ΣΑΝ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ-3 ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΥ

1955, Elvis Presley appeared in Boonesville, Virginia. The 20 year-old singer was still a regional star, but by the end of 56' he had become a national sensation, recording two albums, (which included 'Heartbreak Hotel' and 'Blue Suede Shoes'), appeared on national television 11 times, played over 100 concerts and signed a seven year contract with Paramount Pictures.

1957, Guy Mitchell was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Singing The Blues.' (Tommy Steele and Marty Robbins had also released versions and Steele would replace this version at No.1). Also a US No.1.

1963, Cliff Richard was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Next Time / Bachelor Boy,' both songs were from the film Summer Holiday. His sixth UK No.1.

1963, The Beatles began their first headlining tour with four nights in Scotland appearing at the Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Elgin. Two of the dates were cancelled due to bad weather.

1964, The Beatles were seen for the first time on US TV when a clip from the BBC's 'The Mersey Sound' showing the group playing 'She Loves You' was shown on The Jack Paar Show.

1964, The Rolling Stones appeared at Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill, England, supported by The Detours (later to become The Who).

1967, Having received a US army draft notice, Beach Boy Carl Wilson refused to be sworn in, saying he was a conscientious objector.

1967, The Bee Gees were at No.1 on the Australian singles chart with the single 'Spicks and Specks'.

1969, Appearing live on The Lulu show on UK TV, Jimi Hendrix was booked to perform two songs, Voodoo Child, (which is performed in full), then he stopped performing his new single 'Hey Joe' after a verse and chorus and instead launched into a version of the Cream song 'Sunshine Of Your Love' as a tribute to the band who had split a few days earlier. Hendrix then proceeded to continuing jamming, running over their allocated time slot on the live show, preventing the show's host Lulu from closing the show properly.

1970, B J Thomas started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.' The song was featured in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

1970, Working on the Get Back sessions at Studio Two of EMI Studios, London, three Beatles (Paul, George, and Ringo) record 16 takes of the George Harrison song 'I Me Mine'. John Lennon was away in Denmark at the time. A decade later it became the title of George Harrison's auto-biography.

1972, Two weeks of rehearsals for Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon' tour began at the Bermondsey in London, England, (the venue was owned by The Rolling Stones).

1973, Two thousand international fashion editors and experts voted Mick and Bianca Jagger two of the top dozen best-dressed men and women of 1972.

1973, Bruce Springsteen played the first of a 4 night run at The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, opening for the comedy rock duo Travis Shook & The Club Wow.

1974, Bob Dylan and The Band started a 39-date US tour, Dylan's first live appearance for over 7 years. There were more than 5 million applications for the 660,000 tickets.

1976, The Bay City Rollers went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Saturday Night.' At the height of their US success, the Scottish group signed a deal to promote breakfast cereal.

1976, Bob Dylan's song, 'Hurricane', peaked at No.33 on the Billboard singles chart, helping to cause enough publicity to eventually get former boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter released from jail. The song promoted Carter's innocence and a movie about Carter's life, starring Denzel Washington, was released in 2000.

1979, The Hype, (later to be known as U2) appeared at McGonagils in Dublin, Ireland.

1980, American rhythm and blues singer Amos Milburn died aged 52. Famous for his drinking songs including, 'Let Me Go Home, Whiskey' and 'One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer.'

1981, David Bowie made his final appearance as the Elephant Man in the Broadway show in New York City.

1982, During a UK tour Adam and the Ants appeared at The Apollo, Manchester.

1987, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1992, Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr married actress Patsy Kensit at Chelsea register office.

1999, Steps scored their first UK No.1 single with their version of The Bee Gees song 'Tragedy.'

2000, Luciano Pavarotti agreed to pay the Italian authorities £1.6 million ($2.72 million) after losing an appeal against tax evasion charges. It was reported that the singer was worth £300 million ($510 million) at the time.

2002, Zak Foley bassist with EMF died aged 31. The group had the 1990 world-wide hit single 'Unbelievable.'

2002, Liam and Noel Gallagher topped a poll of celebrities you would least like to live next to, getting 40% of the vote. Readers of Your Home magazine voted the brothers from Oasis as 'Neighbours From Hell'.

2004, It was reported that UK record companies were about to ditch up to 30 big names in the pop world due to poor record sales in the previous year. Gareth Gates, The Cheeky Girls, Mark Owen, Mel C and Samantha Mumber were among those listed.

2009, Commercial radio show Hit 40 UK announced that it would no longer use CD sales for its official figures. The networked Top 40 chart program, which broadcast across 130 stations in the UK, would now base its weekly charts solely on digital downloads.

January 3rd: Born on this day

1926, Born on this day, Sir George Martin, 60's EMI in-house record producer and so-called fifth Beatle. Produced all but one of The Beatles albums as well as working with comedy acts The Goons and Beyond The Fringe. Received a Knighthood in 1996.

1943, Born on this day, Van Dyke Parks, US songwriter, producer. Worked with Brian Wilson on the 'Smile' album, played keyboards on The Byrds 'Eight Miles High', produced Ry Cooder, Randy Newman, Judy Collins.

1945, Born on this day, Stephen Stills, guitar, vocals, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Manassas. 1969 UK No.17 single 'Marrakesh Express' & 1970 US No.1 album Deja Vu plus 1971 solo UK No.37 single 'Love The One Your With.'

1946, Born on this day, John Paul Jones, bass, keyboards, producer with Led Zeppelin who had the 1969 US No.4 single Whole Lotta Love. The bands fourth album released in 1971 featuring the rock classic Stairway To Heaven, has sold over 37 million copies. As a session player in the 1960s he worked with The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Donovan, Jeff Beck, Hermans Hermits, Lulu, Tom Jones. In recent years Jones has worked with R.E.M. on 1992 Automatic For The People album and is a member of Them Crooked Vultures.

1964, Born on this day, Raymond McGinley, guitar & vocals, Teenage Fanclub, 1992 UK No.31 single 'What You Do To Me.'

1975, Born on this day, Thomas Bangaltier, Daft Punk, 1997 UK No.5 single 'Around The World', remixed Gabrielle, Chemical Brothers. Scored the 2013 UK No.1 hit 'Get Lucky' featuring Pharrell Williams.