8th March Today in Music History Events

1942 Ralph Ellis born in Liverpool, England. UK Guitarist in the early days of The Swinging Blue Jeans. He left in 1966. (1964 UK No.2 & US No.24 single ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’). 
1943 Andrew Semple – Guitarist/Vocals with The Fortunes, (1965 UK No.2 & US No.7 single ‘You’ve Got Your Troubles’). 
1944 Keef Hartle born in Preston, Lancashire. He then formed The Keef Hartley (Big) Band, mixing elements of jazz, blues, and rock and roll; the group played at Woodstock in 1969. (1970 UK No.41 album ‘The Time Is Near’). Hartley died on 26 November 2011, aged 67, at Royal Preston Hospital in Preston.
1945 Michael Dolenz (George Michael dolenz) born in Los Angeles, California. Actor/Vocalist & Drummer with The Monkees, (1967 UK & US No.1 single ‘I’m A Believer’ plus 10 US & 8 UK Top 40 singles).
1946 Randy Meisner born in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. US Bass Player/Songwriter. In August 1968 he became a founder member of Poco. He then joined Rick Newlson’s Stone Canyon Band where he stayed until June 1971. In 1971, he, along with Henley, Frey and Leadon, formed The Eagles. After the release of Hotel California in 1977 he left the group. 
1947 Carole Bayer Sager born in New York, New York. US Singer/Songwriter. Co-Wrote ‘Groovy Kind Of Love’,, Arthur’s Theme, Nobody Does It Better, That’s What Friends Are For & When I Need You. . Sinatra, Pitney and Dolly Parton have all recorded her songs. Ma
1947 Michael (Mike) Allsup born in Oakdale, California. US Guitarsit with Three Dog Night, (1970 UK No.3 & US No.1 single ‘Mamma Told Me Not To Come’).
1948 Little Peggy March (Margaret Battavio) born in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. US singer. (1963 US No.1 single ‘I Will Follow Him’). 
1948 Mel Galley – UK Guitarist with Whitesnake, (1987 US No.1 & UK No.9 single ‘Here I Go Again’). 
1949 Dave Lambert born in England. UK Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter with The Strawbs, (1973 UKNo.2 single ‘Part Of The Union’). 
1954 Cheryl Baker born in Bethnal Green, London, England. UK Vocalist with Bucks Fizz, (1981 UK No.1 single ‘Making Your Mind Up’, plus 12 other UK Top 40 singles’). TV presenter. 
1954 The Stargazers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘I See The Moon’, the group’s second No.1. 
1957 Clive Burr, drummer with UK Rock group Iron Maiden who had the 1982 UK No.1 album ‘The Number Of The Beast’ and the 1991 UK No.1 single ‘Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter’. Burr died on 13th March 2013 at the age of 56. He had been suffering from multiple sclerosis, and died in his sleep. Burr was a member of up-and-coming British metal band, Samson, before joining Maiden in 1979. 
1958 Gary Numan (Gary Webb) born in London, England. English Singer with Tubeway Army, (1979 UK No.1 single ‘Are Friends Electric’) & solo, (1979 UK No.1 & 1980 US No.9 single ‘Cars’ plus 18 other UK Top 40 singles).
1960 Richard Darbyshire born in Stockport, Cheshire, England. UK Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter with Living In A Box, (1987 UK No.5 single ‘Living In A Box’). 
1961 The Beatles played at the Cavern Club in Liverpool at lunchtime. That night they perform twice: at Aintree Institute, Aintree, Liverpool, and at Hambleton Hall, Huyton, Liverpool. 
1962 Steve Grantley – UK Drummer with Eight Wonder. (1988 UK No.7 single ‘I’m Not Scared’). 
1962 The Beatles made their radio debut on the BBC’s ‘Teenagers Turn’, (Here We Go), singing Roy Orbison’s ‘Dream Baby’. It was reportedly the first time they wore suits onstage. 
1964 Peter Gill born in Liverpool, England. UK Drummer with Frankie Goes To Hollywood, (1984 UK No.1 & US No. 10 single ‘Relax’) 
1965 David Bowie made his TV debut with The Manish Boys on a UK program called ‘Gadzooks! It’s All Happening’ when they performed their current single ‘I Pity The Fool.’ 
1965 Bob Dylan’s single ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ was released in the US. The lead track from his Bringing It All Back Home album, gave Dylan his first top 40 hit. Subterranean Homesick Blues is also noted for its innovative film clip, in what became one of the first ‘modern’ promotional film clips. The clip was shot in an alley behind the Savoy Hotel in London, the cue cards which Dylan holds were written by Donovan, Allen Ginsberg, and Dylan himself. 
1966 Lulu became the first British female singer to appear behind the Iron curtain, when she toured Poland with The Hollies. 
1966 Bob Dylan recorded ‘Just Like A Woman’ for his ‘Blonde On Blonde’ album at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. 
1967 The Beatles’ UK single release: `Yesterday’/`I Should Have Known Better’.
1968 Shawn Mullins born in Piedmont hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. US male singer/songwriter. (1999 UK No.9 single ‘Lullaby’). 
1968 Cream played the first of two nights at at Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, California. The concert was recorded with some tracks ending up on their ‘Wheels Of Fire’ double album. 
1969 The Small Faces split up after singer Steve Marriott announced he was leaving the band. Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones linked up with Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart and formed The Faces. 
1969 “I’ve Gotta Be Me” by Sammy Davis Jr. peaked at #11 on the US singles chart.
1969 “This Magic Moment” by Jay & The Americans peaked at #6 on the US singles chart.
1969 “Proud Mary” by Credence Clearwater Revival peaked at #2 on the US singles chart.
1969 “This Girl’s In Love With You” by Dionne Warwick peaked at #7 on the US singles chart.
1973 Ron Mckernan, keyboard player with The Grateful Dead, died aged 27 from liver failure brought on by alcohol poisoning. 
1973 Paul McCartney was fined £100 ($170) for growing cannabis at his farm in Campbeltown, Scotland. McCartney claimed some fans gave the seeds to him and that he didn’t know what they would grow. 
1974 Bad Company kicked off their first UK tour at Newcastle City Hall. The band was made up by ex members from Free, (Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke), Mott The Hoople, (Mick Ralphs), and King Crimson, (Boz Burrell). 
1975 Olivia Newton-John went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Have You Ever Been Mellow’, the singers second US No.1. 
1975 “Lonely People” by America peaked at #5 on the US singles chart.
1975 “Lady” by Styx peaked at #6 on the US singles chart.
1975 “If” by Telly Savalas peaked at #1 on the U.K. pop singles chart.
1976 Gareth Coombes born in Oxford, England. lead vocalist and guitarist of the English alternative rock band, Supergrass.With UK group Supergrass who had the 1995 UK No.2 single ‘Alright’. Their 1995 UK No.1 album ‘I Should Coco’ spent 35 weeks on the UK chart. 
1976 “The Dream Weaver” album by Gary Wright was certified Gold by the RIAA. Also including ‘Love Is Alive’. 
1978 Samanatha Sang went to No.1 in the Australian Singles chart with ‘Emotion’. Staying at the top spot for 4wks. 
1979 Tom Chaplin, born in Hastings, East Sussex, England. Singer/Songwriter with UK group Keane who had the 2004 UK No.1 album ‘Hopes And Fears’ which was the second best-selling British album of the year. 
1980 “Desire” by Andy Gibb peaked at #4 on the US singles chart.
1980 On The Radio” by Donna Summer peaked at #5 on the US singles chart.
1986 Diana Ross was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the ‘Chain Reaction.’ Written and produced by the Bee Gees, (who also provided the backing vocals for the single). The single became her first No.1 single in the UK since ‘I’m Still Waiting’ in 1971. 
1986 Whitney Houston went to No.1 on the US album chart with her self-titled album. It spent a total of 14 weeks at the No.1 position. 
1986 “Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)” by Mike + The Mechanics peaked at #6 on the US singles chart.
1987 “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” single by The Monkees was certified Gold by the RIAA
1988 Eleanor Jackson, singer with La Roux who had the 2009 UK No.1 single ‘Bulletproof’. 
1990 Cher won the worst dressed female, and worst video for ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’, in The Rolling Stone Magazine’s awards, Donny Osmond won the most unwelcome comeback award. 
2001 It was reported that US manufactures Art Asylum planned to send over 100,000 Eminem dolls to shops in the UK. The lifelike figure had the rapper’s tattoos recreated in detail including the words ‘Cut Here’ on his neck. 
2001 Winners in ‘Rock Sound’ readers poll included, Pitchshifter who won Best British Band, Slipknot won Best single for ‘Wait & Bleed’ Foo Fighters won Best video for ‘Breakout’, Marilyn Manson won Best album for ‘Holy Wood’ and Limp Bizkit won Worst band. 
2003 Singer, actor Adam Faith died. Had the 1959 UK No.1 single ‘What Do You Want’, plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles, acting roles include the TV series ‘Love Hurts.’ 
2003 Former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler was injured when the Honda motorbike he was riding was involved in a collision with a Fiat Punto car. The 53-year-old singer and guitarist suffered a broken collar bone and six broken ribs in the accident which happened in London’s smart Belgravia district in mid-morning traffic. 
2008 China was set to impose stricter rules on foreign pop stars after Bjork caused controversy by shouting “Tibet, Tibet” at a Shanghai concert after a powerful performance of her song Declare Independence. Talk of Tibetan independence was considered taboo in China, which had ruled the territory since 1951. A spokesperson from the culture ministry said Bjork would be banned from performing in China if there was a repeat performance. 
2009 Hank Locklin died at his home in Brewton aged 91. He was an American country music singer-songwriter. A member of the Grand Ole Opry for nearly 50 years, Locklin had a long recording career with RCA Victor, and scored big hits with “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”, “Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On” and “Geisha Girl” from 1957-1960. His singles charted from 1949-1971.
2009 A blue plaque in honour of The Who drummer Keith Moon was unveiled on the site of the Marquee Club in Soho, London, where in 1964 the band played the first of 29 gigs there. Fans on scooters turned up to pay tribute to Moon, who was 32 when he died of an accidental overdose in 1978. The blue plaque, which means the site is of historic importance, was awarded by the Heritage Foundation 
2009 Malcolm Jones, guitarist with Scottish band Runrig, was seriously ill in hospital after collapsing at Waverley rail station in Edinburgh. The band’s forthcoming tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland had to be cancelled. 
2009 U2 started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with their twelfth studio album ‘No Line on the Horizon’. 
2011 Bernard St. Clair Lee died at his home in Lake Elsinore, aged 66. According to a coroners news release, he was found unresponsive in his home at around 8:30 am, March 8, 2011. His death was due to natural causes.was an American Rhythm and Blues vocalist with the band The Hues Corporation. 
2015 Lew Soloff died after apparently suffering a heart attack in New York City. He was an American jazz trumpeter, composer and actor. He worked with Blood, Sweat & Tears from 1968 until 1973.