Country/pop singer B.J. Thomas ("Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head") was born in Houston in 1942.
Kerry Chater - Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (1945)
Carlo Novi - Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1949)
Born on this day in 1950, Rodney Crowell, country guitarist, songwriter, worked with Emmylou Harris, acts that covered his songs include Bob Seger, Willie Nelson & Carlene Carter.
Born on this day in 1952, Andy Fraser - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Joined Free when he was aged 16.
Bruce Dickinson - Iron Maiden (1958)
Jacqui O'Sullivan – Bananarama (1960)
Ian DenchEMF (1964)
Raul Malo - The Mavericks (1965)
Kristin Hersh - Throwing Muses (1966)
Herb Reed of the Platters ("My Prayer") turns 78.
They Are Missed:
American soul singer Esther Phillips died from liver and kidney failure in Carson, California in 1984, at the age of 48.
Harmonica player Larry Adler died in 2001 (age 87). Known for his original collaborations with George Gershwin, Kate Bush, Sting and Vaughan Williams and his own virtuoso performances
Born on this day in 1925, Felice Bryant, songwriter with her husband Boudleaux. Wrote Everly Brothers hits, 'All I Have To Do Is Dream', 'Bye Bye Love', 'Wake Up Little Susie' and 'Raining In My Heart' a hit for Buddy Holly. (Died April 22, 2003)
History:
Today in 1954, the song "Sh-Boom" by the Crew-Cuts topped the charts and stayed there for 9 weeks.
Tonight on TV in 1955, Ed Sullivan played host to Bill Haley & the Comets, bringing rock 'n' roll to the masses with their "Rock Around the Clock."
The Quarry Men played at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1957, (without Paul McCartney who was away at Boy Scout summer camp). The Cavern was still a jazz club, but skiffle was tolerated, but when John Lennon dared to play ‘Hound Dog’ and ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, the club owner sent a note to the stage saying, "Cut out the bloody rock!"
The movie "Beach Party", with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, opened in 1963.
In 1964, Time magazine panned A Hard Day`s Night saying the public should "avoid this film at all costs." Later, critics call The Beatles' film the best Rock 'n' Roll movie of all-time.
Herman's Hermits went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1965 with “I'm Henry VIII I Am.” The single was only released in the US. Singer Peter Noone once interviewed Elvis Presley for UK music paper New Musical Express.
Christine McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970.
In 1971, At Los Angeles' Pauley Pavilion, Frank Zappa & the Mothers played the gig that became their album Just Another Band from L.A. It's their last album with ex-Turtles Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, who leave the band to become Flo & Eddie.
The Bee Gees started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1971 with “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.” It was the group's tenth US hit and first #1.
Elton John and Kiki Dee were at #1 on the US singles chart in 1976 with 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart', giving Elton his sixth US #1. It was written by Elton John without Bernie Taupin under the pseudonym "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche."
In 1982, 'Mirage' became the third #1 album of the Buckingham-Nicks era of Fleetwood Mac. Their first studio album since 1979, it yielded three hit singles: "Hold Me" (#4), "Gypsy" (#12) and "Love in Store" (#22).
In 1987 a Los Angeles judge threw out a lawsuit against Ozzy Osbourne. The lawsuit had been filed by the parents of a teenager who had committed suicide while listening to Ozzy's song, "Suicide Solution."
Cypress Hill started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1993 with “Black Sunday.”
Garth Brooks played to the largest crowd ever in New York's Central Park in 1997. An estimated 1 million people attended the live concert with an additional 14.6 million viewing live on HBO.
In 2005, James Blunt was at #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘You're Beautiful’, Mariah Carey was at #1 on the US charts with ‘We Belong Together’ and Axel F had ‘Crazy Frog’ at #1 on the Australian singles charts.
It’s announced in 2008 that bassist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskitt have left Wolfmother after "longstanding frictions within the group." Frontman Andrew Stockdale plans recruit new musicians to continue on as Wolfmother. Ross and Heskitt say they will work together on another project.
Also in 2008, Elvis Presley's peacock jumpsuit, was sold at auction for $300,000, making it the most expensive piece of Elvis memorabilia ever sold at an auction. The white outfit with a plunging V-neck and high collar featured a blue-and-gold peacock design, hand-embroidered on the front and back and along the pant legs. .
