This Day In Music History

1954, The first press interview with 19-year-old Elvis Presley was published in the 'Memphis Press- Scimitar'.

1956, Gene Vincent made his first appearance on national TV in the US on The Perry Como Show. Vincent had released ‘Woman Love’ the previous month, but it was the B-side, ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula,’ that eventually made the top 10. The song had been purchased from a fellow hospital patient when Vincent was recovering from leg injuries. A demo of the song made its way to Capitol Records as part of an Elvis sound-alike contest and a re-recorded version gave Vincent a hit.

1960, Cliff Richard and the Shadows were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Please Don't Tease', the singers third UK No.1. The song was chosen for release by a poll of Cliff's fans.

1973, Chicago went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Chicago IV', the group's second US No.1.

1973, The Watkins Glen outdoor summer jam was held outside of Watkins Glen, New York with The Allman Brothers, The Grateful Dead and The Band. Over 600,000 rock fans attended. Many historians claimed the event was the largest gathering of people in the history of the United States. 150,000 tickets were sold for $10 each, but for all the other people it was a free concert. The crowd was so huge that a large part of the audience was not able to see the stage.

1979, 'I Don't Like Mondays' gave The Boomtown Rats their second UK No.1 single. Bob Geldof wrote the song after reading a report on the shooting spree of 16-year-old Brenda Ann Spencer, who fired at children playing in a school playground across the street from her home in San Diego, California. She killed two adults and injured eight children and one police officer. Spencer showed no remorse for her crime, and her full explanation for her actions was "I don't like Mondays, this livens up the day."

1990, Elton John started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Sleeping With The Past', his fifth No.1 album.

1990, Partners In Kryme started a four-week run at No.1 with 'Turtle Power' the first rap chart topper in the UK. The one hit wonders track was featured in the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

1996, Marge Ganser from The Shangri-Las died of breast cancer. The group scored over ten hits during the 60's including the 1964 US No.1 'Leader Of The Pack.'

2008, Amy Winehouse was rushed to hospital after she started to have fits at her home in Camden North London. A spokesman said it appeared the singer had suffered a reaction to medication she was taking to help her off hard drugs.

1944, Born on this day, Mike Bloomfield, guitarist, member of the Paul Butterfield band and Electric Flag. Played on Dylan's album 'Highway 61 Revisited.' He died on 15th February 1981.

1945, Born on this day, Rick Wright, keyboards, vocals, Pink Floyd, (1973 US No.1 & UK No.2 album 'Dark Side Of The Moon', spent a record breaking 741 weeks on the US chart. 1979 UK and US No.1 single ‘Another Brick In The Wall, (part 2)’. Pink Floyd have sold over 200 million albums worldwide). Wright died on 15th Sept 2008 aged 65 from cancer. Wright appeared on the group's first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, in 1967 alongside Syd Barrett, Roger Waters and Nick Mason.

1949, Born on this day, Peter Doyle, singer, The New Seekers, (1972 UK No.1 & US No.7 single 'I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing'). Doyle died on 13th October 2001.

1949, Born on this day, Simon Kirke, drums, Free, (1971 UK No.2 & US No.4 single 'All Right Now'). Bad Company (1974 UK No.15 single 'Can't Get Enough').

1949, Born on this day, Steve Took, percussion, T Rex, 1971 UK No.1 single 'Hot Love', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles'). Took died on 27th October 1980.

1965, Born on this day, Nick Banks, drums, Pulp, (1995 UK No.2 single 'Common People').

1965, Born on this day, Texas Axile, keyboards, Transvision Vamp, (1989 UK No.3 single 'Baby I Don't Care').