This Day In Music History

1954, Elvis Presley recorded ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky', (the B-side for his first single) at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Presley had recorded the A-side ‘That’s Alright’ four days earlier.

1955, Bill Haley & His Comets went to No.1 on the US singles chart with '(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock', staying at No.1 for eight weeks and becoming one of the biggest selling singles of all time.

1962, Bob Dylan recorded ‘Blowin' In the Wind’ at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City during an afternoon session.

1972, Paul McCartney and Wings played their very first show in the small French town of Chateauvillon. The band included Denny Laine, Denny Seiwell, Henry McCullough and Paul's wife, Linda. It was McCartney's first time on the road since the Beatles quit touring in 1966. The band travelled on a double Decker London bus with a psychedelic interior.

1977, Elvis Costello quit his day job at Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics to become a full time musician.

1978, The Rolling Stones jammed with one of their early idols Muddy Waters during a gig in Chicago.

1983, The Police started an eight week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Every Breath You Take' also No.1 in the UK. Taken from the bands album Synchronicity, Sting won Song of the Year and The Police won Best Pop Performance for the song at the 1984 Grammy Awards.

1983, Wham! went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut release 'Fantastic!', which went on to spend 116 weeks on the chart.

1988, Cheap Trick went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Flame', the group's only US No.1.

1988, Glenn Medeiros was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You'. The 18 year old from Hawaii was one of the youngest males to reach the top of the charts.

1995, Michael Jackson was at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Past, Present and Future Book 1'.

1995, The Grateful Dead give their last concert with leader Jerry Garcia at Chicago's Soldier Field. Jerry would die of a heart attack a month later while in drug rehab.

1999, Elton John had a pacemaker fitted in an operation at a London hospital following reports about his ill health. Sir Elton was forced to cancel a series of concerts.

2004, David Bowie was forced to cancel a string of European shows after emergency heart surgery. The 57 year-old singer had an operation last month in Germany, where he was on tour, to treat "an acutely blocked artery". The star's cancellation last month of 11 European dates was originally attributed to a shoulder injury.

2006, Muse started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Black Holes & Revelations' the bands fifth album release and second No.1.

2006, Lily Allen scored her first UK No.1 single with 'Smile'. The organ riff is a sample of Jackie Mittoo playing keyboards on 'Free Soul' by The Soul Brothers. Lily's actor dad, Keith Allen, was part of the Fat Les band who had a hit with 'Vindaloo' in 1998.

1925, Born on this day, Alan Dale, US singer. Had his own TV & radio show during the 50's. 1955 US No.7 single 'Cheery Pink and Apple Blossom White'. Dale died on 20th April 2002.

1929, Born on this day, Lee Hazlewood, US male singer, (1967 US No.14 & UK No. 11 single 'Jackson', 1971 UK No.2 single with Nancy Sinatra). Wrote the Nancy Sinatra hit, 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin.' Died of cancer on 4th Aug 2007 at his home near Las Vegas aged 78.

1946, Born on this day, Bon Scott, vocals, AC/DC, (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). Scott was found dead in the backseat of a friend's car on 20th February 1980. The coroner's report stated he had ‘drunk himself to death’.

1959, Born on this day, Jim Kerr, vocals, Simple Minds, (1985 US No.1 single 'Don't You, Forget About Me', 1989 UK No.1 single 'Belfast Child', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles').

1959, Born on this day, Marc Almond, singer, Soft Cell, (1981 UK No.1 single 'Tainted Love'). Solo, (1989 UK No.1 single with Gene Pitney, 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart').

1965, Born on this day, Courtney Love, guitar, vocals, Babes In Toyland, Hole, (1995 UK No.16 single 'Doll Parts') and solo records. Married Kurt Cobain from Nirvana on 24th Feb 1992.

1965, Born on this day, Tom Hingley, vocals, Inspiral Carpets, (1990 UK No.14 single 'This Is How It Feels').

1967, Born on this day, Dickon Hinchcliffe, guitar, violin, Tindersticks, (1993 album 'Tindersticks').

1967, Born on this day, Owen Paul, guitar, Catatonia, (1998 UK No.3 single 'Mulder And Scully').

1975, Born on this day, Jack White, (John Gillis), guitar, vocals, The White Stripes, (2003 UK No.1 album 'Elephant' spent 46 weeks on the UK chart). Also a member of The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.