This Day In Music Search

Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini was at No.1 on the UK album chart with his fourth studio album Last Night in the Bittersweet. His first release in eight years became Nutini's third consecutive UK No.1 album.

Arthur Cave the 15-year-old son of musician Nick Cave died after a fall from a cliff in Brighton, Sussex, England.

The Las Vegas coroner's office confirmed that B.B. King died of natural causes primarily stemming from Alzheimer's disease and was not murdered. Two of his daughters had alleged King was poisoned by long-time associates.

Fashion model Ann Kirsten Kennis, whose Polaroid photo is on the cover of Vampire Weekend's No.1 album Contra, filed a $2 million lawsuit against the band, their label, and the photographer, claiming she never granted permission for them to use it. She first discovered herself on the cover when her daughter brought home a copy of the album. Kennis later settled an undisclosed settlement with the band.

Michael Jackson fans from all over the world congregated at London's O2 arena, where the star had been due to begin his run of 50 concerts. Fans who left messages to a wall of tributes and conducted Jackson sing-a-longs, held a minute's silence at 1830 BST to mark the time when the doors to the concert would have opened.

A pair of glasses worn by former Beatle John Lennon sparked a bidding war after being offered for sale online. The circular sunglasses were worn by Lennon during The Beatles 1966 tour of Japan, where the band played some of their last ever live dates. Anonymous rival bidders had pushed the price as high as £750,000 at online auction house 991.com.

Primal Scream singer Bobby Gillespie had his nose broken when he was attacked in a hotel bar in Madrid in Spain. The singer had to postpone a Top Of The Pops recording due to the injuries.

Plans for Sting to write an official anthem for Tuscany came under fire by locals who insisted the job should go to an Italian and not a foreigner. The British pop star owned a house in Tuscany and had been nominated to compose the anthem by Franco Banchi who lived nearby.

Five became the latest pop idols to call for the legalisation of cannabis. J and Richie from the band told Sky magazine that the drug should no longer be outlawed 'No one who smokes a spliff goes out and starts fights like someone who's been drinking.'

Walkers Spice Girls crisps went on sale in the UK, over 16 million bags were sold by the end of the year.

At The Peach Festival, South Carolina, 432 guitarist's broke the world record for the most guitar players appearing in unison for the longest period of time, when they performed 'Louie Louie' for 30 minutes.

Tom Jones lost a paternity suit and was ordered to pay $200 a week in child support to 27 year old Katherine Berkery of New York. The judge in the case was Judge Judy Sheindlin, who was still serving in her 15 year tenure as a New York Family Court judge before appearing in her court TV show, Judge Judy.

Michael Jackson gave himself a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for setting a new attendance record, when he played the first of seven nights at Wembley Stadium in London. The shows on his Bad World Tour were attended by a total of 504,000 fans beating the record previously held by Genesis, with four sold out nights.

Madonna was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with her second No.1 'Papa Don't Preach'. Madonna also had the UK No.1 album with 'True Blue'.

Phillippe Wynne lead singer with The Detroit Spinners died of a heart attack while performing at Ivey's nightclub in Oakland, California, aged 43. With The Detroit Spinners had the 1980 UK No.1 & US No.2 single 'Working My Way Back To You.'

The movie premier for Pink Floyd's The Wall was held at The Empire, Leicester Square, London, England. The film which centers around a confined rocker named Floyd "Pink" Pinkerton earned $22 million in its first year and won two British Academy Awards.

Donna Summer scored her third No.1 US single with 'Bad Girls.’ Her album of the same name also started a five-week run at No.1. The inspiration for her to write the song came after one of her assistants was offended by a police officer who thought she was a sex worker.

Elvis Costello and The Attractions made their live debut supporting Wayne County & the Electric Chairs at the Penzance Winter Gardens in Cornwall, England.

During a Southern California concert at Knott’s Berry Farm’s John Wayne Theater, Phil Everly smashed his guitar and stormed off stage.

A drunk driver killed Clarence White of The Byrds while he was loading equipment after a gig in Palmdale, California. White joined The Byrds in 1968, after the group had recorded 'Mr. Tambourine Man,' 'Turn! Turn! Turn!' and 'Eight Miles High'.

The Who began their first full North American tour at the Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon, appearing as support band to Herman's Hermits on 55 dates.

David Bowie released the single 'Love You Till Tuesday' which failed to reach the charts. Bowie's 1969 showpiece film Love You till Tuesday took its name from the song, which also featured over the opening credits.

The Rolling Stones were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'It's All Over Now', the group's first of 8 UK No.1's. Written by Bobby Womack and Shirley Womack, it was first released by The Valentinos featuring Bobby Womack in the same year.

The Beatles played their first ever gig in Wales in the UK when they appeared at The Regent Dansette in Rhyl. Tickets cost five shillings, ($0.70).

Dan Reynolds, American musician, best known as the frontman of the Las Vegas-based rock band Imagine Dragons.

Dan Smith, lead vocalist, producer, songwriter and founder of the indie rock band Bastille, who won a Brit award and had a No.1 U.K. album with Bad Blood.

Ruben Studdard, singer, winner of the second series of American Idol. (2003 US No.2 single 'Flying Without Wings').

Taboo, rapper, singer, Black Eyed Peas, (2003 US & UK No.1 single 'Where Is The Love').

Nick McCabe, guitarist from English rock band The Verve, who had the 1997 album Urban Hymns, one of the best-selling albums in UK Chart history. The album features the hit singles 'Bitter Sweet Symphony', 'The Drugs Don't Work' and 'Lucky Man'.

Ellen Reid, keyboards, with Canadian rock band Crash Test Dummies best known internationally for their 1993 single 'Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm'.

American musician Bob Birch, session bassist. He worked with Doobie Brothers, Bryan Adams, Lionel Richie, George Michael, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Phil Collins, Keith Emerson,Barry Manilow and Elton John. Birch died on August 15, 2012, from an self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Los Angeles home, aged 56.

English bass guitarist Matthew Seligman, best known as a member of The Soft Boys. Seligman was also a member of the Thompson Twins, and was a sideman for Thomas Dolby and backed David Bowie at his performance at Live Aid in 1985. He died on 17 April 2020 aged 64 due to complications of the coronavirus.

Bob Casale, best known as a guitarist and keyboardist in the new wave band Devo. He engineered the first solo album for Police guitarist Andy Summers. Casale died on February 17, 2014.

Chris Cross, bass, synth, with British new wave band Ultravox who had the 1981 UK No.2 single 'Vienna', plus 15 other UK Top 40 singles.

American session drummer Andy Newmark who was the drummer for Sly and the Family Stone, and has also played with numerous other artists, particularly British acts such as John Lennon, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Roxy Music, and Badfinger, Eric Clapton and David Gilmour.

Tommy Mottola, music executive, Sony Records. Married Mariah Carey in 1993, separated in 1997.

Jim Gordon, American drummer, one of the most requested session drummers in the late 1960s and 1970s. Gordon co-wrote "Layla" with Eric Clapton, worked with The Everly Brothers, The Monkees, The Beach Boys, (George Harrison, (All Things Must Pass), John Lennon (Imagine), The Carpenters, Traffic, Glen Campbell, (Wichita Lineman), Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Frank Zappa and many others. A diagnosed schizophrenic, Gordon was sentenced to prison in 1984 for the murder of his mother. Gordon died in prison on 13 March 2023, at the age of 77.

Lowman Pauling, guitarist, The Five Royales, co-wrote 1967 hit for Mamas and the Papas, 'Dedicated To The One I Love' which was originally a 1961 hit for the Shirelles. It got to No.3 on the Hot 100. The Five Royales recorded the song in 1957 but it never charted. It was included on their album, Dedicated To You. He died on 26th December 1973.

Woodrow Wilson ‘Woody’ Guthrie in Okemah, Oklahoma. Folk singer and songwriter, famous for his ‘Dust Bowl Ballads’ and protest songs in the 1930’s and 1940’s. His work was a major influence on the young Bob Dylan, providing inspiration and mentorship. Guthrie was married three times and fathered eight children, including American folk musician Arlo Guthrie. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his guitar. Guthrie died of complications resulting from Huntingdon’s disease on October 3rd 1967.