This Day In Music Search

American singer-songwriter and guitarist David Crosby died age 81. He was a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. With CS&N he had the 1969 UK No.17 single 'Marrakesh Express', 1970 US No.11 single 'Woodstock' with Crosby, Stills Nash & Young plus the 1970 US No.1 album 'Deja Vu' and the 1975 US No. 6 solo album 'Wind On The Water'.

American composer, producer, arranger, and musician Perry Botkin Jr. died age 87. As an arranger, he worked with Bobby Darin, Harry Nilsson, Gary Crosby, The Lettermen and Harpers Bizarre, among others. "Nadia's Theme", composed by Botkin and Barry De Vorzon, peaked at No.8 on the Billboard chart in 1976. He was also a major contributor to Incredible Bongo Band, one of the most influential groups of all-time for its Bongo Rock album which is one of the most sampled from records, making it a major influence in the origins of Hip hop.

Nashville folk singer David Olney died age 71 after suffering a heart attack during a performance in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He formed the band The X-Rays, which released two albums before splitting up in 1985. His songs have been covered by numerous artists, including Emmylou Harris, Del McCoury, Linda Ronstadt and Steve Earle.

The Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey died at the age of 67 in New York City from complications arising from rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and pneumonia. Frey co-founded the Eagles in 1971 with Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner. After the breakup of the Eagles in 1980, Frey embarked on a successful solo career and went on to score the Top 40 hits 'The One You Love', 'Smuggler's Blues', 'The Heat Is On', and 'You Belong to the City'.

American session drummer Dallas Taylor died of complications from viral pneumonia and kidney disease, aged 66. He is best known as the drummer on Crosby, Stills and Nash's debut album, Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969) and their follow-up with Neil Young, Déjà Vu (1970) as well as appearing on Stephen Stills' eponymous first solo album in 1970. Taylor was the drummer for Stills' group Manassas in 1972 and 1973. In 1970, Dallas sat in with The Doors accompanying John Densmore on drums. Jim Morrison acknowledges him on The Doors Live in New York album.

The largest collection of Beatles memorabilia went on display in a new museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Rodolfo Vazquez, a 53-year-old accountant, turned his mammoth Beatles collection into a museum with more than 8,500 objects - setting the new world record for the largest collection of Beatles memorabilia. Some of the items included a box of condoms bearing the names of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, a brick from the Cavern Club, a chunk of the stage from the Star Club in Hamburg, and certified copies of the band members' birth certificates. Among his favorite items were 64 boxes of chewing gum in the form of Beatles records.

Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle died of cancer at home in Montreal at the age of 63. Once married to folk singer Loudon Wainwright lll, Kate was the mother of singers Rufus and Martha Wainwright. She rose to prominence with sister Anna when they recorded together in the 1970s. Other artists who covered the pair's songs included Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, Kirsty MacColl and Judy Collins.

Islington Green School in North London was fighting plans to turn it into an academy. The school, which found fame when some of its pupils sang on Pink Floyd's hit 'Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)' wrote a new version of the song to sing outside Islington Town Hall as part of their protest. They hoped lyrics such as 'We don't need no business control' and 'Hey bankers leave our kids alone' could persuade authorities to reject the proposal.

Animals in Michael Jackson's private zoo were declared to be in good health after officials paid a surprise visit to the singer's Neverland ranch. A medical officer from the US department of agriculture inspected the property following concerns voiced by the animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Jackson had earlier moved out of Neverland and had taken up residence in Bahrain in the Middle East.

Motown producer Norman Whitfield pleaded guilty for failing to report royalty income he earned from 1995 to 1999 to the Internal Revenue Service. Facing charges of tax evasion on over $2 million worth of income, he was sentenced to six months of house arrest and a $25,000 fine. The producer was not imprisoned because of health problems.

Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher was granted a quickie divorce from Meg Matthews at the High Court in London. The couple had split last September, eight months after Meg had given birth to their daughter, Anais.

Spencer Goodman was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas. Goodman was convicted of kidnapping and murdering the wife of ZZ Top manager Bill Ham in 1991. Ham was present for the execution.

Songwriter and producer Keith Diamond died of a heart attack. He wrote, 'Caribbean Queen' and 'Suddenly' for Billy Ocean, and also wrote hits for Donna Summer, James Ingram, Mick Jagger, Sheena Easton and Michael Bolton.

Tori Amos was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Professional Widow' (It's Got To Be)'. The song had been remixed by Armand Van Helden and was rumoured to be about Courtney Love the former wife of Kurt Cobain.

Elton John resigned his directorship of Watford Football Club. Having supported Watford Football Club since growing up locally, Elton John became the club's chairman and director in 1976, investing large sums of money as the club rose three divisions into the English First Division.

English singer Mel Appleby died of Pneumonia aged 23 following treatment for metastatic paraganglioma. Appleby was one half of the duo Mel and Kim who had the 1997 UK No.1 'Respectable'. She initially worked as a glamour model, (in 1987 she did a photo shoot for Mayfair).

At just 38 years old, Stevie Wonder became the youngest living person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At a ceremony held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, other inductees include The Rolling Stones, The Temptations, Otis Redding and Dion DiMucci.

Wendy O. Williams of The Plasmatics was arrested on stage at Milwaukee and was charged with the offence of simulating sex with a sledgehammer. Williams later filed a multimillion dollar civil suit against the Milwaukee Police, claming they sexually assaulted and beat her during the arrest, but a jury rejected her claims.

Barry Manilow scored his first US No.1 single when 'Mandy', (originally titled 'Brandy' when it was recorded in 1972 by Scott English), went to the top of the charts.

Former members from Free, (Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke), Mott The Hoople (Mick Ralphs), and King Crimson, (Boz Burrell), formed Bad Company. The band went on to score a US No.1 album with their debut release.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded an appearance on UK TV show Top Of The Pops performing a live version of "Hey Joe". They also played a show at the Seven and a Half Club in Mayfair, London during the evening.

The Rolling Stones recorded 'The Last Time' and 'Play With Fire' at the RCA studio in Hollywood, California. Producer Phil Spector played acoustic guitar on 'Play With Fire.'

The Beatles made their US chart debut when 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' entered the chart at No.45 just ten days after its release, making it the fastest-breaking and the fastest selling single in Capitol Records history. It went on to spend seven weeks at the No.1 position on the US chart before being replaced by their follow-up single 'She Loves You'. 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' became the Beatles' best-selling single worldwide, selling more than 12 million copies.

Johnny Preston started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Running Bear'. Written by J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), the tune originally entered the chart in October 1959, then quickly vanished, but re-entered in November and slowly climbed to the top. It was also a UK No.1.

Irish singer-songwriter, dancer, actress, fashion model and TV presenter Samantha Mumba, who had the 2000 UK No.2 & US No.4 single 'Gotta Tell You', and the 2001 UK No.3 single 'Always Come Back To'.

English musician Katie White a member of the pop duo The Ting Tings. After some success with a girl group punk trio TKO, White and Jules De Martino formed the Ting Tings in 2007.

British singer, songwriter, and rapper Estelle Swaray, who had the 2008 UK No.1 single 'American Boy' featuring Kayne West. She has collaborated with artists including John Legend, Robin Thicke, Rick Ross, Chris Brown, will.i.am, Kanye West, Pete Rock, David Guetta and Tyler, The Creator.

Richard Archer, singer, guitarist with English indie rock band Hard-Fi. They had the 2006 UK No.1 album Stars of CCTV which was nominated for the Mercury Prize and two Brit Awards.

Christian Burns, from English pop group BBMak who scored the 2001 UK No.5 single 'Back Here' which was also a No.1 hit in Japan.

Crispian Mills, guitar, vocals, with English psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker, who had the 1996 UK No.2 single 'Hey Dude'.

Jonathan Davis, singer from American nu metal band Korn who scored the 1998 US No.1 album, Follow The Leader. Twelve of the band's official releases have peaked in the top ten of the Billboard Chart.

Jeremy Healey, guitarist with avant-garde, new wave pop group Haysi Fantayzee who had the 1982 UK No.11 single 'John Wayne Is Big Leggy'.

American musician and producer Bob Rosenberg who founded Will To Power. They had the 1988 US No.1 single 'Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley', a medley of 1970s hits by Peter Frampton and Lynyrd Skynyrd. A second band hit was 'I'm Not in Love', a cover of 10cc's 1975 hit, which peaked at No.7 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1990.

English singer, songwriter, and musician Tom Bailey who with The Thompson Twins, had the 1984 UK No.2 single 'You Take Me Up', and the 1984 US No.3 single, 'Hold Me Now'. Other hits during the 1980s include 'Love On Your Side', 'We Are Detective' and 'Doctor! Doctor!'

American guitarist Jack Sherman who was best known as the second guitarist to have joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers, in between Hillel Slovak's departure and return. He played on their debut album and co-wrote much of their second album, Freaky Styley. He went on to collaborate with Bob Dylan, George Clinton and Feargal Sharkey. Sherman died of a heart attack age 64 on 18 August 2020.

Legs Larry Smith, drummer with Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, who had the 1968 UK No.5 single 'I'm The Urban Spaceman'. As a solo artist, Smith also toured with Eric Clapton and Elton John. Smith was a close friend of ex-Beatle George Harrison for many years and designed the cover for his Gone Troppo album (1982).

American pop and country singer and songwriter Bobby Goldsboro who had the 1968 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Honey'. Goldsboro starred in his own US television show, The Bobby Goldsboro Show, from 1973 to 1976.

American soul singer David Ruffin who with The Temptations had the 1971 US No.1 & UK No. 8 single 'Just My Imagination' and re-issued 'My Girl' UK No.2 in 1992. He had the 1975 solo US No.9 & UK No.10 single 'Walk Away From Love', (produced by Van McCoy). Ruffin died of an accidental overdose of crack cocaine on 1 June 1991. Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin sang at the funeral and Michael Jackson volunteered to pay for all the funeral expenses.

American session keyboard player Hargus "Pig" Robbins. He was blind, having poked himself in the eye with a knife at age three and later learned to play piano at age seven, while attending the Nashville School for the Blind. He played his first session in 1957, with his first major recording being George Jones's 'White Lightning'. Robbins played on records for many artists, including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Rich, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, J.J. Cale, Mark Knopfler, Merle Haggard and Roger Miller. Robbins died on 30 January 2022, at the age of 84.