This day in music history

1955, Billboard reported that for the first time since their introduction in 1949, 45rpm singles were outselling the old standard 78's.

1958, Perry Como was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Magic Moments' the 2nd No.1 in a row for writers Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It stayed at No.1 for eight weeks.

1966, Nancy Sinatra went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'These Boots Are Made For Walking', also a UK No.1.

1966, The Beatles 'Rubber Soul' was at No.1 on the US album chart, the group's seventh US album chart topper.

1977, The Eagles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'New Kid On Town', the group's third US No.1, a No.20 hit n the UK.

1980, After seeing U2 play at Dublin's National Boxing Stadium in front of 2,400 people; Rob Partridge and Bill Stewart from Island Records in the UK offered the band a recording contract.

1983, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' went to No.1 on the US album chart. It went on to become the most successful album of all time with sales over 50 million copies.

1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood were enjoying their fourth week at the top of the UK singles chart with 'Relax.'

1990, Sinead O'Connor was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Nothing Compares 2 U.' Her version of the Prince penned song was also a No.1 hit in 18 other countries.

2001, Winners at the Brit Awards included Coldplay, Best British group and Best British album for 'Parachutes', Robbie Williams, Best British Male artist and Best single for 'Rock DJ', Sonique, Best British Female artist, Best Dance act went to Fat Boy Slim, A1 won Best British Newcomer, Westlife won Best Pop act, Eminem won Best International Male solo artist and U2 won Outstanding contribution to music.

1928, Born on this day, Fats Domino, (Antoine Domino), singer, pianist, bandleader, songwriter. 1957 US No.6 & UK No.6 single 'Blueberry Hill' and 35 other US Top 40 singles.

1932, Born on this day, Johnny Cash, US country singer/songwriter who had a 1969 US No.2 & UK No.4 single with ‘A Boy Named Sue’ plus 11 other US Top 40 singles). He had a US TV Johnny Cash show in the late 60s–early 70s. Cash died of respiratory failure on September 12th 2003, aged 71.

1945, Born on this day, Bob The Bear Hite, vocalist and harmonica player with Canned Heat, (1968 US No.11 single with ‘Going Up The Country’ and a 1970 UK No.2 single with ‘Let’s Work Together’). He died on April 5th 1981.

1947, Born on this day, Sandie Shaw, singer, (1964 UK No.1 single 'There's Always Something There To Remind Me', plus 15 other UK Top 40 singles). First UK act to win the Eurovision Song Contest with 1967, 'Puppet On A String.'

1953, Born on this day, Michael Bolton, singer, (1990 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'How Am I Supposed To Live Without You').

1960, Born on this day, Jaz Coleman, Killing Joke, (1985 UK No.16 single 'Love Like Blood').

1968, Born on this day, Tim Commerford, bass, Rage Against The Machine, (1996 US No.1 album 'Evil Empire'). Audioslave (2005 US No.1 album 'Out of Exile').

1979, Born on this day, Corinne Bailey Rae, UK singer, songwriter, (2006 UK No. 2 single ‘Put Your Records On', 2006 self-titled UK No.1 album). She is only the fourth female British act in history to have her first album debut at No.1 on the UK chart.