This day in music history

1960, Touring in the UK, 21-year-old US singer Eddie Cochran was killed when the taxi he was traveling in crashed into a lamppost on Rowden Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire, (where a plaque now commemorates the event). Songwriter Sharon Sheeley and singer Gene Vincent survived the crash, Cochran's current hit at the time was 'Three Steps to Heaven'. The taxi driver, George Martin, was convicted of dangerous driving, fined £50, disqualified from driving for 15 years, and sent to prison for six months.

1965, Bob Dylan's debut album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan' was at No.1 on the UK chart.

1971, All four Beatles had solo singles in the UK charts, Paul McCartney with 'Another Day', John Lennon, 'Power To The People', George Harrison, 'My Sweet Lord' and Ringo Starr, 'It Don't Come Easy.'

1973, Pink Floyd's album 'The Dark Side of the Moon' went gold in the US. The LP went on to stay in the US chart for more than ten years and become the longest charting rock record of all time.

1982, Vangelis was at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Chariots Of Fire', he also won an Oscar for best original score.

1993, David Bowie went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Black Tie White Noise' his eighth UK No.1 LP.

1994, Pink Floyd started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'The Division Bell', their fourth No.1 album.

1998, Linda McCartney died after a long battle against cancer. Married Paul McCartney in 1969 when she was working as a photographer. As well as a being a member of Wings, she became an animal rights campaigner and launched her own brand of vegetarian food.

2002, Music weekly The NME published a list of the 50 most influential icons. At No.10, Public Enemy, 9, U2, 8, The Jam, 7, Radiohead, 6, Oasis, 5, The Sex Pistols, 4, David Bowie, 3, The Stone Roses, 2, The Beatles and No.1 The Smiths.

2003, Earl King the New Orleans Blues guitarist died aged 69. King wrote the classic song Come On, (Let The Good Times Roll), covered by Jimi Hendrix.

1940, Born on this day, Billy Fury, (1961 UK No.3 single 'Halfway To Paradise', plus 25 other Top 40 UK singles). Played rock 'n' roller "Stormy Tempest" in the film That'll Be The Day along side David Essex and Ringo Starr. Fury died of a heart attack on 28th January 1983.

1954, Born on this day, Michael Sembello, guitarist, singer, (1983 US No.1 & UK No. 43 single 'Maniac', featured in the film 'Flashdance'. a No.43 hit in the UK).

1955, Born on this day, Pete Shelley, guitar, vocals, Buzzcocks, (1978 UK No.12 single 'Ever Fallen In Love, With Someone You Shouldn't've').

1967, Born on this day, Matt Chamberlain one of the world's most widely-heard session drummers. Worked with, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Pearl Jam, Tori Amos, Morrissey, Fiona Apple, Christina Aguilera, Dido, David Bowie, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, The Wallflowers, Natalie Merchant, Robbie Williams, Kanye West, Garbage, John Mayer and William Shatner.

1974, Born on this day, Victoria Adams, Posh Spice, The Spice Girls, (1996 UK No.1 & 1997 US No.1 single 'Wannabe', plus eight other UK No.1 singles). Solo 2000 UK No. 2 single 'Out Of Your Mind'). Married footballer David Beckham at Luttrellstown Castle, Ireland in June 1999.


For more musical feats & facts, you can visit thisdayinmusic.com