1920 Danny Cedrone American guitarist and bandleader, best known for his work with Bill Haley & His Comets. Cedrone played the lead guitar break on ‘Rock Around The Clock’ with Bill Haley and His Comets. He died on 17th June 1954, ten days after the session, of a broken neck after falling down a staircase.
1924 Chet Atkins born in Nashville, Tennessee. Known as “Mr. Guitar” and “The Country Gentleman”, was an American musician, occasional vocalist, songwriter, and record producer, who along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson, among others, created the country music style that came to be known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country music’s appeal to adult pop music fans. He was primarily known as a guitarist. He also played the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and ukulele. 1960 UK No.46 single ‘Teensville’. Recorded over 100 albums during his career, major influence on George Harrison and Mark Knopfler. Atkins continued performing in the 1990s, but his health declined after he was diagnosed again with colon cancer in 1996. He died on June 30, 2001, at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 77.
1936 Billy Guy born in Itasca, Texas. US Singer, a founder member and lead vocalist with The Coasters. (1958 US No.1 single ‘Yakety Yak’, 1959 UK No.6 single ‘Charlie Brown’). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and he died on the November 5, 2002 (aged 66) in Clark County, Nevada of cardiovascular disease.
1936 Mickie Most (Michael Hayes) born in London, England. record producer. Member of The Most Brothers during late 50’s. Produced hits for The Animals, Hermans Hermits, Lulu and Jeff Beck. Ran his own label, RAK during the 1970’s, hits with Hot Chocolate, Suzi Quatro and Mud. Most died on May 30th 2003, aged 64 from peritoneal mesothelioma.
1937 Jerry Keller born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. US singer & songwriter. (1959 UK No.1 and US No. 14 single ‘Here Comes Summer’).
1942 Brian Wilson born in Inglewood, California. The Beach Boys songwriter, keyboard player & vocalist. (1966 UK & US No.1 single ‘Good Vibrations’, plus over 25 other UK Top 40 singles. 1966 classic album ‘Pet Sounds’). Solo 2004 ‘Smile’ album and world tour.
1944 Anne Murray (Morna Anne Murray) born in Nova Scotia, Canada. Canadian Singer(1978 US No.1 & UK No.22 single ‘You Needed Me’).
1948 Toast Of The Town, which would later be called The Ed Sullivan Show, premiered on CBS-TV. The first show was produced on a budget of $1,375. Only $375 was allocated for talent and $200 of that was shared by the young stars of that night’s program, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
1949 Lionel Richie born in Tuskegee, Alabama. US Singer/Songwriter with The Commodores, (1978 UK & US No.1 single ‘Three Times A Lady’) solo, (1984 UK & US No.1 single ‘Hello’ plus over 10 other UK Top 40 hit singles).
1952 Gary Lucas born in Syracuse, New York. American guitarist who was a member of Captain Beefheart’s band. He formed the band Gods and Monsters in 1989.
1953 Alan Longmuir born in Edinburgh, Scotland. UK Bassist & Pianist with the Bay City Rollers, (1975 UK No.1 single ‘Bye Bye Baby’, plus 11 other UK Top 20 singles’, 1976 US No.1 single ‘Saturday Night’).
1953 Cyndi Lauper (Cynthia Lauper) born in New York, New York. US Singer.
1953 Eddie Fisher was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘I’m Walking Behind You’. The American singer had a variety television series, Coke Time with Eddie Fisher on NBC from 1953 – 1957.
1955 Michael Anthony born in Chicago, Illinois. US Bassist with Van Halen, (1984 US No.1 & UK No.7 single ‘Jump’).
1955 The Four Lads record “Moments To Remember.”
1958 Kelly Johnson born in Edmonton, London, England. English guitarist, widely known in the UK in the early 1980s as the lead guitarist of the all-female British heavy metal band Girlschool.(1981 UK No.5 single with Motorhead, ‘St Valentines Massacre EP’). Johnson died on Sunday 15 July 2007, aged 49, after a six-year battle against spinal cancer.
1958 Simon Underwood – Bassist with Pigbag, (1982 UK No.3 single ‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag’).
1960 Chris Gibson born in Martinique, West Indies. A member of The Gibson Brothers, (1979 UK No.5 single ‘Que Sera Mi Vida’).
1960 Nigel John Taylor born in Solihull, Warwickshire. UK Bassist with Duran Duran & Powerstation. (1983 UK No.1 single ‘Is There Something I Should Know’, plus 25 other UK Top 40 singles, 1984 US No.1 single ‘The Reflex’), The Power Station, (1985 UK No.14 single ‘Some Like It Hot’)
1962 Rick Nelson recorded “Teenage Idol”.
1963 Gerry And The Pacemakers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘I Like It’, the group’s second No.1.
1964 “Diane” by The Bachelors peaked at #10 on the US singles chart.
1965 The Beatles began a 14-day European tour with two performances at the Palais Des Sports in Paris, France. The Beatles’ set list for this tour: ‘Twist and Shout’, ‘She’s a Woman’, ‘I’m a Loser’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘Baby’s In Black’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, ‘Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby’, ‘Rock and Roll Music’, ‘I Feel Fine’, ‘Ticket to Ride’, and ‘Long Tall Sally’.
1966 Stone Gossard born in Seattle, Washington. American musician who serves as the rhythm and additional lead guitarist for the American rock band Pearl Jam. (1992 UK No.15 single ‘Jeremy’, 1993 US No.1 & UK No.2 album ‘Vs’, 1994 US No.1 & UK No.4 album Vitalogy’ and 1996 US No.1 & UK No.3 album ‘No Code’) Also a member of Brad.
1967 Murphy Karges (bassist for Sugar Ray) from 1996 – 2012, is born in Orange County, California.(1999 UK No. 10 single ‘Every Morning’).
1967 Jerome Earl Fontamillas (keyboards, backing vocals for Switchfoot) is born in Pasay City, Philippines.
1969 David Bowie recorded ‘Space Oddity’ at Trident Studios London. The track went on to become a UK No.1 when re-released in 1975. Written about the launch of Major Tom, a fictional astronaut; Bowie would later revisit his Major Tom character in the songs ‘Ashes to Ashes’ and ‘Hallo Spaceboy’.
1969 The first of a three day Festival in Newport, California, featuring: Ike And Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Byrds, The Rascals, Steppenwolf, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Janis Joplin, Johnny Winter, Eric Burdon and Love. A three day ticket cost $15 (£8.80). Hendrix received $125,000 for his appearance, at the time it was the highest fee ever paid to a rock act for a single appearance.
1971 Jeordie Osborne White (Twiggy Ramirez), bass, Marilyn Manson, (1998 US No.1 album, ‘Mechanical Animals’, UK No. 12 single, ‘The Dope Show’). Nine Inch Nails, (2005 US No.1 album ‘White Teeth’). Also a member of Goon Moon and A Perfect Circle.
1971 On this week’s UK singles chart, No.5, Tammi Lynn, ‘I’m Gonna Run Away From You’, No.4, Blue Mink, ‘The Banner Man’, No.3, Tony Christie, ‘I Did What I Did For Maria’, No.2, Dawn, ‘Knock Three Times’, and at No.1, Middle Of The Road ‘Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep’, the Scottish group’s only No.1 hit.
1972 The Tallahatchee Bridge in Money, Mississippi, made famous in Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode To Billie Joe,” collapses (it is later rebuilt).
1972 GOLD RECORD FOR BILL WITHERS “LEAN ON ME” is certified as a million seller
1972 Chino Moreno born in Sacramento, California. American musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist and contributing guitarist of Deftones. (2003 US No.2 & UK No.7 album ‘Deftones’).
1973 Neil Diamond appeared on the 20th anniversary show of American Bandstand. The US TV show also featured Little Richard, Cheech and Chong, Paul Revere and the Raiders and Three Dog Night.
1973 Bruce Tate singer with US 50’s Doo- Wop group The Penguins died. (1954 US No.8 single ‘Earth Angel’).
1974 Andrew Tierney born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Vocalist with Australian Group Human Nature. Andrew and his younger brother Michael are the main songwriters of the group, co-writing the singles Got It Goin’ On, Telling Everybody, Don’t Say Goodbye, Whisper Your Name, Be There With You, When We Were Young (with the rest of the band), Always Be With You and Don’t Come Back. Andrew is known for his high falsetto.
1974 Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Tim Buckley, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and The Doobie Brothers all appeared at Knebworth Park, Stevenage, England. A special PA system was used for the event, claiming to be the best ever for an outside show, weighing 12 tons and needing five technicians.
1975 Neil Young releases the album Tonight’s the Night.
1977 The Ferrets hit ‘Don’t Fall In Love’ was released. Molly Meldrum, under the name of Willie Everfinish, produced it.
1977 “Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes” album by Jimmy Buffett was certified Gold by the RIAA
1978 “City To City” album by Gerry Rafferty was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Including Baker Street & Right Down The Line.
1978 “Double Vision” album by Foreigner was certified Gold by the RIAA. It included ‘Hot Blooded’.
1979 Charlotte Hatherley born in London, England. She initially came to prominence as guitarist and backing vocalist for alternative rock band Ash. Since leaving Ash in 2006, she has pursued a solo career and also acted as a touring instrumentalist for Bryan Ferry, KT Tunstall, Bat for Lashes and Birdy. (1995 UK No.11 single ‘Girl From Mars’).
1981 Gary U.S. Bonds, last seen on the Hot 100 in 1962, reaches #11 with “This Little Girl,” written for him by longtime admirer Bruce Springsteen.
1981 “Medley: Intro Venus/Sugar Sugar/No Reply/I’ll Be Back/Drive My Car/Do You Want To Know A Secret/We Can Work It Out/I Should Have Known Better/Nowhere Man/You’re Going To Lose That Girl/Stars On 45” by Stars On 45 peaked at #1 on the US singles chart. It was the start of a flood of ‘Stars On’ hits including Stars on Stevie Wonder, punk songs, Status Quo and Chas & Dave.
1981 “A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)” by Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio peaked at #4 on the US singles chart.
1981 “I Love You” by Climax Blues Band peaked at #12 on the US singles chart.
1981 “Nobody Wins” by Elton John peaked at #21 on the US singles chart.
1981 “This Little Girl” by Gary U.S. Bonds peaked at #11 on the US singles chart.
1983 “Cargo” album by Men At Work was certified Gold and Platinum by the RIAA. Dr Heckyll & Mr Jive, Overkill, It’s A Mistake & Hire Wire.
1984 “Rebel Yell” album by Billy Idol was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Also including Eyes Without A Face & Flesh For Fantasy.
1986 Phil Collins, Dire Straits, Tina Turner and Elton John all appeared at the fourth annual ‘Prince’s Trust Rock Gala’ held in London.
1987 “Diamonds” by Herb Alpert (Janet Jackson) peaked at #5 on the US singles chart.
1987 “Head To Toe” by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam peaked at #1 on the US singles chart.
1987 The Firm were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Star Trekkin’, a novelty song parodying the characters of Star Trek.
1987 Aerosmith appeared at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, the first night on their Permanent Vacation 147 date world tour.
1989 “Buffalo Stance” single by Neneh Cherry was certified Gold by the RIAA
1992 Mariah Carey scored her sixth US No.1 single with ‘I’ll Be There’, a No.2 hit in the UK. The song was also a US No.1 for The Jackson Five in 1970.
1994 “Baby, I Love Your Way” single by Big Mountain was certified Gold by the RIAA
1994 “The Cross Of Changes” album by Enigma was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Including ‘Return To Innocence’.
1995 Jeff Buckley played the first night of a UK tour at The Queens Hall, Edinburgh.
1995 Michael Jackson’s ninth album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, is released. MTV becomes “MJTV” for a week to celebrate.
1995 George Jones and Tammy Wynette, who divorced in 1975 after six years of marriage, release an album together called Oneand also go on tour.
1997 Lawrence Payton of The Four Tops died from liver cancer aged 59. (1965 US No.1 single ‘I Can’t Help Myself’, 1967 UK No.6 single ‘Standing In The Shadows of Love’).
1997 “You Were Meant For Me” single by Jewel was certified Platinum by the RIAA
1998 Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, Korn, Pantera, Soulfly, Slayer, Fear Factory, Coal Chamber, Life of Agony, Limp Bizkit, Entombed, Human Waste Project, Neurosis, and Pitchshifter all appeared at Ozzfest, Milton Keynes Bowl, England.
1998 Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Three Lions ’98’ released for the football World Cup 98.
1999 Jamiroquai went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Synkronized’, the group’s second No.1 album.
1999 Dutch-based dance act The Vengaboys went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!’
2000 The Ronettes were awarded $2.6 million (£1.5 million) in back earnings from Phil Spector. New York judge Paula Omansky ruled that the legendary producer had cheated them out of royalties.
2001 The Cult return with their seventh studio album, and first new recording in seven years, Beyond Good and Evil.
2003 For his 54th birthday, Lionel Richiereceives a special gift: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. According to Richie, the star’s location on Hollywood Blvd. isn’t far from the Holiday Inn where The Commodoresstayed on their first trip to LA while recording their debut album.
2004 Britney Spears went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Everytime’, the singers fifth UK No.1. Velvet Revolver were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Contraband.’
2004 Organisers at a Paul McCartney gig hired three jets to spray dry ice into the clouds so it wouldn’t rain during the concert. The gig in Petersburg, Russia, was McCartney’s 3,000 concert appearance. He had performed 2,535 gigs with the Quarrymen and the Beatles, 140 gigs with Wings and 325 solo shows. javascript:void(0)
2006 Claydes Charles Smith, co-founder and lead guitarist of Kool & the Gang died aged 57 after a long illness. They had the 1981 US No.1 & UK No.7 single ‘Celebration’ and 15 other Top 40 hits.
2008 American singer songwriter Jimmy Buffett announced that his Margaritaville Holdings has partnered with New York gambling company Coastal Marina to buy the Trump Marina Hotel Casino for $316 million. His vast business empire also included tequila, beer, frozen food, footwear, restaurants, a resort, a record label and a recording studio. In 2006, Rolling Stone magazine estimated Buffett’s earnings at $44 million.
2009 Dave Matthews Band went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King’, the bands seventh studio albu
2014 Songs by Elvis Presley, ABBA and the Spice Girls were among those being used in research that hoped to unlock the secret of how our memory works. Researchers from the University of Amsterdam had created an online game in an attempt to shed light on why some tunes get stuck in your head. Fans were asked to identify song clips and compare them by their catchiness.
2014 The BBC screens the documentary Billy Joel: The Bridge To Russia about his1987 tour in the Soviet Union.
2016 Lawyers for Led Zeppelin asked a judge to throw out a case accusing the band of stealing the riff for ‘Stairway To Heaven’. Singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and Warner Music argued that the claimants had failed to make their case after three days of testimony. The band were accused of basing Stairway on the 1968 Spirit song, Taurus.