This Day In Music Search

The Beatles topped the UK charts with their single, 'Now and Then', making them the act with the longest gap between their first and last No.1's. Sixty years after 'From Me to You' topped the charts, Sir Paul McCartney said: "It's blown my socks off!" 'Now and Then' became this century's fastest-selling vinyl single, according to the Official Charts Company. Its first bars were written by John Lennon in 1978, and the song was finally completed last year.

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry was rushed to hospital after performing with Billy Joel at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Perry experienced shortness of breath and was treated backstage by paramedics who gave the guitarist oxygen and used a tracheal tube to clear his airway before taking him to a hospital.

American musician, songwriter, composer, and record producer Allen Toussaint, died aged 77 while on tour in Madrid, Spain. He was a influential figure in New Orleans R&B. Many artists recorded his songs including; 'Mother-in-Law', 'Fortune Teller', 'Ride Your Pony', 'Working in the Coal Mine', 'Here Come the Girls', 'Yes We Can Can' and 'Southern Nights'. Alison Krauss and Robert Plant covered 'Fortune Teller' on their 2007 album Raising Sand.

Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan was arrested and charged in connection with air rage on an Aer Lingus flight from JFK International Airport to Shannon Airport. During the flight, she grew verbally and physically abusive to the crew. When police were arresting her, she resisted, reminding them that her taxes paid their wages and shouting "I'm the Queen of Limerick! I'm an icon!", headbutting one Garda officer. Following her arrest, O'Riordan spent three weeks in a psychiatric hospital. She later pleaded guilty to the charges.

The Rolling Stones faced a battle to win a $12.7m (£7.9m) insurance claim for concerts they postponed when Mick Jagger's girlfriend died. L'Wren Scott took her own life in March, prompting the Stones to postpone a tour of Australia and New Zealand. The group had taken out a policy to be paid in the event shows were cancelled due to the death of family members or others, including Scott. But underwriters said Scott's death may not be covered by the policy.

Coldplay were declared the biggest-selling act of 2008 at the World Music Awards held in Monaco. The band picked up the prize ‘ along with the Rock Act Of The Year award ‘ after their current album 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends' topped charts around the globe. Other winners at the awards included Leona Lewis for Best Pop Female ‘ and Best New Artist, Amy Winehouse was the winner in the Female Pop/Rock award, while Alicia Keys was named best in the R&B category. Lil' Wayne bagged the Hip-Hop/Rap Artist award, while Akon was declared the Biggest Internet Artist Of The Year.

Grammy-nominated R&B star Gerald Levert died of a heart attack aged 40. The singer who was the son of O'Jays vocalist Eddie Levert, first found fame with the R&B trio LeVert, and scored a UK top 10 single with Casanova in 1987.

American Keyboard player Johnny Griffith died of a heart attack aged 66. He had been a member of the Motown records in-house Funk Brothers studio band and played on Marvin Gaye's 'Heard It Through The Grapevine', ‘I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)’ by Four Tops, and ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ by The Supremes.

Eighties hit making team Stock, Aitken and Waterman went to court fighting over song rights. Stock and Aitken claimed Waterman owed them hundreds of thousands of pounds as musicians and songwriters.

American session guitarist Tommy Tedesco died of lung cancer aged 67. Described by "Guitar Player" magazine as the most recorded guitarist in history recording with The Beach Boys, Everly Brothers, Supremes, The Monkees, The Association, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Zappa, Sam Cooke, Cher and Nancy and Frank Sinatra. And played on many TV themes including Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, M*A*S*H and Batman.

Vanilla Ice started a 16-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'To The Extreme.'

Former Rufus singer Chaka Khan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Feel For You.' Written by Prince, the song featured Stevie Wonder on harmonica and the Rap was by Grandmaster Melle Mel. The repetition of Khan's name by rapper Melle Mel at the beginning of the song was originally a mistake made by producer Arif Mardin, who then decided to keep it.

After setting a new record for advanced orders, 1,099,500 copies, Frankie Goes To Hollywood went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut LP 'Welcome To The Pleasure Dome.' Also on this day Frankie Goes To Hollywood made their debut TV appearance on Saturday Night Live performing 'Two Tribes' and 'Born To Run'.

The Eagles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Heartache Tonight', the group's 5th and final US No.1. It made No.40 in the UK.

Fleetwood Mac scored their second UK No.1 album with the double set 'Tusk', the 12th album by the British/American rock band.

Patti Smith released her debut studio album Horses. Produced by John Cale, Horses has since been viewed by critics as one of the greatest and most influential albums in the history of the American punk rock movement, as well as one of the greatest albums of all time. Horses has also been cited as a key influence on a number of acts, including Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Smiths, R.E.M. and PJ Harvey.

David Bowie was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Space Oddity' the track was first released in 1969 to tie in with the Apollo 11 moon landing. Rick Wakeman (former keyboard player with Yes) provided synthesizer backing. Bowie would later revisit his Major Tom character in the songs 'Ashes to Ashes', 'Hallo Spaceboy' and 'Blackstar'.

Elton John started a eight week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', the singers third US No.1. The album which had the working titles of Vodka and Tonics and Silent Movies, Talking Pictures, is his best selling studio album with worldwide sales of over 15 million copies. Recorded at the Château d'Hérouville, the album contains the Marilyn Monroe tribute, 'Candle in the Wind', as well as three successful singles: 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' and the title track.

The Beatles filmed three promotional films for their new single ‘Hello Goodbye’ at the Saville Theatre in London. Each of the three film clips featured different costumes and Beatle antics. In the first film they wear their Sgt. Pepper uniforms, for the second The Beatles are wearing everyday clothes, the third film clip features shots from the first two films, plus additional shots of (especially John) doing the twist. A Musician's Union ban on lip-sync broadcasts prevented the films being used on British television.

Elvis Presley attended the fourth Country Music Disc Jockey Convention in Nashville Tennessee. Back at his hotel Mae Boren Axton played him a demo of a new song she had written with Tommy Durden called 'Heartbreak Hotel'. Presley released the track as a single on January 27, 1956, his first on his new record label RCA Victor. The song gave him his his first No.1 one pop record.

American country singer, songwriter, and musician Miranda Lambert. She gained fame as a finalist on the 2003 season of Nashville Star. Her fifth album Platinum peaked at No.1 in 2014 on the US album chart. Lambert has been honoured with more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist in history and was named by the Chicago Tribune as the "greatest country music artist of all time" in 2019. Her seventh studio album, Wildcard, (2019), went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Country Album.

Chris Joannou, bassist from Australian rock band Silverchair who had the 1997 Australian No.1 single 'Freak' and the 1995 Australian No.1 album Frogstomp plus three other Australian No.1 albums. During their career, Silverchair won more ARIA Music Awards than any other artist in history with 21 wins.

Drew McConnell, bassist who was a member of Babyshambles, fronted the musical collective Mongrel with Jon McClure and members of Arctic Monkeys and played bass in Liam Gallagher's band.

American rapper, singer, songwriter Eve. Her debut studio album, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady (1999), peaked atop the Billboard 200 (making her the third female rapper to do so). She had the 2001 US No.2 and UK No.4 single, featuring Gwen Stefani, 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind'.

Jim Adkins, lead singer and guitarist with American rock band Jimmy Eat World. The band's sixth LP, Chase This Light (2007), became their highest-charting album and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

British singer Jacqui Abbott, with The Beautiful South. Amongst their most successful hits during her stint with the group from 1994 to 2000, following the departure of Briana Corrigan were: 'Rotterdam', 'Perfect 10', 'Don't Marry Her' and 'Dream a Little Dream of Me'.

American rapper, songwriter, record producer and DJ Warren G, who helped popularise West Coast hip hop during the 1990s. His debut studio album, Regulate... G Funk Era (1994), debuted at No.2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. He had the 1994 US No.2 and UK No.5 single, 'Regulate', and the 1996 UK No.2 single with Adina Howard, 'What's Love Got To Do With It'. He is credited with discovering Snoop Dogg, having introduced the then-unknown rapper to record producer Dr. Dre.

Derry Brownson, keyboards from British dance music/rock band EMF who had the 1990 UK No.3 & US No.1 single 'Unbelievable'. Their debut album, Schubert Dip, went to No.3 on the UK albums chart.

Paul 'Kermit' Leveridge, Black Grape, who had the 1995 UK No.8 single 'In The Name Of The Father'. The band was formed in 1993 by former Happy Mondays members Shaun Ryder and Bez. Their debut studio album It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah debuted at No.1 in the UK Albums Chart.

English singer Steve Brookstein, the winner of the first ever X Factor UK TV show in 2004. He scored the 2005 UK No.1 single with a cover of Phil Collins' 1984 power ballad 'Against All Odds’. In August 2005, it was announced that Sony BMG had dropped him from their line-up only eight months after his X Factor victory.

English musician Andrew Vowles, (also known as Mushroom), is known for being a founding member of the trip hop/abstract art collective Massive Attack. They had the 1991 UK No.13 single 'Unfinished Sympathy'. Their debut studio album Blue Lines is generally regarded as the first "trip hop" album was named the 21st greatest album of all time in a 1997 "Music of the Millennium" poll.

Steve Mackey, from English rock band Pulp, who had the 1995 UK No.2 single 'Common People'. He quit the band in January 1997. Pulp were regarded among the Britpop "big four", along with Oasis, Blur and Suede. Mackey died on 2 March 2023 age 56.

American musician and actress Teresa Taylor. She was best known as a drummer for the American experimental rock band Butthole Surfers. Emerging from the 1980s hardcore punk scene, Butthole Surfers quickly became known for their chaotic live shows, black comedy, and a sound that incorporated elements of psychedelia, noise rock, and punk. Taylor died on 18 June 2023 at the age of 60.

English singer-songwriter Junior Giscombe who had the 1997 UK No.6 single with Kim Wilde, 'Another Step Closer To You'. He was one of the first British R&B artists to be successful in the United States. He is best known for his 1982 hit single, 'Mama Used to Say'.

Frank Maudsley, bassist with the British new wave band A Flock Of Seagulls. They scored the 1982 UK No.10 single 'Wishing, If I Had A Photograph Of You'. The band won a Grammy Award in 1983 for their instrumental 'D.N.A.' (1982).

Chris Joyce, drummer from Simply Red, who had the 1986 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Holding Back The Years'. They have had five No.1 albums in the UK, with their 1991 album, Stars, one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history.

Mario Cipollina, bassist from Huey Lewis and the News who had the 1985 UK No.11 & US No.1 single 'The Power Of Love'. Their third, and best-selling, album was the 1983 Sports, and they contributed to the soundtrack of the 1985 feature film Back to the Future.

British vocalist and guitarist Bram Tchaikovsky (Peter Bramall), singer, with British pub rock band The Motors, who had the 1978 UK No.4 single 'Airport'. His solo career included the album Strange Man, Changed Man and the single 'Girl of My Dreams', which peaked in the top 40 in American charts in 1979.

English bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter, Greg Lake, who worked with King Crimson and Emerson Lake and Palmer who had the 1977 UK No.2 single 'Fanfare For The Common Man'. He scored the 1975 solo 1975 UK No.2 hit single 'I Believe In Father Christmas'. Lake died on 7th Dec 2016 age 69 after a battle with cancer.

American songwriter Allee Willis. She co-wrote many hit songs including 'September' and 'Boogie Wonderland' by Earth, Wind & Fire and 'I’ll Be There for You' by the Rembrandts, the theme from the TV sitcom Friends. Her compositions sold over 60 million records. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018. She died on 24 December 2019 age 72.

Glenn Buxton, guitarist with the Alice Cooper Band, who had the 1972 UK No.1 & US No.7 single 'School's Out', the 1972 hit 'Elected' and the 1973 US & UK No.1 album Billion Dollar Babies. He died on 19 October 1997.

American singer, songwriter, and musician Dave Loggins. He is best known for his 1974 hit single 'Please Come to Boston' as well as his 1984 duet with Anne Murray, 'Nobody Loves Me Like You Do'. His second cousin is singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins. Dave Loggins died in Nashville on July 10, 2024, at the age of 76

American singer Jim Gilstrap best known for his work as a session musician and his 1975 solo hit single 'Swing Your Daddy. Gilstrap appeared on Stevie Wonder's albums, Talking Book and Innervisions and sang the opening two lines of the Wonder song, 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life.' He also appeared on Michael Jackson's album Off The Wall and worked with Keith Moon, Joe Cocker, Willy DeVille and Starship.

English record producer, songwriter and arranger Roy Thomas Baker, best known for producing five out of the first seven albums by Queen and the first four albums by The Cars. He also recorded artists including The Rolling Stones, David Bowie The Who, Santana, The Mothers of Invention, Free, and T Rex. Baker died on 12 April 2025, at the age of 78.

Japanese singer and actor Kyu Sakamoto, who had the 1963 US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'Sukiyaki'. The track sold over 13 million copies and made Sakamoto the first Asian recording artist to have a No.1 song on the US charts. He was also the first Japanese artist to have a No.1 single on the Australian singles chart. He was killed in a plane crash on 12th August 1985. Sakamoto was aboard Japan Airlines Flight 123 (departing from Tokyo), heading to Osaka for an event. The plane suffered a severe structural failure and decompression before crashing, a disaster that remains the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history, with 520 people killed.

Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, trumpeter, and pianist Ennio Morricone who wrote music in a wide range of styles. Morricone gained international fame for composing music for Westerns. With more than 400 scores for cinema and television, as well as more than 100 classical works, Morricone is widely considered one of the most prolific and greatest film composers of all time. His filmography includes more than 70 award-winning films. His score to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) is regarded as one of the most recognisable soundtracks in history. He died on 6 July 2020 aged 91.

English vocalist Anne Shelton who is remembered for providing inspirational songs for soldiers both on radio broadcasts, and in person, at British military bases during the Second World War. She had the 1956 UK No. 1 'Lay Down Your Arms'. Shelton died of a heart attack on 31 July 1994 age 70.