Musician Birthdays: Andy Summers (guitarist of the Police, born in 1942), Donna Summer (US disco singer, famous for the hit “Hot Stuff”, born in 1948), Paul Westerberg (guitarist, singer for the Replacements, born in 1960), Scott Ian (guitarist, singer for Anthrax, born in 1963)

– In 1955: Based on sales from stores, radio and jukebox plays Billboard named ‘Unchained Melody’ by Les Baxter the number 1 US song of 1955.

– In 1961: The Beach Boys made their live debut using their new name when they appeared at Long Beach Civic Auditorium, California.

– In 1963: The Kinks made their live debut when they played at the Lotus House Restaurant, London.

– In 1966: The Monkees started a 7-week run at No.1 on the US singles charts with the Neil Diamond song ‘I’m A Believer’. Also No.1 in the UK in 1967.

– In 1967: American songwriter and producer Bert Berns died of heart failure aged 38. He wrote many classic songs including ‘Twist And Shout’, ‘Hang On Sloopy’, ‘Here Comes the Night’, ‘I Want Candy’ and ‘Brown Eyed Girl’.

– In 1970: Paul McCartney filed a suit against the rest of The Beatles to dissolve their partnership.

– In 1973: Australian band AC/DC made their live debut when they appeared at Chequers Bar in Sydney.

– In 1979: David Bowie performed an acoustic version of ‘Space Oddity’ on the UK TV ‘Kenny Everett New Year’s Show’.

– In 1984: Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen, crashed his Corvette Stingray, on the A57 outside Sheffield, Allen lost his left arm in the accident. Allen was on his way to a New Year’s Eve party at his family’s home when a Jaguar passed him. The driver had been egging Allen on and would not allow him to pass. In his rage to pass this driver, he did not see a turn up ahead and lost control of his car. He was thrown from the car, with his left arm severed due to the seatbelt not being properly fastened.

– In 1985: Ricky Nelson was killed along with six others, when his charted light aircraft crashed in Texas. It’s rumoured that freebasing cocaine caused an onboard explosion. Nelson had played himself on his parent’s US TV The Adventures Of Ozzie and Harriet.’ (1958 US No.1 ‘Poor Little Fool’, 1961 UK No.2 single ‘Hello Mary Lou’ plus over 30 US Top 40 hit singles).

– In 1991: Pearl Jam, Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers all appeared on the same bill at the Cow Palace, San Francisco, California.

– In 1994: Garth Brooks started a seven-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with, ‘The Hits’.

– In 1996: Paul McCartney became a Sir after he was listed in the Queens New Year’s Honours List.

– In 2000: Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson married actress Kate Hudson the daughter of actress Goldie Hawn. The couple separated in 2006.

– In 2001: UK record chain HMV listed the best selling music products over Christmas: ‘No Angel’ by Dido was the best selling album, Kylie Minogue sold the most calendars, Kurt Cobain: ‘Heavier Than Heaven’ was the best selling book and D-12 T-Shirt was listed as the No.1 seller.

– In 2005: The John Lennon song Imagine was voted the nations favourite song a quarter of a century after his death. A UK radio station conducted the poll of 7,000 listeners. The Beatles were voted into second and third place with ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Let It Be.’