1947 - Greg Herbert, from jazz-rock American music group Blood Sweat & Tears. They scored the 1969 US No.2 single 'Spinning Wheel', and the 1969 US No.12 single 'You've Made Me So Very Happy'. They had a US No.1 with their second album Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1968. Herbert died of an accidental drug overdose 31st January 1977.
Jerry Hyman, from jazz-rock American music group Blood Sweat & Tears. They scored the 1969 US No.2 single 'Spinning Wheel', and the 1969 US No.12 single 'You've Made Me So Very Happy'. They had a US No.1 with their second album Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1968.
1945 - English musician, singer, songwriter Pete Townshend, The Who. Had the 1965 UK No.2 single 'My Generation' and the 1967 US No.9 single 'I Can See For Miles' plus over 20 other UK Top 40 hit singles, 16 US Top 40 singles and rock opera albums 'Tommy' & 'Quadrophenia'. Townshend became known for his eccentric stage style swinging his right arm against the guitar strings in a windmill style, often smashing guitars on stage. Although known primarily as a guitarist, he also plays keyboards, banjo, accordion, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin, violin, synthesiser, bass guitar, and drums.
2023 - A black Fender Stratocaster guitar smashed by Kurt Cobain sold at auction for nearly $600,000 (£480,000) at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. The guitar was destroyed as Nirvana were working on their break-out album Nevermind in the early 1990s. The instrument was signed by all three band members in a silver marker. Cobain, who often misspelt his own name, signed the instrument ”Kurdt Kobain”.
2021 - American drummer Roger Hawkins died age 75. He was best known for playing as part of the studio band known as the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. His drumming can be heard on dozens of hit singles, including tracks by Percy Sledge (‘When a Man Loves a Woman’), Aretha Franklin (‘Respect’), Wilson Pickett (‘Mustang Sally’. Hawkins also worked with Duane Allman, Joe Cocker, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Bonnie Bramlett, Boz Scaggs, Albert King, Traffic, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton and Willie Nelson.
2014 - Prince Rupert Loewenstein, the Bavarian banker credited with turning The Rolling Stones into the world's richest rock band, died at the age of 80. It was on Loewenstein's advice that the Stones became tax exiles, decamping to the South of France in the 1970s. He famously wrote he was ”never a fan of the Stones' music”.
2013 - Ray Manzarek, keyboard player and founder member of the The Doors died aged 74. Manzarek, who had suffered from bile duct cancer for many years, died in a clinic in Rosenheim, Germany, with his wife and brothers at his bedside. He formed The Doors with lead singer Jim Morrison in 1965 after a chance meeting in Venice Beach, Los Angeles.
2012 - Robin Gibb, one-third of the Bee Gees and a singer-songwriter who helped to turn disco into a global phenomenon by providing the core of the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, died from cancer aged 62. Bee Gees hits including: Massachusetts, I've Gotta Get a Message to You, How Deep Is Your Love and Stayin' Alive, established their pop legacy by placing their falsetto harmonies at the centre of the 70s disco boom.
1966 - Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who grew tired of waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon to arrive for their gig at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England so they took to the stage with the bass player and drummer of the local band that opened the show. When Moon and Entwistle finally arrived in the middle of the set, a fight broke out, with Townshend hitting Moon on the head with his guitar. Moon and Entwistle quit the band, (and rejoined a week later).
Born on this day:
1946 - Cherilyn Sarkasian, (Cher), American singer and actress, one-half of the folk rock husband-wife duo Sonny & Cher who had the 1965 UK & US No.1 single 'I Got You Babe'. She became a television personality in the 1970s with her shows The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, watched by over 30 million viewers weekly during its three-year run. Solo hits include the 1991 UK No.1 single 'The Shoop Shoop Song', 1998 UK No.1 & 1999 US No.1 single 'Believe', plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles.
1944 - Joe Cocker, English singer and musician who had the 1968 UK No.1 single with his cover of The Beatles 'With A Little Help From My Friends', plus 8 other UK Top 40 singles. Scored the 1982 US No.1 single with Jennifer Warnes 'Up Where We Belong'. In 2007 he was awarded a bronze Sheffield Legends plaque in his hometown and in 2008 he received an OBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music. Cocker died of lung cancer on 22 December 2014 in Crawford, Colorado.
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