ΣΑΝ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ-23 ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ

1959, Chuck Berry was arrested after taking 14 year old Janice Norine (who unbeknown to Berry was working as a prostitute), across a state line. He was sentenced to 5 years jail but after racist comments by the judge Berry was freed.

1962, During his first visit to the UK Bob Dylan performed at the King and Queen pub in London’s West End, the singer songwriter’s third UK gig.

1964, Pirate station 'Radio London', started broadcasting from the former US Minesweeper 'Mv Galaxy'.

1964, During a US tour Beach Boy Brian Wilson had a nervous breakdown during a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. Wilson left the band to concentrate on writing and producing. Glen Campbell replaced Wilson for the bands live shows.

1966, ITV (Redifusion) broadcast Ready, Steady Go! for the last time, after the Musicians Union enforced a ban on miming. The special guests for the farewell show were Mick Jagger, The Who, Eric Burdon, The Spencer Davis Group, Donovan and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.

1972, Former Grand Funk Railroad manager Terry Knight arrived during a concert by the band with a court order to seize $1m in money or assets. Police inform the ex manager that he couldn't take anything until after the show.

1977, English singer-songwriter, Cat Stevens formally changed his name to Yusef Islam.

1984, Howard Jones played the first of three sold out shows at London's Hammersmith Odeon, with support band Strawberry Switchblade.

1985, During a concert by LL Cool J at a Rollerrink in Baltimore, a fight broke out, one person was trampled underfoot and three people were shot.

1985, Judas Priest fans Raymond Belknap and James Vance shot themselves after listening to the Judas Priest album ‘Stained Class.’ The two had drunk beer, smoked marijuana and then listened to hours of the album. Afterwards they took a shotgun to a nearby school playground where Belknap shot and killed himself. Vance then blew away his jaw, mouth and nose but lived for more than three years before dying of effects of the shooting.

1989, Phil Collins started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Another Day In Paradise', his 7th US solo No.1 Taken from his No.1 album ...But Seriously 'Another Day in Paradise' was written to bring attention to the problem of homelessness.

1989,

1996, Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx married TV's 'Baywatch' star and former Playboy Playmate of the Month, Donna Deruico.

1999, George Harrison's home in Maui in the Hawaiian Islands was broken into by Cristin Keleher, who cooked a frozen pizza, drank beer from the fridge, started some laundry and phoned her mother in New Jersey. Keleher was arrested and charged with burglary and theft.

2000, Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall was given a police caution for possessing cocaine and cannabis. Police found the Class A and Class B drugs at his Surrey home after a woman falsely accused him of rape in November.

2002, Sir Paul McCartney was granted his own coat of arms by the College of Arms, the English heraldic body formed in 1484. The crest featured a bird that appeared to be holding a guitar in its claw. The motto is "Ecce Cor Meum", Latin for 'Behold My Heart', which is the title of an oratorio he composed.

2005, Geezer Butler, the bass player with Black Sabbath offered £5,000 for any information leading to the safe return of Toga, the three-month-old penguin that had been stolen from a zoo on the Isle of Wight a few days earlier.

2006, It was reported that U2 singer Bono was to be given an honorary knighthood in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music and humanitarian work.

2007, The Police were named as the highest earning touring group for the past year, bringing in nearly £66.5m, ($132m). The band's 54 date North American tour had generated almost double the total of the second-placed act, Country star Kenny Chesney.

2007, The 2007 X-Factor winner Leon Jackson went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'When You Believe', the singers only No.1 hit.

2008, A spokesman for Michael Jackson denied reports the singer was suffering from a rare respiratory disease and was in need of a lung transplant. Dr Tohme Tohme said in a statement issued to Reuters that stories claiming the singer was unwell were not true. He added that author Ian Halperin had made the claims to promote his unauthorised biography of the 50-year-old singer.

2008, Clint Ballard Jr. died. He wrote ‘Game Of Love’ a hit for Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders', and Linda Ronstadt's, ‘You're No Good’. His songs have been recorded by The Hollies, Frankie Avalon, Ricky Nelson, The Zombies and Jan And Dean.

December 23rd: Born on this day

1935, Born on this day, Esther Phillips, US soul singer, (1975 US No. 20 & UK No.6 single 'What A Difference A Day Makes'). She died on 7th August 1984.

1939, Born on this day, Johnny Kidd, singer, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, (1960 UK No.1 single 'Shakin' All Over'). Killed in a car crash while on tour in Manchester, England on 7th October 1966.

1940, Born on this day, Eugene Record, vocals, The Chi-lites, (1972 US No.1 single 'Oh Girl', 1972 UK No.3 single 'Have You Seen Her'). He died of cancer on 22nd July 2005.

1940, Born on this day, Jorma Kaukonen, guitar, Jefferson Airplane, (1967 US No.18 single 'White Rabbit'). Hot Tuna.

1941, Born on this day, Ron Bushy, Iron Butterfly, (1968 US No.14 single 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

1941, Born on this day, Tim Hardin, US singer, songwriter, (1967 UK No.50 single 'Hang On To A Dream'). Wrote 'Reason To Believe' and 'If I Were A Carpenter.' Died of a heroin overdose on 29th December 1980.

1943, Born on this day, Derek Smalls, bass, Spinal Tap, (1984 rock film 'This Is Spinal Tap').

1946, Born on this day, Duster Bennett, singer, guitarist, harmonica player. Worked with Alexis Korner, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac and B.B. King. Killed in a car crash on 26th March 1976.

1949, Born on this day, Ariel Bender, guitarist, Mott The Hoople, (1972 UK No.3 single 'All The Young Dudes'), Spooky Tooth.

1949, Born on this day, Adrian Belew, American guitarist and singer, worked with King Crimson and David Bowie.

1958, Born on this day, Dave Murray, guitar, Iron Maiden, (1982 UK No.1 album 'The Number Of The Beast', 1991 UK No.1 single 'Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter').

1960, Born on this day, Wil Sinnott, The Shamen, (1991 UK No.4 single 'Move Any Mountain'). Drowned on May 22nd 1991 while swimming off the coast of La Gomera when he was pulled under by strong currents. The Shamen were in Tenerife filming a video for their new single 'Move Any Mountain.'

1964, Born on this day, Eddie Vedder, vocals, Pearl Jam, (1992 UK No.15 single 'Jeremy', 1993 US No.1 & UK No.2 album 'Vs', 1994 US No.1 & UK No.4 album Vitalogy' and 1996 US No.1 & UK No.3 album 'No Code').

1974, Born on this day, Montsho Eshe, Arrested Development, (1992 UK No.2 single 'People Everyday').

1975, Born on this day, Katie Underwood, Bardot, winners of the Australian Popstars reality show, (2000 Australian No.1 single ‘Poison’, and 2000 Australian No.1 self-titled album).

1985, Born on this day, Harry Judd, drummer, McFly, (2004 UK No.1 single ‘Colours In Her Hair’, 2004 UK No.1 album ‘Room On The 3rd Floor’).