1960 - Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline recorded 'I Fall to Pieces' which the following year became Cline's first No.1 hit on the Country charts, and her second hit single to cross over onto the Pop charts. It was the first of a string of songs that would be written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard. The song was ranked at No.7 on CMT's television special of the 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music.
1962 - The Beatles
The Beatles recorded their second appearance on Radio Luxembourg, for the program The Friday Spectacular. The Beatles were interviewed and then they played in front of a live audience both sides of their latest single, 'Love Me Do' and 'P.S. I Love You'.
1963 - Nino Tempo
Nino Tempo and April Stevens went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Deep Purple', it made No.17 in the UK.
1968 - Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin played their first ever show in the North of England when they appeared at Manchester College of Science & Technology. Zeppelin were paid £225 for the gig.
1968 - Jimi Hendrix
The Jimi Hendrix Experience went to No.1 on the US album chart with their third and final studio album Electric Ladyland. The double album included ‘Crosstown Traffic,’ ‘Voodoo Chile’ and a version of Bob Dylan's ‘All Along the Watchtower’. Hendrix expressed displeasure and embarrassment with this "naked lady" cover which was banned by several record dealers as "pornographic", while others sold it with the gatefold cover turned inside out.
1971 - Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa appeared on this week's UK TV music show the 'Old Grey Whistle Test', playing live and showing clips from his '200 Motels' film.
1974 - John Lennon
John Lennon was at No.1 in the US singles chart with 'Whatever Gets You Through The Night.' Elton John played on the session and made a deal with Lennon that if the song reached No.1, Lennon would have to appear on stage live with Elton. Lennon kept his side of the deal and appeared live with Elton. They played three songs together: ‘I Saw Her Standing There,’ ‘Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds’ and ‘Whatever Gets You Through the Night.’ Backstage after the concert, Lennon got back with Yoko Ono after a temporary split.
1976 - Brian Wilson
Beach Boy Brian Wilson gave his first formal interview for eight years on the UK BBC 2, TV show 'Old Grey Whistle Test.'
1985 - Feargal Sharkey
Former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey had his only UK No.1 single with the Maria McKee song 'A Good Heart' written about her relationship with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboard player Benmont Tench. Sharkey followed up the single with Tench written 'You Little Thief', this time about Tench's relationship with McKee.
1985 - Starship
Starship started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'We Built This City', it made No.12 in the UK.
1985 - U2
U2 launched their own record label 'Mother Records.' The intent was 'to unearth fresh musical talent in Ireland' and the label released several one-off single releases for The Hothouse Flowers, In Tua Nua and Cactus World News amongst others.
1987 - Topper Headon
Former Clash drummer Topper Headon was jailed for 15 months at Maidstone Crown Court, England for supplying heroin to a man who later died.
1988 - Stephen Love
Former Beach Boys manager Stephen Love was sentenced to five years probation for embezzling almost $1m from the group's accounts.
1996 - The Beatles
The Beatles 'Anthology 3' went to No.1 on the UK album chart. The album included rarities and alternative tracks from the final two years of the band's career, ranging from the initial sessions for The Beatles (also known as The White Album) to the last sessions for Let It Be and Abbey Road in later 1969 and early 1970.
1999 - Grady Owen
Grady Owen guitarist with Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps died. Scored the 1956 US No.7 & UK No.16 single with 'Be Bop A Lula'. During his time with the band, Grady can also be seen playing rhythm guitar with the band in the cult classic film Hot Rod Gang.
2000 - Elton John
Elton John told a London High Court that his former lover and manager John Reid betrayed him over touring costs. The singer said Reid, had been "caught with his hands in the till". Elton was suing Andrew Haydon, former managing director of John Reid Enterprises, his management company alleging Haydon was negligent in allowing JREL to charge him "several millions" in overseas tour expenses.
2000 - Joseph Calleja
American rapper Joseph Calleja died of chronic intestinal disorder. Calleja had celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that can cause stunted growth, as a result, he reached a maximum height of 3 feet, 9 inches (114 centimeters) by adulthood. He was a member of Kid Rock's band.
2002 - The Rolling Stones
Texan multi-billionaire David Bonderman hired The Rolling Stones to play at his 60th birthday party held at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. The bands fee was £4.4m.
2006 - Queen
Queen's ‘Greatest Hits’ album was declared the Best Selling UK album of all time by The Official UK Charts Company. The chart which was made up of sales figures from the last fifty years showed their Greatest Hits compilation had sold 5,407,587 copies. The Beatles occupied second place with Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band.
2010 - The Beatles
The Beatles back catalogue was finally made available on iTunes, after years of negotiations. For the first time consumers would now be able to purchase some of the Fab Four's most popular songs via the store. Apple and record label EMI had been in talks for years about getting the catalogue online. Apple chief executive and Beatles fan Steve Jobs said it had "been a long and winding road to get here. We love the Beatles and are honoured and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes."
2014 - U2
U2 singer Bono was involved in what doctors called a "high energy bicycle accident." The singer was rushed to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center's emergency department and underwent five hours of surgery. The injury forced the group to postpone a planned weeklong residency on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
2018 - Scott English
American songwriter Scott English died age 81, due to complications of hip surgery. He is best known as the co-writer of 'Brandy' which he wrote with Richard Kerr. This song became a No. 1 hit for Barry Manilow in 1974. He also wrote 'Bend Me, Shape Me', a US hit for The American Breed and a UK hit for Amen Corner.
Birthdays
1916 - Herb Abramson
Herb Abramson, producer, songwriter and co-founder of Atlantic records. He produced Tommy Tucker's 1964 hit 'High Heeled Sneakers.' Abramson died on 9th November 1999.
1938 - Troy Seals
Troy Seals, James Brown Band, (1966 US No.8 and UK No.13 single 'It's A Man's World', 1986 UK No.5 single 'Living In America', 1963 album 'Live At The Apollo').
1943 - Winfred Lovett
Winfred Lovett, vocals, The Manhattans, (1976 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'Kiss And Say Goodbye').
1945 - Paul Raymond
English keyboardist and guitarist Paul Raymond. He joined Plastic Penny in the early 60s as their keyboardist, vocalist, and replaced Christine McVie in British blues band Chicken Shack. He first joined UFO in 1976 and played with the band during four different stints, he was a regular in the UFO lineup since 2003. Raymond had also worked with Michael Schenker in MSG. He died on 13 April 2019 age 73.
1962 - Gary Mounfield
Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, English rock bassist, best known for being a member of the Stone Roses (playing on both of the band's albums) and Primal Scream. Mounfield has a guest role in the movie 24 Hour Party People (2002).
1964 - Diana Krall
Diana Krall, Canadian singer, songwriter. Krall has become one of the best selling jazz artists of all-time. Nominated for Album of the Year at the 2000 Grammy. Won three Juno awards in 2002, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.
1966 - Dave Kushner
Dave Kushner, American musician best known as the rhythm guitarist for Velvet Revolver. Kushner has also been a member of Wasted Youth, Electric Love Hogs, Loaded, Danzig, Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro's solo band Sugartooth.
1969 - Bryan Abrams
Bryan Abrams, from American R&B group Color Me Badd who had the 1991 UK No.1 single 'I Wanna Sex You Up', and the 1991 US No.1 single 'I Adore Mi Amor'.
1970 - Logan Mader
Logan Mader, guitarist in melodic death metal band Once Human, as well as former lead guitarist in Machine Head.
