This day in music history

1965, Blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, Sonny Boy Williamson died in his sleep. Van Morrison, Aerosmith, The Who, The Animals, Yardbirds and Moody Blues all covered his songs. According to the Led Zeppelin biography Hammer of the Gods, touring the UK in the 60's, Sonny Boy set his hotel room on fire while trying to cook a rabbit in a coffee percolator.

1967, Procol Harum's 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale', entered the UK chart for the first time, it went on to be a number 1 hit.

1968, Simon and Garfunkel scored their second US No.1 album with 'Bookends'.

1969, A benefit concert was held for Fairport Convention at The Roundhouse, London to raise money for the families of the bands drummer Martin Lamble, Richard Thompson's girlfriend and clothes designer Jeannie Franklyn who were all killed in an accident driving back from a gig. Also on the bill, Family, Pretty Things, Soft Machine and John Peel.

1974, Rick Wakeman became the first member of the group Yes to have a No.1 UK album when 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth' went to the top of the charts.

1978, After seeing The Hype (soon to become U2) appearing at the Project Arts Centre, in Dublin, Paul McGuinness became their manager.

1985, Dire Straits scored their second UK No.1 album with 'Brothers In Arms', also No.1 in the US and 24 other countries. It went on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide.

1985, Wham! started a two-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Everything She Wants.'

1991, Michael Bolton went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Time, Love and Tenderness.'

1995, The earliest known recording of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, from 1961, was sold at Christies in London for £50,250 ($85,425).

1997, A report showed that Elvis Presley was now the world’s bestselling posthumous entertainer with worldwide sales of over one billion, over 480 active fanclubs and an estimated 250,000 UK fans who still buy his records. Ironically he had died owing $3 million (£1.76 million).

1997, Michael Jackson went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Blood On The Dance Floor.'

2003, Marilyn Manson were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘The Golden Age of Grotesque’, a No. 4 hit in the UK and the bands second US No.1.

2008, The Ting Tings went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut album ‘We Started Nothing.’

2008, Rihanna scored her second UK No.1 hit single with a song written by Ne-Yo, 'Take A Bow'. Also a US No.1.

1921, Born on this day, Hal David, US songwriter, pianist and arranger, with Burt Bacharach. Wrote many classic songs including, 'Close To You', '24 Hours From Tulsa', 'Make It Easy On Yourself', 'Magic Moments', 'I Say A Little Prayer'. Won two Oscars for film score 'Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid', for 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head'.

1926, Born on this day, Miles Davis, jazz trumpeter and composer who had a 1959 album with Kind of Blue. He was a major influence on jazz music. Davis died on September 28th 1991.

1948, Born on this day, Klaus Meine, The Scorpions, (1991 UK No.2 single 'Wind Of Change').

1958, Born on this day, Paul Weller, UK singer, guitarist, songwriter, The Jam, (1980 UK No.1 single 'Going Underground' plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles). Style Council, (1983 UK No.3 single 'Long Hot Summer' plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles). Solo (1995 UK No.7 single 'The Changing Man').

1975, Born on this day, Lauryn Hill, singer, The Fugees, (1996 UK No.1 single 'Killing Me Softly'), solo, (1998 UK No.3 single 'Doo Wop, That Thing', 1998 US No.1 & UK No.2 album 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill').


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