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.

Musician Birthdays: Nick Mason (drummer for Pink Floyd, born in 1945), Mike Patton (singer, multi-instrumentalist, most famous as frontman for Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, born in 1968)

– In 1956: Elvis Presley’s single, ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ was released by RCA Records, who had just purchased Presley’s contract from Sun Records for $35,000. The song sold 300,000 copies in its first week and would eventually sell over a million, becoming Elvis’ first Gold record.

– In 1961: Frank Sinatra played a benefit show at Carnegie Hall in New York City for Martin Luther King.

– In 1962: The Beatles appeared at Aintree Institute in Aintree, Liverpool. The group had played here many times before but this was their last performance at the venue. Brian Epstein became infuriated when the promoter paid The Beatles’ fee (£15 pounds) with handfuls of loose change. Epstein took this as an insult to the group, and made sure that The Beatles never played for that promoter (Brian Kelly) again.

– In 1968: The Bee Gees made their live debut in the US when they played at the Anaheim Centre, California.

– In 1971: David Bowie arrived in the US for the first time; he couldn’t play live because of work permit restrictions, but attracted publicity when he wore a dress at a promotion event.

– In 1973: ‘Superstition’ gave Stevie Wonder had his second No.1 single in the US, 10 years after his first No.1.

– In 1977: The Clash signed to CBS Records in the UK for £100,000.

– In 1998: James Brown was charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a firearm after police were called to his South Carolina home. Brown later clamed the drugs were used to help his ‘eyesight.’

– In 2004: R&B singer Faith Evans and her husband were charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana after being arrested in Atlanta, Georgia. Police pulled them over for a suspected licence plate offence.

Musician Birthdays: Eddie Van Halen (guitarist for Van Halen, famous for instrumental hit, “Eruption”, born in 1957)

– In 1963: The Beatles played two gigs, the first was at the El Rio Club/Dance Hall in Macclesfield, Cheshire, supported by Wayne Fontana and the Jets. Then The Beatles drove 20 miles to their next gig at King’s Hall, Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.

– In 1965: During a Rolling Stones tour of Australia and New Zealand, guitarist Keith Richards had his shirt torn off after 50 fans invaded the stage during the gig at The Town Hall in Brisbane.

– In 1965:  ‘Downtown’ by Petula Clark was at No. 1 on the US singles chart. A young Jimmy Page had played as a session guitarist on the track, giving him his first US No.1 hit, (and a No. 2 hit in the UK).

– In 1968: Pink Floyd played their first gig without Syd Barrett at Southampton University. They were supported by Tyrannosaurus Rex, (later to be renamed T Rex) featuring Marc Bolan and percussionist Steve Peregrine Took.

– In 1970: John Lennon wrote, recorded and mixed his new single ‘Instant Karma’ all in one day. It ranks as one of the fastest-released songs in pop music history, recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios and arriving in stores only ten days later.

– In 1972: Sean Combs (Puff Daddy) father Melvin was shot dead in his car in a Manhattan park aged thirty-three. Sean was aged 2 at the time.

– In 1974: Ringo Starr went to No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of the Johnny Burnette 1960 hit ‘Your Sixteen’, a No.3 hit in the UK.

– In 1977: Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green was committed to a mental hospital following an incident when he threatened his accountant Clifford Adams with an air rifle when he was trying to deliver a £30,000 ($51,000) royalty cheque to him.

– In 1980: Prince made his TV debut on the US show American Bandstand.

– In 1989: Bon Jovi kicked of the North American leg of their New Jersey Syndicate Tour at the Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas.

– In 2003: Billy Joel was airlifted to hospital after his car smashed into a tree. The singer lost control of his Mercedes S500 and skidded for 100 yards before crashing. The accident happened in The Hamptons, New York.

Musician Birthdays: Etta James (singer/songwriter, born in 1938, died on Jan. 20th, 2012), Alicia Keys (R&B, soul singer, born in 1980)

– In 1967: The Beatles made a last-minute remix of ‘Penny Lane’ before the pressing of their next double A sided single ‘Strawberry Fields Forever / Penny Lane’. Both songs were originally intended for the forthcoming Beatles album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

– In 1974: Led Zeppelin appeared at the Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana to over 17,000 fans. The set list included: ‘Rock And Roll’, ‘Over The Hills And Far Away’, ‘The Song Remains The Same’, ‘The Rain Song’, ‘Kashmir’, ‘The Wanton Song’, ‘No Quarter’, ‘Trampled Under Foot’, ‘Moby Dick’, ‘How Many More Times’, ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and ‘Black Dog’. Tickets cost $8.50.

– In 1980: The Specials made their US live debut when they appeared at New York’s Hurrah club.

– In 1984: Yoko Ono donated £250,000 ($425,000) to Liverpool old people’s home Strawberry Fields.

– In 1989: Bobby Brown was arrested for an overtly sexually suggestive performance after a show in Columbus; he was fined $652 under the anti-lewdness ordinance law.

– In 1989: Madonna started divorce proceedings for the second time from Sean Penn at Los Angeles County Court and moved into a new three-bedroom house in Hollywood Hills.

– In 1992: The inaugural Big Day Out festival took place at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. Acts appearing included, Nirvana, Beasts of Bourbon, Box The Jesuits, Celibate Rifles, Cosmic Psychos, The Clouds, Club Hoy, Died Pretty, Falling Joys, The Hard Ons with Henry Rollins Hellmen, Massappeal, The Meanies, Smudge, Sound Unlimited Posse, Ratcat, The Village Idiots, Violent Femmes and Yothu Yindi.

– In 2004: Bob Dylan was paid by ladies underwear company Victoria’s Secret to fly to Venice in Northern Italy, to film a TV advertisement in an ancient palazzo with a scantily dressed model. Some fans were upset while others empathized with Dylan.

Musician Birthdays: Neil Diamond (singer/songwriter, famous for hit, “I’m a Believer”, born in 1941), Waren Zevon (singer/songwriter, famous for hit, “Werewolves of London”, born in 1947), John Belushi (singer/actor/comedian, famous for being the singer of the Blues Brothers along with Dan Aykroyd, famous for hit, “Soul Man”, born in 1949)

– In 1958: Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Jailhouse Rock’. It became the first ever single to enter the chart at No.1 and was Presley’s second UK No.1. It went on to sell over 4 million copies in the US.

– In 1962: Brian Epstein signed a management deal with The Beatles. Epstein was to receive 25 per cent of the bands gross earnings, the normal management deal was 10 per cent.

– In 1969: New Jersey state prosecutors issue a warning to US record dealers that they would be charged with distributing pornography if they were caught selling the John Lennon / Yoko Ono LP ‘Two Virgins’. The front cover of the album showed the pair frontally nude, while the back cover showed them from behind. The album still managed to reach No.124 on the US, but failed to chart at all in the UK, where only 5,000 copies were ever pressed.

– In 1969: The Doors appeared at Madison Square Garden, New York City, They were paid over $50,000 for the gig making them one of the highest paid acts this year.

– In 1970: Led Zeppelin appeared at Leeds University, Leeds, England. It was at this show when Zeppelin had a meeting with fine arts lecturer Zacron to discuss their ideas for the album sleeve of the band’s next album, Led Zeppelin III. Zacron, born Richard Drew, had studied at Kingston College of Art with members of the Yardbirds.

– In 1976: Bob Dylan started a five week run at No.1 on the US chart with his 17th studio album Desire. The album features ‘Hurricane’, which protests the conviction of former middleweight boxer Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter for triple murder in 1966, arguing his innocence.

– In 1979: The Clash released their first single in the US, ‘I Fought The Law’ (written by Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly’s Crickets).

– In 1980: A billboard was erected on Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, California to promote Pink Floyd’s new album The Wall. A blank wall was pasted up and each day a brick was ‘removed’ to slowly reveal the inside spread and title of the album.

– In 1981: Steve Tyler of Aerosmith was hospitalised after being involved in a crash on his motorbike.

– In 1992: Nirvana played their first ever show in Australia at the Phoenician Club in Sydney. Also on the bill, Tumbleweed and The Meanies.

– In 1999: The Offspring went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Pretty Fly, For A White Guy’. Taken from their fifth studio album Americana the single was a No.1 hit in ten other countries.

– In 2008: Amy Winehouse was admitted into rehab in a battle to kick her addiction to drugs. A statement from her record company, Universal said she entered the facility “after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors to continue her ongoing recovery against drug addiction.”

Musician Birthdays: Django Reinhardt (jazz guitarist, born in 1910)

– In 1956: Rock ‘n’ Roll fans in Cleveland aged under 18 were banned from dancing in public (unless accompanied by an adult), after Ohio Police introduced a law dating back to 1931.

– In 1967: Pink Floyd spent the first of three days recording the Syd Barrett songs Arnold Layne and Candy And A Current Bun at Sound Techniques Studios, Chelsea, London. According to Roger Waters, Arnold Layne was based on a real person – a transvestite whose primary pastime was stealing women’s clothes and undergarments from washing lines in Cambridge.

– In 1971: Steel Mill played their final show when they appeared at the Upstage Club, Asbury Park, New Jersey. Singer Bruce Springsteen formed new bands during the rest of the year known under such names as the Bruce Springsteen Jam, Dr. Zoom and the Sonic Boom, and finally the Bruce Springsteen Band.

– In 1971: George Harrison became the first solo Beatle to have a No.1 when ‘My Sweet Lord’ went to the top of the UK single charts. The song from his ‘All Things Must Pass’ album stayed at No.1 for five weeks. The track returned to the top of the UK charts in 2002, following his death.

– In 1977: Patti Smith broke her vertebra when she fell off the stage at a gig in Tampa, Florida.

– In 1986: Ray Charles was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the first induction dinner, held in New York City.

– In 1988: Michael Jackson went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ which was also a No.3 hit in the UK.

– In 1988: Nirvana recorded a 10-song demo with Seattle producer Jack Endino. Sub Pop records boss Jonathan Poneman hears the tape and offers to put out a Nirvana single.

– In 1990: David Bowie announced his forthcoming and final world tour, ‘Sound And Vision’ 1990, during which he will invite each local audience to decide on a ‘greatest hits’ running order, organised through local radio stations.

– In 1991: John Sebastian, owner and general manager of KLSK FM in Albuquerque, New Mexico, played Led Zeppelins ‘Stairway To Heaven’ for twenty-four solid hours to inaugurate a format change to Classic Rock. Police showed up with guns drawn: once after a listener reported that the DJ had apparently suffered a heart attack, and later because of suspicion that, this being eight days into the Gulf War, the radio station had been taken hostage by terrorists dispatched by Zeppelin freak Saddam Hussein.

– In 2000: Santana started a three week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Supernatural’, the album which went on to win eight Grammy awards spent a total of nine weeks at No.1 during this year.

– In 2003: R Kelly was arrested on new child pornography charges. The singer was detained in Miami after police said digital sex pictures were discovered at his home in Florida last June. The singer was already facing 21 charges relating to producing child pornography and appearing in a video having sex with an underage girl. He was charged with a further 12 counts of possession of child pornography.

Musician Birthdays: Richie Havens (folk singer/songwriter, famous for the song, “Freedom”, also famous for performing at Woodstock ’69, born in 1941), Billy Ocean (R&B, soul singer, famous for hit, “Caribbean Queen”, born in 1950)

– In 1963: The Beatles made their third appearance on the Radio Luxembourg program The Friday Spectacular. The Beatles were interviewed by the host and played two tracks, ‘Please Please Me’ and ‘Ask Me Why.

– In 1966: George Harrison married Patti Boyd at Leatherhead Register Office in Surrey with Paul McCartney as Best man. George had first met Patti on the set of The Beatles movie ‘A Hard Days Night’.

– In 1968: Jimi Hendrix recorded his version of the Bob Dylan song ‘All Along the Watchtower’ at Olympic Studios in London. Rolling Stone Brian Jones and Dave Mason from Traffic both played on the session. The track was released in the US as a single in 1968, peaking at #20.

–  In 1972: Pink Floyd appeared at The Guildhall, Portsmouth, England. This was the first time that they were able to perform the whole of what became the ‘Dark Side of The Moon’ album in its entirety, the previous night’s performance in Brighton having been halted for technical reasons.

– In 1973: The Rolling Stones kicked off an 11 date Pacific tour at Honolulu International Centre, Hawaii.

– In 1978: The soundtrack album ‘Saturday Night Fever’ started a 24 week run at No.1 on the US album charts, it went on to sell over 30 million copies world wide, making it the best selling soundtrack album of all time.

– In 1982: B.B. King donated his entire record collection of over 20,000 discs to Mississippi University’s centre for the Study of Southern Culture,

– In 1984: Soul singer Jackie Wilson died aged 49. Wilson suffered a massive heart attack while playing a Dick Clark show at the Latin Casino in New Jersey on September 29, 1975, falling head-first to the stage while singing ‘Lonely Teardrops’, and had remained in a coma until his death 8 years later. His 1957 single Reet Petite became a posthumous No.1 when re-issued in 1987 due in part to a new animated video made for the song, featuring a clay model of Wilson. Van Morrison wrote ‘Jackie Wilson Said’ which was covered by Dexy’s Midnight Runners.

– In 1984: Yes started a two-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Owner Of A Lonely Heart ‘a No.28 hit in the UK.

– In 1987: Bruce Springsteen inducted Roy Orbison into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame.

– In 1987: The Coasters, became the first vocal group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

– In 1992: Billy Idol pleaded guilty to assault and battery charges after an incident outside a West Hollywood restaurant. He was fined $2,700 (£1,588) and ordered to appear in a series of anti-drug commercials.

– In 2001: Limp Bizkit started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)’, taken from their album Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.

– In 2002: American singer and actress Peggy Lee died of complications from diabetes and a heart attack at the age of 81. 1958 US No. 8 & UK No.5 single ‘Fever.’ Lee worked with Benny Goodman, Randy Newman, Quincy Jones and was nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, winning Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her 1969 hit ‘Is That All There Is?’

– In 2004: As the third season of American Idol was aired on US TV a memo was leaked showing a list of songs banned from being performed at this year’s auditions that included, Elton John’s ‘Candle In The Wind’ and ‘Fallin’ by Alicia Keys. Also all songs by Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, No Doubt, R. Kelly, Tom Petty, Korn and Linkin Park were not allowed after concerns over the cost of securing rights for the song’s use, (or the composers not wanting their song’s to be performed on the show).