January 28th: On this Day

January 28th: On this Day

1956, Elvis Presley (with Scotty Moore and Bill Black), made his first National Television appearance on the Dorsey brother's "Stage Show". It was the first of six appearances on the show and the first of eight performances recorded and broadcast from CBS TV in New York City. After the success of their first appearance they were signed to five more in early 1956.

1963, Touring the UK The Beatles played at the Majestic Ballroom in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.

1965, The Moody Blues were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Go Now!' the group's only UK No.1.

1965, The Who made their first appearance on UK TV show Ready Steady Go! To project the desired image, the hand-picked audience consisted only of teens dressed in the current Mod fashion.

1967, The Four Tops appeared at The Royal Albert Hall, London. Also on the bill, The Dakotas, Madeline Bell, The Remo Four and Johnny Watson.

1968, Jim Morrison of The Doors was arrested and charged with public drunkenness after harassing a security guard at a Las Vegas adult movie theatre.

1977, Pink Floyd's tenth studio album 'Animals' entered the UK charts at #2. The sleeve concept was that of Roger Waters, who lived at the time near Clapham Common, and regularly drove past Battersea Power Station. A view of the imposing but disused former power station building was chosen for the cover image, complete with massive inflatable pig suspended between two of the towers.

1978, The Fleetwood Mac album 'Rumours' went to No.1 on the UK album chart, also a No.1 in the US. The album went on to sell over 15 million copies world- wide and spent over 440 weeks on the UK chart.

1983, British Rock & Roll singer Billy Fury died of heart failure. 1961 UK No.3 single 'Halfway To Paradise', plus 25 other Top 40 UK singles. His 'We Want Billy' (released 1963, with The Tornados) was one of the first live albums in British rock history. Played rock 'n' roller "Stormy Tempest" in the film That'll Be The Day along side David Essex and Ringo Starr.

1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Relax!' BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read expressed on air his distaste for both the record's suggestive sleeve and its lyrics, he announced his refusal to play the record, not knowing that the BBC had decided that the song was not to be played on the BBC anyway. Produced by Trevor Horn the song remained on the chart for 48 weeks.

1984, Backstage after a Motley Crue show in Buffalo, New York, Tommy Lee found out that his girlfriend has posed for the current issue of Penthouse magazine without his knowledge, after a fan passes comment on the pictures. Tommy punched the fan unconscious with one hit, Motleys manager Doug Thaler convinced the fan not to press any charges.

1985, The recording took place for 'We Are The World' the US equivalent of Band Aid. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie the all star cast included Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Perry and Bob Geldof.

1988, Eleven years after it was released, The Sex Pistols album 'Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols' went Gold in the US with sales over 500,000.

1990, Paul Abdul started a 10-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Forever Your Girl'. Abdul spent sixty-four consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 before hitting number one, making it the longest time for an album to reach the number one spot.

1994, Paul and Linda McCartney attended the premiere of Wayne's World II in London. The couple then went on to Hard Rock Cafe, where the film star Mike Myers presented them with a cheque for LIPA (the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) for £25,000 ($42,500) from the sale of Linda's vegetarian burgers.

1995, TLC started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Creep' the group's first US No.1, it made No.6 in the UK the following year.

1998, Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher played a 20-minute solo gig at the King Head, an English pub in Santa Monica in front of 250 fans.

2000, Saxophonist and bandleader Thomas 'Beans' Bowles died of prostate cancer aged 73. Played on many Motown sessions including Marvin Gaye's, 'What's Going On', Martha and the Vandellas' 'Heat Wave' and The Supremes 'Baby Love' and wrote the melody on Stevie Wonder's 'Fingertips Pt. 2.'

2001, Limp Bizkit started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Chocolate Starfish'.

2001, Shaggy feat Ricardo Rikrot started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'It Wasn't Me'. Also a No.1 in the UK.

2003, H-Town singer Keven Conner was killed in a car crash in Houston aged 28. Conner died when an SUV ran a red light and crashed into the car he was a passenger in, which had just picked him up from the recording studio.

2004, Elvis Presley fans expressed their anger at plans to cut up a rare tape of the singer's early songs and sell the snippets at auction. The tape, which featured a recording made by Presley during the early 1950s, was now too fragile to play. US firm Master Tape Collection said the tape would be cut into two-inch snippets and sold for £270 ($460) each.

2004, R&B singer Faith Evans appeared before an Atlanta judge after being arrested on drug possession charges. Evans and her husband-manager, Todd Russaw, were charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine.

2005, English drummer and singer songwriter Jim Capaldi died of stomach cancer aged 60. Member of Traffic, (1967 UK No.2 single 'Hole In My Shoe') and solo, (1975 UK No.4 single 'Love Hurts'). Also worked with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and George Harrison.

2007, Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture was at No.1 on the US album chart. The musical based on the history of Diana Ross and the Supremes featured Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose and Keith Robinson.

2008, Madonna topped the list for the richest female musician, according to the Forbes.com. Its first-ever list focusing on women in the music industry estimated the 49-year-old banked $72m (£36m) between June 2006 and June 2007. Madonna earned much of that from her Confessions tour - the highest-grossing tour for a female artist - earning $260m (£130m) worldwide. Barbra Streisand came second, with $60 million (£30 million) followed by Celine Dion with $45 million (£23.6), mainly from her recent concerts at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

2009, Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell died at the age of 56 of a suspected heart attack in Florida. Powell called police saying he was having trouble breathing and emergency services tried to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead an hour later. Powell had missed a doctor's appointment on the day before his death; the appointment was for a checkup on his heart. He played piano on Kid Rock's 'All Summer Long' (which sampled the Lynyrd Skynyrd song 'Sweet Home Alabama').

January 28th: Born on this Day

1927, Born on this day, Ronnie Scott, jazz musician. Formed his own nine-piece group in 1953 and opened the first Ronnie Scott's night club in London in 1959 where he presented the cream of the world's jazz musicians at the club. He died on December 23rd 1996.

1941, Born on this day, King Tubby, reggae producer who has worked with Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar and Carlton Barrett. He was killed on 6th February 1989 after being shot in the street outside his home.

1943, Born on this day, Dick Taylor, guitarist and singer with The Pretty Things who had the 1964 UK No.10 single 'Don't Bring Me Down'.

1945, Born on this day, Robert Wyatt multi instrumentalist who was a member of Soft Machine. As a solo artist Wyatt scored the 1983 UK No.35 single 'Shipbuilding'. During an alcohol-fuelled party in London in 1983, an inebriated Wyatt fell from a fourth floor window. He was paralysed from the waist down and consequently uses a wheelchair.

1946, Born on this day, Rick Allen, bassist with The Box Tops who had the 1967 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'The Letter'.

1951, Born on this day, William Nelson from Funkadelic who had the 1978 US No.16 album 'One Nation Under A Groove'.

1959, Born on this day, Dave Sharpe, guitarist and singer with The Alarm who had the 1983 UK No.17 single '68 Guns'.

1968, Born on this day, Lawrence Muggerud, DJ Muggs with Cypress Hill who had the 1993 UK No.15 single 'I Ain't Goin' Out Like That', and the 1993 US No.1 album 'Black Sunday'.

1968, Born on this day, Canadian musician singer songwriter, Sarah McLachlan, who had the 1997 US No.2 album 'Surfacing'. McLachlan who has sold over 40 million albums worldwide is the organiser of the Lilith Fair US tour.

1975, Born on this day, Lee Latchford-Evans, singer with English pop group Steps who had the 1998 UK No.1 single 'Heartbeat / Tragedy'.

1977, Born on this day, Joseph Fatone, singer with American boy band *NSYNC. Scored the 2000 US No.1 single 'It's Gonna Be Me', and the 1999 UK No.5 single 'I Want You Back'.

1980, Born on this day, Nicolas Carter singer with American boy band Backstreet Boys who had the 1997 US No.2 single 'Quit Playing Games With My Heart', and the 1999 UK No.1 single 'I Want It That Way'.

January 27th: On this Day

January 27th: On this Day

1956, Elvis Presley's single, 'Heartbreak Hotel' was released by RCA Records, who had just purchased Presley's contract from Sun Records for $35,000. The song sold 300,000 copies in its first week and would eventually sell over a million, becoming Elvis' first Gold record.

1958, Little Richard entered The Oakwood Theological College in Huntsville, where he was ordained as a seventh day Adventist Minister.

1961, Frank Sinatra played a benefit show at Carnegie Hall in New York City for Martin Luther King.

1962, Joey and the Starlighters started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Peppermint Twist, part 1'. The single reached No.33 on the UK chart.

1962, The Beatles appeared at Aintree Institute in Aintree, Liverpool. The group had played here many times before but this was their last performance at the venue. Brian Epstein became infuriated when the promoter paid The Beatles' fee (£15 pounds) with handfuls of loose change. Epstein took this as an insult to the group, and made sure that The Beatles never played for that promoter (Brian Kelly) again.

1966, The Overlanders were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of The Beatles song 'Michelle'. The group's only UK hit.

1968, The Bee Gees made their live debut in the US when they played at the Anaheim Centre, California. 

1971, David Bowie arrived in the US for the first time; he couldn't play live because of work permit restrictions, but attracted publicity when he wore a dress at a promotion event.

1972, American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson died in Chicago of heart failure and diabetes complications aged 60. Known as the "Queen of Gospel Music" she recorded over 30 albums

1973, Roxy Music won 'the most promising new name', section in the NME reader's poll.

1973, 'Superstition' gave Stevie Wonder had his second No.1 single in the US, 10 years after his first No.1.

1976, David Bowie filed a $2 suit against attorney Michael Lippman claiming that he had taken a 15% agents fee instead of the customary 10%.

1977, The Clash signed to CBS Records in the UK for £100,000.

1979, Ian Dury and the Blockheads were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick', their only UK chart topper. 

1980, Def Leppard played the first of two nights at The Marquee, London. Tickets cost £2 ($3.40).

1984, Madonna made her first appearance in the UK when she appeared on C4 TV music program The Tube performing 'Holiday'. The show was broadcast live from the Hacienda Club in Manchester. 

1988, Pink Floyd played the fist of 9 nights at The Entertainment Center, Sydney, Australia.

1990, Kylie Minogue had her third UK No.1 single with 'Tears On My Pillow', the song was originally a US hit for Little Anthony and The Imperials in 1958.

1994, Oasis made their London live debut when the played at King's Cross Water Rats. The gig was by invite only. 

1996, Babylon Zoo started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Spaceman', the fastest selling single by a debut artist in the UK, (420,000 copies in 6 days). The song was used for a Levi Jeans TV commercial. The single also went to Number 1 in twenty-three other countries. 

1998, James Brown was charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a firearm after police were called to his South Carolina home. Brown later claimed the drugs were used to help his 'eyesight.'

2000, Noel Gallagher of Oasis became a dad when Meg Matthew's gave birth to a girl, Anais at Portland Hospital, London.

2002, Beach Boy Brian Wilson played the first of four sold-out nights at The Royal Festival Hall, London. 

2002, Spanish-American Enrique Iglesias scored his first UK No.1 single with 'Hero'. His father, Julio Iglesias, had a UK No.1 hit in 1981.

2003, Former S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens signed a £1m solo deal with Polydor records in the UK. Stevens went on to score five UK Top 10 hits.

2004, R&B singer Faith Evans and her husband were charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana after being arrested in Atlanta, Georgia. Police pulled them over for a suspected licence plate offence.

2006, Gene McFadden, R&B vocalist and songwriter, best known as half of the Philly soul team McFadden & Whitehead, died of cancer at the age of 56. The duo had the 1979 hit 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now', which sold more than 8 million copies and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

2009, Road Chef, the Watford Gap UK Motorway services operator, paid £1,000 at an auction for a collection of celebrity signatures, which were collected by former employee, Beatrice England. The book included signatures of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, The Eagles and Dusty Springfield. The Blue Boar services as it was once known received so many famous guests in its 50-year history that Jimi Hendrix mistook it for a London nightclub as it was mentioned so often by his contemporaries.

January 27th: Born on this Day

1918, Born on this day, Elmore James, US blues guitarist, singer, known as the King of the Slide Guitar. James wrote 'Shake Your Money Maker', which was covered by Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Influenced Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Keith Richards. James died 24th May 1963. 

1919, Born on this day, David Seville, The Chipmunks who had the 1958 US No.1 single 'The Chipmunk Song', and the 1959 UK No.11 single 'Ragtime Cowboy Joe'. Seville died on 16th January 1972.

1930, Born on this day, Bobby Bland, R&B singer,who had the 1963 US R&B No.1 single 'That's The Way Love Is'.

1945, Born on this day, Nick Mason: drums, percussion and tape effects, Pink Floyd. Nick is the only member of the band to play on every album since the band's formation in 1965. He studied architecture at London's Regent Street Polytechnic, where he teamed up with fellow students Roger Waters, Rado 'Bob' Klose and Richard Wright in 1964 to form Pink Floyd's predecessor, Sigma 6. Mason is a keen auto racing enthusiast and has taken part in many racing events such as the French 24 Heures du Mans race in Le Mans. 

1946, Born on this day, Nedra Talley American singer with the all girl group The Ronettes who had five US chart toppers including 'Be My Baby', 'Baby, I Love You', '(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up', and 'Walking in the Rain.'

1948, Born on this day, Kim Gardner from English group Ashton Gardner & Dyke who had the 1971 UK No.3 single 'The Resurrection Shuffle'. Gardner died on 24/10/01,

1951, Born on this day, Brian Downey, Irish drummer and founding member of Thin Lizzy who had the 1973 UK No.6 single 'Whisky In The Jar' and hits with 'Jailbreak' and 'The Boys Are Back in Town'.

1951, Born on this day, Seth Justman, keyboards, vocals with The J Geils Band who had the 1982 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Centrefold'.

1957, Born on this day, Janick Robert Gers English guitarist who has worked with White Spirit, Gillan and Iron Maiden.

1961, Born on this day, Gillian Gilbert, keyboards with The Inadequates, and New Order who had the 1983 UK No.9 single 'Blue Monday', Also a member of The Other Two who had the 1991 UK hit single 'Tasty Fish'.

1961, Born on this day, Martin Deguille, singer with British group Sigue Sigue Sputnik who had the 1986 UK No.3 single 'Love Missile F1-11'.

1964, Born on this day, Migi Drummond from English pop group Curiosity Killed The Cat who had the 1989 UK No.14 single 'Name And Number'.

1968, Born on this day, Adrian Thawes, (Tricky), musician and actor who had the 1996 UK No.10 single 'Milk'. His 1995 debut album Maxinquaye was nominated for the Mercury Prize and voted Album of the Year by NME Magazine.

1968, Born on this day, Mike Patton, singer and multi-instrumentalist with American rock band Faith No More, who had the 1993 UK No.3 and US No.4 single 'I'm Easy'. 

1974, Born on this day, Mark Owen singer with Take That who had the 1995 UK No.1 single 'Back For Good'. The group's 1993 UK No.1 album 'Everything Changes spent 78 weeks on the UK chart. Had the solo 1996 UK No.3 single 'Child'. Was the winner of UK TV show Celebrity Big Brother in 2002. Re-formed Take That without Robbie Williams in 2006 for a sold-out European tour. Topped the UK singles and album charts simultaneously for the first time in their career when the single 'Patience' and album 'Beautiful World' both reached No.1 in Dec 2006. 

January 26th: On this Day

January 26th: On this Day

1961, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Are You Lonesome Tonight'. The singers sixth UK No.1. The single included a spoken passage loosely based on Shakespeare. 

1963, The Rooftop Singers started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Walk Right In', a No.10 hit in the UK.

1963, The Beatles played two gigs, the first was at the El Rio Club/Dance Hall in Macclesfield, Cheshire, supported by Wayne Fontana and the Jets. Then The Beatles drove 20 miles to their next gig at King's Hall, Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.

1965, During a Rolling Stones tour of Australia and New Zealand, guitarist Keith Richards had his shirt torn off after 50 fans invaded the stage during the gig at The Town Hall in Brisbane. 

1965, 'Downtown' by Petula Clark was at No. 1 on the US singles chart. A young Jimmy Page had played as a session guitarist on the track, giving him his first US No.1 hit, (and a No. 2 hit in the UK).

1968, Pink Floyd played their first gig without Syd Barrett at Southampton University. They were supported by Tyrannosaurus Rex, (later to be renamed T Rex) featuring Marc Bolan and percussionist Steve Peregrine Took.

1970, Elvis Presley played the first night of a four-week engagement playing 2 shows every night at The International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nirvada

1970, John Lennon wrote, recorded and mixed his new single 'Instant Karma' all in one day. It ranks as one of the fastest-released songs in pop music history, recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios and arriving in stores only ten days later. 

1971, Elvis Presley played the first night of a 31 date run at The Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Nirvana. Elvis played a 8.30pm and midnight shows on most days.

1972, Sean Combs (Puff Daddy) father Melvin was shot dead in his car in a Manhattan park aged thirty-three. Sean was aged 2 at the time.

1973, Sweet were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Blockbuster'. The glam rockers only UK No.1 of 15 Top 40 hits.

1974, Mud were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Nicky Chinn & Mike Chapman song 'Tiger Feet', the group's first of three UK No.1's.

1974, Ringo Starr went to No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of the Johnny Burnette 1960 hit 'Your Sixteen', a No.3 hit in the UK.

1975, The BBC 'Omnibus' documentary 'Cracked Actor' a film about David Bowie was shown on UK TV.

1977, Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green was committed to a mental hospital following an incident when he threatened his accountant Clifford Adams with an air rifle when he was trying to deliver a £30,000 ($51,000) royalty cheque to him.

1980, Prince made his TV debut on the US show American Bandstand. 

1986, Allen Collins, guitarist from Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed his car, paralysing him from the waist down and killing his girlfriend Debra Jean Watts. Collins had survived a plane crash in 1977 that killed two other band members.

1989, American singer Donnie Elbert died of a stroke aged 52. He had the 1972 US No. 22 & UK No.11 single 'I Can't Help Myself', Sugar Pie Honey Bunch', 'Where Did Our Love Go?' and 'A Little Piece of Leather'.

1989, Bon Jovi kicked of the North American leg of their New Jersey Syndicate Tour at the Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas.

1991, Cher made a special video for the troops involved in Desert Storm during the gulf war. Cher's Video Canteen, featured Janet Jackson, Paul Simon, Van Halen and Bonnie Raitt.

1991, German duo Enigma went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'MCMXC' featuring the UK No. 1 single 'Sadness Part 1'. Enigma were German Michael Creut and his wife Sandra.

1991, Queen had their second UK No.1 with 'Innuendo'. It was the third longest No.1 song of all time behind The Beatles 'Hey Jude' and Simple Minds 'Belfast Child'. The flamenco guitar solo on the track was performed by Yes guitarist Steve Howe.

2003, Billy Joel was airlifted to hospital after his car smashed into a tree. The singer lost control of his Mercedes S500 and skidded for 100 yards before crashing. The accident happened in The Hamptons, New York. 

2003, Justin Timberlake went to No.1 on the UK album chart with his debut solo album 'Justified', which went on to spend over a year on the UK chart. 

2004, John Lydon was one of ten contestants to take part in the latest I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here UK TV show set in the Australian outback. The former Sex Pistols singer was seen by 11 million viewers on the first night covered in bird seed being pecked by giant ostriches. Lydon who was paid £25,000 ($42,500) to appear in the show, but walked off the jungle set after four days.

2007, The Rolling Stones topped the US music rich list for the second year running after making $150.6m (£76.2m) in 2006. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were second in the poll with a combined fortune of $132m (£67.2m) and American country band Rascal Flatts appeared third, having earnt $110.5m (£56.2m) in the past year. 

2008, Alicia Keys was at No.1 on the US album chart with her third album 'As I Am'. The album sold over 742,000 copies in its first week the largest ever first week sales for any female R&B artist. 

January 26th: Born on this Day

1934, Born on this day, Huey 'Piano' Smith, US R&B pianist who had the 1958 US No.9 single 'Don't You Just Know It'. Smith also played played on Frankie Ford's hit 'Sea Cruise'.

1945, Born on this day, Ashley Hutchings, bassist with UK folk group Fairport Convention who had the 1969 UK No.21 single 'Si Tu Dois Partir'.

1948, Born on this day, Corky Laing, drummer with heavy rock group Mountain who had the 1971 album 'Nantucket Sleighride'. Also worked with Jack Bruce.

1949, Born on this day, Derek Holt, Climax Blues Band who had the 1976 UK No.10 & 1977 US No.3 single 'Couldn't Get It Right'.

1951, Born on this day, David Briggs, Little River Band, Australian group, (1978 US No.3 single 'Reminiscing' plus 12 other US Top 40 singles).

1957, Born on this day, Eddie Van Halen, Dutch guitarist with Van Halen who had the 1984 US No.1 & UK No. 7 single 'Jump'. His guitar solo in the track 'Eruption' was voted No.2 on Guitar World magazine's readers poll of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.

1957, Born on this day, Norman Hassan, percussion with UB40 who had the 1983 UK No.1 & 1988 US No.1 single 'Red Red Wine' and over 30 other Top 40 hit singles.

1958, Born on this day, Anita Baker, US soul singer who had the 1986 UK No.13 single 'Sweet Love' and the 1998 US No.1 album 'Giving You The Best That I Got'.

1963, Born on this day, Andrew Ridgeley, singer and one half of Wham! with George Michael who had the 1984 UK & US No.1 single 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' plus 10 other UK Top 20 hit singles. Ridgeley became a prominent environmentalist in the cause of British surfing beaches and riverways, working with the UK charity, Surfers Against Sewage. He lives with his girlfriend Keren Woodward of the pop group Bananarama. 

1963, Born on this day, Jazzie B, British DJ, music producer, and entrepreneur and founding member of British group Soul II Soul who had the 1989 UK No.1 single 'Back To Life'.

1964, Born on this day, Susannah Melvoin, American vocalist, songwriter. Worked with Prince, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Mike Oldfield. As a songwriter, has co-written songs performed by Madonna, Eric Clapton and Prince.

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')

January 21st: On this Day

January 21st: On this Day

1957, English singer Frankie Vaughan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Garden Of Eden'. (Vaughan recorded a large number of songs that were covers of United States hit songs).

1963, The Beatles made their third appearance on the Radio Luxembourg program ‘The Friday Spectacular’. They chat with the host and play ‘Please Please Me’ and ‘Ask Me Why’.

1965, Over 3,000 screaming fans met The Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison at Sydney Airport when they arrived for a 16 date of tour in Australia and New Zealand.

1966, George Harrison married Patti Boyd at Leatherhead Register Office in Surrey with Paul McCartney as Best man. George had first met Patti on the set of The Beatles movie ‘A Hard Days Night.’

1968, Jimi Hendrix recorded his version of the Bob Dylan song ‘All Along the Watchtower’ at Olympic Studios in London. Rolling Stone Brian Jones and Dave Mason from Traffic both played on the session. The track was released in the US as a single in 1968, peaking at #20.

1970, Elvis Presley's last film 'Change Of Habit' was released.

1973, The Rolling Stones kicked off an 11 date Pacific tour at Honolulu International Centre, Hawaii.

1974, T. Rex appeared at Newcastle City Hall, England, tickets cost £1.50 ($2.55).

1978, The soundtrack album 'Saturday Night Fever' started a 24 week run at No.1 on the US album charts, it went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide, making it the best selling soundtrack album of all time.

1982, B.B. King donated his entire record collection of over 20,000 discs to Mississippi University's centre for the Study of Southern Culture,

1984, Soul singer Jackie Wilson died aged 49. Wilson suffered a massive heart attack while playing a Dick Clark show at the Latin Casino in New Jersey on September 29,

1975, falling head-first to the stage while singing ‘Lonely Teardrops’, and had remained in a coma until his death 8 years later. His 1957 single Reet Petite became a posthumous No.1 when re-issued in 1987 due in part to a new animated video made for the song, featuring a clay model of Wilson. Van Morrison wrote 'Jackie Wilson Said' which was covered by Dexy's Midnight Runners.

1984, Yes started a two-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Owner Of A Lonely Heart 'a No.28 hit in the UK.

1987, Bruce Springsteen inducted Roy Orbison into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.

1987, The Coasters, became the first vocal group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1989, Bobby Brown went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Don't Be Cruel'.

1989, Phil Collins scored his seventh US No.1 single with 'Two Hearts'.

1989, Six weeks after his death Roy Orbison started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'The Legendary Roy Orbison' collection.

1991, The Manic Street Preachers made their UK TV debut on BBC 2's Rapido.

1992, Billy Idol pleaded guilty to assault and battery charges after an incident outside a West Hollywood restaurant. He was fined $2,700 (£1,588) and ordered to appear in a series of anti-drug commercials.

1996, Edem Ephraim and Dennis Fuller of The London Boys were killed in a car crash in The Alps, also killed was Edem's wife Bettina.

1997, 'Colonel' Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager and agent died of a stroke in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 87. Born Andreas van Kuijk, a Dutch immigrant who changed his name as soon as he arrived in the US, Parker never applied for a green card and feared deportation his entire life. He briefly managed country singers Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow.

1997, Songwriter Jesse Levine died of kidney failure aged 58. Co-wrote, 'Knock Three Times' and 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon' both US & UK No.1's for Dawn in the early 70's.

1999, Gary Glitter appeared at Bristol crown court charged with eight sexual offences on girls dating back to 1976 and 50 charges relating to indecent photographs.

2001, Limp Bizkit started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)', taken from their album Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.

2001, Texas went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'The Greatest Hits'.

2001, During a UK tour Marilyn Manson appeared at the Birmingham NEC, with special guests Disturbed. Tickets cost £16.50 ($28.05).

2002, American singer and actress Peggy Lee died of complications from diabetes and a heart attack at the age of 81. 1958 US No. 8 & UK No.5 single 'Fever.' Worked with Benny Goodman, Randy Newman, Quincy Jones. She was nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, winning Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her 1969 hit ‘Is That All There Is?’

2003, David Palmer, former keyboard player for Jethro Tull changed his name to Dee Palmer after a successful sex change operation. Palmer was the keyboard player for Jethro Tull between 1969 and 1980. He played on all the Tull classics including 'Thick As A Brick' and 'Aqualung.'

2004, As the third season of American Idol was aired on US TV a memo was leaked showing a list of songs banned from being performed at this year's auditions that included, Elton John's 'Candle In The Wind' and 'Fallin' by Alicia Keys. Also all songs by Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, No Doubt, R. Kelly, Tom Petty, Korn and Linkin Park were not allowed after concerns over the cost of securing rights for the song's use, (or the composers not wanting their song’s to be performed on the show).

2007, Mika scored his debut UK number one hit single with ‘Grace Kelly’, which went on to be became the third biggest-selling single in the UK in 2007. Amy Winehouse kept her place at the top of the UK album chart with ‘Back to Black.’

2007, former lead singer of boy band B2K, Omarion was at No.1 on the US album chart with '21', the R&B singers second US No.1 album.

January 21st: Born on this Day

1925, Born on this day, Telly Savalas, singer, actor (1975 UK No.1 single 'If'). Played Lt. Theo Kojak a bald New York City detective in the television series Kojak, with a fondness for lollipops and whose trademark line was "Who loves ya, baby?" Died of cancer on 22nd January 1994.

1939, Born on this day, DJ Wolfman Jack. Master of ceremonies for the rock 'n' roll generation of the '60s on radio, and later on television during the '70s. Died of a heart attack 1/7/95.

1941, Born on this day, Placido Domingo, Spanish singer, (1994 UK No.21 single with Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti, 'Libiamo / La Donna E Mobile').

1941, Born on this day, Richie Havens, folk singer, (1971 US No.16 single with his version of George Harrison's' 'Here Comes The Sun', appeared at Woodstock, Newport, and Isle Of Wight festivals).

1942, Born on this day, Edwin Starr, singer, 1970 US No.1 and UK No.3 single 'War'). Starr died on 2nd April 2003 aged 61.

1942, Born on this day, Mac Davis, singer, songwriter. (1972 US No.1 single 'Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me', No.29 in the UK. Wrote 'In The Ghetto' and 'Don't Cry Daddy' for Elvis Presley).

1947, Born on this day, Jim Ibbotson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, (1971 US No.9 single 'Mr Bojangles').

1950, Born on this day, Billy Ocean, singer, (1988 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Get Out Of My Dreams Get Into My Car').

1954, Born on this day, Nigel Glockler, drums, Saxon, (1980 UK No.5 album 'Wheels Of Steel').

1956, Born on this day, Rob Brill, drums, Berlin, (1986 UK & US No.1 single 'Take My Breath Away').

1959, Born on this day, Vic Reeves, one half of UK comedy act Reeves and Mortimer, (1991 UK No.1 single with The Wonder Stuff 'Dizzy').

1965, Born on this day, Jam Master Jay, (Jason Mizell), Run-DMC. Murdered by an assassin's single bullet on 30/10/02. (1986 UK No.8 single with Aerosmith 'Walk This Way', 1998 UK No.1 single 'It's Like That').

1965, Born on this day, Robert Del Naja, 3- D, Massive Attack, (1991 UK No.13 single 'Unfinished Sympathy').

1966, Born on this day, Wendy James, vocals, Transvision Vamp, (1989 UK No.3 single 'Baby I Don't Care').

1973, Born on this day, Chris Kilmore, Incubus, (2004 US No.2 and UK No.6 album ‘A Crow Left of the Murder…’, 2006 US No.1 album ‘Light Grenades’).

1976, Born on this day, Emma Bunton, Baby Spice, The Spice Girls, (1996 UK No.1 & 1997 US No.1 single 'Wannabe', 2001 UK No.1 solo single 'What Took You So Long').

1977, Born on this day, Rick Ross (Chandler Broz), American hip-hop artist, (2006 US No.1 with his debut album ‘Port of Miami’).

1979, Born on this day, Nokio, Dru Hill, (1999 US No.1 & UK No.2 single with Will Smith, 'Wild Wild West').

1980, Born on this day, Benjamin Moody, guitar, Evanescence, (2003 UK No.1 & US No.5 single ‘Bring Me To Life’, 2003 UK No.1 & US No.3 album ‘Fallen’).