This day in music history

1958, Johnny Mathis went to No.1 on the US album chart with his 'Greatest Hits' album.

1963, The Beatles held the UK No.1 position on the singles chart with 'From Me To You'. Lesley Gore was at No.1 on the US chart with 'It's My Party'.

1964, During an evening session Bob Dylan recorded ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City.

1972, Elvis Presley made entertainment history by performing 4 sold-out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden. George Harrison, John Lennon David Bowie, Bob Dylan and Art Garfunkel were among music stars that attended the shows. The shows were recorded and became the album 'Elvis as recorded at Madison Square Garden'.

1972, Bruce Springsteen signed with Columbia Records and started to assemble the E Street Band from various Asbury Park ex-band mates.

1978, Joy Division appeared at The Russell Club, Manchester, England.

1978, Siouxsie And The Banshees signed to Polydor records in the UK.

1979, The Bee Gees went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Love You inside Out', the group's 9th US No.1. A No.13 hit in the UK.

1984, Cyndi Lauper started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with
'Time After Time' a No.3 hit in the UK.

1990, M.C. Hammer's debut album started a record breaking 21 week stay at the top of the US album charts, making it the longest uninterrupted stay at the top since the album charts started.

1990, Wilson Phillips went to No.1 on the US with 'Hold On'. 25 years earlier to the day Wendy and Carnies father Beach Boy Brian had been at No.1 with 'Help Me Rhonda'.

1998, The Ronettes appeared in the Supreme Court of New York for their lawsuit against producer Phil Spector. The Ronettes, whose hits included 'Be My Baby' and 'Walking In The Rain', claimed that Spector had breached the group's 34-year-old contract by paying the members no royalties since 1963. Although The Ronettes went on to win the case, the New York State Court of Appeals overturned the decision in October, 2002, saying that the contract the Ronettes signed with Spector in 1963 was still binding.

2007, George Michael became the first music artist to perform at the new Wembley Stadium in London when he played the first of two shows at the venue during his ‘25 Live Tour’.

1891, Born on this day, Cole Porter, singer, composer, one of America's greatest songwriters. Wrote countless classic songs, 'Night And Day', 'I Get A Kick Out Of You', 'Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye'. Died 15th Oct 1964.

1915, Born on this day, guitarist Les Paul, inventor of the Gibson Les Paul guitar who also had a 1953 UK No.7 single with ‘Vaya Con Dios’ and the US No.7 single ‘Hummingbird’ with Mary Ford featuring his multi-layered recording techniques. He also pioneered “close miking” and echo delay recording. He broke his right arm in a car accident and had it set at an angle so he could still play guitar. Paul died in hospital in White Plains, New York at the age of 94 suffering from severe pneumonia on 12th Aug 2009.

1929, Born on this day, R&B singer Johnny Ace, Billboards 'most played artist of
1955'. He died playing Russian roulette backstage at a gig on December 25th 1954.

1934, Born on this day, Jackie Wilson, US soul singer. Suffered a heart attack on stage at a New Jersey Club in 1975 and was in a coma until he died on January 21st 1984. Scored 24 US Top 40 hits during late 50's & 60's. 1986 UK No.1 single with the re-issued 'Reet Petite.' Van Morrison wrote 'Jackie Wilson Said' covered by Dexy's Midnight Runners.

1941, Born on this day, Jon Lord, keyboards, Deep Purple, (1970 UK No.2 single 'Black Night'), 1973 US No. 4 single 'Smoke On The Water').

1947, Born on this day, Mitch Mitchell, drums, Jimi Hendrix Experience, (1967 UK No.3 single 'Purple Haze', 1970 UK No.1 single Voodoo Chile'). Mitchell had been in the ITV's 'Ready Steady Go!' house band. Mitchell was found dead in his US hotel room on 12th Nov 2008 aged 61.

1950, Born on this day, Trevor Boulder, bass, Spiders From Mars, Uriah Heep, (1975 UK No.7 album 'Return To Fantasy').

1953, Born on this day, Errol Kennedy, vocals, Imagination, (1982 UK No.2 single 'Just An Illusion').

1962, Born on this day, Eddie Lundon, guitar, China Crisis, (1984 UK No.9 single 'Wishful Thinking').

1978, Born on this day, Matthew Bellamy, guitar, vocals, keyboards, Muse, (2003 UK No.1 album ‘Absolution’, 2003 UK No.8 single, ‘Time Is Running Out’).

1980, Born on this day, James Walsh, singer, guitarist, Starsailor, (2001 UK No.2 album 'Love Is Here').