ΣΑΝ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ-9 ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΥ

1956, Gene Vincent recorded the classic rock 'n roll song 'Be Bop-A-Lula', which went on to be a US & UK Top 20 hit in this year.

1963, The Beatles appeared live on the ITV show Tuesday Rendezvous, miming ‘From Me to You’ and ‘Please Please Me’ (during the closing credits). In the evening The Beatles played live at the Gaumont State Cinema, Kilburn, London.

1965, The Rolling Stones appeared on UK TV show Ready Steady Go!

1966, 'Blue Turns To Grey', a song written by Jagger and Richards gave Cliff Richard a No.15 UK hit.

1966, Jeff Beck collapsed on stage during a Yardbirds gig in Marseilles, France.

1966, The Righteous Brothers started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'You're My Soul And Inspiration', a No.15 hit in the UK.

1967, The Doors and The Jefferson Airplane appeared at Cheetah, Santa Monica Pier, Venice, California. This was the largest show The Doors had played to date with a crowd of over 3,000

1970, Pink Floyd kicked off their second North American tour at The Fillmore East, Manhattan, New York City.

1973, Newly signed to EMI Records, Queen played a showcase gig for their new record label at the Marquee Club, London.

1974, Terry Jacks was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Seasons In The Sun.' Jacks became the first Canadian to score a No.1 since Paul Anka in 1957. The song (written in French by Belgian, Jacques Brel), had English lyrics by poet Rod McKuen.

1974, The Jackson 5 played the first of 15 shows at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

1976, American folk singer songwriter Phil Ochs, hung himself at his sister's home in Queens, New York. Wrote 'There But A Fortune', a hit for Joan Baez.

1977, Abba went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Dancing Queen', the group's 7th US Top 40 hit and first No.1. Also a No.1 in the UK in 1976.

1981, On this week's UK Indie album chart, No.5, Crass, 'Stations Of The Crass', No.4, Toyah, 'Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!' No.3, Joy Division, 'Closer', No.2, Adam and the Ants, 'Dirk Wears White Sox', No.1, Theatre Of Hate, 'He Who Dares Wins.'

1983, David Bowie was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the title track from his latest album 'Let's Dance', his fourth UK No.1 and featuring blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. A US No.1 hit, it was Bowie’s first single to reach number one on both sides of the Atlantic.

1988, Dave Prater of soul duo Sam & Dave was killed when his car left the road and hit a tree in Syracuse, Georgia, on his way to his mother's house in Ocilla. He was 50. Recorded for Stax Records from 1965 - 1968, hits included 'Soul Man' and 'Hold On, I'm Coming.'

1988, American singer and songwriter Brook Benton died aged 56. He scored over 20 US top 40 singles, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he scored hits such as ‘It's Just A Matter Of Time’ and ‘Endlessly’, and made a comeback in 1974 when he had the No.4 hit 'Rainy Night In Georgia.'

1988, Pet Shop Boys started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Heart', the duo's fourth UK No.1.

1988, Billy Ocean started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car', a No.3 hit in the UK.

1989, Rolling Stone Bill Wyman announced his forthcoming marriage to 19-year old Mandy Smith. He revealed the couple had been dating for six years.

1991, Record producer Martin Hannett died. He worked with many Manchester acts including The Smiths, New Order, Joy Division, Happy Mondays, Magazine as well as U2 and The Psychedelic Furs.

1993, Take That released 'It Only Takes A Minute', in the US, along with a Take That breakfast cereal box.

1994, Pantera entered the US album chart at No.1 with 'Far Beyond Driven'.

1994, R. Kelly started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Bump N' Grind', his first US No.1, a No.8 hit in the UK.

1994, Take That scored their fourth UK No.1 single with the Gary Barlow penned single 'Everything Changes' the fifth single from the band's second album Everything Changes.

1997, Songwriter Mae Boren Axton died aged 82 after drowning in her bath at her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee after an apparent heart attack. Known as the 'Queen Mother of Nashville' she wrote over 200 songs including a co-writing credit on the Elvis Presley hit 'Heartbreak Hotel'. Mother of country singer, songwriter Hoyt Axton. Read the full story

2000, Craig David went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Fill Me In'. At 18 years 11 months he became the youngest UK male solo artist to write and sing a UK No.1.

2000, Moby started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Play'. The album went on to spend 81 weeks on the chart.

2000, NSYNC started a seven week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'No Strings Attached' the Boybands first US No.1.

2003, Paul McCartney played his first Manchester show in 24 years when he appeared at the MEN Arena as part of the UK leg on the 'Back In The World Tour 2003.'

2004, A man was arrested for allegedly stalking Avril Lavigne. James Speedy, 30, from Seattle, Washington, was arrested after police searched his home, he was later released on $5,000 bail. Mr Speedy had been under investigation since last summer for allegedly sending harassing letters and e-mails to the 19-year-old singer. He was later charged with stalking the singer.

2006, Former Smiths singer Morrissey went to No.1 on the UK album chart with his 8th solo album 'Ringleader Of The Tormentors.'

2007, Country and western singer Tanya Tucker was sued by her manicurist for $300,000 (£150,000) over claims the star's dog attacked and injured her. Danielle Hobbs stated in court papers that she was bitten by Bella at the singer's Nashville home and also claimed that the alleged attack, had left her with painful and disfiguring scars on her leg. She stated that Tucker's assistant told her the dogs were "just babies" and said "they will not hurt you".

2009, Randy Cain, a founding member of US soul group The Delfonics died at his home in Maple Shade, New Jersey at the age of 63. The Philadelphia group, whose hits include 'La-La (Means I Love You)', won an R&B Grammy in 1970 for their song 'Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time'. The chorus of 'Ready or Not' by The Fugees sampled The Delfonics' 1969 hit 'Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)'.

2009, Bay City Rollers manager Tam Paton died in the bath at his Edinburgh home of a suspected heart attack. The 70-year-old, who had suffered two previous heart attacks and a stroke in recent years, was found dead in his luxury mansion. Paton had made millions through the success of the band in the 1970s, but was a far more controversial figure in recent years. He was convicted of sex offences against two boys aged 16 and 17 in 1982, and was convicted of drug dealing in 2004 after £26,000 worth of cannabis was found at his home, but was cleared on appeal.

April 9th: Born on this day

1932, Born on this day, Carl Perkins, American singer, songwriter, guitarist, 1956 US No.2 & UK No.10 single 'Blue Suede Shoes.' Perkins' songs were recorded by artists Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Johnny Cash. Perkins died on 19th Jan 1998 aged 65.

1944, Born on this day, Gene Parsons, drummer, The Byrds, (1965 UK & US No.1 single 'Mr Tambourine Man').

1946, Born on this day, Les Gray, vocals, Mud, died from throat cancer 21st Feb 2004 aged 57, (1974 UK No.1 single 'Tiger Feet' plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles').

1948, Born on this day, Phillip Wright, vocals, drums, Paper Lace, (1974 UK No.1 single 'Billy Don't Be A Hero', 1974 US No.1 single 'The Night Chicago Died').

1961, Born on this day, Mark Kelly, keyboards, Marillion, (1985 UK No.2 single 'Kayleigh')

1977, Born on this day, Gerard Way, vocals, My Chemical Romance, (2006 UK No.1 single ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’, 2006 US No.2 album ‘The Black Parade’).

1978, Born on this day, Rachel Stevens, vocals, S Club 7, (1999 UK No.1 single 'Bring It All Back'), 2000 UK No.1 album '7' spent over a year on the UK chart. Solo (2003 UK No.2 single 'Sweet Dreams My LA Ex').

1980, Born on this day, Albert Hammond Jr, guitar, The Strokes, (2001 UK No. 14 single, 'Last Nite' 2001 UK No.2 album 'Is This It').

1987, Born on this day, Jesse McCartney, American singer, actor. Member of the boy band Dream Street, (2005 Australian No.1 & US & UK Top 20 hit single ‘Beautiful Soul’). Co-wrote 'Bleeding Love' a hit for Leona Lewis.