1927 Ken Dodd born in Liverpool, Lancashire. Singer, comedian, (1965 UK No.1 single ‘Tears’ plus 17 other UK Top hit singles).
1927 Patti Page born in Claremore, Oklahoma. US Singer. She was the top-charting female vocalist and best-selling female artist of the 1950s, selling over 100 million records during a six decade long career. Patti Page died on January 1, 2013, at the Seacrest Village Retirement Community in Encinitas, California, according to her manager. She was 85 years old. Page had been suffering from heart and lung disease.
1941 Rodney Desborough Slater born in Crowland, Lincolnshire) was a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, playing saxophones and other musical instruments (particularly winds). He was a founder member, staying in the band until 1970. Slater also re-appeared when the band reformed in 2006, and undertook their November touring schedule.
1942 Johnny Perez (drummer for the Sir Douglas Quintet) is born San Antonio, Texas.
1942 Gerald Alston born in Henderson, North Carolina. Vocalist with The Manhattans, (1976 US No.1 & UK No.4 single ‘Kiss And Say Goodbye’).
1944 Bonnie Bramlett born in Alton, Illinois. Is an American singer with Delaney and Bonnie, (1971 US No.13 single ‘Never Ending Song Of Love’, worked with Eric Clapton during early 70’s, acting roles in ‘Fame’, ‘Roseanne’ and ‘The Doors’).
1944 Rodney Slater born in in Crowland, Lincolnshire. He was a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, playing saxophones and other musical instruments (particularly winds).(1968 UK No.5 single ‘I’m The Urban Spaceman’).
1944 Robert Nix born in Memphis, Tennessee. US Drummer with Atlanta Rhythm Section from 1971-1979. He co-wrote several of their songs including the top-ten hits “So Into You” and “Imaginary Lover”. He died on May 20, 2012 (aged 67)
In Memphis, Tennessee. Nix, who was living near Memphis before his death, was suffering from diabetes and had been in the hospital for more than a month after undergoing surgery.
1945 Don Murray (drummer for The Turtles) is born in Inglewood, California. He was admitted to a hospital in January 1996 for ulcer surgery, and died three months later from post-operative complications, on March 22, 1996.
1946 John Martin, The Big Figure, Dr Feelgood, (1979 UK No.9 single ‘Milk And Alcohol’).
1946 Roy Wood born in Kitts Green, Birmingham. guitar, English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the Move, Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a number of hits to the repertoire of these bands. The Move, (1969 UK No.1 single ‘Blackberry way’), Wizzard, (1973 UK No.1 single ‘See My Baby Jive’).
1946 John Farrah born in Melourne, Victoria. Australian-born music producer, songwriter, arranger, singer and guitarist. As a musician, Farrar is a former member of several rock and roll groups including The Mustangs (1963–64), The Strangers (1964–70), Marvin, Welch & Farrar (1970–73), and The Shadows (1973–76); in 1980 he released a solo eponymous album. As a songwriter and producer he worked with Olivia Newton-John from 1971 to 1989. He wrote her number-one hit singles: “Have You Never Been Mellow” (1975), “You’re the One That I Want” (1978 duet with John Travolta), “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (1978), and “Magic” (1980). He also produced the majority of her recorded material during that time including her number-one albums, If You Love Me, Let Me Know (1974), Have You Never Been Mellow (1975) and Olivia’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (1982); and he was a co-producer of Grease (1978) – the soundtrack for the film of the same name. Farrar also produced Newton-John’s first United States number-one hit single, “I Honestly Love You”, which was awarded the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1975. In 1969 Farrar married fellow Australian singer, Pat Carroll – formerly Newton-John’s singing partner.
1947 Minnie Riperton born in Chicago, Illinois. US singer, (1975 US No.1 & UK No.2 with the Stevie Wonder produced single ‘Loving You’). Riperton revealed on The Tonight Show on August 24, 1976, that she had undergone a mastectomy due to breast cancer.[2] At the time of her diagnosis, Riperton found out her cancer had already spread to the lymphatic system, and was given about six months to live.[2] She continued touring in 1977 and 1978, and became the national spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society’s 1978–79 campaign. On Thursday, July 12 at 10 am, aged 31, while lying in her husband’s arms, Riperton died while listening to a recording that Stevie Wonder had made for her.
1949 Alan Berger – US Bassist with Southside Johnny & The Ashbury Jukes, (1978 album ‘Hearts Of Stone’).
1949 Bonnie Raitt born in Burbank, California. US Singer/Guitarist & Songwriter. (1994 UK No.31 single ‘You’, 1990 US No.1 album ‘Nick Of Time’).
1952 The first ever UK pop chart was published by the New Musical Express after staff asked 53 record shops to divulge their sales returns. ‘Here In My Heart’ by Al Martino was the first No.1. The song stayed at No.1 for nine weeks.
1954 Rickie Lee Jones born in Chicago, Illinois. American vocalist, musician, songwriter, producer, actor and narrator. Over the course of a career that spans five decades, Jones has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, blues, pop, soul, and jazz.
1957 Porl Thompson born in Surrey, England. UK Guitarist and Keyboard player with The Cure, (1989 US No.2 single ‘Love Song’, 1992 UK No.6 single ‘Friday I’m In Love’, plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles).
1957 Elvis Presley’s third movie, Jailhouse Rock, opens nationally. It had a premiere a few weeks earlier at the Memphis theater where Elvis was once an usher.
1958 Terry Lee Miall – UK Drummer with Adam And The Ants, (1981 UK No.1 single ‘Stand And Deliver’, plus 15 other UK Top 40 singles).
1958 The soundtrack to South Pacific went to No.1 on the UK album chart. It became the longest running No.1 album of all time spending a total of 115 weeks at the No.1 position.
1959 Alan Graham Frew born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. UK Singer and Songwriter with Glass Tiger.
1961 Leif Garrett born in Hollywood, California American singer, actor and television personality. He worked as a child actor then in the 1970s became famous as a teen idol.
1961 Liverpool record store owner Brian Epstein calls Liverpool’s Cavern Club to see when The Beatles would next be performing, with the intent to see if their live show matched their reputation.
1961 The Beach Boys release their first single, “Surfin’.” in the U.S.
1963 Dusty Springfield set out on her first UK solo tour kicking off in Halifax, sharing the bill with The Searchers, Freddie & The Dreamers and Brian Poole & The Tremeloes.
1967 The Foundations were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Baby, Now That I’ve Found You’, the groups only UK No.1.
1967 Nilsson records “Everybody’s Talkin’.”
1968 Appearing at The Walthamstow Granada Theatre, The Who, Joe Cocker and The Grease Band, The Mindbenders and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.
1968 John Lennon’s divorce from first wife Cynthia is finalized, without Lennon present; the Beatle is at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in London with Yoko Ono, currently pregnant with the child she will miscarry later in the month.
1969 Something’ the first Beatles A-side composed by George Harrison entered the UK singles chart, it peaked at No.4 in the UK & No.1 in the US.
1969 “Wedding Bell Blues” by The 5th Dimension hits #1 in America. The song was written and originally recorded by Laura Nyro.
1969 Is That All There Is” by Peggy Lee peaked at #11 on the American singles chart.
1970 Diana King born in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica. Jamaican singer-songwriter who performs a mixture and fusion of reggae, reggae fusion and dancehall. She was born to an Indo-Jamaican mother and an Afro Jamaican father.[2] She is best known for her hit 1995 single “Shy Guy” and her remake of “I Say a Little Prayer” which was featured on the soundtrack to My Best Friend’s Wedding.
1970 Gareth “Rat” Pring – Guitarist with Neds Atomic Dustbin, (1991 UK No.16 single ‘Happy’).
1970 Jim Morrison of The Doors makes the spoken-word recordings which would later become the basis of the group’s album An American Prayer.
1971 The UK Top 5 singles chart: No.5, Tom Jones, ‘Till’, No.4, Al Green, ‘Tired Of Being Alone’, No.3, Rod Stewart, ‘Maggie May’, No.2, Redbone, ‘The Which Queen of New Orleans’ and No.1, Slade, ‘Coz I Love You.’
1971 Led Zeppelin released their fourth album. With no title printed on the album, and generally referred to as Four Symbols, The Fourth Album or Led Zeppelin IV, it has gone on to sell over 37 million copies worldwide. The 19th century rustic oil painting on the front of the album was purchased by Robert Plant from an antique shop in Reading, Berkshire, England. The 20th century urban tower block on the back of the full gatefold LP cover is Butterfield Court in Eves Hill, Dudley, England
1971 Paul McCartney throws a party at London’s Empire Ballroom to officially launch his new group, Wings.
1973 “Why Me” single by Kris Kristofferson was certified Gold by the RIAA
1974 R&B singer-songwriter Ivory Joe Hunter dies of lung cancer at age 60. Chart-topping hits include “Pretty Mama Blues” (1947), “I Almost Lost My Mind” (1949), “I Need You So” (1950), and “Since I Met You Baby” (1956).
1974 Elton John received a Gold Record for his LP “Greatest Hits”.
1975 David Bowie makes his US television debut on the CBS variety show, Cher, performing “Fame.” Bowie also sings a medley of tracks with Cher.
1975 Elton John was named Godfather to John and Yoko Lennon’s son Sean.
1975 1 SELLING ALBUM “ROCK OF THE WESTIES” from ELTON JOHN is the top seller the week it’s released. Including the hit single “Island Girl”.
1975 David Bowie made his US TV debut performing ‘Fame’, on the Cher CBS-TV show.
1975 “Do It Any Way You Wanna” by People’s Choice peaked at #11 on the American singles chart.
1976 Corey Taylor born in Des Moines, Iowa. Lead singer and lyricist of the American heavy metal band Slipknot , (2001 UK No.1 album ‘Iowa’). Stone Sour.
1977 Tiffani Wood born in Newcastle, New South Wales. Australian singer, songwriter with Bardot, winners of the Australian Popstars reality show, (2000 Australian No.1 single ‘Poison’, and 2000 Australian No.1 self-titled album). Wood later established an independent solo career, and released her debut solo album Bite Your Tongue in 2006.
1977 Country singer Bucky Covington is born William Joel Covington III, along with identical twin brother Robert, in Rockingham, North Carolina. Bucky will go on to compete on Season 5 of American Idol, taking eighth place.
1977 Glam queen Suzi Quatro makes her first appearance as Leather Tuscadero, the little sister of Fonzie’s girlfriend Pinky, on ABC-TV’s Happy Days.
1978 “Feel The Need” album by Leif Garrett was certified Gold by the RIAA. Including “I Was Made For Dancing” and “Sheila”.
1980 Barbra Streisand went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Guilty.’ Also including the hit single “Woman In Love”.
1980 Bruce Springsteen started a four week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘The River’, his first US No.1 album and it would be his only double album released. Also including “Hungry Heart” and “Independence Day”.
1980 KISS kicked off their 11 date Unmasked Tour of Australia and New Zealand laying two nights at Perth Entertainment Centre.
1981 ITV’s ‘The South Bank Show’ aired a documentary on the making of the Elvis Costello country album ‘Almost Blue.’
1983 “Puttin’ On The Ritz” single by Taco was certified Gold by the RIAA.
1983 “Sweet Dreams (are Made Of This)” album by Eurythmics was certified Gold by the RIAA
1985 Jack Osbourne, son of Ozzy and star of MTV The Osbournes TV Show.
1986 Berlin started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Take Your Breath Away’. The song which was featured in the film ‘Top Gun’, was written by Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1986.
1986 The Police started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album with ‘Every Breath You Take-The Singles’
1987 The Beach Boys’ Carl Wilson marries his second wife, Gina Martin, daughter of legendary crooner Dean Martin. His marriage to Gina lasted until his death in 1998, and she accompanied him on all of his touring duties.
1991 Dodgy appearing at The Powerhaus, Islington, London, Dodgy.
1991 A study found that the $61 million raised by USA for Africa’s “We Are the World” funded more than 400 projects in more than two dozen African nations.
1993 Take That kicked off their 21 date, sold out UK ‘Everything Changes’ tour in Bournemouth.
1994 Lauren Alaina, the runner-up on the tenth season of American Idol, is born.
1994 A&M Records releases Woodstock 1994, an album documenting the Woodstock ’94 festival that took place in Saugerties, New York, three months earlier. The two-disc set includes live performances from 27 artists, including Joe Cocker (“Feelin’ Alright”), The Cranberries (“Dreams”), Green Day (“When I Come Around”) and Bob Dylan (“Highway 61 Revisited”).
1995 Sony gets control to the publishing rights to many Beatles songs when Michael Jackson merges his ATV Music Publishing with Sony Music Publishing. Jackson purchased the Beatles catalog in 1985.
1995 Country Dick Montana…lead singer of the Beat Farmers.. .collapsed and died on stage in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.
1997 After a series of scrapes with the law and other misfortunes, Johnny Paycheck is welcomed by the country music community as he officially joins the Grand Ole Opry.
1997 Dr. Tommy Comeaux (of Beausoleil), age 45, is killed in a bicycling accident in Louisiana.
1998 Robbie Williams scored his second UK No.1 album with ‘I’ve Been Expecting You’.
1999 Jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie dies of liver cancer at age 58.
1999 Eminem played the first of 2 sold out nights at the London Astoria, tickets £12.00
2000 Spice Girl Mel C made a foul-mouthed attack on Westlife, calling them ‘a useless bunch of talentless tossers’ and ‘as hyped-up shit’. Mel made the attack during The Spice Girls party to launch their new album ‘Forever’.
2001 Winners at the MTV Europe Awards included Robbie Williams who won Best male and Best song for ‘Rock DJ’, Craig David won Best R&B act and Best UK & Ireland act, Dido won Best new act and Anastacia won Best pop act. Gorillaz won Best song for ‘Clint Eastwood’ and Best Dance act and Eminem won the Best Hip Hop award.
2002 David Gilmour, longtime guitarist for Pink Floyd, is made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II.
2004 Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois, Neil Thrasher, and Emmylou Harris and EMI Music Publishing are the top honorees at the 42nd Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, held at Nashville’s Opryland Hotel.
2007 At the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, Elvis Costello performs his debut album, My Aim Is True, with the band Clover. When Costello recorded the album in 1976, Clover was his backing band. Members of that group went on to form Huey Lewis & the News. The show is a benefit for the Richard de Lone Special Housing Fund.
2007 Four men were arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice after Police raided a house in Camden, London belonging to singer Amy Winehouse. The arrests were in connection of a court case involving Ms Winehouse’s husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who faced charges of causing grievous bodily harm.
2008 AC/DC started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart with ‘Black Ice’ the bands fifteenth studio album and the second-best selling album of 2008. Black Ice went to #1 in 29 countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US.
2009 Take That singer Mark Owen married his fiancee Emma Ferguson at Cawdor Parish Church, near Inverness, followed by a reception at Cawdor Castle.
2009 Former Smiths frontman Morrissey stopped a concert halfway through his second song after being hit by a beer bottle. The 50-year-old singer who was hit in the eye by a plastic bottle of beer, said goodnight to the 8,000 strong crowd in Liverpool, England before walking off.
2012 Reports surfaced that Jermaine Jackson had filed legal papers at Los Angeles County Superior Court asking to have the spelling of his surname altered to Jacksun for “artistic reasons.” The request would be granted in February, 2013.
2012 Tragedy strikes at a Linkin Park concert in Cape Town, South Africa, when high winds cause scaffolding to collapse. This sends an advertisement tower plummeting into the crowd of fans in the parking lot after the show, killing one and injuring 19 more.
2016 Adele more than doubled how much she’s worth to be crowned the richest British celebrity under 30. She knocked One Direction off the top spot after their three-year run in first place and was now reported to have an estimated £92m in the bank. Last year the 28-year-old was in fourth place on Heat’s list of the 30 richest British stars under 30.