This Day In Music History

1954, 19 year old Elvis Presley signed a recording contract with Sun Records. He also gave in his notice at his day job at The Crown Electric Company. Sam Phillips from Sun Records originally wanted to use the 19 year old to make demos of songs meant for other artists, but soon realized that here was the man who could bridge the gap between white and black performances.

1962, Ray Charles was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Don Gibson penned country ballad 'I Can't Stop Loving You', his only UK No.1.

1962, The Rolling Stones made their live debut at the Marquee Jazz Club, London, with Dick Taylor on bass and Mick Avory on drums. The band were billed as The Rollin' Stones. They were paid £20 for the gig.

1969, One hit wonders Zager and Evans started a six week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'In The Year 2525, (Exordium And Terminus)', also No.1 in the UK.

1975, Johnny Nash scored his only UK No.1 single with 'Tears On My Pillow'.

1980, Olivia Newton-John and the Electric Light Orchestra had the UK No.1 single with 'Xanadu', taken from the film of the same name. It gave Olivia Newton-John her third UK No.1 single.

1986, Simply Red scored their first US No.1 single with 'Holding Back The Years', a No.2 hit in the UK.

1988, Michael Jackson arrived in the UK for his first ever-solo appearances. He performed a total of eight nights to 794,000 people.

2003, Saxophonist, composer and arranger Benny Carter died aged 95. He worked with Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and composed many TV theme's including Ironside and M-Squad.

1943, Born on this day, Christine McVie, keyboards, vocals, Chicken Shack, Fleetwood Mac, (1987 UK No.5 single 'Little Lies' and 1977 US No.1 single 'Dreams', from world wide No.1 album 'Rumours'). Solo

1949, Born on this day, John Wetton, bass, vocals, King Crimson, U.K. Uriah Heep, Roxy Music, Asia, (1982 US No.4 & UK No.46 single 'Heat Of The Moment').

1950, Born on this day, Eric Carr, drums, Kiss, (1974 US No.5 single 'On And On' 1976 US No 11 album 'Rock and Roll Over' spent 26 weeks on the chart. 1987 UK No.4 single 'Crazy Crazy Nights'). Carr died on 24th November 1991.

1952, Born on this day, Liz Mitchell, singer, Boney M, (1978 UK No.1 & US No.30 single 'Rivers Of Babylon').

1952, Born on this day, Philip Taylor Kramer, bass guitar, Iron Butterfly. His disappearance on February 12, 1995 caused a mystery lasting four years. On May 29, 1999, Kramer's Ford Aerostar minivan and skeletal remains were found by photographers looking for old car wrecks to shoot at the bottom of Decker Canyon near Malibu, California. Based on forensic evidence his death was ruled as a probable suicide.

1960, Born on this day, Ray Gillen, member of Black Sabbath who died 1st December 1993.

1964, Born on this day, Tim Gane, guitar, keyboards, Stereolab, (1994 UK No.45 single 'Ping Pong').

1977, Born on this day, Dominic Howard, drums, Muse, (2003 UK No.1 album ‘Absolution’, 2003 UK No.8 single, ‘Time Is Running Out’).