This day in music history

1958, US singer Chuck Willis was killed in a car accident aged 30. Had the 1957 US No. 12 single 'C.C. Rider'.

1962, The Beatles former bass player Stuart Sutcliff died. (original bassist for eighteen months - January 1960 - June 1961). Sutcliff had stayed in Hamburg Germany after leaving the group. He died of a brain haemorrhage in an ambulance on the way to hospital, aged 22.

1965, British acts started a run of seven weeks at the top of the US charts when Freddie and the Dreamers went to No.1 with 'I'm Telling You Now', followed by Wayne Fontana's 'Game Of Love', Hermans Hermits 'Mr's Brown' and The Beatles 'Ticket To Ride.'

1967, Marvin Gaye recorded his version of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'. The song was first recorded by The Miracles and had also been a million seller in 1967 for Gladys Knight and the Pips.

1968, On his 41st single release Cliff Richard had his ninth UK No.1 with 'Congratulations' the British entry in the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest.

1970, Doors singer Jim Morrison was dragged off stage by keyboardist Ray Manzarek during a concert in Boston, after Morrison asked the audience, 'Would you like to see my genitals?'. Theater management quickly switched off the power. Morrison had been arrested in Miami a year earlier for "lewd and lascivious behavior" during a performance.

1970, 27 year-old Paul McCartney issued a press statement, announcing that The Beatles had split, (one week before the release of his solo album). McCartney said, "I have no future plans to record or appear with The Beatles again, or to write any music with John". John Lennon, who had kept his much-earlier decision to leave The Beatles quiet for the sake of the others, was furious. When a reporter called Lennon to comment upon McCartney's resignation, Lennon said, "Paul hasn't left. I sacked him."

1976, Peter Frampton went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Frampton Comes Alive', the biggest selling 'live' album in rock history.

1976, UK music weekly The Melody Maker reviewed a Sex Pistols gig with the words, 'I hope we shall hear no more of them.'

1982, Iron Maiden scored their first UK No.1 album with 'The Number Of The Beast.'

1993, Depeche Mode entered the US album chart at No.1 with 'Songs Of Faith And Devotion.'

1993, Suede went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut self-titled LP.

2003, American singer Little Eva died in Kinston, North Carolina, aged 59. Had the
1962 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'The Loco-Motion'. Eva was working as a babysitter for songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin who asked her to record the song they'd just written. 'The Loco-Motion' was also a hit for Grand Funk Railroad in
1974 (US No.1) and for Kylie Minogue in 1988 (US No.3).

2005, Natalie Imbruglia went to No.1 on the UK album chart with her third album and first No.1 ‘Counting Down The Days’.

1940, Born on this day, Ricky Valance, (born David Spencer), the first Welsh singer to score a UK No.1 with the 1960 single, 'Tell Laura I Love Her.'

1948, Born on this day, Fred Smith, bass, Television, (1977 single and album 'Marquee Moon').

1957, Born on this day, Steven Gustafson, 10,000 Maniacs, (1993 UK No.47 single 'Candy Everybody Wants', 1994 US No.11 single 'Because The Night').

1959, Born on this day, Brian Setzer, guitar, vocals, The Stray Cats, (1980 UK No.9 single 'Runaway Boys', 1983 US No.3 single 'Stray Cat Strut'). Brian Setzer Orchestra.

1959, Born on this day, Katrina Leskanich, Katrina And The Waves, (1983 UK No.8 single 'Walking On Sunshine').

1964, Born on this day, Alan 'Reni' Wren, drums, The Stone Roses, (1989 UK No.8 single 'Fool's Gold', 1989 album, The Stone Roses').

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