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.