29th November – Today in Music History

1917 Merle Travis born in Rosewood, Kentucky. Country and Western singer, songwriter, and musician Invented the first solid body electric guitar. Wrote ‘Sixteen Tons’ 1955 US No.1 for Ernie Ford. Travis died 20th October 1983.
1933 John Mayall born in Cheshire, England. British Guitarist/Vocalist, ‘father of the UK blues movement’, his Bluesbreakers Band has featured Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Jack Bruce, Peter Green and Jimmy McCulloch.
1939 Domenico Monardo(Meco) born in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania. US Record Producer. (1977 US No.1 & UK No.7 single ‘Star Wars Theme’).
1941 Jody Miller born in Arizona. US Country singer. Best Know for her 1964 ‘Walk Like A Man’.
1941 Denny Doherty (Dennis Doherty) born in Nova Scotia, Canada. Vocalist with The Mamas And The Papas, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.2 single ‘Monday Monday’). He left the group in 1968. Denny Doherty died on January 19, 2007 at his home in Mississauga, Ontario aged 66, from kidney failure following surgery for a stomach aneurysm.
1943 Bobbi Martin (Barbara Ann Martin) born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Singer/Guitarist Songwriter. She died of cancer on May 2, 2000, aged 60, at the Brighton Wood Knoll medical facility in Baltimore.
1944 Felix Cavaliere born in Pelham, New York. Lead Singer with The Young Rascals, (1967 US No.1 & UK No.8 single ‘Groovin’).
1946 Brian Cadd born in Perth, WA. Australian Singer/Songwriter/Pianist. He was a member of The Groop & Axiom them a Solo Career.
1947 Ronnie Montrose born in Brisbane, California. American rock guitarist, who led the bands Montrose (1973-77 & 1987) and Gamma (1979-83 & 2000) and also performed and did session work with a variety of musicians, including Van Morrison (1971–72), Herbie Hancock (1971), Beaver & Krause (1971), Boz Scaggs (1971), Edgar Winter (1972 & 1996), Gary Wright (1975), The Beau Brummels (1975), Dan Hartman (1976), Tony Williams (1978), The Neville Brothers (1987), Marc Bonilla (1991 & 1993), Sammy Hagar (1997), and Johnny Winter. The first Montrose album was often cited as “America’s answer to Led Zeppelin” On March 3, 2012, Montrose died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death was originally assumed to be the result of his prostate cancer returning. However, the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office released a report which confirmed the guitarist had taken his own life.
1951 Barry Goudreau – US Guitarist/Songwriter with Boston, (1977 UK No.22 single ‘More Than A Feeling’, 1986 US No.1 single ‘Amanda’).
1951 Don Walker born in Ayr, Queensland, Australia. Australian musician and songwriter known for writing many of the hits for Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel. He played piano and keyboard with the band from 1973 to 1983, when they disbanded. He has since continued to record and tour, both solo and with Tex, Don and Charlie, and worked as a songwriter for others. In 2009, he released his first book. Walker is considered to be one of Australia’s best songwriters.[2][3][4] In 2012 he was inducted into the Australian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame
1954 Malcolm Eastick – Guitarist and Vocalist with Australian band Stars.
1956 Chris Bailey – Lead Singer for Australian Band The Saints.
1958 Michael Stephen Dempsey – Bassist with the Cure.
1959 Wendy Wu, Photos, (1980 UK No.56 single ‘Irene’).
1959 Meredith Wilson hosts the Grammy Awards ceremonies. Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife” wins record of the year and Frank Sinatra’s “Come Dance with Me” wins album of the year.
1959 Frank Sinatra won best new artist of the year at the Grammy Awards.
1960 Paul McCartney and Pete Best were deported from West Germany after being arrested on suspicion of arson after the hotel room they were staying in mysteriously caught fire. They were released and deported the next day.
1963 “Sugar Shack” single by Jim Gilmer & The Fireballs was certified Gold by the RIAA
1963 The Beatles’ single “I Want To Hold Your Hand/This Boy” was released in the U.K. and immediately hits number one on the charts. It is released in the U.S. December 26 that year, and spends seven weeks at number one. `I Want To Hold Your Hand’ has sold 950 000 copies in advance: a new mark and gold record.
1963 ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ by The Beatles was released in the UK. For the first time ever in the UK advanced orders passed the million mark before it was released.
1965 This week’s UK Top 5 albums, No.5, ‘Out Of Our Heads’, The Rolling Stones, No.4, ‘Highway 61 Revisited’, Bob Dylan, No.3, ‘Help’, The Beatles, No.2, ‘Mary Popins’, Soundtrack and at No.1, ‘Sound Of Music’, Soundtack.
1965 Colorado Governor John A. Love declared a Rolling Stones day throughout the State as The Stones appeared at The Denver Coliseum in Colorado during a North American tour.
1966 Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas recorded “Sorry”
1966 The Beatles recorded “Strawberry Fields Forever”
1968 Martin Carr, guitar, The Boo Radleys, (1995 UK No.9 single ‘Wake Up Boo’).
1968 Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block is born in Worcester, Massachusetts He is the oldest member of the pop group from Boston. His brother Jordan is also in the group.
1969 The Beatles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Come Together / Something’, the groups 18th US No.1.
1969 “And When I Die” by Blood, Sweat, & Tears peaked at #2 on the US singles chart.
1969 “Eli’s Coming” by Three Dog Night peaked at #10 on the US singles chart.
1969 “Undun” by Guess Who peaked at #22 on the US singles chart.
1969 John Lennon, the Beatle to be tried on drug charges, is convicted of possesion of cannabis and fined $360 in London. The court accepts his explanation that he no longer uses marijuana and that the amount found in his possession was an old, forgetten stash. Yoko Ono, who was arrested with Lennon on October 18, is cleared of charges.
1969 The Beatles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with their twenty-sixth release in the United States.’Come Together / Something’, which became the group’s 18th US No.1. Lennon was inspired by Timothy Leary’s campaign for governor of California titled “Come together, join the party” against Ronald Reagan giving him the idea for the track. ‘Something’ was the first Beatles song written by George Harrison to appear as an A-side.
1971 The UK Top 5 singles: No.5, The Piglets, ‘Johnny Reggae’, No.4, Cher, ‘Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves’, No.3, Benny Hill, ‘Ernie, (The Fastest Milkman In The West)’, No.2, T Rex, ‘Jeepster’, No.1, Slade, ‘Coz I Love You.’
1972 “I’d Love You To Want Me” single by Lobo was certified Gold by the RIAA
1974 Apl.De.Ap, vocals, Black Eyed Peas, (2003 US & UK No.1 single ‘Where Is The Love’).
1975 “The Way I Want To Touch You” by Captain & Tennille peaked at #4 on the US singles chart.
1975 Appearing at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, Queen.
1975 Silver Convention started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Fly Robin Fly’, it made No.28 in the UK.
1975 “The Way I Want To Touch You” by Captain & Tennille peaked at #4 on the US singles chart.
1975 “Low Rider” by War peaked at #7 on the US singles chart.
1976 The local council cancelled the Sex Pistols gig at Lancaster Poly, England, a spokesman said: ‘We don’t want that sort of filth in the town limits’.
1976 John Paul Youn’s hit single ‘I Hat The Music’ was released.
1979 The Game, (Jayceon Terrell Taylor), American rapper, (2005 US No.1 with his debut album, The Documentary).
1979 Ray Smith (Died) on this day. Singer/Guitarist/Pianist.
1980 Abba scored their ninth and last UK No.1 single with ‘Super Trouper’, the groups 25th Top 40 hit in the UK.
1980 John and Yoko’s ‘Double Fantasy album was released. A No.1 in the US & the UK featuring the No.1 single ‘Just Like Starting Over’, ‘Watching The Wheels’, ‘Woman’, ‘Beautiful Boy’ ‘I’m Losing You’ & ‘Dear Yoko’.
1980 “Never Be The Same” by Christopher Cross peaked at #15 on the US singles chart.
1980 “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” by Daryl Hall & John Oates peaked at #12 on the US singles chart.
1980 John and Yoko’s ‘Double Fantasy’ album was released. Though initially poorly received, the album is notable for its association with Lennon’s murder three weeks after its release, whereupon it became a worldwide commercial success, and went on to win the 1981 Album of the Year at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards.
1980 Abba scored their ninth and last UK No.1 single with ‘Super Trouper’, the group’s 25th Top 40 hit in the UK. The name “Super Trouper” referred to the gigantic spotlights used in stadium concerts.
1982 “Heartlight” album by Neil Diamond was certified Gold by the RIAA. Also including ‘I’m Alive’.
1982 “Olivia’s Greatest Hits Volume II” album by Olivia Newton-John was certified Platinum by the RIAA
1985 Kiss played the first night on their 91-date North American Asylum Tour at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas.
1986 Bon Jovi went to No.1 on the US single chart with ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’.
1986 Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band Live / 1975-85′ started a seven week run at No.1 on the US album chart.
1986 “Love Will Conquer All” by Lionel Richie peaked at #9 on the US singles chart
1989 “Love Shack” single by B-52’s was certified Gold by the RIAA.
1989 “The Seeds Of Love” album by Tears For Fears was certified Gold and Platinum by the RIAA. Including ‘Sowing The Seeds Of Love’ & ‘Woman In Chains’.
1992 Paul Ryan died on this day. He was the twin brother of Barry Ryan & he wrote ‘Eloise’.
1994 “Always” single by Bon Jovi was certified Gold by the RIAA
1995 Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar married model Kari Karte in San Francisco.
1996 American singer and ukulele player Tiny Tim (Herbert Khaury) died from a heart attack on stage while playing his hit ‘Tiptoe Through the Tulips’ at a club in Minneapolis. On 17 December 1969, he married Victoria Mae Budinger on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, a publicity stunt that attracted over 40 million viewers. (they had a daughter, Tulip Victoria). He performed at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival in front of a crowd of 600,000 people.
1997 Whitney Houston pulled out of a concert sponsored by the Moonies two hours before she was due on stage after finding out the event was a mass wedding for over 1,000 Moonie couple’s. The religious group said they had no intention of suing providing the singer returned the $1m fee she had received
1997 Celine Dion went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Let’s Talk About Love.’
1997 ‘Perfect Day’ performed by various artists including Elton John, Bono, Tom Jones & David Bowie went to No.1 on the UK singles chart. Originally written and recorded in 1973 by Lou Reed, this new collaboration of 29 major artists was a fund raiser for the BBC Children In Need charity.
1999 Soul singer Curtis Knight died aged 54.Jimi Hendrix had been a member of his band in the 60’s. Though Hendrix wasn’t in the group very long, he was featured on over 60 songs, 26 studio and 35 live recordings some of which have been released on record.

1999 It was reported that Oasis singer Liam Gallagher had gone missing after leaving his house three days earlier. The band were due to fly out to the US at the end of the week to start a tour.
2000 U2’s Larry Mullen came to the rescue of motorcyclist who had been involved in an accident. Larry was driving home when he saw the motorcyclist who had crashed and stopped to call for help on his phone and then waited for the ambulance to arrive.
2001 Beatles guitarist George Harrison died in Los Angeles of lung cancer aged 58. Following the breakup of The Beatles Harrison had a successful career as a solo artist and later as part of the Traveling Wilburys. The youngest member of The Beatles, (aged 16 when he joined), his compositions include ‘Taxman’, ‘Here Comes the Sun’, ‘Something’, and ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. Harrison released the acclaimed triple album, All Things Must Pass, in 1970, from which came the worldwide No.1 single ‘My Sweet Lord.’ An accomplished gardener, Harrison restored the grounds of his 120 roomed English home Friar Park.
2002 Three paintings by Sir Paul McCartney were bought for just £35 each at the Secrets Postcard Sale at London’s Royal College of Art. Members of the public gambled on whether they were buying works by celebrity artists at a fraction of their value, as a picture’s creator was only made known after it has sold.
2003 A five-hour charity show, to boost the fight against Aids, was held at the Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town. Acts who appeared included, Bono, Queen, Ms Dynamite, Peter Gabriel, Eurythmics, Beyonce, Youssou N’Dour, Anastacia, The Corrs, Jimmy Cliff and Chaka Chaka. The show was also broadcast live on the internet.
2005 Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller dropped his £100m copyright case against the X Factor’s Simon Cowell after Fuller settled the case out of court in a deal which made him a joint partner in the X Factor show. Mr Fuller had claimed Mr Cowell’s ITV talent show X Factor copied his successful Pop Idol format, in a case taken to London’s High Court. As part of the settlement, Mr Cowell agreed to appear in at least five more series of American Idol.
2006 The High School Musical: The Concert tour began in San Diego, California, continuing until January 28th, 2007 playing in major cities around the United States, Canada and Latin America.
2007 Control, the biopic about late Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, scooped five prizes at the British Independent Film Awards. The black-and-white film, which featured The Killers, David Bowie and New Order on the soundtrack, was shot for just £3m.
2007 Morrissey was set to sue UK music weekly the NME after it failed to apologise for an article focusing on his views on immigration. The magazine had criticised the 48 year old singer and former Smiths star for allegedly telling a reporter Britain had lost its identity due to high levels of immigration.
2007 Former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle, a convicted sex offender, was arrested for failing to properly register a new permanent address. The 59-year-old had pleaded guilty in 1993 to charges of attempted capital sexual battery by an adult on a victim younger than 12 and being principal to lewd and lascivious behavior on a child younger than 16. He was sentenced to eight years of probation.
2009 Susan Boyle’s album became the best-selling debut in UK chart history when it went to No.1 on the UK chart. The 48 year-old runner-up in ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, sold 410,000 copies of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’. Boyle also topped the US charts, setting a first-week sales record for a female debut album with 701,000 copies sold in its first week.
2013 Dick Dodd, drummer and vocalist for The Standells on their 1966 hit ‘Dirty Water’, died of cancer at the age of 68. ‘Dirty Water’ became an anthem for sports fans in Boston with its refrain of “Boston, you’re my home,” despite the group having no direct connection with the city.