This day in music history

1949, RCA Victor introduced the 45rpm single record, which had been in development since 1940. The 7-inch disc was designed to compete with the Long Playing record introduced by Columbia a year earlier. Both formats offered better fidelity and longer playing time than the 78rpm record that was currently in use. Advertisements for new record players boasted that with 45rpm records, the listener could hear up to ten records with speedy, silent, hardly noticeable changes.

1958, Chuck Berry's rock 'n' roll classic 'Johnny B. Goode' single was released. It entered the US charts six weeks later and peaked at No.8 on the chart. The song's original lyrics referred to Johnny as a "colored boy", but Berry later acknowledged that he changed it to "country boy" to ensure radio play.

1960, Lonnie Donegan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'My Old Man's A Dustman', his third No.1. Donegan became the first British artist to enter the UK chart at No.1, the only other artist to achieve this feat at this time was Elvis Presley. The song which was recorded live at the Bristol Hippodrome was a music hall novelty song.

1962, Connie Francis went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Don't Break The Heart That Loves You', it made No.33 in the UK.

1979, Greatest Hits Vol 2' by Barbra Streisand started a four week run at No.1 on the UK album chart, the singers first UK No.1 LP.

1984, Kenny Loggins started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Footloose', the theme from the film with the same name, a No.6 hit in the UK.

1986, O'Kelly Isley of The Isley Brothers died of a heart attack, aged 48. Had a hit in 1962 original version of 'Twist and Shout', (later covered by the Beatles) and the 1968 UK No.3 single 'This Old Heart Of Mine' and 1969 US No.2 single 'It's Your Thing'.

1990, David Bowie scored his seventh UK No.1 album with 'Changes Bowie.'

1990, German and Italian production team Snap! had their first UK No.1 single with 'The Power.' The track has been featured in many films including Coyote Ugly, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Bruce Almighty soundtrack and The Fisher King.

1995, Mexican American singer Selena was murdered aged 23 by the president of her fan club Yolanda Saldívar. Warner Brothers made a film based on her life starring Jennifer Lopez in 1997.

1934, Born on this day, Shirley Jones, singer, actress, The Partridge Family, (1970 US No.1 single 'I Think I Love You', 1972 UK No.3 single 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do').

1937, Born on this day, Herb Alpert, trumpet, vocals, (1968 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'This Guy's In Love With You'). Formed A&M Records with Jerry Moss, at first operating from his garage at home.

1946, Born on this day, Al Nichol, The Turtles, (1967 US No.1 single 'Happy Together', 1967 UK No.4 single 'She'd Rather Be With Me').

1953, Born on this day, Sean Hooper, Huey Lewis and the News, (1985 US No.1 & UK No.11 single 'The Power Of Love').

1955, Born on this day, Angus Young, guitar, AC/DC, (the one with the short pants, 1980 UK No.36 single 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and 1980 UK No.1 & US No.14 album 'Back in Black' sold over 10 million copies).

1958, Born on this day, Paul Ferguson, Killing Joke, (1985 UK No.16 single 'Love Like Blood').

1974, Born on this day, Stefan Olsdal, bass, Placebo, (1997 UK No. 6 single ‘Nancy Boy’).

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