On This Day

Janey Mac! I never came across that one before...

Thanks Frank ... and Pat...

I think they are going a good long time, Pat. Their "one hit", I get knocked down etc ... Is their only big-selling song as far as I know. I don't think they are really after commercial success. I listened to some of their stuff a while back but didn't really do it for me. Must dip in again and see what else they have to offer ...

Pearls Before Swine. Now there's a name I haven't heard of in years. I don't know a single track by them but their name used to pop up in the NME and I often wondered what they sounded like.

Other bands of the time distracted me.

I always love these posts but have to admit the info from 1950's to 1970's get most of my attention.

Guess my age showing 😂😂

Frank

That is a super track. Thanks for sharing. 👍

Just listened to that PBS song there. Lovely song Frank, great hippie vibe. Beautiful lyrics.

On This Day
May 12th
1958 - The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers started a four-week run at No.1 in the US with 'All I Have To Do Is Dream'. Written by the husband and wife songwriting team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, the track was recorded in just two takes.
1961 - The Beatles
The Beatles in Hamburg, West Germany, signed a recording contract with producer Bert Kaempfert. That evening they played at The Top Ten Club, Reeperbahn, Hamburg.

1963 - Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan walked out of rehearsals for the US TV Ed Sullivan show after being told he couldn't perform his song 'Talking John Birch Paranoid Blues' due to it mocking the US military and segregation. CBS officials asked Dylan to substitute it for another song, but the singer reportedly said: 'No, this is what I want to do. If I can't play my song, I'd rather not appear on the show'.
1964 - The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys started a four week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Beach Boys Concert', the group's first US No.1.

1965 - Keith Richards
The Rolling Stones recorded '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' at RCA Hollywood studios. Keith Richards had come up with the guitar riff in the middle of the night a week earlier. It gave the band their first number 1 single in the US.

1965 - Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett recored the soul classic 'In the Midnight Hour' with studio musicians Steve Cropper and Al Jackson of the Stax Records house band, including bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn. The song was composed by Pickett and Steve Cropper at the historic Lorraine Motel in Memphis where Martin Luther King, Jr. would later be assassinated in April 1968.
1967 - Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd appeared at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, giving a special concert Games For May - Space Age Relaxation For The Climate Of Spring. This was reportedly the first show to include loudspeakers placed at the back of the hall to give a 'sound in the round', ie quadraphonic, effect. The sound system, developed by EMI technicians, was stolen after the show and not recovered for some years.
1967 - Jimi Hendrix
'Jimi Hendrix Experience was released in the UK. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest debuts in the history of rock music. The album features Jimi Hendrix's innovative approach to songwriting and electric guitar playing which soon established a new direction in psychedelic and hard rock music.
1968 - The Rolling Stones
Brian Jones made his final live appearance with The Rolling Stones when they appeared at the New Musical Express Poll Winners Concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley, England. Jones drowned while under the influence of drugs and alcohol after taking a midnight swim in his pool, on 3rd July 1969 aged 27.
1971 - Mick Jagger
Rolling Stone Mick Jagger married Bianca Macias at St Tropez Town Hall. The guest list included the other members of the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills. The couple separated in 1977.
1972 - The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones released Exile On Main Street, the second album on their own label. The double set featured two hit singles, 'Tumbling Dice' and 'Happy'. In 2003, the album was ranked No. 7 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, the highest of any Stones album on the list.

1973 - Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with their fifth album Houses Of The Holy. The group's third US No.1 album went on to spend 39 weeks on the US chart. Houses Of The Holy has now been certified 11 times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for US sales in excess of 11 million copies.
1975 - Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship gave a free concert in New York's Central Park in front of 60,000 fans. The band and concert sponsor, WNEW-FM, were forced to pay $14,000 for cleaning up and damage done to the park after the event.
1977 - Sex Pistols
After being dropped by both EMI and A&M records in less than 6 months, Virgin records announced they had signed the Sex Pistols.

1977 - Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin received the outstanding contribution to British music at the second Ivor Novello Awards held at the Grosvenor Hotel, London.
1981 - Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf filed for bankruptcy with debts of over $1 million.
1984 - Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Hello' his second US solo No.1, also a No.1 in the UK.

1986 - Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer of The Clash was banned from driving after being convicted of drink driving.
1990 - Adamski
Adamski started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Killer'. The single featured Seal who remade the song under his own name, reaching the Top 10, the following year.
1996 - Smashing Pumpkins
17-year-old Bernadette O'Brien died the day after being injured 'body surfing' at a Smashing Pumpkins gig at The Point, Dublin.
2000 - The Beatles
Thieves stole the gates to Strawberry Fields the Merseyside landmark immortalised by The Beatles song. The 10' high iron gates were later found at local scrap metal dealers in Liverpool.

2001 - Perry Como
American singer and TV presenter Perry Como died aged 88. He scored fourteen US No.1 singles, from 150 US chart hits and over 25 UK chart hits, including the single 'Magic Moments' and 'Catch A Falling Star.' Como was once the highest-paid performer in the history of television.
2001 - Travis
Travis played a gig at singer's Fran Healy's local primary school at Weston Park, Crouch End, London. The 150 crowd paid a £1 entry fee to the summer fete.
2004 - Bee Gees
Barry and Robin Gibb from The Bee Gees were both presented with honorary degrees from Manchester University. They also picked up a posthumous award for their brother Barry. The brothers had once lived in Manchester, England.
2008 - Neil Young
Singer-songwriter Neil Young had a spider named after him. US university biologist Jason Bond discovered a new species of trapdoor spider and decided to name it after his favourite musician. Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi was found in Jefferson County, Alabama, in 2007.
2013 - Justin Bieber
Thieves stole more than one million rand (£70,000) in takings after a Justin Bieber concert at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium. The gang, armed with ropes, hammers and chisels, broke into a strongroom where the takings from the Justin Bieber concert and a gig the previous evening by Bon Jovi.

2017 - Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar was at No.1 on the US album chart with his fourth studio album Damn. It became the Billboard Year-End No.1 album of 2017 and was nominated for Album of the Year and won Best Rap Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. The album also won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, making it the first non-jazz or classical work to earn the accolade.

Born On This Day
May 12th
1928 - Burt Bacharach
American composer, songwriter, record producer, pianist, and singer Burt Bacharach. With Hal David he wrote many classic songs including, 'Close To You', '24 Hours From Tulsa', 'Make It Easy On Yourself', 'Magic Moments', 'I Say A Little Prayer'. He won two Oscars for the film score to Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, and for the song 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head'. Bacharach's songs have been recorded by more than 1,000 different artists and as of 2014, he had written 73 US and 52 UK Top 40 hits.
1940 - Norman Whitfield
Norman Whitfield, American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown. Collaborated with Barrett Strong on such hits as, 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine', ‘Ain't Too Proud to Beg’, ‘(I Know) I'm Losing You’, ‘Cloud Nine’, ‘War’, ‘Papa Was a Rolling Stone’ and ‘Car Wash’. He died on September 16, 2008.

1942 - Ian Dury
English rock and roll singer-songwriter and actor Ian Dury. His 1977 UK No.5 album New Boots And Panties!! spent 90 weeks on the UK chart and he scored the 1979 UK No.1 single 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick'. He was also a member of of Kilburn and the High Roads. Dury died on 27th March 2000 aged 57.
1943 - David Walkes
David Walkes, from American 1960s era pop and rock group Gary Lewis and the Playboys who scored the 1965 US No.1 single 'This Diamond Ring' and 11 other US Top 40 hits.
1944 - Billy Swan
American Country singer-songwriter Billy Swan, who had the 1974 US No.1 & 1975 UK No.6 single 'I Can Help'.
1944 - James Purify
James Purify, singer from R&B duo James & Bobby Purify who had the 1976 US No.6 & UK No.12 single 'I'm Your Puppet'.
1945 - Jayotis Washington
Jayotis Washington, singer, The Persuasions, a- cappella group, worked with Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Don McLean.
1946 - Ian McLagan
English keyboard instrumentalis Ian McLagan, Small Faces who had the 1967 UK No.3 & US No.17 single 'Itchycoo Park', and the 1968 UK No.1 album 'Ogden's Nut Gone Flake'. With The Faces, had the 1971 UK No.6 & US No.17 single 'Stay With Me'. Also worked with The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Billy Bragg and Bruce Springsteen. He died on 3rd Dec 2014 died aged 69, due to complications from a stroke.
1948 - Steve Winwood
English musician Steve Winwood, who with the Spencer Davis Group had the 1966 UK No.1 single 'Keep On Running', with Traffic the 1967 UK No.2 single 'Hole In My Shoe', Blind Faith, (with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech), 1969 UK & US No.1 album. Winwood played Hammond organ on the Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland album track 'Voodoo Chile'. He also had a successful solo career with hits including 'While You See a Chance', 'Valerie', 'Back in the High Life Again' and during the late 80s two US No.1 hits 'Higher Love' and 'Roll with It'.
1950 - Billy Squier
American rock musician Billy Squier, who had the 1982 hit 'The Stroke', 1984 US No.15 single 'Rock Me Tonight'.
1954 - Barry Borden
Barry Borden, from American Southern rock/hard rock band Molly Hatchet .

On This Day
May 16th
1962 - B Bumble and the Stingers
B Bumble and the Stingers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Nut Rocker.' The instrumental was based on Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker Suite.'
1963 - The Beatles
The Beatles appeared live on the national BBC TV children's program ‘Pops and Lenny’, at Television Theatre, Shepherd's Bush Green, London, in front of an live audience. The Beatles performed ‘From Me to You’ and a shortened version of ‘Please Please Me.'

1964 - Mary Wells
Mary Wells started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'My Guy'. Written and produced by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, it made No.5 in the UK.

1965 - The Rolling Stones
Driving away from a gig at the Civic Hall, Long Beach, California, the limo taking The Rolling Stones back to their hotel was besieged by fans who caved in the roof by standing on it. The band attempted to hold the roof up while their chauffeur drove off with bodies falling onto the road.

1966 - Beach Boys
The Beach Boys released the classic album Pet Sounds. To confirm this, Pet Sounds has been widely ranked as one of the most influential records ever released and has been ranked at No.1 in several music magazines lists of greatest albums of all time, including New Musical Express, The Times and Mojo Magazine. In 2003, it was ranked No.2 in Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, (Sgt. Pepper'S came first).

1966 - Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan's iconic Blonde On Blonde album was released, reaching No.9 in the US charts and No.3 in the UK. Rock's first double album, and Dylan's seventh studio effort, it was recorded with Al Kooper, Robbie Robertson and Nashville country music session players, and had what Dylan later called ‘that wild mercury sound’.
1969 - Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend spent the night in a US jail for assaulting a man during a Who gig at The Fillmore East. What Townshend didn't know was the man who jumped onto the stage was a plainclothes policeman trying to warn the audience that a fire had broken out. The Who guitarist was later fined $30 for the offence.
1970 - Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Deja Vu'. The album featured three Top 40 singles: 'Teach Your Children,' 'Our House,' and 'Woodstock'. In 2003, the album was ranked number 148 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
1970 - England World Cup Squad
The England World Cup Squad were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Back Home.' The track spent three weeks at the top of the charts.
1974 - Brian May
Guitarist Brian May collapsed in New York while Queen were on a US tour and was flown back to England suffering from hepatitis.

1976 - Patti Smith
Patti Smith made her UK debut at The Roundhouse, London. The American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses.
1977 - Led Zeppelin
The London Evening Standard reported that Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant had been arrested at Atlanta Airport for being drunk and pulling a knife. Since Plant was at his home in Wales at the time of the incident, the person arrested was a man impersonating Plant and the British paper ran an apology the following night.
1981 - Kim Carnes
Former New Christy Minstrels member (with Kenny Rogers), Kim Carnes started a nine week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Bette Davis Eyes', the singers only US No.1 and a No.10 hit in the UK.
1984 - Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee for 'staggering drunk' down Beale Street. Osbourne was released from the Memphis jail five hours later, after drying out, and was not required to return for a court appearance. He continued on with a tour in support of 1983’s Bark at the Moon.
1987 - U2
U2 started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart 'With Or Without You', the group's first US No.1. The third track from their 1987 albumThe Joshua Tree the song was the group's most successful single at the time.

1992 - Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine
Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine scored their first and only UK No.1 album with '1992 The Love album.' The English indie rock band formed in 1988 with singer Jim "Jim Bob" Morrison and guitarist Les "Fruitbat" Carter.
1993 - Marv Johnson
US soul singer Marv Johnson died of a stroke. He had the US Top 10 single 'I Love The Way You Love' and the 1969 UK No.10 single 'I'll Pick A Rose For My Rose'. Johnson's recording of Berry Gordy's song 'Come To Me' became Motown Records first ever-single release in May 1959.
1998 - The Rolling Stones
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards fell while reaching for a book of nude art in his Connecticut home. The fall broke his ribs, causing the Stones to postpone many dates on their Bridges To Babylon tour.

2004 - Frankee
Frankee started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'F.U.R.B. (F U Right Back)'. The song was a "reply" to the No.1 by Eamon that it replaced, (f**k It, I Don't Want You Back). This is the first time that a record and its reply have both made No 1.
2009 - Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Together Through Life’, his 33rd studio album. The album received two Grammy Award nominations in Best Americana Album category and Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance category for 'Beyond Here Lies Nothin'. The album also is significant as the only album by Dylan to top the US and UK charts consecutively.
2010 - Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio, singer with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath and his own band Dio died after a six-month battle with stomach cancer. He was 67 years old. Dio’s career began in 1957 with The Vegas Kings, which later changed to Ronnie and the Rumblers, then Ronnie and the Redcaps, then in 1961, Ronnie Dio and the Prophets. In 1967, Dio and Prophets guitarist Nick Pantas formed the Electric Elves, which shortened its name to Elf. The band’s success eventually landed them an opening slot for Deep Purple which exposed Dio’s voice to Deep Purple’s guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, who later recruited Dio and other members of Elf for his new band Rainbow.

2013 - George Michael
It was reported that George Michael had been injured after the car in which he was travelling in crashed on the M1 during the evening rush-hour. Ambulance crews confirmed that the singer had to be airlifted from the scene, near the junction with the M25. Three days later Katherine Fox told The Sun newspaper that she was driving behind a silver Range Rover when the singer tumbled from out the passenger door on to the third lane of the northbound carriageway. She said Michael had “a nasty cut on his forehead and the back of his head. There was blood all down his face and on his teeth. He was breathing and conscious but in shock.”

Born On This Day
May 16th
1919 - Liberace
American pianist, singer, and TV presenter, Liberace, (Wladziu Valentinon Liberace) who had a career spanning four decades and for a period, his TV show would pull in over 30 million viewers at any one time and he was the became the highest-paid entertainer in the world. He died on 4th February 1997. Behind the Candelabra, a film adaptation of Scott Thorson's autobiography, featured Michael Douglas stars as Liberace, with Matt Damon playing Thorson.
1939 - Pervis Jackson
Pervis Jackson, vocals, from American rhythm and blues vocal group the Detroit Spinners who had the 1980 UK No.1 & US No.2 single 'Working My Way Back To You'. Jackson died of cancer on 18th Aug 2008.
1944 - Billy Cobham
Panamanian-American jazz drummer Billy Cobham, who worked with Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, James Brown, Santana and Soundtrack to the film 'Shaft'.

1946 - Robert Fripp
English guitarist, composer and record producer Robert Fripp, who with King Crimson had the 1969 UK No.5 album, In The Court Of The Crimson King. He has also worked extensively as a studio musician, notably with David Bowie on the albums Heroes and Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), Brian Eno, Porcupine Tree, Andy Summers, Slow Music, Theo Travis, The Humans, Jakko Jakszyk and many others.
1947 - Barbara Lee
Barbara Lee, singer, from American all-girl group The Chiffons who had the 1963 US No.1 single 'He's So Fine', and the 1972 UK No.4 single 'Sweet Talking Guy', (first released in 1966). Lee died on 15th May 1992.
1947 - Darrell Sweet
Darrell Sweet, from Scottish hard rock band Nazareth, who had the 1973 UK No.9 single 'Broken Down Angel', and the 1976 US No.8 single, 'Love Hurts'. Died on 30th April 1999 after suffering a fatal heart attack before a show in New Albany, Indiana.
1951 - Jonathan Richman
Jonathan Richman, guitar, vocals, from American rock band The Modern Lovers who scored the 1977 UK No.5 single 'Egyptian Reggae' and the 1977 UK No.11 'Roadrunner'. Richman appeared in the films Dumb & Dumber and There's Something About Mary.
1953 - Richard Page
Richard Page, lead singer and bassist from American pop rock band Mr Mister who scored the 1985 US No.1 & 1986 UK No.4 single 'Broken Wings'.
1955 - Hazel O'Conner
British singer-songwriter and actress Hazel O'Conner, who had the 1980 UK No.5 single 'Eighth Day' as well as starring in the film Breaking Glass.
1958 - Glenn Gregory
Glenn Gregory, Heaven 17, (1983 UK No.2 single 'Temptation').

1962 - Andrew Innes
Andrew Innes from Scottish rock band Primal Scream who had the 1994 UK No.7 single 'Rocks' and the 1991 UK No.8 album Screamadelica.
1964 - Boyd Tinsley
American violinist and mandolinist Boyd Tinsley with the Dave Matthews Band who had the 1998 US No.1 album 'Before These Crowded Streets' and the 2001 US No.1 album 'Everyday'. Dave Matthews Band are the first group to have six consecutive studio albums debut at the top of the US charts.
1965 - Krist Novoselic
Krist Novoselic, bassist with Nirvana .

On This Day
May 19th
1960 - Alan Freed
American DJ Alan Freed was indicted along with seven others for accepting $30,650 in payola from six record companies. Two years later, he was convicted and given a suspended sentence and a $300 fine.
1967 - The Beatles
The Beatles held a press party at manager's Brian Epstein's house in London for the launch of the Sgt. Pepper album. Linda Eastman was hired as the press photographer.

1973 - Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life'. His third US No.1, won Wonder a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. This song was the second single released from the album 'Talking Book'.

1973 - Paul Simon
Paul Simon released the single 'Kodachrome' named after the Kodak 35mm film Kodachrome which became a No.2 hit in the US. It was not released as a single in Britain, because the BBC would not play the trademarked name.
1976 - Keith Richards
Rolling Stone Keith Richards crashed his car near Newport Pagnell, Bucks, after falling asleep at the wheel; marijuana and cocaine were found by the police resulting in another fine for the guitarist.
1978 - Dire Straits
Dire Straits released their first major label single 'Sultans Of Swing', recorded on a £120 budget. The song was first recorded as a demo at Pathway Studios, North London, in July 1977, and quickly acquired a following after it was put on rotation at Radio London.

1979 - Abba
ABBA started a four week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Voulez-Vous' the group's fourth No.1 album.

1979 - Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton held a party at his Surrey house celebrating his recent marriage to Patti Boyd. Clapton had set-up a small stage in the garden and as the evening progressed, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr ended up jamming together along with Clapton, Ginger Baker and Mick Jagger. The all-star band ran through old Little Richard and Eddie Cochran songs.

1979 - Supertramp
Supertramp went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Breakfast In America', the group's only US No.1. It featured three US Billboard hit singles: 'The Logical Song', 'Goodbye Stranger' and 'Take the Long Way Home'.

1980 - Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr and his future wife were involved in a car crash less than half a mile from where Marc Bolan was killed, the car was a write-off but Starr and Bach were not seriously injured.
1984 - Bob Marley
Bob Marley and the Wailers started a 12-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with the compilation album 'Legend', released to commemorate the third anniversary of Marley's death.

1988 - James Brown
James Brown was arrested for the fifth time in 12 months, following a car chase near his home, he was charged with assault, resisting arrest and being in charge of illegal weapons, he was given a 6 year jail sentence.
1990 - Madonna
Madonna started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Vogue'. Originally planned as a B-side, it became the singers eighth US No.1 and seventh UK No.1 hit.
2001 - Mike Sammes
Mike Sammes founder of The Mike Sammes Singers died aged 73. He worked with Tom Jones, Cliff Richard and featured on The Beatles, ‘I Am the Walrus’, and 'The Long And Winding Road.'
2007 - Michael Jackson
Lawyers for Michael Jackson dropped an effort to block an auction of the star's personal belongings and other Jackson family items. An agreement was reached with representatives of an auctioneer, who was the current owner of the materials, and a New Jersey man who claimed to own a warehouse full of Jackson memorabilia after a failed business venture wound up in bankruptcy court.
2010 - Led Zeppelin
'Stairway To Heaven' was named the UK's favourite rock song in a survey by listeners to radio station Absolute Classic Rock. Led Zeppelin had two other tracks in the top 10; ‘Whole Lotta Love’ was voted at No. 4 and ‘Rock 'n' Roll’, from the group’s fourth album, was at No. 7.
2013 - John Lennon and George Harrison
A guitar played by John Lennon and George Harrison sold for $408,000 (£269,000) at auction. The custom-made instrument, built in 1966 by VOX was bought by an unidentified US buyer in New York. Harrison played ‘I Am the Walrus’, on the guitar in a scene from Magical Mystery Tour in 1967. Lennon used it in a video for 'Hello, Goodbye' later that year. After playing the guitar, Lennon gave it as a 25th birthday present to Alexis "Magic Alex" Mardas, a member of The Beatles' inner circle in the 1960s.

2015 - Lee Ryan
Lee Ryan became the fourth and final member of Blue to declare himself bankrupt. Lee became the last member of the chart-topping boyband - who earned more than £80million after selling in excess of 15million records worldwide - to file for bankruptcy, following in the financial footsteps of his band mates Simon Webbe, Antony Costa and Duncan James.
2016 - John Berry
John Berry, a founding member of rap group Beastie Boys died at the age of 52. Berry originally formed the four-piece hardcore punk band, the Young Aborigines, in 1978 who later became the Beastie Boys and came up with the name for the group.


Born On This Day
May 19th
1932 - Alma Cogan
Alma Cogan, English singer of traditional pop music who had the 1955 UK No.1 single 'Dreamboat', plus 20 other UK Top 40 hits. She was the youngest female to top the charts during the 50s and the highest paid British female entertainer of her era. Cogan died of stomach cancer on 26th October 1966 age 34.
1945 - Pete Townshend
English musician, singer, songwriter Pete Townshend, The Who. Had the 1965 UK No.2 single 'My Generation' and the 1967 US No.9 single 'I Can See For Miles' plus over 20 other UK Top 40 hit singles, 16 US Top 40 singles and rock opera albums 'Tommy' & 'Quadrophenia'. Townshend became known for his eccentric stage style swinging his right arm against the guitar strings in a windmill style, often smashing guitars on stage. Although known primarily as a guitarist, he also plays keyboards, banjo, accordion, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin, violin, synthesiser, bass guitar, and drums.

1947 - Greg Herbert
Greg Herbert, from jazz-rock American music group Blood Sweat & Tears. They scored the 1969 US No.2 single 'Spinning Wheel', and the 1969 US No.12 single 'You've Made Me So Very Happy'. They had a US No.1 with their second album Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1968. Herbert died of an accidental drug overdose 31st January 1977.
1947 - Jerry Hyman
Jerry Hyman, from jazz-rock American music group Blood Sweat & Tears. They scored the 1969 US No.2 single 'Spinning Wheel', and the 1969 US No.12 single 'You've Made Me So Very Happy'. They had a US No.1 with their second album Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1968.
1948 - Tom Scott
Tom Scott, saxophonist, the L.A. Express worked with Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Steely Dan. Composer of film soundtracks & TV shows.
1948 - Grace Jones
Jamaican singer, songwriter, supermodel Grace Jones, who scored the 1985 UK No.12 single 'Slave To The Rhythm' and the hit 'Pull Up to the Bumper'.

1949 - Dusty Hill
Dusty Hill, bass, keyboardist, and co-vocalist with ZZ Top, who had the 1984 US No.8 and 1985 UK No.16 single 'Legs'. ZZ Top has had global album sales in excess of 50 million as of 2014. Along with his brother Rocky Hill and future fellow ZZ Top member Frank Beard, Hill played in local Dallas bands the Warlocks, the Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues.
1950 - Mike Wedgwood
English bassist and singer Mike Wedgwood who with Curved Air had the 1971 UK No.4 single 'Back Street Luv'. He has also worked with Kiki Dee and Caravan.
1950 - Romeo Challenger
Romeo Challenger, from English revival group Showaddywaddy who had the 1976 UK No.1 single with their version of 'Under The Moon Of Love'. Showaddywaddy spent 209 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, and had 10 Top Ten singles.
1952 - Joey Ramone
Jeffrey Hyman, (Joey Ramone), from American punk rock band Ramones who had the 1977 hit single 'Sheena Is A Punk Rocker'. They are often cited as the first band to define the punk rock sound. He died on 15th April 2001 after losing a long battle with lymphatic cancer aged 49. On November 30, 2003, a block of East 2nd Street in New York City was officially renamed Joey Ramone Place.
1954 - Philip Rudd
Phil Rudd, drums, AC/DC, from 1975 through 1983, and again from 1994 to 2015. Thier 1980 UK No.1 & US No.14 album Back In Black has sold over 49 million copies). On 6 November 2014 Rudd was arrested and charged with attempting to procure a murder, threatening to kill, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cannabis, following a police raid on his home.
1956 - Martyn Ware
English musician Martyn Ware who with Heaven 17 had the 1983 UK No.2 single 'Temptation'. He was also a member of the Human League. As a record producer he helped to revitalise Tina Turner's career in 1983 with 'Let's Stay Together', and also kick started Terence Trent D'Arby's career by co-producing his solo debut, Introducing the Hardline According to..
1960 - Yazz
British pop singer, Yasmin Evans, (Yazz), who scored the 1988 UK No.1 dance track 'The Only Way Is Up'.
1962 - Iain Harvie
Iain Harvie, guitarist, from Scottish alternative rock band Del Amitri who had the 1990 UK No.11 single 'Nothing Ever Happens'. The band have had five Top 10 albums in the UK.
1963 - Ben Volperliere
Ben Volperliere, singer from British pop band, Curiosity Killed The Cat who had the 1989 UK No.14 single 'Name And Number' and the UK No.1 album Keep Your Distance.
1968 - Paul Hartnoll
Paul Hartnoll, from English electronic dance music duo Orbital, who had the 1996 UK No.11 single 'The Box'. The band's name is taken from Greater London's orbital motorway, the M25.
1970 - Attrell Cordes
Attrell Cordes, Prince Be, from American hip hop act PM Dawn who scored the 1991 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Set Adrift On Memory Bliss'. He died on June 17, 2016, of renal disease, caused by complications of diabetes.

On This Day
May 21st
1963 - The Beatles
The Beatles recorded two BBC radio programs at the Playhouse Theatre in London. They recorded five songs for Saturday Club and six songs for Steppin' Out.

1965 - Four Tops
The Four Tops appeared on UK TV show 'Ready Steady Goes Live!'

1966 - Bruce Springsteen
The Castiles (with Bruce Springsteen on vocals) appeared at Freehold Regional High School in New Jersey. They were performing at their own high school for the very first time. All five members of the band were Juniors at Freehold High School.
1967 - Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix signed with Reprise Records on the US Warner Brothers label. They released the guitarist's albums Are You Experienced? Axis: Bold as Love and Electric Ladyland.
1968 - Brian Jones
Rolling Stone Brian Jones appeared at Great Marlborough Street Magistrates court, London on a charge of possession of marijuana, Jones was released on £200 bail.

1970 - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released the protest single Ohio, written and composed by Neil Young in reaction to the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970, when unarmed college students were shot by the Ohio National Guard. The guardsmen fired 67 rounds over a period of 13 seconds, killing four students and wounding nine others, one of whom suffered permanent paralysis.
1971 - Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye released his eleventh studio album What's Going On. The concept album consisting of nine songs tells the story from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to the country he had been fighting for, and seeing only hatred, suffering, and injustice. What's Going On is regarded as one of the landmark recordings in pop music history, and one of the greatest albums of the 20th century.

1972 - 2nd British Rock Meeting
The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Faces, Family, Curved Air, Atomic Rooster, The Kinks, Rory Gallagher, Uriah Heep, Country Joe McDonald, Buddy Miles, Status Quo, Brinsley Schwarz, Spencer Davis, The Strawbs and Humble Pie all appeared at the 2nd British Rock Meeting, Insel Grun, Germersheim, West Germany. The festival was due to take place in Mannheim, West Germany, but after protests from the locals, the concert actually took place in nearby Germersheim.
1974 - Elton John
Two would-be concert promoters were arrested by police in America on fraud charges in connection with selling mail order tickets for a forthcoming Elten John show. (Elten with an E and not an O). Police took away over $12,000 in cheques.

1977 - Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the double A sided single 'I Don't Want To Talk About It / First Cut Is The Deepest.' The Danny Whitten song 'I Don't Want To Talk About It' was also a UK No.3 hit for Everything But The Girl in 1988.
1977 - Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with his tribute to Duke Ellington, 'Sir Duke', his sixth US No.1, it made No.2 in the UK.

1979 - Elton John
Elton John started a tour of Russia, when he played the first of eight concerts making him the first Western star ever to do so.

1980 - Jimi Hendrix
A thief brook into Electric Lady Studios in New York City, the recording studio built by Jimi Hendrix and stole five Hendrix gold records for the albums ‘Are You Experienced’’, ‘Axis: Bold as Love’, ‘Cry of Love’, ‘Rainbow Bridge’ and Live at Monterey.
1980 - Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer of The Clash was arrested at a much-troubled gig in Hamburg, Germany, after smashing his guitar over the head of a member of the audience; he was released after an alcohol test proved negative.
1982 - Madonna
The Hacienda Club was opened in Manchester, England. Madonna made her UK TV debut at the club when C4 music show The Tube was broadcast live. Home to many Manchester acts including Oasis, Happy Mondays, U2, The Smiths, Charlatans, James, M People who all played at the club. (The club closed in 1997).
1983 - David Bowie
David Bowie went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Let's Dance', featuring blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. It was Bowie's first single to reach number one on both sides of the Atlantic. The music video was made by David Mallet on location in Australia including a bar in Carinda in New South Wales, featured Bowie playing with his band while impassively watching an Aboriginal couple’s struggles against metaphors of Western cultural imperialism.
1988 - Prince
Prince scored his first UK No.1 album with 'Lovesexy.' The cover (based on a photo by Jean Baptiste Mondino) caused some controversy upon release as it depicts Prince in the nude. Some record stores refused to stock it or wrapped the album in black.
1988 - Billy Bragg
Wet Wet Wet and Billy Bragg were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'With A Little Help From My Friends' and 'She's Leaving Home.' The two Beatles songs had been recorded for the childLine charity, sales of the single, which spent four weeks at No.1 on the UK chart, were over £600,000, all of which was donated to ChildLine .

2001 - Tommy Eyre
Producer, arranger and keyboardist Tommy Eyre died of cancer aged 51. Worked with George Harrison, Wham! Dusty Springfield, and B.B. King. Played and arranged Joe Cocker's hit 'With A Little Help From My Friends' and Gerry Rafferty's 'Baker Street'.
2003 - Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey hit back at Eminem's threats to sample the slushy voicemail messages she left on his mobile. Carey described the rapper as "a little girl" saying it's "like dealing with a girlfriend in 7th grade, and he shouldn't do it because it'll get him in a bit of trouble with her lawyers."
2005 - Brian Harvey
Former East 17 singer Brian Harvey was rushed to hospital following his second suicide bid in a month. The singer battled with police outside his house after taking an overdose of sleeping pills.
2006 - Madonna
Madonna played the first of three sold out nights at The Los Angeles Forum in California, the first dates on her Confessions Tour. The 60-date tour grossed over $260 million, becoming the highest grossing tour ever for a female artist.
2007 - Scott Stapp
Former singer with Creed, Scott Stapp was arrested at his Florida home and charged with assault. The 33-year-old was held without bail following the charges, which related to a domestic assault.
2008 - Lou Pearlman
Lou Pearlman, the music mogul who created the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison over a decades-long scam that swindled thousands of investors out of their life savings. Many victims were Pearlman's relatives, friends and retirees in their 70s or 80s who lost everything.
2010 - U2
U2's lead singer Bono had emergency spinal surgery after suffering an injury while preparing for tour dates. The 50-year-old singer was treated at a specialist neurosurgery clinic in Munich and was expected to stay there for a number of days.

2011 - Adele
Adele went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Rolling In The Deep', taken from her second studio album, 21. The video to the song was nominated for seven MTV Video Music Awards nominations, 'Rolling in the Deep' was also the Billboard Year End Hot 100 Number One Single of 2011. And on 12 February 2012, 'Rolling in the Deep' received three Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Short Form Music Video.
2011 - Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan came out on top as both the most inspirational individual for poets and the dream collaborative partner, in a survey carried out by The Foyle Poetry Society. The extensive survey questioned poets asking which musician and which genre of music most inspired their writing. The young people, aged between 11 and 17, from countries throughout the world also voted for artists such as Regina Spektor, David Bowie, Florence and the Machine, Leonard Cohen, Morrissey and Pete Doherty.
2013 - Trevor Bolder
Trevor Bolder, the bassist in David Bowie's legendary 1970s backing band Spiders From Mars, died from cancer at the age of 62. Bolder appeared on the studio albums Hunky Dory (1971), The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972), Aladdin Sane (1973), and Pin Ups (1973). He joined Uriah Heep in 1976, replacing John Wetton.
2013 - Chris Brown
Chris Brown was charged with a misdemeanour hit-and-run and driving without a valid license following an accident in the San Fernando Valley, California. If convicted, the singer could face up to one year in jail with other recent incidents including an outburst at a valet, a parking lot brawl with Frank Ocean and a fight with Drake in a New York nightclub.
2015 - Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath received a lifetime achievement prize at the Ivor Novello songwriting awards. Guitarist Tony Iommi picked up the trophy, confirming the heavy metal band would embark on their "final tour" next year. Ed Sheeran was named songwriter of the year, and Annie Lennox was awarded the fellowship of the British Society of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (Basca) - the society's highest honour.
2015 - Louis Johnson
American bass guitarist Louis Johnson died aged 60. He was a member of Brothers Johnson, (1980 US No.4 & UK No.6 single 'Stomp'). Johnson played on the Michael Jackson albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Dangerous, and hit songs 'Billie Jean' and 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough'.
2016 - Nick Menza
Nick Menza, a former drummer in heavy metal band Megadeth, died after suffering a "massive heart attack" on stage, while performing with his band, OHM, in Los Angeles.

Good stuff Frank. I remember that ad by Sinead O Connor ok.