This day in music history

1960, Elvis Presley won his first Gold record for the album 'Elvis'.

1960, The Everly Brothers signed a $1 million (£1.7 million) contract with Warner Brothers Records.

1966, Nancy Sinatra was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'These Boots Are Made For Walking', Frank's eldest daughters first No.1.

1968, Diana Ross And The Supremes 'Greatest Hits' started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart.

1969, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash recorded 'Girl From The North Country' together in Nashville at CBS Studios. The track appeared on Dylan's 'Nashville Skyline' album.

1970, Joni Mitchell announced she was retiring from live performances during a concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. Joni was on stage again by the end of the year.

1979, Blondie scored their first UK No.1 album when 'Parallel Lines' started a four-week run at the top of the charts, featuring the singles 'Heart Of Glass', 'Hanging On The Telephone' and 'Sunday Girl.'

2004, Winners at this year’s Brit awards included, Daniel Bedingfield who won Best British male, Dido won Best British Female, The Darkness won Best British group, Best Rock group and Best British album with ‘Permission To Land’, Busted won British Breakthrough act and Duran Duran won Outstanding Contribution to Music.

2005, Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand made music history after taking two top prizes at the NME Awards. The band, who won best album and best single, became the first act ever to win the Mercury Music Prize, Brit Awards and NME awards in the same year.

2008, British soul singer Duffy started a five week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Mercy', from the Welsh singers debut album 'Rockferry'. 'Mercy' was the UK'S best selling single of 2008, and won Duffy a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

1905, Born on this day, Orville “Hoppy” Jones, bass singer and cello player with the Ink Spots, who had a 1955 UK No.10 single with ‘Melody Of Love’. He Died 18th October 1944.

1922, Born on this day, Tommy Edwards, singer (1958 US & UK No.1 single with ‘Its All In The Game'). The song was written by US Vice President Charles Dawes. Edwards died on October 22nd 1968, aged 47.

1933, Born on this day, Bobby Lewis, US singer, (1961 US No.1 single 'Tossin' and Turnin').

1939, Born on this day, John Leyton, UK singer, actor, (1961 UK No.1 single 'Johnny Remember Me').

1941, Born on this day, Gene Pitney, singer, (1962 US No.4 single 'Only Love Can Break A Heart'. 1967 solo UK No.5 & 1989 UK No.1 single with Marc Almond 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart', plus over 15 other US & UK Top 40 hits). Pitney was found dead aged 65 in his bed in a Cardiff hotel on 5th April 2006. The American singer was on a UK tour and had shown no signs of illness.

1972, Born on this day, Billie Joe Armstrong, guitarist and vocalist with Green Day, (1995 UK No.7 single with ‘Basket Case’). 1994 album Dookie has sold over 10 million copies. Top Modern Rock Act in US in 1985.

1981, Born on this day, John Hassall, bassist, The Libertines, (2004 UK No.1 album ‘The Libertines’).