Musician Birthdays: Frank Zappa (multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, producer, born in 1940)

– In 1968: Glen Campbell topped the US album chart with ‘Wichita Lineman’. Although the LP would stay on the chart for 46 weeks, it would be Campbell’s only No.1 album.

– In 1969: The Supremes made their last TV appearance together with Diana Ross on ‘The Ed Sullivan show’, singing their last No.1 ‘Someday We’ll Be Together’.

– In 1969: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Canned Heat appeared at the Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California.

– In 1970: A stretch limousine carrying Elvis Presley pulled up outside the White House in Washington, D.C. The driver handed over a letter from Elvis addressed to President Nixon requesting a meeting to discuss how the King of Rock and Roll could help Nixon fight drugs. The President agreed to give Presley a Narcotics Bureau badge – but only after learning that the chief of the narcotics bureau had turned down the same request earlier that day and told Presley the only person who could overrule his decision was the President. At Elvis’ request, the meeting remained secret for more than a year, until the Washington Post broke the story on January 27th, 1972.

– In 1985: Heart went to No.1 on the US album chart with their self- titled album.

– In 1985: Bruce Springsteen’s album, ‘Born in the USA’ passed Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ to become the second longest-lasting LP on the Billboard US Top 10. It stayed there for 79 weeks. Only ‘The Sound of Music’ with Julie Andrews lasted longer at 109 weeks.

– In 1991: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody / These Are The Days Of Our Lives’ by Queen started a five week run at No.1 in the UK, the 1975 word-wide hit had been re-released following the death of Freddie Mercury.

– In 2003: Eminem’s ex-wife Kimberley Mathers pleaded guilty to a drug and driving offences. Mathers had been pulled by traffic police in June and was charged with possession of cocaine, two other charges driving with a suspended license and maintaining a drug house in which police discovered marijuana and Ecstasy were dropped. The 28 year-old mother appeared in a Michigan court after turning herself in, having previously failed to attend a November 1 hearing and removed an electronic tagging device used to monitor her movements.

– In 2010: A concert by Kings of Leon was postponed after a fire broke out on two of their tour buses which were parked at The O2 arena in London. The blaze began on one coach before spreading to another tour bus in the loading bay of the venue in Greenwich. About 60 firefighters were at the scene and ambulance crews treated six people for smoke inhalation. An O2 spokesman said the fire meant there was not enough time to rig the arena for the sell-out concert.

Musician Birthdays: Peter Criss (drummer for Kiss, born in 1947), Alan Parsons (famous producer from the UK, born in 1948), Billy Bragg (UK Singer/songwriter, born in 1957), Chris Robinson (singer for the Black Crowes, born in 1966)

– In 1967: Folk singer Joan Baez was sentenced to 45 days in prison after being arrested during an anti-war demonstration.

– In 1968: The Beatles sixth Christmas record ‘The Beatles’ 1968 Christmas Record’, was sent to fan club members in the UK and the US. It included the song ‘Nowhere Man’ sung by Tiny Tim.

– In 1969: Peter Paul and Mary went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Leavin’ On A Jet Plane’.

– In 1973: American singer Bobby Darin died aged 37. One of the first teen idols, he had the 1959 No.1 with ‘Dream Lover’ plus 20 other US Top 40 hits during the 60’s including ‘Mack the Knife’, (Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1960). Darin traveled with Robert Kennedy and worked on the latter’s 1968 presidential campaign. He was with Kennedy the day he traveled to Los Angeles on June 4, 1968 for the California Primary. Darin was at the Ambassador Hotel later that night when Kennedy was assassinated.

– In 1980: Twelve days after John Lennon was shot dead in New York City, (Just Like) Starting Over gave the former Beatle his first ever UK solo No.1 single. Taken from his Double Fantasy album.

– In 1986: The Bangles started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’.

– In 1992: American blues singer and guitarist, Albert King died from a heart attack in Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded dozens of influential songs, such as ‘Crosscut Saw’ and ‘As The Years Go Passing By’, and the 1967 album, ‘Born Under a Bad Sign.’

– In 2001: Tommy Lee branded his ex-wife Pam Anderson an unfit mother. The drummer filed papers with the Los Angeles Superior Court alleging his son’s tell him ‘We hate Mommy’ and his son Brandon had been using the F-word he learned from his mommy.

– In 2006: Ian Halperin claimed that Michael Jackson was close to death. The Rolling Stone magazine writer said Jackson was suffering from a rare lung condition and needed a lung transplant. He also claimed that the singer had lost 95% vision in one eye and was so ill he could barley speak.

– In 2008: Britney Spears went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Circus’, the singer’s sixth studio album.

– In 1957: Elvis Presley had his draft notice served on him for the US Army. He went on to join the 32nd Tank Battalion third Armor Corps based in Germany.

– In 1964: The Beatles fourth album ‘Beatles For Sale’ started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK album charts.

– In 1964: The Supremes scored their third US No.1 single of the year when ‘Come See About Me’, went to the top of the charts. It made No.27 on the UK chart.

– In 1969: The Beatles’ seventh Christmas record, “The Beatles’ Seventh Christmas Record” was released to members of their fan club in the UK and the US.

– In 1970: Elton John’s first US hit, ‘Your Song’ entered the Billboard Hot 100, where it went on to reach number eight. The Hollies had been offered the song and Three Dog Night had already recorded a version which was included on their ‘It Ain’t Easy’ album.

– In 1979: Elvis Presley’s personal physician, George Nichopoulos, was charged with ‘illegally and indiscriminately’ prescribing over 12,000 tablets of uppers, downers, and painkillers for the star during the 20 months preceding his untimely death. Although he was acquitted this time, he was charged again in 1980 and again in 1992 and was stripped of his medical license in July 1995.

– In 1993: Michael Clarke drummer with The Byrds died of liver failure aged 47. Also worked with the Flying Burrito Brothers and Jerry Jeff Walker. Before his death Clarke had expressed a wish of alerting children to the dangers of alcoholism. Following his wishes, Clarke’s girlfriend Susan Paul started a foundation in Clarke’s name, called the Campaign for Alcohol-free Kids.

– In 2000: 10,000 Maniacs guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure aged 42. Best know for ‘Hey Jack Kerouac’, ‘What’s The Matter Here’ and ‘Candy Everybody Wants’.

– In 2005: Sir Elton John turned down £5.7m for the exclusive rights to his civil union to his partner David Furnish. The couple had considered the offer from a US television channel, putting the money in the Elton John Aids Foundation, but they told Attitude magazine they had decided to keep the day private.

– In 2006: Two giant eyeballs donated by Pink Floyd raised £16,500 for the homeless charity Crisis. The 6ft-high props, made to promote the Pulse DVD, were on the auction site eBay for a week and attracted 46 bids. Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, a vice-president of Crisis, said extra help was needed in the winter months.

Musician Birthdays: Chas Chandler (bass player of the Animals, manager of Jimi Hendrix, born in 1938), Keith Richards (guitarist/singer of The Rolling Stones, solo career, film actor, author, born in 1943), DMX (rapper, born in 1970), Christina Aguilera (US singer/songwriter, film actress, born in 1980)

– In 1961: The Tokens started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’; it reached No.11 in the UK. REM included a live version of the song on the 1993 ‘Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight’ single.

– In 1971: Jerry Lee Lewis and his wife Myra who he married when she was 13 divorced, as he prepared to marry 29-year old Karen Elizabeth Gunn Pate.

– In 1971: Sly and the Family Stone went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘There’s A Riot Going On’.

– In 1972: Bob Dylan starting filming his role in the film ‘Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid.’

– In 1979: Joy Division played what would be their only ever gig in Paris when the appeared at Les Bains Club.

– In 1982: Hall and Oates started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Maneater’, the duo’s 5th US No.1 and biggest hit in the UK making No.6.

– In 1983: Keith Richards married model Patti Hansen during a ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Mick Jagger was the best man.

– In 2003: Out on bail, Michael Jackson was formally charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering intoxicating liquor to a minor with the intent of committing a crime. The abuse was claimed to have taken place between 7 February and 10 March 2003 and the alleged victim was identified only as ‘John Doe’. Jackson’s lawyer said the entertainer was ‘unequivocally and absolutely innocent’ and would fight the charges ‘with every fibre of his soul.’

– In 2004: A guitar played by George Harrison and John Lennon sold for £294,000 ($570,000) at auction in New York. The Gibson SG guitar was used by Harrison from 1966 to 1969, including the recording of Revolver, and by Lennon during White Album sessions. Other items sold in the Christie’s auction included a letter by Kurt Cobain, which fetched £10,000 ($19,400), and a school book report by Britney Spears (£1,000).

– In 2005: Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs after being stopped by police in east London. Police said the 26-year-old had been driving erratically. Officers sent suspicious substances found in the vehicle for analysis, Doherty was released on bail.

Musician Birthdays: Paul Rodgers (singer of Free, Bad Company, born in 1949)

– In 1960: Returning from Hamburg, The Beatles appeared at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool. Chas Newby joined The Beatles on bass guitar (to replace Stuart Sutcliffe, who had remained in Hamburg), a position he would hold for only two weeks and four performances. When Newby bowed out to return to college, Paul McCartney became The Beatles’ bass player.

– In 1968: The Who played their Xmas party at the Marquee Club, London. Also on the bill was a new group called Yes. Members 15 shillings, ($1.80) or £1 ($2.40) on the night. Other acts appearing at the club this month included Joe Cocker, Free and Led Zeppelin.

– In 1977: Deputising for The Sex Pistols on NBC- TVs ‘Saturday Night Live’, Elvis Costello stops his performance of ‘Less Than Zero’, saying ‘ there’s no reason to do this’, and launches into ‘Radio Radio’ which he’d been told not to perform.

– In 1994: Ini Kamoze started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Here Comes The Hotstepper’, a No.4 hit in the UK.

– In 1997: David Bowie launched his BowieNet on the Internet.

– In 2000: Eminem was the subject of a sick Internet hoax after MTV reported that the rapper had been killed in a car crash en route to a party.

– In 2004: Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley agreed to sell 85% of his estate to businessman Robert Sillerman in a deal worth $100m. Sillerman would run Presley’s Memphis home Graceland, and own Elvis’ name and the rights to all revenue from his music and films. In the deal Lisa Marie would retain possession of Graceland and many of her father’s ‘personal effects.’

– In 2010: Captain Beefheart died aged 69 from complications from multiple sclerosis.

Kev

Musician Birthdays: Billy Gibbons (Guitarist, singer of ZZ Top, born in 1950)

– In 1965: Released as a double A side The Beatles ‘Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out’, became their ninth UK No.1 and their third Christmas chart topper in a row. The single was a US No.1 in January 1966.

– In 1966: The first Jimi Hendrix Experience single ‘Hey Joe’, was released in the UK on Polydor records, the track had been rejected by the Decca label. It went on to be a No.6 hit in the UK, but failed to chart in America.

– In 1967: The Rolling Stones announced that Marianne Faithfull was the first signing to their ‘Mother Earth’ label.

– In 1970: Five singles and five albums by Credence Clearwater Revival were certified gold in the US. The singles were: ‘Down on the Corner’, ‘Lookin out My Back Door’, ‘Travelin’ Band’, ‘Bad Moon Rising’ and ‘Up around the Bend’. The LPs were ‘Cosmo’s Factory’, ‘Willy and the Poor Boys’, ‘Green River’, ‘Bayou Country’ and ‘Credence Clearwater Revival’.

– In 1974: Guitarist Mick Taylor announced he was leaving The Rolling Stones, saying he felt that now was the time to move on and do something new.

– In 1989: Billy Joel went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Storm Front’.

– In 1991: Chubby Checker filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s in Canada seeking $14million for it’s alleged use of an imitation of his voice. The song ‘The Twist’ had been used on a French fries commercial.

– In 1993: MTV aired Nirvana’s ‘Unplugged’ session for the first time. The album featured an acoustic performance taped at Sony Music Studios in New York City on November 18, 1993.

– In 1999: A 28 year-old man died after falling more than 80ft at Earls Court, London, while dismantling the set at a Spice Girls concert.

– In 2003: Michael Jackson was out on police bail of $3m after being arrested following allegations of child abuse. The 45-year-old singer strenuously denied the allegations, calling them a big lie. Following the allegations of child abuse a special information web site was set up by the District Attorney’s office because of the level of media interest in the case. Mr Jackson, who was arrested, cited and released after surrendering to police on 20th November, was due to appear in court on 9 January.

– In 2004: Gold and silver Black Sabbath discs were stolen from the Kent home of Ozzy Osbourne’s former manager Patrick Meehan. Police recovered the discs a week later after they were offered for sale on the internet auction site eBay.

– In 2005: The surviving Beatles and relatives of the band’s late members began legal action against EMI to get royalties allegedly worth £30m. Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and relations of George Harrison and John Lennon claimed EMI owed record royalties to their company Apple Corps.

– In 2006: Sir Paul McCartney said he left EMI, his record label of 45 years, as it had become “boring” and he had “dreaded going to see” its executives. McCartney told The Times that the company’s handling of his music had become “symbolic of the treadmill”. The ex-Beatle went on to sign a deal with Starbucks’ label, Hear Music.

– In 2007: American singer songwriter Dan Fogelberg died at his home in Maine at the age of 56. The US singer, songwriter discovered he had advanced prostate cancer in 2004. Had the 1981 album ‘The Innocent Age’, which featured the hits ‘Leader of the Band,’ ‘Hard to Say,’ and ‘Run for the Roses.’