January 24th: On this Day

January 24th: On this Day

1953, Eddie Fisher was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Outside Is Heaven'. American singer and entertainer divorced his first wife, Debbie Reynolds to marry his best friend's widow, Elizabeth Taylor, too much unwelcome publicity at the time. Eddie is father of actress Carrie Fisher.

1958, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Jailhouse Rock'. It became the first ever single to enter the chart at No.1 and was Presley's second UK No.1. It went on to sell over 4 million copies in the US.

1958, The Quarry Men performed at the Cavern Club, in Liverpool, (this was the bands only performance at the club). It was three years later when they appeared again at the Cavern but under their new name as The Beatles.

1962, Brian Epstein signed a management deal with The Beatles. Epstein was to receive 25 per cent of the bands gross earnings, the normal management deal was 10 per cent.

1963, American lyricist Otto Harbach died aged 90 in New York City. He co-wrote, 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes', US & UK No.1 for The Platters in 1958.

1968, Georgie Fame was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Ballad Of Bonnie and Clyde', the singers third and last UK No.1.

1969, New Jersey state prosecutors issue a warning to US record dealers that they would be charged with distributing pornography if they were caught selling the John Lennon / Yoko Ono LP 'Two Virgins'. The front cover of the album showed the pair frontally nude, while the back cover showed them from behind. The album still managed to reach No.124 on the US, but failed to chart at all in the UK, where only 5,000 copies were ever pressed.

1969, The Doors appeared at Madison Square Garden, New York City, They were paid over $50,000 for the gig making them one of the highest paid acts this year.

1969, During their first North American tour Led Zeppelin played the second of four nights at the Boston Tea Party, Boston.

1970, James Sheppard, the lead singer from the Heartbeats and Shep and the Limelites, was found murdered in his car on the Long Island Expressway. The US singer had been beaten and robbed. The Limelites reached No.2 in the US in 1961 with 'Daddy's Home'.

1976, Bob Dylan started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Desire' his third US No.1.

1976, Diana Ross went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Theme From Mahogany', the singers third US No.1, a No.5 hit in the UK.

1977, The Buzzcocks appeared at the Roxy, in London, England, supported by Chelsea. Also appearing at the venue over the last week; The Damned, The Boys, The Adverts, Slaughter And The Dogs and Squeeze.

1978, Workers at EMI's record pressing plant refused to press copies of The Buzzcocks forthcoming release 'What Do I Get' because of the title on the B-side 'Oh Shit.'

1979, The Clash released their first single in the US, 'I Fought The Law' (written by Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly's Crickets).

1979, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys divorced his wife Marilyn after 15 years together. She was a member of the Honeys and mother of Wendy and Carnie Wilson, who would go on to sing in Wilson-Phillips.

1980, Spandau Ballet appeared at The Blizt Club, London, England.

1980, A billboard was erected on Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, California to promote Pink Floyds new album 'The Wall'. Every day workmen added another brick to the wall until it was finished.

1981, Adam And The Ants started a 10-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with their debut album 'Kings Of The Wild Frontier'.

1981, Steve Tyler of Aerosmith was hospitalised after being involved in a crash on his motorbike.

1987, Billy Vera and the Beaters started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'At This Moment' not a hit in the UK.

1992, Nirvana played their first ever show in Australia at the Phoenician Club in Sydney. Also on the bill, Tumbleweed and The Meanies.

1995, David Cole producer, keyboards, C & C Music Factory died of meningitis aged 32. (1991 UK No.4 single 'Things That Make You Go Hmmm...', 1991 US No.1 single 'Gonna Make You Sweat'. Produced Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.

1998, Oasis went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'All Around The World'. The longest running-time for a UK No.1 with a total duration of 9 minutes 38 seconds. It was one of the first songs to be written by Noel Gallagher, with the band rehearsing it as early as 1992.

1999, The Offspring went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Pretty Fly, For A White Guy'. Taken from their fifth studio album Americana the single was a No.1 hit in ten other countries.

2003, Girls Aloud were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Sound Of The Underground'. Canadian singer Avril Laviagne had the UK No.1 album with 'Let Go.'

2005, Country singer Lynn Anderson was arrested for shoplifting after being caught stealing a Harry Potter DVD from a New Mexico supermarket and punching a police officer during her arrest. The 57 year-old had the 1970 Top 5 hit 'Rose Garden'.

2007, Record producer Dave Shayman (also known as Disco D) was found dead at his home in New York City. 26-year-old Shayman was famous for his production work on hip hop records and was a rising star in the business. His death was being treated as a potential suicide after he was recently diagnosed with manic depression.

2008, Amy Winehouse was admitted into rehab in a battle to kick her addiction to drugs. A statement from her record company, Universal said she entered the facility "after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors to continue her ongoing recovery against drug addiction."

January 24th: Born on this Day

1933, Born on this day, Zeke Carey, The Flamingos (1959 US No.11 single 'I Only Have Eyes For You'. 1975 UK No.1 hit for Art Garfunkel). Died on 24th December 1999.

1941, Born on this day, Aaron Neville, vocals, The Neville Brothers, (1966 US No.2 single 'Tell It Like It Is', 1989 UK No.2 single with Linda Ronstadt' Don't Know Much').

1941, Born on this day, Neil Diamond, singer, songwriter, (1970 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Cracklin' Rose' plus over 30 US & 10 UK Top 40 singles. Wrote 'I'm A Believer', No.1 for The Monkees. Many acts from Elvis Presley, Lulu and Deep Purple have all covered his songs.

1941, Born on this day, Ray Stevens, singer, songwriter, (1970 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'Everything Is Beautiful' 1974 US & UK No.1 single 'The Streak').

1947, Born on this day, Warren Zevon, singer, songwriter. He had played piano with The Everly Brothers, recorded over 15 solo albums and had the 1978 US No.21 single 'Werewolves Of London'). Zevon died on September 7th 2003.

1949, Born on this day, John Belushi, actor, singer who played Joliet 'Jake' Blues in The Blues Brothers, died of a drug overdose on 5th March 1982. Had the 1990 UK No.12 single 'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love'.

1955, Born on this day, Jools Holland, keyboards, Squeeze, Jools Holland Big Band, TV presenter on The Tube, Juke Box Dury and Later. (1979 UK No.2 single with Squeeze, 'Up The Junction').

1963, Born on this day, Keech Rainwater, drums, Lonestar, (2000 US No.1 & UK No. 21 single 'Amazed').

1974, Born on this day, Christopher River Hesse, drummer, Hoobastank, 2004 US No.2 hit 'The Reason'.

1975, Born on this day, Paul Marazzi, vocals, A1, (2000 UK No.1 single, 'Same Old Brand New You')