This day in music history

1968, The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded 'Voodoo Child.' It was featured on the 'Electric Ladyland' double album and became a UK No.1 single on 21st November 1970 two months after the guitarist's death.

1972, Les Harvey guitarist with Stone The Crows died after being electrocuted on stage during a gig at Swansea University, Wales. He was the brother of Scottish singer Alex Harvey and a member of the Alex Harvey Soul Band.

1975, Chicago started a two week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Chicago VIII', the group's third US No.1.

1975, The Bay City Rollers started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with their second album 'Once Upon A Star.'

1980, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band started a six week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Against The Wind'.

1980, Dexy's Midnight Runners were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Geno', a song written about US soul singer Geno Washington.

1980, Sky went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Sky 2'.

1986, Robert Palmer went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Addicted To Love', it made No.5 in the UK. Palmer originally recorded the song as a duet with Chaka Khan but due to contractual problems her voice was removed.

1997, Katrina And The Waves won the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin with the song 'Love Shine A Light', making them the first UK winners since Bucks Fizz in 1981.

1997, Michael Jackson went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Blood On The Dance Floor'. The singers 7th UK No.1 peaked at No.42 on the US charts.

1997, The Charlatans went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Tellin' Stories'.

1997, The Notorious B.I.G. started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with his posthumous hit 'Hypnotize', a No.10 hit in the UK, the rapper was gunned down and killed on March 9th, 1997.

1998, Massive Attack started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Mezzanine'.

2006, The first Bob Dylan radio program was aired on XM Satellite Radio. Tracks played on his show included Blur, Prince, Billy Bragg, Wilco, Mary Gauthier, L.L. Cool J and The Streets.

2008, Mariah Carey was at No.1 on the US album chart with her eleventh studio album ‘E=MC²’

2009, Bob Dylan went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Together Through Life’ his seventh UK No.1 album. It was the singer, songwriter’s 33rd studio album, he last topped the UK chart with ‘New Morning’ in 1970. His first No.1 in 1964, was ‘The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan'. Dylan now held the record, (previously held by Tom Jones), for the longest gap between solo number one albums.

1919, Born on this day, Pete Seeger, US folk singer, wrote 'Turn Turn Turn', for The Byrds. 'If I Had A Hammer', hit for Peter Paul and Mary.

1933, Born on this day, James Brown, 'Soul Brother No.1', (1966 US No.8 and UK No.13 single 'It's A Man's World', 1986 UK No.5 single 'Living In America', 1963 album 'Live At The Apollo'). Brown demanded extreme discipline from his musicians and dancers, and had the practice of assessing fines on members of his band who broke his rules, such as wearing unshined shoes, dancing out of sync or showing up
late on stage. Brown died on 25th Dec 2006 at the age of 73 after being diagnosed with severe pneumonia.

1937, Born on this day, Frankie Valli, singer, The Four Seasons, (1976 UK & US No.1 single 'December, 1963, Oh What A Night', solo 1978 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Grease')

1944, Born on this day, Pete Staples, The Troggs, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Wild Thing').

1950, Born on this day, Mary Hopkin, (1968 UK No.1 and US No.2 single 'Those Were The Days', released on The Beatles Apple label and produced by Paul McCartney, winner of TV Talent show 'Opportunity Knocks.

1951, Born on this day, Christopher Cross, singer, songwriter, (1981 US No.1 single 'Arthur's Theme', a No.7 UK hit in 1982).

1953, Born on this day, Bruce Hall, REO Speedwagon, (1981 US No.1 & UK No.7 single 'Keep On Loving You').

1955, Born on this day, Steve Jones, Sex Pistols guitarist, (1977 UK No.2 single 'God Save The Queen' and 1977 UK No.1 album 'Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols').

1959, Born on this day, David Ball, Soft Cell, (1981 UK No.1 single 'Tainted Love').


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