Musician Birthdays: John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten, most famous as the lead singer of the Sex Pistols, famous for hits “Anarchy In the UK” and “God Save the Queen”, born in 1956), Jeff Hanneman, (guitarist of thrash metal band, Slayer, born in 1964), Chad Channing (Nirvana’s first drummer before Dave Grohl joined, born in 1967), Justin Timberlake (singer/songwriter/film actor, most famous as one of the singers for N’Sync and having a solo career, born in 1981)

– In 1967: The Beatles spent a second day at Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent, England to complete filming for the ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ promotional video. The film was shot in colour, for the benefit of the US market, since UK television was still broadcasting only in black and white. Taking time out from filming John Lennon bought a 1843 poster from an antiques shop in Surrey which provided him with most the lyrics for The Beatles song ‘Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite’.

– In 1970: The Jackson Five went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Want You Back’. The song was originally written for Gladys Knight & The Pips and was the first of four No.1’s for the group. It made No.2 in the UK.

– In 1981: Blondie went to No.1 on the US singles hart with ‘The Tide Is High’, the group’s third US No.1, also a No.1 in the UK.

– In 1987: Paul Simon went back to No. 1 on the UK album chart with ‘Graceland’, the album stayed on the chart for 101 weeks.

– In 1988: Janet Jackson started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Together Again’.

– In 2007: Jim Morrison was enlisted to help fight global warming more than 35 years after his death. ‘Woman in the Window’, a previously unreleased poem written and recorded by The Doors frontman shortly before he died in 1971 was being set to music and used to publicise the Global Cool campaign.

I know I haven’t been doing these the past couple of days, because the “This Day In Music” website has been down a lot. I think I’m going to get my “This Day In Music” stuff else where, I’ll look around google and find something. Here’s todays: 

Musician Birthdays: Phil Collins (drummer, singer/songwriter…famous as the frontman for Genesis and solo career. Also famous for hits such as Genesis “I Can’t Dance” and “Susudio” solo, born in 1951)

– In 1956: Elvis Presley started recording what would be his first album at RCA’s New York Studios. Songs recorded included his version the Carl Perkins song ‘Blue Suede Shoes’.

– In 1969: The Beatles played their lunchtime rooftop gig on top of the Apple building on Savile Row in London. Lasting for just over 40 minutes it was the last time The Beatles performed live.

– In 1972: Paul McCartney wrote and recorded his protest song ‘Give Ireland Back To The Irish’ within 24 hours of Bloody Sunday, when 13 Catholics were killed by British paratroopers.

– In 1973: After recently changing their name from Wicked Lester, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss made their first appearance as Kiss at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York.

– In 1975: The Bee Gees begin recording ‘Jive Talkin’, which became their second US chart topper and No.5 UK hit. Barry Gibb’s inspiration for the song came when his wife commented on the sound their car made while crossing a bridge over Biscayne Bay into Miami. She noted, “It’s our drive talkin’.”

– In 1982: American blues guitarist, singer Sam Lightnin Hopkins died of cancer aged 70. Influenced Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. R.E.M. recorded a song named after him on their Document album.

– In 1982: Hall and Oates went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Can Go For That, (No Can Do)’ the duo’s fourth US No.1, a No.8 hit in the UK.

– In 1988: INXS had their first US No.1 hit single with ‘Need You Tonight’.

– In 1988: Tiffany was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’, the singers only UK No.1 single. The song was a hit for Tommy James & The Shondells in 1967.

– In 1999: After spending 11 weeks on the chart Britney Spears started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘…Baby One More Time.’ Britney’s debut album also went to No.1 on the US chart on the same day.

– In 2010: Neil Young was named the Musicares person of the year for his “influential artistic accomplishments and philanthropic work”. A string of artist including Elton John, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Elvis Costello, John Forgarty, Dave Matthews and Sheryl Crowe performed his songs as he was honoured by the US Recording Academy at the Los Angeles Convention Centre.