ΣΑΝ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ-30 ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ

1962, Ike & Tina Turner, The Ike-etts, Jimmy Thomas and Mary Brown all appeared at Cocoanut Grove, Sacrament, California.

1962, Singer Brenda Lee was hurt when she attempted to rescue her poodle, Cee Cee from her burning house. Cee Cee later died of smoke inhalation.

1965, The Kinks, The Who, Manfred Man, The Hollies and Gerry and the Pacemakers all appeared on tonight's episode of TV pop show 'Shindig!' The US series featured "British invasion" bands and performers throughout its run.

1966, Pink Floyd and Soft Machine appeared at the UFO presents Night Tripper at the Blarney Club, London, England.

1967, The Beatles scored their 15th US No.1 with 'Hello Goodbye', Gladys Knight and the Pips were at No.2 with 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' and The Monkees at No.3 with 'Daydream Believer.'

1968, Led Zeppelin appeared at Gonzaga University Gymnasium, Spokane on their first North American tour supporting Vanilla Fudge.

1969, Peter Tork quit The Monkees, buying himself out of his contract which left him broke.

1972, Brownsville Station, Sha-Na-Na and Bruce Springsteen (who was the opening act), all appeared of the Ohio Theatre, Columbus, Ohio.

1978, Emerson Lake and Palmer announced their official break up.

1989, Chris Novoselic bass player with Nirvana married his long-time girlfriend Shelli Dilly in Washington.

1995, Clarence Satchell from The Ohio Players died aged 55. Scored the 1974 US No.1 single 'Fire' and had hits with ‘Skin Tight’, ‘I Want To Be Free’ and ‘Love Roller Coaster.’

1999, George Harrison and his wife Olivia were attacked when an intruder broke into their home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Olivia beat off the attacker with a poker and heavy lamp. Harrison who was stabbed in the chest was admitted to hospital and treated for a collapsed lung and various minor stab wounds. His wife, Olivia, was treated for cuts and bruises she had suffered in the struggle with the intruder. Police later arrested Michael Abram from Liverpool who had nursed an irrational obsession with the Beatles.

1999, In the Queen's Millennium Honours list, former Slade singer Noddy Holder was awarded an MBE and guitarist Mark Knopfler was awarded an OBE.

2001, Nickelback went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'How To Remind Me'.

2002, Diana Ross was arrested for drink driving by the Arizona highway patrol after a motorist called to report a swerving vehicle in the western state of Arizona. When asked to walk in a straight line she fell over, could not count to 30 or balance on one foot. Police said the singer was twice over the drink drive limit with a blood-alcohol of 0.20, the legal limit is 0.08.

2002, The funeral of former Clash singer and guitarist Joe Strummer took place in London. Strummer had died of a suspected heart attack on 22nd Dec 2002 aged 50.

2003, Cris Kirkwood from the Meat Puppets was arrested and accused of hitting a federal post office security guard in the head with a baton that the musician took from the guard during a struggle, the guard then shot Kirkwood in the back. The incident began over a dispute about parking with another customer at a Phoenix post office.

2006, R&B singer Brandy was involved in a four-car crash that left one woman dead, after the singer failed to slow down and hit the back of another car. Brandy was alone in her car and no alcohol or drugs were involved.

2006, Young Jeezy was at No.1 on the US album chart with 'The Inspiration' the American rappers fourth album.

December 30th: Born on this day

1928, Born on this day, Bo Diddley, (Elias McDaniel), guitarist, singer, (R&B hits, 'Bo Diddley', 'You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover', 1963 UK No.34 single 'Pretty Thing'). When The Beatles first went to the US, John Lennon was asked what he would like to see; he replied 'Bo Diddley.' Diddley died from heart failure in Archer, Florida aged 79 on 2nd June 2008.

1934, Born on this day, Del Shannon, singer, (1961 UK and US No.1 single 'Runaway', plus 9 US & 12 other UK Top 40 singles). Died on 8th February 1990.

1940, Born on this day, Perry Ford, Ivy League, (1965 UK No.3 single 'Tossing and Turning').

1940, Born on this day, Kenny Penifallo, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, (1978 album 'Hearts Of Stone').

1942, Born on this day, Mike Nesmith, vocals, guitar, The Monkees, (1967 UK & US No.1 single 'I'm A Believer' plus 10 US & 8 UK Top 40 singles).

1942, Born on this day, Robert Quine, guitarist, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, (1977 album 'Blank Generation' features the track 'Love Comes In Spurts'). Worked with Lou Reed, Brian Eno, Lloyd Cole, They Might Be Giants. Found dead on May 31st 2004 of a heroin overdose.

1945, Born on this day, Davy Jones, vocals, guitar, The Monkees, (1967 UK & US No.1 single 'I'm A Believer' plus 10 US & 8 UK Top 40 singles). Actor in 1986 London cast of 'Godspell'.

1946, Born on this day, American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist Patti Smith, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement. Smith had the 1976 album 'Horses', and the 1978 UK #5 and US #13 single 'Because The Night', co-written with Bruce Springsteen.

1947, Born on this day, Jeff Lynne, guitar, vocals, Idle Race, The Move, (1969 UK No.1 single 'Blackberry Way',) Electric Light Orchestra, (1979 UK No.3& US No. 4 single 'Don't Bring Me Down'), Traveling Wilburys, (1988 UK No.28 'Handle With Care'), producer.

1959, Born on this day, Tracy Ullman, singer, actress, (1983 UK No.2 single 'They Don't Know').

1969, Born on this day, Jason Kay, vocals, (Jay Kay, Jamiroquai, 1996 UK No.3 single 'Virtual Insanity', 2001 UK No.1 album 'A Funk Odyssey').

1970, Born on this day, Sister Bliss (Ayalah Bentovim), producer, DJ, Faithless, (1996 UK No.3 album 'Insomnia').

1978, Born on this day, Tyrese, US male singer, (1999 UK No.55 single, 'Sweet Lady', 2001 US No. 8 album, '2000 Watts').

1988, Born on this day, Leon Jackson, Scottish singer who won the fourth series of the UK TV talent show The X Factor in 2007. His UK No.1 debut single, a cover of the Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey duet 'When You Believe' became the fastest selling UK single of 2007. It also made Jackson the first Scottish artist to achieve a UK Christmas number one.