This day in music history

1949, RCA Records issued the first ever 45rpm single, the invention of this size record made jukeboxes possible.
1963, 17 year-old Neil Young performed his first professional date at a country club in Winnipeg.
1964, The Beatles started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', the first US No.1 by a UK act since The Tornadoes 'Telstar' in 1962 and the first of three consecutive No.1's from the group.
1972, Chuck Berry had his first UK No.1 single with a live recording of a song he'd been playing live for over 20 years 'My Ding-a-Ling'.
1975, Neil Sedaka had his second US No.1 single with 'Laughter In The Rain', over 12 years after his last chart topper 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do'.
1988, The Cars announced they were breaking up after 12 years of working together.
1992, George Michael and Elton John went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me', also a No.1 in the UK. All proceeds from the single went to Aids charities.
1995, Richey James guitarist with the Manic Street Preachers vanished leaving no clues to his whereabouts. He left The Embassy Hotel in London at 7am, leaving behind his packed suitcase. His car was found on the Severn Bridge outside Bristol, England sixteen days later. Edwards has never been found, despite constant searching, and in November 2008 he was declared officially dead.
1997, Blur went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Beetlebum'. The song's title, is said to be a stab at Liam Gallagher, lead singer of Oasis, for his over-idolisation of The Beatles.
1997, The original soundtrack from the film 'Evita' went to No.1 on the UK album chart.
2002, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club made their UK live debut when they appeared at Liverpool University.
2005, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'It's Now Or Never', the singers 21st No.1, first released in 1960.
2008, US space agency Nasa announced that ‘Across the Universe’ by the Beatles was to become the first song ever to be beamed directly into space. The track would be transmitted through the Deep Space Network - a network of antennas - on the 40th anniversary of the song being recorded, being aimed at the North Star, Polaris, 431 light-years from Earth. In a message to Nasa, Sir Paul McCartney said the project was an "amazing" feat. "Well done, Nasa," he added. "Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul."
2009, Bruce Springsteen started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Working on a Dream’ his 16th studio album.
1937, Born on this day, Don Everly, guitar, vocals, The Everly Brothers, (1958 UK & US No.1 single 'All I Have To Do Is Dream' plus over 25 other UK hit singles).
1947, Born on this day, Normie Rowe, singer, biggest solo star of Australian pop in the Sixties, (1965, Australian No.1 single ‘Que Sera Sera’ spent 11 weeks at No.1).
1948, Born on this day, Rick James, US singer, (1980 UK No.41 single 'Big Time'. 1981 US No.3 album 'Street Songs', 1981 US No 16 single 'Super Freak part 1'). Found dead at his Los Angeles home on 6th August 2004.
1968, Born on this day, Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis. Married Michael Jackson in 1994, separated on 10th December 1995. Had the UK No.16 single 'Lights Out'.
1969, Born on this day, Patrick Wilson, Weezer, (1995 UK No.12 single, 'Buddy Holly').
1971, Born on this day, Ron Welty, drums, The Offspring, (1999 UK No.1 & US No. 59 single 'Pretty Fly, (For A White Guy)', 1999 US No.6 & UK No.10 album 'Americana').
1975, Born on this day, Big Boi, (Antoine Patton), Outkast, US rapper, (2001 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Ms Jackson'. 2004 US No.1 single 'Hey Ya').