On This Day In Music 12th April

1919 Billy Vaughn born in Glasgow, Kentucky. American singer, multi-instrumentalist, orchestra leader, and A&R man for Dot Records. He died of peritoneal mesothelioma at Palomar Hospital in Escondido, California, on September 26, 1991, aged 72. 
1925 Ned Miller (Henry Ned Miller) born in Rains, Utah. American country music singer-songwriter. Active as a recording artist from 1956 to 1970, he is known primarily for his hit single, “From a Jack to a King”, a crossover hit in 1962 which reached Top 10 on the country music, adult contemporary, and Billboard Hot 100 charts. He had several more chart singles in his career, although none matched the success of “From a Jack to a King”. He composed and recorded “Invisible Tears”. He March 18, 2016 (aged 90).
1933 Tiny Tim (Herbert Khaury) born in Manhattan, New York City, New York American singer, ukulele player, and musical archivist. He was most famous for his rendition of “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” sung in a distinctive high falsetto/vibrato voice.’. He died of a heart attack on November 29th 1996 on stage while playing his hit ‘Tiptoe Through the Tulips’ at a club in Minneapolis. 
1940 Herbie Hancock Chicago, IIIinois. US keyboard player, US Jazz Musician & composer of film soundtracks, (1983 UK No.8 single ‘Rockit’). Worked with Miles Davis Chick Corea. 
1944 John Kay (Joachim Krauledat) born in Tilsit, East Prussia, Germany, now Sovetsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia). US Leadsinger with Steppenwolf, (1968 US No.2 and 1969 UK No.30 single ‘Born To Be Wild’). 
1949 Donald Ray Mitchell – Vocalist with Was Not Was, (1992 UK No.4 single ‘Shake Your Head’). 
1950 David Cassidy born in New York City, New York. US Actor & Singer. He played Keith in the Partridge Family & some hits as a solo artist.He died of liver failure on November 21, 2017 at the age of 67.
1954 Bill Haley recorded ‘Rock Around The Clock’ at Pythian Temple studios in New York City. Considered by many to be the song that put rock and roll on the map around the world. The song was used over the opening titles for the film ‘Blackboard Jungle’, and went on to be a world-wide No.1 and the biggest selling pop single with sales over 25 million. Written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers, ‘Rock Around The Clock’ was first recorded by Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights. 
1956 Alex Briley born in Harlem, New York City, New York. US Singer with The Village People. Briley was introduced to producer/composer Jacques Morali by Village People member Victor Willis He originally performed in jeans and a T-shirt, but he took the role of a soldier for the album Cruisin’ in 1978 and when the group recorded “In the Navy” in 1979 he appeared as a sailor In 2005, Briley’s brother Jonathan was identified by several people as The Falling Man – the figure depicted in the iconic photo of a man falling from the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks.
1957 The ‘King of Skiffle’ Lonnie Donegan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Cumberland Gap.’ The Scottish musician was a former member of Chris Barber’s Jazz Band. 
1957 Vince Gill born in Norman, Oklahoma. US country singer. Has won 17 Country Music Awards and 14 Grammy Awards. In 2000 he married singer Amy Grant. 
1958 Will Sergeant born in Liverpool, England.Guitarist with Echo And The Bunnymen, (1983 UK No.8 single ‘The Cutter’). 
1961 Marty Robbins won a Grammy Award for “El Paso
1961 Winners of the third annual Grammy Awards are announced. For the first time, rock & roll is noticeably absent. The big winner is Ray Charles, who wins Best Vocal Performance, Male, Best Performance by a Pop Single Artist for “Georgia on My Mind,” Best Vocal Performane (Album) for “The Genius of Ray Charles” and Best R&B Performance for “Let the Good Times Roll.” 
1962 Art Alexakis born in Los Angeles, California. Singer/Songwriter and Guitarist with Everclear, (2000 UK No.36 single ‘Wonderful’, 1997 album, ‘So Much For The Afterglow’). 
1963 Billed as ‘A Shot Of Rhythm and Blues’, The Beatles were one of eight other groups who appeared at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, England. Admission for members 7/6, visitors, 8/6. 
1963 Bob Dylan performed his first major solo concert at the Town Hall in New York City. 
1964 Amy Ray born in Decatur, Georgia. American singer-songwriter and member of the contemporary folk duo Indigo Girls (1989 US No.22 album ‘Indigo Girls’). She also pursues a solo career and has released six albums under her own name, and founded a record company, Daemon Records.
1965 Sean Welch – Bass Player with The Beautiful South, (1990 UK No.1 single ‘A Little Time’ plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles). 
1966 Jan Berry (Jan and Dean) was almost killed when he crashed his car into a parked truck a short distance from Dead Man’s Curve in Los Angeles. Berry was partially paralysed and suffered brain damage. Berry was able to walk again after extensive therapy. 
1966 Tom Jones went into hospital to have his tonsils removed, (there was speculation that he had a nose job). 
1967 Mick Jagger was punched in the face by an airport official during a row at Le Bourget Airport in France. Jagger lost his temper after The Stones were being searched for drugs resulting in them missing their flight. 
1967 Sarah Cracknell born in Chelmsford, Essex, England. English singer-songwriter and lead singer of the electronic music band Saint Etienne. (1993 UK No.12 single ‘You’re In A Bad Way’). 
1969 The 5th Dimension started a six week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In’, a No.11 hit in the UK. 
1969 the 11th annual Grammy Awards are given out. Winners include Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” (Record Of The Year) and Jose Feliciano (Best New Artist). 
1969 “You Made Me So Very Happy” by Blood, Sweat & Tears peaked at #2 on the pop singles chart. 
1969 “Galveston” by Glen Campbell peaked at #4 on the US singles chart.
1970 Nicholas Lofton Hexum, vocalist and rhythm guitarist with 311. American singer, songwriter and rapper, currently the vocalist and guitarist for the multi-platinum alternative rock band 311 and The Nick Hexum Quintet.
1971 “Golden Bisquits” album by Three Dog Night was certified Gold by the RIAA. Including ‘Mama Told Me Not To Come’ & ‘One’. 
1971 “For All We Know” single by Carpenters was certified Gold by the RIAA
1973 The film ‘That’ll Be The Day’, premiered in London, featuring David Essex, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Billy Fury and Dave Edmunds. 
1975 “Only Yesterday” by Carpenters entered the US Top 40 chart.
1975 Elton John started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Philadelphia Freedom’, his fourth US No.1, it made No.12 in the UK. 
1975 “Once You Get Started” by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan peaked at #10 on the US singles chart 
1975 David Bowie announced his second career retirement, saying, ‘I’ve rocked my roll. It’s a boring dead end, there will be no more rock ‘n’ roll records from me.’ 
1977 “A Rock & Roll Alternative” album by Atlanta Rhythm Section was certified Gold by the RIAA. Containing ‘So Into You’. 
1978 “You’re The One That I Want” single by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta was certified Gold by the RIAA
1968 Guy Berryman born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. Scottish musician and photographer best known as the bassist for the bands Coldplay and Apparatjik. Though Berryman is left-handed, he plays the bass right-handed.
1980 The Detroit Spinners were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Working My Way Back To You’ a remake of an old Four Seasons hit. 
1980 Bryan McFadden born in Dublin, Ireland. Vocalist with Westlife. 
1982 “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” album by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts was certified Gold and Platinum by the RIAA
1986 “I Can’t Wait” by Stevie Nicks peaked at #16 on the pop singles chart.
1986 “Let’s Go All The Way” by Sly Fox peaked at #7 on the pop singles chart.
1986 “What You Need” by INXS peaked at #5 on the pop singles chart.
1987 Brendon Urie born in St. George, Utah. American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of Panic! at the Disco, of which he is the only original member remaining.[ (2008 Australian No.1 and US & UK No.2 album ‘Pretty.Odd.). 
1987 No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me),” Aretha Franklin & George Michael. The song is Michael’s fourth No. 1 song and Franklin’s first in almost 20 years.
1989 Two DJ’s on Los Angeles station KLOS asked what ever happened to David Cassidy’ The singer called the station up and the presenters invited him onto the show. David played three songs live on air and was subsequently signed by a new record label. 
1989 Garth Brooks released his self-titled debut album which was both a critical and chart success, peaking at No.13 on the Billboard 200 and No.2 on the Top Country Albums. This album contains Brooks earliest hits, including his first ever single, ‘Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)’, and his first No.1, ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ and the Academy of Country Music’s 1990 Song of the Year and Video of the Year, ‘The Dance’. 
1990 The Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Centre announced that Asteroids 4147-4150, would be named Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr after the four members of The Beatles. 
1993 “Off The Ground” album by Paul McCartney was certified Gold by the RIAA. Also including ‘Hope Of Deliverance’. 
1995 Two weeks after her death, George W. Bush, (then the governor of Texas), declared “Selena Day” in Texas. The Mexican American singer Selena was murdered aged 23 by the president of her fan club Yolanda Sald’var on 31st March 1995. 
1997 R Kelly started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his Grammy award winning song ‘I Believe I Can Fly.’ A No.2 hit in the US, the track was featured in the film ‘Space Jam’. 
1997 While on tour in the UK, Fun Lovin’ Criminals drummer Stephen Borovini received a police caution after he was arrested on suspicion of making obscene phone calls to women working in gyms in the Leeds area. 
1999 Country music crossover queen Shania Twain becomes the only female artist in music history to reach 10 million units sold with back-to-back album releases. Twain’s third Mercury Records release “Come On Over” is certified 10 times platinum and is granted 
1999 Shania Twain became the only female artist in music history to reach 10 million units sold with back-to-back album releases. Her third Mercury Records release “Come On Over” was certified 10 times platinum and was granted a Diamond Award by the RIAA. 
1999 “Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II” album by Billy Joel was certified Multi Platinum 20.00 by the RIAA
2000 Metallica filed a suit against Napster, Yale University, The University of Southern California and Indiana University for copyright infringement. 
2005 Mariah Carey released ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’, the album entered the US chart at number one, going six times platinum in less than a year, and subsequently became the most successful album of 2005. 
2007 The Beatles’ company, Apple Corps, settled a £30 million ($59.2 million) royalties dispute with the band’s label, EMI. The suit alleged unpaid royalties on Beatles albums based on an audit of sales between 1994 and 1999, a period which included the release of three Anthology compilations. Details of the settlement were not disclosed. 
2008 Day26 the winners of US TV show Making The Band were at No.1 on the US album chart with their self-titled debut album. 
2009 Scottish musician and record producer Calvin Harris scored his first UK No.1 single with ‘I’m Not Alone’. 
2010 The Vatican’s official newspaper L’Osservatore Ramano published a story praising The Beatles and saying that it forgave John Lennon for his 1966 comment that the group was “bigger than Jesus.” Lennon told a British newspaper in 1966 – at the height of Beatlemania – that he did not know which would die out first, Christianity or rock and roll. 
2012 Saxophone player Andrew Love died aged 70. He was best known for being a member of The Memphis Horns with trumpet player Wayne Jackson where the two created the signature horn sound at Stax Records on hit records by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and others such as Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley and Dusty Springfield. 
2013 A study published in the journal Science stated that listening to new music was rewarding for the brain. Using MRI scans, a Canadian team of scientists found that areas in the reward centre of the brain became active when people heard a song for the first time. The more the listener enjoyed what they were hearing, the stronger the connections were in the region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. 
2014 The Pulp hit ‘Common People’ was voted the top Britpop anthem by listeners of BBC Radio 6 Music in the UK, beating Oasis, Blur and Suede to take the title. More than 30,000 people voted, with The Verve’s ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ second and Oasis tracks ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ and ‘Wonderwall’ in third and fourth. 
2015 Grammy Award-winning rapper Nelly was arrested on drugs charges after police stopped the bus in which he was travelling in Tennessee. Officers found “five coloured crystal-type rocks that tested positive for methamphetamine, as well as a small amount of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia” and handguns on board the tour bus. 
2016 A report showed that British artists including Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran and Adele had helped the music industry return to meaningful growth for the first time in almost 20 years. British artists accounted for five of the top 10 selling albums during 2015, as the global music industry generated $15bn (£10.5bn). 
2016 A US court ruled that Led Zeppelin founders Robert Plant and Jimmy Page must face trial in a copyright row over the song ‘Stairway to Heaven’. The copyright infringement action had been brought by Michael Skidmore, a trustee for the late Spirit guitarist Randy Wolfe, who played on the same bill as Led Zeppelin in the 1960s, and claimed he should be given a writing credit on the track.