January 09 – Today in Music History Events

1920 Clive Dunn born in Covent Garden, London. Singer, actor in UK TV’s ‘Dads Army’ 1971 UK No.1 single ‘Granddad’. Dunn died in Portugal on 6 November 2012 from complications following an operation which took place earlier that week
1940 Jimmy Boyd born in McComb, Pike County, Mississippi. US Children’s singing Star. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ – 1952. Jimmy Boyd died of cancer on March 7th 2009 at the age of 70.
1941 Joan Baez born in New York. US folk rock singer, songwrite,and policital activist (1971 US No.3 & UK No.6 single ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down’). 
1943 Roy Head born in Three Rivers, Texas. US Singer with Roy Head & The Traits. Best known for his hit “Treat Her Right”.
1943 Kenneth Kelley born in New Jersey. Second Tenor Vocalist with The Manhattans, (1976 US No.1 & UK No.4 single ‘Kiss And Say Goodbye’). He died on Tuesday, February 17 at the age of 72.
1943 Dick Yount born in Santa Cruz, California. Guitarist/Vocalis with Harper’s Bizarre, (1967 US No. 13 & UK No.34 single ‘The 59th Street Bridge Song, Feelin’ Groovy’). 
1944 Jimmy Page born in England. UK Guitarist and Producer with The Yardbirds & Led Zeppelin. 1969 US No.4 single ‘Whole Lotta Love.’ The bands fourth album released in 1971 featuring the rock classic ‘Stairway To Heaven’ has sold over 11 million copies. The Honeydrippers
1944 Scott Walker (Scott Engel) born in Ohio. One of the unrelated Walker Brothers – Vocalist with The Walker Brothers, (1966 UK No.1 & US No.13 single ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’). 
1948 Tim Hart born in La Gomera, Canary Islands. English folk singer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as a founding member of British folk rock band Steeleye Span.From 1970 to 1982, Hart and Prior were the backbone of Steeleye Span. Hart’s contribution to the band demonstrated his musical abilities on a wide range of instruments, some electric, including: acoustic guitars, dulcimer, organ, 5 string banjo, mandolin, bells, tabor and spoons as well as vocals (1975 UK No.5 single ‘All Around My Hat’). 
1948 Paul King born in Dagenham, Essex, England. English musician who was a member of Mungo Jerry between 1970 and 1972. He contributed occasional lead vocals, and played acoustic guitar (6 and 12 string), banjo, harmonica, kazoo.(1970 UK No.1 & US No.3 single ‘In The Summertime’). 
1948 William Cowsill born in Middletown, Rhode Island. American singer, musician, songwriter and producer. He is particularly notable as the lead singer and guitarist of The Cowsills, who had three top 10 singles in the late 1960s. From the mid-1970s until his death, he developed a career in Canada as an alt-country artist, as well as being the producer of a diverse number of Canadian artists. (1967 US No.2 single ‘The Rain, The Park & Other Things’, 1969 US No.2 single the theme from ‘Hair’). TV’s Partrige Family was based on The Cowsills family. Bill Cowsill died on February 18, 2006, aged 58, at his home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, after a number of illnesses. 
1951 Crystal Gayle (Brenda Webb) born in Paintsville, Kentucky. US Country Singer/Songwriter & Younger Sister of Loretta Lyn. (1977 US No.2 & UK No.5 single ‘Don’t It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue’). 
1952 Keith Lamb born in Norwich, England. He was the lead singer and founding member of the Australian glam rock band, Hush. He emigrated to Australia in 1970 with his school friend Robin Jackson.
1955 Rosemary Clooney was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Mambo Italiano’ the singers second No.1. The song was banned by all ABC owned stations in the US because it “did not reach standards of good taste”. 
1955 1955 Bill Haley & The Comets ‘Rock Around The Clock became the first rock’n’roll 45 rpm to be released in Australia. 
1957 On 9th January 1957, on the very first rock n roll tour of Australia, Bill Haley and the Comets The Platters LaVern Baker Big Joe Turner Freddie Bell and the Bell Boys played the first of two nights at Brisbane Stadium. 
1959 Cliff Richard’s backing group, The Drifters (who changed their name six months later to The Shadows), auditioned for EMI at Abbey Road Studios, recording what would be their first single, “Feelin’ Fine.” It was not a hit.
1960 Crash Craddock went to No.1 on the Australain Singles Chart with ‘Boom Boom Baby’ staying at the Top Spot for 3wks. 
1960 Emile Ford and the Checkmates, a U.K. group of Bahamian immigrants, becomes the first homeland black act to top the British charts when “What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?,” hits Number One. Arrow 93 disc jockey Robin Banks’ friend Ray Stock, played drums on the single. Banks said Stock was not allowed to sit down at a drum kit. He had to stand up and bash a snare drum.
1960 Patsy Cline becomes a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 
1961 Bert Kaempfert started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Wonderland By Night’. Kaempfert produced The Beatles first recording session when they were in Hamburg. 
1961 Bob Newhart went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘The Button Down Mind Strikes Back!’ 
1961 “Rubber Ball” by Bobby Vee peaked at #6 on the US singles chart.
1962 “The Lion Sleeps” single by Tokens, The was certified Gold by the RIAA
1962 Sam Cooke releases “Twistin’ the Night Away in the U.S. 
1963 Eric Erlandson of Hole is born in Los Angeles, California. 
1963 Drummer Charlie Watts joined The Rolling Stones after leaving Blues Incorporated. 
1964 Phil Hartnoll, Orbital, (1996 UK No.11 single ‘The Box’). 
1964 The Temptations recorded the song “The Way You Do The Things You Do” at Motown Studios in Detroit.
1965 Haddaway (Alexander Nestor Haddaway) born in Trinidad. is a German singer.musician. The son of a Dutch oceanographer and a local Trinidadian nurse, he grew up in Europe and the United States, and has lived in Cologne, Germany since 1989. (1993 UK No.2 ‘What Is Love’). 
1965 The Beatles started a nine week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Beatles 65’, the group’s fourth No.1. 
1965 The Beatles dominated the Top 10 of the Billboard Top-200 album chart with three entries — “Beatles ’65″…”A Hard Day’s Night”…and “The Beatles’ Story.” 
1965 “Leader Of The Laundromat” by The Detergents peaked at #19 on the US singles chart; it was a parody of Shangri-Las’ “Leader Of The Pack”.
1965 “Amen” by The Impressions peaked at #7 on the US singles chart.
1965 “Any Way You Want It” by The Dave Clark Five peaked at #14 on the US singles chart.
1965 1965 “Sha La La” by Manfred Mann peaked at #12 on the US singles chart.
1967 Dave Matthews born in Johannesburg, South Africa. At the age of two years, Matthews moved with his family to Yorktown Heights in Westchester County, New York. Lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for Americam group the Dave Matthews Band. (1998 US No.1 album ‘Before These Crowded Streets’, 2001 US No.1 album ‘Everyday’, 2001 UK No. 35 single ‘The Space Between’). 
1967 Steve Harwell born in Santa Clara, California. Lead Vocalist with Smash Mouth, (1997 UK No.19 single ‘Walkin’ On The Sun’). 
1968 Carl Bell of Fuel is born in Kenton, Tennessee. 
1969 The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK album chart with the ‘White Album’, The Rolling Stones were at No.2 with ‘Beggars Banquet’ and The Seekers were at No.3 with ‘Best Of The Seekers.’ 
1970 During a UK tour Led Zeppelin appeared at The Royal Albert Hall, London, the night of Jimmy Page’s 26th birthday. (John Lennon, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck were all in the audience). The two and a quarter hour set was recorded and filmed but shelved for several decades, eventually seeing a release on a 2003 official DVD. 
1971 Led Zeppelin played at London’s Royal Albert Hall. 
1971 TV’s Dads Army star Clive Dunn was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Grandad’. 
1971 “One Man Band” by Three Dog Night peaked at #19 on the US singles chart.
1971 “Pay To The Piper” by Chairmen Of The Board peaked at #13 on the US singles chart.
1971 “Black Magic Woman” by Santana peaked at #4 on the US singles chart.
1973 Lou Reed marries a cocktail waitress named Betty. Not much is known of this union, but apparently it doesn’t last very long. 
1973 Mick Jagger was refused a Japanese visa on an account of a 1969 drug conviction causing The Rolling Stones to cancel a forthcoming tour. 
1973 “It Never Rains In Southern California” single by Albert Hammond was certified Gold by the RIAA
1975 Carl Douglas went to No.1 on the Australian Singles Chart with ‘Kung Fu Fighting” staying at the top spot for 1wk. 
1975 “Stormbringer” album by Deep Purple was certified Gold by the RIAA
1976 Queen were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. The single enjoyed a nine week run on the chart selling more than a million copies by the end of the month. It reached No.1 again in 1991 for five weeks following Mercury’s death, eventually becoming the UK’s third best selling single of all time. 
1977 Country singer Emmylou Harris married record producer Brian Ahern. 
1978 A.J McLean born (Alexander James McLean) in West Palm Beach, Florida. Vocalist with The Backstreet Boys, (1997 US No.2 single ‘Quit Playing Games With My Heart’, 1999 UK No.1 single ‘I Want It That Way’). 
1978 “Diamantina Cocktail” album by Little River Band was certified Gold by the RIAA. Including “Help Is on Its Way”, “Witchery”, “Home on Monday” and “Happy Anniversary”.
1979 The music for UNICEF concert took place in New York City featuring Rod Stewart, The Bee Gees, Earth Wind and Fire, Abba and Donna Summer. 
1981 Terry Hall and Jerry Dammers from The Specials were both fined £400 ($680) after being found guilty of using threatening words during a gig in Cambridge, England. 
1981 Lou Reed marries a cocktail waitress named Betty. Not much is known of this union, but apparently it doesn’t last very long. 
1981 Jazz drummer Cozy Cole, known for the 1958 hits “Topsy” and “Topsy II,” dies of cancer at age 71, in Columbus, Ohio.
1982 “Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie peaked at #29 on the US singles chart.
1982 The Human League went back to No.1 on the UK album chart for three weeks with ‘Dare’. Including “Don’t You Want Me”, “Open Your Heart”, “Love Action (I Believe in Love)” and “The Things That Dreams Are Made Of”.
1984 “Pipes Of Peace” album by Paul McCartney was certified Gold by the RIAA. Also including ‘Say Say Say’ & ‘So Bad’.
1985 “Valotte” album by Julian Lennon was certified Gold by the RIAA. Also including ‘Too Late For Goodbyes’ & ‘Say You’re Wrong’. 
1987 Paolo Nutini born in Paisley, Scotland. Scottish singer, songwriter, (2006 UK No.3 album ‘These Streets’, 2009 UK No.1 album ‘Sunny Side Up’). 
1988 Whitney Houston scored her sixth consecutive No.1 in the US with ‘So Emotional’. 
1988 “Cherry Bomb” by John Cougar Mellencamp peaked at #8 on the US singles chart.
1989 Ian Moss’ hit Tucker’s Daughter was released in Australia. 
1991 Sinead O’Connor is named Worst-Dressed Woman of 1990 in Mr. Blackwell’s annual list. 
1997 David Bowie performed his 50th Birthday Bash concert (the day after his birthday) at Madison Square Garden, New York with guests Frank Black, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, The Foo Fighters, Lou Reed, and Billy Corgan and Placebo. Proceeds from the concert went to the Save The Children fund. 
2000 The chauffeur who drove Puff Daddy and his girlfriend Jennifer Lopez from a night-club after a shooting was reported to be co-operating with prosecutors. Puff Daddy faced up to 15 years in jail for allegedly pulling a gun in a New York club. 
2000 DMX were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘…And Then There Was X.’ 
2001 Winners at the 28th annual American Music Awards; Favourite Album, Creed, ‘Human Clay’, Male Artist, Kid Rock, Favourite Female Artist, Faith Hill, Favourite Group, Backstreet Boys, Favourite New Artist, 3 Doors Down. 
2002 Irish singer, songwriter David McWilliams died of a heart attack at his home in Ballycastle, County Antrim aged of 56. Released over 10 solo albums and wrote ‘The Days Of Pearly Spencer,’ 1992 UK No.4 for Marc Almond. 
2003 A grand piano once owned by Elvis Presley was sold for $685,000 (£425,711). Music producer Robert Johnson and partner Larry Moss sold the piano to the chairman of the Blue Moon Group, Michael Muzio who was planning to take the piano on a casino-sponsored promotional tour. He was then planning for the piano to be shown at the proposed rock museum at Walt Disney World. 
2004 Miley Cyrus makes her movie debut in Tim Burton’s Big Fish, playing 8-year-old Ruthie. She’s credited as “Destiny Cyrus.” 
2005 Elvis Presley went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Jailhouse Rock.’ The single sold just 21,262 copies to reach No.1, the lowest sales ever for a UK chart topper since data began in 1969. The single was released to celebrate the 70th anniversary of his birth, a previous Elvis chart topper was re-released each week. 
2005 The Scissor Sisters went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their self-titled album. They went on to win Best International Album as well as best international Group and International Breakthrough act at the 2005 Brit awards. 
2005 Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil marries Lia Gerardini at a ceremony in Las Vegas officiated by MC Hammer, who shared a house with Neil on the reality show The Surreal Life. Among the guests are his bandmates Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx, and basketball star Dennis Rodman. It’s Neil’s fourth marriage 
2005 Neo soul singer D’Angelo is arrested for drunk driving in his Richmond, Virginia, hometown. He is also charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substanc 
2006 The Phantom of the Opera becomes the longest-running Broadway show when it marks its 7,486th performance at the Majestic theater, breaking the record held by Cats, another Andrew Lloyd Webber musica 
2008 Sugababes singer Amelle Berrabah was arrested after an alleged attack on a car in Aldershot, Hampshire. She was bailed to appear at Aldershot police station later in the month. 
2008 Spice Girl Victoria Beckham was named the worst dressed celebrity in an annual list of fashion disasters. Fashion critic Richard Blackwell, who had compiled the poll every year since 1960, said Beckham stepped out in “one skinny-mini monstrosity after another”. Amy Winehouse’s trademark beehive and tattoos helped earn her second place in the list. 
2009 Dave Dee died at the age of 65, following a three-year battle with cancer. The UK singer had eight top 10 hits, with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich including a UK number one single in 1968 with ‘The Legend of Xanadu’, in which Dee famously cracked a whip. The singer, whose real name was David Harman, was originally a police officer and as a police cadet was called to the scene of the car crash that killed Eddie Cochrane during a UK tour in 1960. 
2012 The White Stripes frontman Jack White appears on the History Channel show American Pickers. In the episode, White buys a stuffed elephant head for the sticker price of $12,500. 
2013 At the People’s Choice Awards, One Direction win Favorite Album (Up All Night) and Favorite Song (“What Makes You Beautiful”). Katy Perry gets Favorite Music Video (“Part of Me”), Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Pop Artist, and Favorite Music Fan Following for her fan club, the Katycats 
2014 Rolling Stone magazine published their Readers Poll: The 10 Greatest Double Albums of All Time. The top 5 were: 5. Led Zeppelin – ‘Physical Graffiti’, 4. Bruce Springsteen – ‘The River’, 3. The Rolling Stones – ‘Exile on Main Street’, 2. Pink Floyd – ‘The Wall’, and winning the poll was The Beatles – ‘The White Album’. 
2015 Darren Partington, a member of 1980s and ’90s acid house pioneers 808 State, was jailed for 18 months for dealing heroin and crack cocaine. The court was told how Partington was pressured into dealing drugs after getting into debt with his own dealer. 
2016 Stars paid tribute to Motorhead frontman Lemmy at his funeral at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, Slash from Guns N’ Roses, Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich from Metallica, Judas Priest singer Rob Halford and Anthrax frontman Scott Ian. all spoke at the service. Lemmy’s bass guitar was plugged in to a stack of amplifiers and the volume turned up, with the congregation applauding as feedback from the speakers filled the chapel.