This Day In Music History

1940, Billboard's first comprehensive record chart was published. The magazine had previously published best-seller lists submitted by the individual record companies, but the new chart combined the top sellers from all major labels. Their first number one song was ‘I'll Never Smile Again’ by Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

1954, The Blue Moon Boys made their live debut appearing on the back of a flatbed truck outside a new drug store for its grand opening in Memphis. The band line up was Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore and Bill Black. The name was taken from a song they had recorded just two weeks previously, 'Blue Moon of Kentucky.'

1963, Jan and Dean started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Surf City', written by Beach Boy Brian Wilson, with the Beach Boys on backing vocals. The single peaked at No.26 in the UK.

1968, Cream started a four-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Wheels On Fire'.

1968, Iron Butterfly’s second album, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, entered the US album chart for the first time. The album contained the 17-minute title track that filled the second side of the LP which went on sell over four million copies in the US alone.

1976, Buzzcocks made their live debut supporting The Sex Pistols and Slaughter & The Dogs at The Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester. In the audience was, Morrissey, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook (soon to form Joy Division) and Mark E Smith, (The Fall) and Mick Hucknall. Tickets £1.

1986, The film based on the life of Sex Pistol Sid Vicious, 'Sid And Nancy' premiered in London, England.

1991, EMF went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Unbelievable' it spent 14 weeks on the chart before reaching the top.

1999, The Rolling Stones reported a gross income of $337 million, (£168m), from almost two years of touring from their Bridges to Babylon and No Security tours. The Stones had played to over 5.6 million people, selling out all but 20 shows.

1933, Born on this day, Buddy Knox, singer, songwriter, (1957 US No.1 & UK No.29 single 'Party Doll'). He was the first person in the rock'n'roll era to write and record a number one hit. Very few 1950s singers wrote their own songs.

1945, Born on this day, John Lodge, bass, vocals, The Moody Blues, (1965 UK No.1 & US No.10 single 'Go Now' and 1968 UK No.19 & 1972 US No.2 single 'Nights In White Satin').

1945, Born on this day, Kim Carnes, US female singer, (1981 US No.1 & UK No.10 single 'Betty Davis Eyes').

1947, Born on this day, Carlos Santana, guitar, Santana, (1977 UK No.11 single 'She's Not There', 1999 US No.1 single 'Smooth' eleven weeks at No.1, Also No.1 in the UK). Won eight Grammy's for his Supernatural album at the 2000 awards.

1952, Born on this day, Jay Jay French, guitar, Twisted Sister, (1983 UK No.18 single 'I Am, I'm Me', 1984 album 'Stay Hungry').

1955, Born on this day, Jem Finer, banjo, The Pogues, (1987 UK No.8 single 'The Irish Rover', 1987 UK No.2 single with Kirsty MaCcoll, 'Fairytale Of New York').

1956, Born on this day, Paul Cook, drums, Sex Pistols, (1977 UK No.2 single 'God Save The Queen', and 1977 UK No.1 album 'Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols').

1958, Born on this day, Michael McNeil, keyboards, Simple Minds, (1985 US No.1 single 'Don't You, Forget About Me', 1989 UK No.1 single 'Belfast Child', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles).

1964, Born on this day, Chris Cornell, vocals, guitar, Soundgarden, (1994 US No.1 & UK No. 4 album 'Superunknown', 1994 UK No.12 single 'Black Hole Sun'). Audioslave, (2005 US No.1 album 'Out of Exile').

1966, Born on this day, Andrew Levy, bass, The Brand New Heavies, (1994 UK No.13 single 'Midnight At The Oasis').