This Day In Music Search

American country-rockabilly singer and guitarist Sanford Clark died age 85. He is best known for his 1956 hit 'The Fool' written by Lee Hazlewood.

Irish musician, photographer, teacher, and author Rick Laird died of lung cancer age 80. He is best known as the bassist and founding member of the jazz fusion band Mahavishnu Orchestra, led by English guitarist John McLaughlin with which he performed from 1971 to 1973.

Blur's Damon Albarn was removed from stage at the Roskilde festival in Denmark after a mammoth five-hour set. The singer who was headlining the event with his Africa Express project encouraged the crowd to protest at the plug being pulled. The stage manager emerged, put the singer's jacket over his shoulders and lifted him off stage.

Bonhams of London announced that Freddie Mercury's black and white harlequin stage costume had sold for £22,500 at their Entertainment Memorabilia sale. The harlequin costume was one of Freddie’s most recognisable stage designs, which he wore at a number of high-profile concerts in the 1970s. Also a pair of Freddie’s ballet pumps exceeded the pre-sale estimate of £1,500 - 2,000, selling for £4,000 to an overseas internet bidder. Freddie had worn the white leather ballet shoes during Queen's legendary Hyde Park performance in 1976.

George Michael was arrested after he crashed his car into the front of a Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, North London. The singer was returning home from a Gay Pride parade when the incident was spotted on CCTV. He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive and charged with possession of cannabis and with driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Invited by US President Barack Obama, The Killers played on the White House South Lawn for the second annual "Salute to the Military" United Service Organizations concert as part of Independence Day celebrations.

77-year-old Allen Klein, the former manager of The Rolling Stones and later The Beatles, died after a battle with Alzheimer's disease. The assets of his company, ABKCO Music & Records, include recordings by The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Herman's Hermits, Bobby Womack, The Kinks, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell and many others.

Former laboratory worker Devon Townsend admitted to a court in Albuquerque, New Mexico of stalking Chester Bennington lead singer with Linkin Park. Townsend used US government computers to obtain his personal information, accessing Bennington's e-mail account and mobile phone voicemail. The court was told how she travelled to Arizona solely for the purpose of trying to see the singer and monitored Chester Bennington's voicemails as a means of trying to locate where he might be eating.

U2 won their court fight for the return of items of memorabilia, including a Stetson hat which they accused a former stylist of stealing. Judge Matthew Deery at Dublin's Circuit Court ordered Lola Cashman to return the items, which also include earrings, within seven days. Ms Cashman, had worked as U2's stylist during the 1980s and wrote an unauthorised book called ‘Inside the Zoo’. Judge Deery said he found Ms Cashman's version of how she had been given the items at the end of a US tour doubtful, particularly her description of Bono running around in his underpants backstage.

Ja Rule was arrested for driving while his licence was suspended and being in possession of marijuana. Rule, 28, was stopped by police after changing lanes without signalling, he later pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended licence but the possession charge was dropped.

American record producer and singer-songwriter and five-time Grammy Award-winner Barry White died from Kidney failure aged 58. Produced hits for girl group Love Unlimited and other chart hits include 1974 hit 'You're The First, The Last, My Everything', 1974 US No.1 'Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe'. Bubblegum act The Banana Splits recorded his songs and he arranged the 1963 hit 'Harlem Shuffle' for Bob & Earl.

George Michael took part in a live phone interview on US news channel CNN, defending his new single 'Shoot The Dog'. Americans were upset by the controversial video, which had President Bush in bed with Tony Blair.

A man fell 80 feet to his death during a Metallica concert at Raven Stadium, Baltimore.

Victoria 'Posh Spice' Adams married footballer David Beckham at Luttrellstown Castle, Ireland. The couple had signed a deal worth £1million for OK magazine to have the exclusive picture rights.

The debut album by Foo Fighters was released. Dave Grohl wrote and recorded the entire album himself, with the assistance of producer Barrett Jones at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, Washington. Grohl later said he recorded the album just for fun, describing it as a cathartic experience to recover from the suicide of Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain. He chose the name "Foo Fighters" for the project to hide his identity.

Paul Stanley from Kiss sustained neck and back injuries when he was involved in a car crash in New Jersey.

The second Farm Aid benefit concert took place at Manor Downs Racetrack, Manor, Texas. Held to raise money for family farmers in the US, the concerts were organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. Artists who appeared included: Alabama, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Emmylou Harris, Jason & the Scorchers, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Bon Jovi, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Vince Neil and Willie Nelson.

The Clash made their live debut supporting the Sex Pistols at the Black Swan, Sheffield, England.

Despite the fact that they have the No.4 song in the US with 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number' and a current Platinum album with Pretzel Logic, Steely Dan's Walter Becker and Donald Fagan play their final gig together in Santa Monica, California. They would not tour again for the next eighteen years.

Slade drummer Don Powell was badly injured in a car crash in which his girlfriend was killed.

Donald McPherson lead singer of US soul group Main Ingredient died of leukaemia aged 30. Had the 1972 hit song, 'Everybody Plays the Fool'.

Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Winter, Delaney and Bonnie, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker, Blood Sweat & Tears, Chuck Berry, Spirit, Chicago and Paul Butterfield all appeared at the two-day Atlanta Pop Festival, Byron, Georgia.

The Beatles played two shows at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, Manila, in the Philippines to over 80,000 fans. The Beatles failed to appear at a palace reception hosted by President Marcos' family, who were not informed that the Beatles had declined their invitation. The Philippine media misrepresent this as a deliberate snub and when Brian Epstein tries to make a televised statement, his comments are disrupted by static. The next day, as The Beatles make their way to the airport they were greeted by angry mobs, the Philippine government had retaliated by refusing police protection for The Beatles.

The Beach Boys started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Get Around', the group's first No.1, which was a No.7 hit in the UK. It is noteworthy for its back-to-front structure—it starts with a chorus and has two short verses.

The Everly Brothers held the UK No.1 position with 'All I Have To Do Is Dream.' The Duo's first No.1 single was recorded in just two takes and features Chet Atkins on guitar. The song was written by the husband and wife songwriting team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant.

Post Malone, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His 2018 US No.1 album Beerbongs & Bentleys broke several streaming records upon release, while his debut album Stoney broke Michael Jackson's 34-year-old record for most weeks on Billboard's Top R&B and Hip-Hop Albums chart after reaching its 77th week compared to the 76 weeks that Thriller spent on the chart.

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

Orri Páll Dýrason, drummer for Icelandic band Sigur Rós.

American drummer William Goldsmith best known as a member of Sunny Day Real Estate and former member of Foo Fighters, (1994–1997).

Andy Creeggan, piano, with Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies who scored the 1998 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'One Week'. He is also a member of the trio The Brothers Creeggan, and a solo artist.

Andy McClure, drummer from English Britpop band Sleeper, who scored the 1996 UK No.10 single 'Sale Of The Century'.

Michael Sweet the co-founder, writer, lead guitarist, lead singer and front man of the Christian metal band Stryper. He was also singer and guitarist for Boston from 2007 to 2011.

Matt Malley, bassist from American rock band Counting Crows, who had the 1994 UK hit single 'Mr Jones', and the 1996 US No.1 album Recovering The Satellites. They received a 2004 Academy Award nomination for their song 'Accidentally in Love', which was included in the film Shrek 2.

Kirk Pengilly, guitarist from Australian rock band INXS, who had the 1988 UK No.2 & US No.1 single 'Need You Tonight'. Their 1987 album Kick has sold over 10m copies in the US alone and features four Top 10 singles; 'Need You Tonight,' 'Devil Inside', 'New Sensation,' and 'Never Tear Us Apart.' INXS has sold over 55 million records worldwide.

American musician and singer Deon Estus. He is best known as the bass player of Wham! and as the bassist on George Michael's first two solo projects. Estus' single ‘Heaven Help Me’, with additional vocals by George Michael, reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989. He died on 11 October 2021 at the age of 65.

English musician John Waite who was the singer in Bad English and The Babys who had two hits on the US chart, 'Isn't It Time' (1977) and 'Everytime I Think of You' (1979). Waite had the 1984 solo US No.1 & UK No.9 single 'Missing You'.

Ralph Johnson, drummer, with Earth, Wind & Fire, who had the 1975 US No.1 single 'Shining Star', and the 1981 UK No.3 single 'Let's Groove'. The band has received 20 Grammy nominations and were the first African-American act to sell out Madison Square Garden.

Jeremy Spencer, guitar, Fleetwood Mac, who had the 1969 UK No.1 single 'Albatross'. Left the band during a 1971 US tour saying he was going out to buy a newspaper. He was found two days later in LA at the Children of God headquarters with his hair shaved off.

French music producer and songwriter Jacques Morali. He was the creator of acts like The Ritchie Family and Village People. Morali was infected by HIV in the mid-1980s and died of AIDS on 15 November 1991.

American session bassist Harvey Brooks. He played bass on Bob Dylan's 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited as well as recording with The Doors, Miles Davis, Cass Elliot, John Martyn, Seals & Crofts, Fontella Bass, John Sebastian, Loudon Wainwright III, John Cale and many other acts.

American jazz drummer Butch Miles. He played with the Count Basie Orchestra, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne and Tony Bennett. He died on 2 February 2023 at the age of 78.

Alan Wilson, guitar, harmonica, vocals, Canned Heat. Two of their songs 'Going Up the Country' and 'On the Road Again' became international hits. Wilson died on 3rd September 1970.

Dave Rowberry, English pianist and organist with The Animals who had the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'House Of The Rising Sun'. He also later worked with The Kinks. Rowberry died on 6th June 2003.

Bill Withers, American singer-songwriter who had the 1972 US No.1 single 'Lean On Me', 1988 UK No.4 single 'Lovely Day', which was first released in 1978. Toward the end of the song, Withers holds a note for 18 seconds. This is believed to be the second-longest note in UK chart history. Morten Harket of A-ha's 20-second note in "Summer Moved On" is the longest. Withers died from heart complications in Los Angeles on March 30, 2020 age 81.

Mitch Miller, conductor, arranger, (1955 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'The Yellow Rose Of Texas').