Here’s the “This Day In Music” for the Day. Enjoy!

Kev

Musician Birthdays: Alan Paul (singer for Manhattan Transfer, singer/guitarist for Woodie Alan band, writer for “Guitar World” and “Slam” magazine, also author of “Big In Chna” novel. Born in 1949), Bruce Hornsby (singer/songwriter, pianist. Born in 1954). Miley Cyrus (singer/songwriter/actress, daughter of country icon, Billy Ray Cyrus, and also star of “Hannah Montana”. Born in 1992.)

– In 1899: The world’s first jukebox was installed at San Francisco’s’ Palais Royal Hotel.

– In 1962: The Beatles traveled to St. James’ Church Hall, London, for a ten-minute audition with BBC Television. The audition came about when Beatles fan, David Smith of Preston, Lancashire wrote to the BBC asking for The Beatles to be featured on BBC television. Assuming that Smith was The Beatles’ manager, the BBC wrote back to him, offering The Beatles an audition. Smith brought his letter to NEMS Enterprises, and Clive Epstein (Brian’s brother) arranged for audition to take place. Four days later, Brian Epstein received a polite “thumbs-down” letter from the BBC.

– In 1965: Marc Bolan appeared live on the UK TV show Five O’Clock Funfair, performing ‘The Wizard’.

– In 1974: Elton John started an 11-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with his ‘Greatest Hits’, album. It also enjoyed a 10 week run as the US No.1

– In 1974: The Rolling Stones scored their fifth US No.1 album with ‘It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll’.

– In 1975: Queen started a nine-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ The promotional video that accompanied the song is generally acknowledged as being the first pop video and only cost £5,000 to produce. When the band wanted to release the single various record executives suggested to them that, at 5 minutes and 55 seconds, it was too long and would never be a hit.

– In 1976: Ten hours after his last arrest, Jerry Lee Lewis was nicked again after brandishing a Derringer pistol outside Elvis Presley’s Graceland’s home in Memphis, demanding to see the ‘King’. When police arrived they found Lewis sat in his car with the loaded Derringer pistol resting on his knee.

– In 1979: Keith Richard’s girlfriend Anita Pallenburg was cleared by a court of shooting a man found dead at her home.

– In 1979: Marianne Faithfull was arrested at Oslo Airport, Norway, for possession of marijuana.

– In 1989: During a 104-date world tour, Paul McCartney played the first of five nights at the Los Angeles Forum, California, his first appearances in North America in thirteen years.

– In 1991: Genesis scored their 5th UK No.1 album with ‘We Can’t Dance’, featuring the singles ‘Jesus He Knows Me’ and ‘I Can’t Dance’.

– In 1991: Michael Jackson had his fourth UK No.1 single with ‘Black or White’ which featured Slash on guitar. Also a No.1 hit in the US.

– In 2000: The son of George Harrison was involved in a car crash. Dhani Harrison crashed his Audi S3 in Oxfordshire but escaped any serious injury.

– In 2002: Otis Redding’s widow and his former manager filed a lawsuit against the author of a biography written in 2001 about the R&B legend, claiming the book is filled with lies. The lawsuit, filed in Atlanta’s Fulton County, sought $15 million in damages and claimed that the book detailed rumors about the singer’s drug use, extramarital affairs and divorce, causing “harm to the plaintiffs.” It also cites rumors that Otis’ manager plotted with the Mafia to kill Otis by causing the plane to crash in order to claim $1 million in life insurance.

– In 2003: Michael Jackson’s Number Ones album went to number one in the UK. In the US it entered the chart at number 13 and quickly dropped out of the Top 50.

– In 2005: US singer songwriter Chris Whitley died of lung cancer aged 45. Whitley earned critical success with his 1991 album ‘Living with the Law’ and toured with Bob Dylan and Tom Petty.

– In 2007: Bono and The Edge from U2 made a surprise appearance at a charity gig, playing four songs before 250 people. The London gig at the Union Chapel was held as part of the Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions.