This Day In Music Search

American drummer Taylor Hawkins died age 50. He had worked with Alanis Morissette as her touring drummer on her Jagged Little Pill tour. He joined Foo Fighters in 1997, and had a side project, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, in which he played drums and sings. He was voted Best Rock Drummer in 2005 by the UK drumming magazine Rhythm. At Live Earth in 2007, Hawkins was part of SOS Allstars with Roger Taylor of Queen and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Scott Walker singer with The Walker Brothers died age 76. The US star found fame as a teen idol in The Walker Brothers, scoring hits with 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore' and 'Make It Easy On Yourself'. He lived in the UK from 1965 and became a British citizen in 1970. Walker began a solo career with 1967's Scott, moving toward an increasingly challenging baroque pop style on late '60s albums such as Scott 3 (1969) and Scott 4 (1969). As a record producer or guest performer, he worked with a number of artists including Pulp, Ute Lemper and Bat for Lashes.

Sam Smith was at No.1 on the UK sinlges chart with 'Lay Me Down'. The lead single from his debut studio album In the Lonely Hour originally peaked at No.46 on the UK Singles Chart. This version featuring John Legend was recorded for the British charity telethon Comic Relief.

The manager of pop star Justin Bieber was arrested after police claimed he failed to warn fans on Twitter about overcrowding at a shopping centre event. Police said they asked Scott Braun to tell fans through Twitter that Bieber would not be appearing because of fears over safety after hundreds turned up - resulting in five people being taken to hospital with minor injuries. Police said Mr Braun refused to send the message until 90 minutes later. He pleaded not guilty to charges including reckless endangerment related to November's event in Roosevelt Field Mall in a New York suburb.

Dan Seals from England Dan & John Ford Coley died. They scored the 1976 US No. 2 & UK No. 26 single, 'I'd Really Love To See You Tonight.' Seals who died aged 61 was the younger brother of Seals & Crofts member Jim Seals. After the duo disbanded, Seals began a solo career in country music. Throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, he released 16 studio albums and charted more than 20 singles on the country charts. Eleven of his singles reached No.1.

Richie Sambora was arrested in California on suspicion of drink driving. The 48 year-old Bon Jovi guitarist was arrested after a police officer noticed his black Hummer weaving in traffic lanes in Laguna Beach. He was ordered to appear in court on one count of driving under the influence.

Buck Owens Jr, American singer and guitarist died. He pioneered the Bakersfield sound, a reference to Bakersfield, California. He scored twenty No.1 hits on the Billboard country music charts.

Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne were forced to flee their Buckinghamshire mansion after a blaze broke out as they slept. Ozzy and his wife were roused by a fire alarm and ran to safety in the garden, rescuing their pets as they escaped.

The seven-year mystery of missing Manic Street Preachers guitarist Richey Edwards took a grisly twist when human feet were found near where he vanished in 1995.

Bono from U2 made a appearance at the air rage trial of R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, telling the court 'I came to court because Peter is actually famously known for being a peaceable person. I once had to twist his arm to get him to a boxing match'. Buck was later cleared of all charges. He had been accused of attacking two cabin staff and covering them in yoghurt, knocking over a trolley and trying to steal a knife.

The first Britney Spears Pepsi TV commercial was aired on US television. Spears had signed a multi-million dollar deal with Pepsi for her forthcoming world tour.

Former Bay City Rollers drummer Derek Longmuir was given 300 hours community service after being caught with a hoard of child pornography including 150 videos and 73 floppy disks.

*NSYNC set a new world record after selling a million tickets in one day for the group's forthcoming tour, netting them over £25 million ($42.5 million).

73-year-old Country music singer Ray Price was arrested in his Texas home for possession of marijuana. He was fined $200 after pleading no contest to the charges. According to Price in a 2008 interview, old friend Willie Nelson - no stranger to marijuana arrests - phoned and told him he'd just earned $5 million in free publicity with the drug bust.

Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder was rescued after a riptide carried him 250 feet offshore in New Zealand.

Motley Crue's Tommy Lee was arrested for mooning at the audience during a gig in Augusta. Lee was charged with indecent exposure.

Madonna was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Like A Prayer', the singers sixth UK No.1, also No.1 in the US. The song was accompanied by a highly controversial music video, which in 2005 was voted the "Most Groundbreaking Music Video of All Time" by viewers of MTV.

Guns N’ Roses signed a worldwide deal with Geffen Records. The band has now sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, their 1987 debut album, Appetite For Destruction has sold in excess of 28 million copies worldwide.

Motown Records celebrated its 25 anniversary with a concert in Pasadena, featuring; The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Jr. Walker, The Commodores, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and The Jackson 5.

Bill Kenny, lead singer of The Ink Spots died. Had the UK No.10 single 'Melody Of Love.' 'The Gypsy' was their biggest chart success, staying at the No.1 position on the US chart for 13 weeks.

America started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with their debut hit 'Horse With No Name', it made No.3 in the UK. The group scored eight other US top 40 hits during the 70s.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono started their week long 'bed-in' in the presidential suite at The Amsterdam Hilton hotel. The couple invited the world's press into their hotel room every day, to talk about promoting world peace.

After 58 episodes, the final Monkees TV show aired on NBC in the United States. Since its initial run, almost every major cable network has aired re-runs of the show, including a popular stint on CBS from 1969-1972.

The Rolling Stones kicked off a three-week European tour in Orebro, Sweden. Arriving in Copenhagen for the tour the group were delayed after customs officers search all their luggage for drugs.

The Turtles started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Happy Together'. The song was written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon, former members of a band known as The Magicians. The song had been rejected a dozen times before it was offered to the Turtles, and the demo acetate was worn out.

The Who and Cream made their U.S. concert debut at RKO 58th Street Theatre, New York City as part of a rock & roll extravaganza promoted by DJ Murray the K.

Pink Floyd played three gigs in 24 hours. The appeared at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England, then the New Yorker Discotheque in Swindon and then played at the Shoreline Club in Bognor Regis (in the early hours 26 March).

At a photo session at Bob Whitaker's studio in London, The Beatles posed in white coats using sides of meat with mutilated and butchered dolls for the cover of their next American album, Yesterday and Today. After advance copies were sent to disc jockeys and record reviewers, negative reaction to the cover photo was so strong Capitol recalled 750,000 copies from distributors to replace the cover. The total cost to Capitol to replace the cover and promotional materials was $250,000, wiping out their initial profit.

Bobby Vee, Dusty Springfield, The Searchers, Heinz and The Zombies all appeared at The Odeon Cinema, Stockton, Cleveland.

The Beatles made their debut on UK TV show Top Of The Pops performing 'Can't Buy Me Love' and ‘You Can’t Do That.’ The show had been recorded on March 19th.

Johnny Cash recorded the June Carter/Merle Kilgore song 'Ring Of Fire.' The song was originally recorded by June's sister Anita Carter, on her 1963 album Folk Songs Old and New as '(Love's) Ring of Fire'. Cash claimed he had a dream where he heard the song accompanied by 'Mexican trumpets'. It became the biggest hit of Johnny Cash's career, staying at No.1 on the US charts for seven weeks.

Buddy Holly appeared at The Gaumont Theatre in London, the final date on his only UK tour. Also on the bill was Gary Miller, The Tanner Sisters, Des O'Connor, The Montanas, Ronnie Keene & His Orchestra.

Having been sworn in as Private 53310761 the previous day Elvis Presley received the regulation short back and sides haircut from army barber James Peterson. Presley would earn $78 per month as an army private.

The movie Blackboard Jungle was released, remembered for its innovative use of rock and roll in its soundtrack, for casting grown adults as high school teens, and for the unique breakout role of a black cast member, film icon Sidney Poitier, as a rebellious yet musically talented student. The song 'Rock Around The Clock,' by Bill Haley which was featured in the film became the first ever rock song to chart at No.1.

Rapper, singer, and songwriter Iann Dior. In 2020, he featured on 24kGoldn's single ‘Mood’, which peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

American rapper Big Sean. His third studio album, Dark Sky Paradise, was released in 2015 and earned him his first No.1 album in the US. In 2017 his fourth studio album, I Decided, debuted at No.1 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

American music producer, musician, and DJ Ryan Lewis. The Macklemore's and Lewis single 'Thrift Shop' reached No.1 on the US singles chart in 2013 and their second single, 'Can't Hold Us' also peaked at No.1, making Macklemore and Lewis the first duo in the chart's history to have their first two singles both reach the top of the US charts.

American rapper and actor Juvenile, (Terry Gray) who had the 2004 US No.1 single feat Soulja Slim 'Slow Motion', and the 2006 US No.1 album ‘Reality Check’.

Melanie Blatt, singer from British girl group All Saints, who had the 1998 UK No.1 and US No.4 single 'Never Ever'. The group's debut album, All Saints (1997), went on to become the third best-selling girl group album of all time in the UK.

British musician Finley Quaye. He won the 1997 Mobo Award for best reggae act, and the 1998 BRIT Award for Best Male Solo Artist.

Michael McKeegan, bassist with alternative metal band from Northern Ireland Therapy? who had the 1993 UK No.9 single 'Screamager'.

Cathy Dennis, singer, songwriter, (1991 US No.2 & UK No.5 single 'Touch Me All Night Long'). Co-wrote 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' for Kylie Minogue and has also written songs recored by S Club 7, Kelly Clarkson, Brian Kennedy, Celine Dion, Ronan Keating, Janet Jackson and Britney Spears.

American rock drummer Frank Ferrer best known as the drummer for Guns N’ Roses with whom he has played, toured, and recorded since 2006. Ferrer was also a member of The Psychedelic Furs, Love Spit Love as well as The Beautiful.

Canadian guitarist, singer, Jeff Healey. He lost his sight to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes when he was eight months old, resulting in his eyes being surgically removed. Healey died of cancer on March 2nd 2008.

Steve Norman, guitar, sax, with Spandau Ballet who became one of the most successful groups to emerge during the New Romantic era and have produced a number of international hits during the 80s including 'True', 'Gold' and 'Through the Barricades.'

Maizie Williams, from German vocal group Boney M, who had the 1978 UK No.1 & US No.30 single 'Rivers Of Babylon' and with more than 150 million records sold, they are one of the Best Selling Artists of all time.

Neil Jones, from Welsh rock group Amen Corner who had the 1969 UK No.1 single 'If Paradise Is Half As Nice' plus five other UK Top 40 hits. He later became an acclaimed photographer with his work appearing in NME and Melody Maker. Jones died on 8 June 2018.

Canadian music producer and keyboardist Bob Ezrin best known for his work with Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Peter Gabriel, Jane's Addiction, Dr. John, Nils Lofgren and Phish.

Jack Hall from the Charlie Daniels Band, who had the 1979 US No.3 & UK No.14 single 'The Devil Went Down To Georgia'.

Sir Elton John singer, songwriter, pianist, (Reginald Dwight), who had the 1971 UK No.7 single 'Your Song', the 1973 US No.1 single 'Crocodile Rock' along with seven other US No.1's. He had the biggest selling single of all time in 1997 with 'Candle In The Wind 97', plus has scored over 50 UK Top 40 hit singles. John has sold over 150m records worldwide. Elton and Bernie Taupin wrote the No.1 (with Kiki Dee) 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' under the pseudonyms Ann Orson and Carte Blanche. Some of the aliases Sir Elton has used checking into hotels include, Prince Fooboo, Sir Humphrey Handbag, Lillian Lollipop, Lord Choc Ice, Lord Elpus, Binky Poodleclip and Sir Henry Poodle. Elton John's official nickname is Rocket Man.

English singer-songwriter Duncan Browne, who had the 1972 UK No.23 single 'Journey'. Browne died of cancer on 28 May 1993 aged 46.

English guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. He formed Kippington Lodge in 1965, which evolved into the band Brinsley Schwarz. After the band's demise in 1974, Schwarz briefly joined Ducks Deluxe before forming The Rumour and going on to achieve success with Graham Parker as Graham Parker and the Rumour.

American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, who had the 1967 US No.1 & UK No.10 single 'Respect', the 1968 UK No.4 single 'I Say A Little Prayer' and the 1987 UK No.1 single with George Michael, 'I Knew You Were Waiting'. She scored over 15 other Top 40 hits and won 18 Grammys during her career. Franklin died on August 16, 2018 in Detroit at the age of 76 after being diagnosed with cancer in 2010.

Hoyt Axton, US singer, songwriter and actor who wrote songs for Elvis Presley, Three Dog Night, ('Joy to the World'), John Denver, Ringo Starr and Glen Campbell. He had his own hits with ‘When The Morning Comes’ and ‘Flash Of Fire’. Acting roles included Bionic Woman and McCloud. Axton died of a heart attack on October 26th 1999, aged 61.

American singer-songwriter of rockabilly and pop music Johnny Burnette who had the 1961 UK No.3 & US No.8 single 'Your Sixteen'. He was killed on 14 August 1964 aged 30 when his unlit fishing boat was struck by an unaware cabin cruiser on Clear Lake, California. The impact threw him off the boat, and he drowned.

English rock and roll singer Wee Willie Harris. He is best known for his energetic stage shows and TV performances starting in the 1950s, when he was known as "Britain's wild man of rock 'n' roll". Paul McCartney and John Lennon reportedly queued for his autograph when he played in Liverpool in 1958. He resurfaced in the late 1970s as a nostalgia act, after Ian Dury mentioned him in the song 'Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3'. Harris died on 27 April 2023, at age 90.

American record producer Tom Wilson. He worked with various US acts including Bob Dylan (The Times They Are a-Changin', Another Side of Bob Dylan, and Bringing It All Back Home), Frank Zappa (Freak Out!), Simon And Garfunkel (Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.) and The Velvet Underground, (White Light/White Heat). He died on September 6, 1978.