On This Day In Music 4th July

1911 Mitch Miller (Mitchell Miller) born in Rochester, New York. Conductor, Arranger, (1955 US No.1 & UK No.2 single ‘The Yellow Rose Of Texas’). Mitch Miller lived in New York City for many years and died there on July 31, 2010, after a short illness.
1934 Gilbert Lopez born in Boston, Massachusetts. US Singer with the Tune Weavers. Gilbert is the brother of Margo Sylvia. He died 3 July 1998.
1938 Bill Withers born in Slab Fork, West Virginia. US Singer. (1972 US No.1 single ‘Lean On Me’, 1988 UK No.4 single ‘Lovely Day’, first released in 1978). 
1940 Dave Rowberry born in Nottingham, England. He joined the Animals in May of 1965 on keyboards, following Alan Price’s sudden departure. Played on “We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “It’s My Life,” and “Don’t Bring Me Down”. He died in London of an ulcer haemorrhage on 6 June 2003, at the age of 62.
1943 Al ‘Blind Owl’ Wilson born in Boston, Massachusetts. Slide guitar, Harmonica, Vocals, Canned Heat. On September 3, 1970, Wilson was found dead on a hillside behind bandmate Bob Hite’s Topanga Canyon home; he was 27 years old. An autopsy identified his manner and cause of death as accidental acute barbiturate intoxicatio (1979 UK No.2 and US No.26 single ‘Let’s Work Together’). 
1948 Jeremy Spencer born in Hartlepool, County Durham.British musician, best known as one of the guitarists in the original line-up of Fleetwood Mac. A member since Fleetwood Mac’s inception in July 1967, he remained with the band until his abrupt departure in February 1971, when he joined a religious group called the “Children of God”, now known as “The Family International”, with which he is still affiliated. After a pair of solo albums in the 1970s, he continued to tour as a musician, but did not release another album until 2006. Releasing further solo albums in 2012, 2014 and 2016. 
1951 Ralph Johnson born in Los Angeles, California. US Drummer with Earth Wind and Fire. (1975 US No.1 single ‘Shining Star’, 1981 UK No.3 single ‘Let’s Groove’). 
1952 Anne Kirkpatrick born in Granville, Sydney. Australian Country Singer & Daughter of Slim Dusty & Joy McKean. 
1954 John Waite born in Lancaster, England. Lead Singer with the British band The Babys, (1977 US No.13 & UK No.45 single ‘Isn’t It Time’,) solo, (1984 US No.1 & UK No.9 single ‘Missing You’). He was also Lead Singer of Bad English. 
1955 Gene Vincent’s leg is crushed when his motorcycle is struck by a car in Franklin, Virginia. He refused to allow the leg to be amputated, and the leg was saved, but the injury left him with a limp and pain. He wore a steel sheath around the leg[2] for the rest of his life. 
1958 Kirk Pengilly born in Sydney, NSW. Saxophonist/Guitarist with Australian Band INXS, (1988 UK No.2 & US No.1 single ‘Need You Tonight’). 
1958 The Everly Brothers held the UK No.1 position with ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream.’ The Duo’s first No.1 single was recorded in just two takes and featuresChet Atkins on guitar. The song was written by the husband and wife songwriting team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant. 
1958 Buddy Holly played three shows at the Buck Lake Ranch, Angola, Indiana Frankie Avalon was also on the bill. 
1959 The Brothers Four release “Greenfields.” 
1960 “Alley-Oop” by Dante & The Evergreens peaked at #15 on the US singles chart.
1960 “Because They’re Young” by Duane Eddy & The Rebels peaked at #4 on the US singles chart.
1963 Matt Malley (former bass guitarist for Counting Crows) from 1992 – 2005, is born in Oakland, California. (1994 UK No.28 single ‘Mr Jones’, 1996 US No.1 album, ‘Recovering The Satellites’). 
1964 The Beach Boys started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Get Around’, the group’s first No.1, which was a No.7 hit in the UK. It is noteworthy for its back-to-front structure—it starts with a chorus and has two short verses. 
1964 The Rolling Stones appearance on ‘Juke Box Dury’ was aired on UK TV, the only time the show had five panellists rather than four. 
1964 “My Boy Lollipop” by Millie Small peaked at #2 on the US singles chart.
1964 “Yesterday’s Gone” by Chad & Jeremy peaked at #21 on the US singles chart.
1964 “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying” by Gerry & The Pacemakers peaked at #4 on the US singles chart.
1964 “Don’t Worry Baby” by The Beach Boys peaked at #24 on the US singles chart.
1966 The Beatles played two shows at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, Manila, in the Philippines to over 80,000 fans. The Beatles failed to appear at a palace reception hosted by President Marcos’ family, who were not informed that the Beatles had declined their invitation. The Philippine media misrepresent this as a deliberate snub and when Brian Epstein tries to make a televised statement, his comments are disrupted by static. The next day, as The Beatles make their way to the airport they were greeted by angry mobs, the Philippine government had retaliated by refusing police protection for The Beatles. 
1966 The Lovin’ Spoonful release “Summer In The City.” 
1968 Elvis Presley donated a Rolls Royce to a Hollywood women’s charity, which raised $35,000. 
1969 Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Winter, Delaney and Bonnie, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker, Blood Sweat & Tears, Chuck Berry, Spirit, Chicago and Paul Butterfield all appeared at the two-day Atlanta Pop Festival, Byron, Georgia. 
1969 The Doors appeared at the Willingdon Juvenile Detention Home For Girls in Vancouver, Canada. 
1970 Cliff Richard released his 50th single ‘Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha.’ The song peaked at No.6 on the UK chart. 
1970 Casey Kasem debuts the radio show American Top 40, where he counts down the Billboard hits (the #1 song: “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” by Three Dog Night). He hosts the show until 2004, when Ryan Seacrest takes over. 
1971 Andrew Creeggan (original percussionist, keyboardist for Barenaked Ladies) is born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. (1998 US No.1 & UK No. 5 single ‘One Week’). 
1971 Donald McPherson lead singer of US soul group Main Ingredient died of leukaemia aged 30. Had the 1972 hit song, ‘Everybody Plays the Fool’. 
1972 William Goldsmith (drummer for Foo Fighters) is born in Seattle, Washington. 
1973 Slade drummer Don Powell was badly injured in a car crash in which his girlfriend was killed. 
1974 Barry White married Glodean James, a member of Love Unlimited. 
1974 Despite the fact that they have the No.4 song in the US with ‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number’ and a current Platinum album with ‘Pretzel Logic’, Steely Dan’s Walter Becker and Donald Fagan play their final gig together in Santa Monica, California. They would not tour again for the next eighteen years. 
1974 The Tony Orlando & Dawn TV show debuts on CBS. 
1974 Steely Dan (Walter Becker and Donald Fagan) give up live performing after a show in Santa Monica so they can focus on studio work, including the album Katy Lied. They don’t tour again until 1993. 
1975 Frankie J Holden played his first gig with Ol’55. He stayed with the band only 2 years and sang lead on their hit ‘On The Prowl’. 
1976 “Never Gonna Fall In Love Again” by Eric Carmen peaked at #11 on the US singles chart.
1976 The Ramones, The Stranglers and The Flamin Groovies appeared at London’s Roundhouse, tickets £1.60. 
1976 The Clash made their live debut supporting the Sex Pistols at the Black Swan, Sheffield, England. 
1977 Blondie Bass player Gary Valentine quit Blondie, citing ‘artistic integrity’, as the cause of his departure. 
1978 Stephen McNally (who puts the “Mak” in BBMak) is born in Liverpool, England. (2001 UK No.5 single ‘Back Here’ and No.1 in Japan). 
1980 500,000 attend a free Beach Boysconcert in Washington DC. 
1981 “All Those Years Ago” by George Harrison peaked at #2 on the US singles chart.
1981 “You Make My Dreams” by Daryl Hall & John Oates peaked at #5 on the US singles chart.
1982 Ozzy Osbourne and his manager, Sharon Arden, get married. She is the daughter of music mogul Don Arden, and a keen businesswoman. The union results in an MTV reality show, Ozzfest, and three children: Aimee, Kelly and Jack. 
1983 Beach Boys performed for the final time with the three Wilson brothers (Brian, Carl & Dennis) on stage in Atlantic City. 
1984 Ringo Starr sits in with The Beach Boysduring their Miami concert. 
1986 The second Farm Aid benefit concert took place at Manor Downs Racetrack, Manor, Texas. Held to raise money for family farmers in the US, the concerts were organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. Artists who appeared included: Alabama, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Emmylou Harris, Jason & the Scorchers, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Bon Jovi, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Vince Neil and Willie Nelson. 
1987 Pet Shop Boys were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘It’s A Sin’, the duo’s second UK No.1 and lead single from the duo’s second album ‘Actually’. 
1987 “Just To See Her” by Smokey Robinson peaked at #8 on the US singles chart.
1987 Genesis close out their Invisible Tour with a sold-out show at Wembley Stadium in London. They played the venue the previous three nights as well, also to sell-out crowds. 
1987 John Fogerty headlines a Vietnam veterans’ benefit concert at the Capital Center in Landover, Maryland broadcast by HBO. Performers include Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder and Kris Kristofferson. 
1990 Paul Stanley from KISS sustained neck and back injuries when he was involved in a car crash in New Jersey. 
1992 John Phillips ex of Mamas And The Papas received a liver transplant at the Los Angeles Medical Centre. 
1993 The Smashing Pumpkins played an acoustic show at the strip club Raymond’s Revue Bar, London. 
1995 Post Malone, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His 2018 US No.1 album Beerbongs & Bentleys broke several streaming records upon release, while his debut album Stoney broke Michael Jackson’s 34-year-old record for most weeks on Billboard’s Top R&B and Hip-Hop Albums chart after reaching its 77th week compared to the 76 weeks that Thriller spent on the chart.
1999 Victoria ‘Posh Spice’ Adams married footballer David Beckham at Luttrellstown Castle, Ireland. The couple had signed a deal worth £1million for OK magazine to have the exclusive picture rights. 
2000 A man fell 80 feet to his death during a Metallica concert at Raven Stadium, Baltimore. 
2001 Madonna played the first of six sold out nights at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London, England as part of her Drowned World Tour. 
2002 George Michael took part in a live phone interview on US news channel CNN, defending his new single ‘Shoot The Dog’. Americans were upset by the controversial video, which had President Bush in bed with Tony Blair. 
2002 Soul singer and producer Barry White died from Kidney failure aged 58. (1974 UK No.1 single ‘You’re The First The Last My Everything’, 1974 US No.1 single ‘Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe’). 
2002 Tony Bennett had to abandon a show at London’s Royal Albert Hall after a fire broke out in the building. The audience were evacuated after smoke began to fill the hall. 
2003 American record producer and singer-songwriter and five-time Grammy Award-winner Barry White died from Kidney failure aged 58. Produced hits for girl group Love Unlimited and other chart hits include 1974 hit ‘You’re The First, The Last, My Everything’, 1974 US No.1 ‘Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe’. Bubblegum act The Banana Splits recorded his songs and he arranged the 1963 hit ‘Harlem Shuffle’ for Bob & Earl. 
2004 Ja Rule was arrested for driving while his licence was suspended and being in possession of marijuana. Rule, 28, was stopped by police after changing lanes without signalling, he later pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended licence but the possession charge was dropped. 
2005 U2 won their court fight for the return of items of memorabilia, including a Stetson hat which they accused a former stylist of stealing. Judge Matthew Deery at Dublin’s Circuit Court ordered Lola Cashman to return the items, which also include earrings, within seven days. Ms Cashman, had worked as U2’s stylist during the 1980s and wrote an unauthorised book called ‘Inside the Zoo’. Judge Deery said he found Ms Cashman’s version of how she had been given the items at the end of a US tour doubtful, particularly her description of Bono running around in his underpants backstage. 
2005 Rockabilly entertainer “Big” Al Downing dies of leukemia at age 65. 
2007 Bill Pinkney die in Florida from a heart attack, while staying at the Daytona Beach Hilton. He was an American performer and singer. Pinkney was often said to be the last surviving original member of The Drifters, who achieved international fame with numerous hit records. 
2007 Former laboratory worker Devon Townsend admitted to a court in Albuquerque, New Mexico of stalking Chester Bennington lead singer with Linkin Park. Townsend used US government computers to obtain his personal information, accessing Bennington’s e-mail account and mobile phone voicemail. The court was told how she travelled to Arizona solely for the purpose of trying to see the singer and monitored Chester Bennington’s voicemails as a means of trying to locate where he might be eating 
2008 The movie Mamma Mia!, featuring the music of ABBA and based on the musical, opens in Sweden where the group attends the screening, briefly reuniting Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Agnetha Faltskog. 
2009 Drake Levin died of cancer at his home in San Francisco, with his wife Sandra at his side. He was an American musician who performed under the stage name Drake Levin. He was best known as the guitarist for Paul Revere & the Raiders.
2009 77-year-old Allen Klein, the former manager of The Rolling Stones and later The Beatles died after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The assets of his company, ABKCO Music & Records, include recordings by The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Bobby Womack, The Kinks, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell and many others. 
2010 George Michael was arrested after he crashed his car into the front of a Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, North London. The singer was returning home from a Gay Pride parade when the incident was spotted on CCTV. He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive and charged with possession of cannabis and with driving while unfit through drink or drugs. 
2012 Bonhams of London announced that Freddie Mercury’s black and white harlequin stage costume had sold for £22,500 at their Entertainment Memorabilia sale. The harlequin costume was one of Freddie’s most recognisable stage designs, which he wore at a number of high-profile concerts in the 1970s. Also a pair of Freddie’s ballet pumps exceeded the pre-sale estimate of £1,500 – 2,000, selling for £4,000 to an overseas internet bidder. Freddie had worn the white leather ballet shoes during Queen’s legendary Hyde Park performance in 1976. 
2014 The first Beatles movie, A Hard Day’s Night, is re-released in American theaters to celebrate its 50th anniversary. 
2015 Blur’s Damon Albarn was removed from stage at the Roskilde festival in Denmark after a mammoth five-hour set. The singer who was headlining the event with his Africa Express project encouraged the crowd to protest at the plug being pulled. The stage manager emerged, put the singer’s jacket over his shoulders and lifted him off stage.