Musician Birthdays: James Blunt (UK singer/songwriter, famous for the hit, “You’re Beautiful”, born in 1974)

– In 1967: Pink Floyd continued working on their debut album The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn at Abbey Road Studios, London. The Beatles were also working at Abbey Road, recording the giant piano chord for the end of ‘A Day In The Life’ for their Sgt. Pepper’s album.

– In 1974: Former David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson played the first of two nights at The Rainbow in London, England.

– In 1980: Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, featuring Roger Glover, Graham Bonnet and Cozy Powell appeared at The Royal Highland Exhibition Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland.

– In 1986: MTV dedicated a full 22 hours broadcast to The Monkees, showing all 45 episodes of the original Monkees TV series.

– In 1987: Andy Warhol, pop artist and producer died after a gall bladder operation. The founder of the Pop Art movement, produced and managed The Velvet Underground, designed the 1967 Velvet Underground And Nico ‘peeled banana’ album cover and The Rolling Stones ‘Sticky Fingers’ album cover.

– In 1988: Stevie Wonder was awarded the 1998 MusiCares Person Of The Year at a concert in Los Angeles.

– In 1989: A category for Heavy Metal was included at the Grammy Awards for the first time. Metallica performed on stage, but the award went to Jethro Tull. Many audience members booed. Meanwhile, Bobby McFerrin won Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year for ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’, Tracy Chapman is named Best New Artist and Tina Turner won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for ‘Tina Live in Europe’.

– In 1997: No Doubt went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Don’t Speak.’ The third single from the band’s second album Tragic Kingdom was written by Eric Stefani and his sister Gwen Stefani.

– In 2004: Norah Jones started a six week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Feels Like Home’, the singers second US No.1. Usher feat Lil Jon and Ludacris were at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Yeah.’

– In 2004: The Sex Pistols’ ‘Anarchy in the UK’ was named the most influential record of the 1970s in poll compiled by Q magazine. Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was voted into second place and Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ was third, T Rex’s ‘Get It On’ was fourth and Special AKA’s ‘Gangsters’ came fifth.