This day in music history

1960, The Silver Beetles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, and Tommy Moore) auditioned for promoter Larry Parnes and singer Billy Fury for a job as Fury's backing group. Parnes was also looking for backing group's for his lesser-known acts, and The Silver Beetles were selected as backing group for singer Johnny Gentle's upcoming tour of Scotland. The group had changed its name from 'The Beatals' to 'The Silver Beetles' after Brian Casser (of Cass and the Cassanovas) remarked that the name 'Beatals' was "ridiculous". He suggested they use the name 'Long John and the Silver Beetles', but John Lennon refused to be referred to as 'Long John'.

1963, The Rolling Stones recorded the Chuck Berry song 'Come On', at Olympic Studios, London. This is the bands first release and was issued on the 7th June
1963 by Decca Records.

1964, Bob Dylan arrived in Britain for his first major UK tour including a show at London's Royal Festival Hall on the 17th of this month.

1967, This week's UK Top 5 singles: No.5, Lulu, 'The Boat That I Row', No.4, The Tremeloes, 'Silence Is Golden', No.3, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, 'Somethin' Stupid', No.2, Mamas and the Papas, 'Dedicated To The One I Love', and No.1, Sandie Shaw, 'Puppet On A Sting.'

1969, Frank Sinatra's version of 'My Way' made the British Top ten for the first time. Over the next three years it re-entered the Top 50 singles chart on eight different occasions. Paul Anka re-wrote the original French song for Sinatra, after he told Anka he was quitting the music business. Anka changed the melodic structure and lyrics to the song with Sinatra in mind.

1969, The Moody Blues started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'On The Threshold Of A Dream' (their first No.1 album).

1969, Led Zeppelin made their first appearance on the UK album chart when the bands debut album charted at No.6, going on to spend 71 weeks on the UK chart. It entered the US chart the following week at No.10. Now considered one of the most important debuts in rock, creating an entirely new interpretation of the rock and roll genre because of the groundbreaking music and recording techniques. The album was recorded in 36 hours.

1970, David Bowie was awarded an Ivor Novello Award for Best Original Song 'Space Oddity', which he performed that night accompanied by the Les Reed Orchestra. The event was transmitted live via satellite to venues in America, France, Spain, Australia, Holland and Venezuela.

1977, Adam And The Ants made their live debut when they played at the ICA, London.

1985, All girl group The Go-Go's announced they were breaking up. The members went on to enjoy solo success, (Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin) and the group reformed in the late 90's.

1986, Falco was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Rock Me Amadeus.' Falco became the first-ever Austrian act to score a UK and US No.1 hit single and the first German speaking artist to achieve a No.1 on the US charts.

1986, The Pet Shop Boys went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'West End Girls', the duo's first US No.1, also a No.1 in the UK.

1999, American singer, songwriter poet, cartoonist, screenwriter, and author of children's books Shel Silverstein died of a heart attack aged 57. Wrote, 'A Boy Named Sue' for Johnny Cash (which Silverstein won a Grammy for in 1970) and many songs for Dr Hook including 'Sylvia's Mother' and 'The Cover of the Rolling Stone.'

1935, Born on this day, Larry Williams, US singer, The Beatles and The Jam covered his songs. (1957 US No.5 & UK No. 21 single 'Short Fat Fannie'). Williams died from gunshot wounds on 2nd January 1980 aged 45.

1946, Born on this day, Donovan, UK singer, songwriter, (1966 US No.1 & 1967 UK No.2 single 'Sunshine Superman').

1946, Born on this day, Graham Gouldman, UK singer, songwriter, guitarist, High Spots, The Crevattes, 10cc, (1975 UK No.1 & US No.2 single 'I'm Not In Love', plus 10 other UK Top 30 hits including 2 No.1's), Wax, (1987 UK No.12 single 'Bridge To Your Heart'). Wrote hits for Herman's Hermits, The Hollies & The Yardbirds.

1947, Born on this day, Dave Mason, guitar, Traffic, (1967 UK No.2 single 'Hole In My Shoe'), Solo, (1977 US No.12 single 'We Just Disagree'). Worked with Eric Clapton, Delaney and Bonnie, George Harrison.

1957, Born on this day, John Ritchie (Sid Vicious), bass, vocals, Sex Pistols, 1977 UK No.2 single 'God Save The Queen', and 1977 UK No.1 album 'Nevermind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols'). Vicious died of a heroin overdose on 2nd February 1979.

1960, Born on this day, Paul Hewson, (Bono), vocals, guitar, U2, (1984 UK No.3 single 'Pride, In The Name Of Love' plus over 25 other UK Top singles, 1987 UK and worldwide No.1 album 'The Joshua Tree' spent 156 weeks on the UK chart. Scored five consecutive US No.1 albums from 1987.)

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