Musician Birthdays: Ray Manzarek (keyboardist of the Doors, born in 1939), Lisa Hannigan (Irish folk singer, born in 1981)

– In 1964: The Beatles returned to New York City by train from Washington, D.C. for two performances at Carnegie Hall. There was such a demand for tickets that some extra seating was arranged surrounding the stage. Tickets ranged from $1.65 to $5.50.

– In 1968: Billed as ‘Tour 60 cities in 66 Days’ The Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared at the Centre Arena, Seattle, Washington.

– In 1970: John Lennon performed ‘Instant Karma’, on BBC TV’s ‘Top Of The Pops’, becoming the first Beatle to have appeared on the show since 1966.

– In 1972: Al Green went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Let’s Stay Together’, his only US chart topper. Tina Turner took the song to No.26 in 84.

– In 1977: Barbra Streisand started a six-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘A Star Is Born.’

– In 1977: The Police recorded their first single, ‘Fall Out’ for £150 ($255) at Pathway Studios, London, England.

– In 1978: Rush appeared at the Birmingham Odeon, England, promoting their new single ‘Closer To The Heart’, which was in the shops for 99p.

– In 1989: Aretha Franklin lost a court case against Broadway producer Ashton Springer, who sued for $1 million (£0.58 million) when Aretha failed to turn up for rehearsals for the stage show Sing Mahalia Sing, blaming her fear of flying on the non appearance.

– In 1994: Alice In Chains entered the US album chart at No.1 with ‘Jar Of Flies.’

– In 1994: Celine Dion started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘The Power Of Love’, the singers first US No.1, a No.4 hit in the UK.

– In 1995: Van Halen, scored their first US No.1 album with ‘Balance.’

– In 1997: U2 held a press conference in the Lingerie Department at the Greenwich Village Kmart store in Manhattan, New York City, to announce their Pop Mart world tour. The tour was set to start in Las Vegas on April 25th of this year.

– In 1997: David Bowie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

– In 2003: Former Doors drummer John Densmore took out legal action against The Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger for breach of contract, trademark infringement and unfair competition. The band had reformed with Ex- Cult singer Ian Astbury and former Police drummer Stewart Copeland. Densmore said “It shouldn’t be called The Doors if it’s someone other than Jim Morrison singing.”

– In 2004: Eminem’s ex-wife Kimberly Mathers was jailed for a month after being found using cocaine while on probation. Mathers was also put on a 90-day drug abuse programme.

– In 2005: A train was named after Clash frontman Joe Strummer at a ceremony in Bristol. The diesel train owned by Cotswold Rail, was named after the singer, guitarist who died aged 50 in 2002.

– In 2007: During a press conference at West Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go club Sting confirmed that The Police were getting back together. The band were set to kick off a world tour on May 28 in Vancouver, Canada, supported by Sting’s son Joe Sumner’s band, Fiction Plane.