THIS DAY IN MUSIC

March 8th: On this Day

1954, The Stargazers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I See The Moon', the group's second No.1.

1961, The Beatles played at The Cavern Club in Liverpool at lunchtime. That night they performed twice: at Aintree Institute, Aintree, Liverpool, and at Hambleton Hall, Huyton, Liverpool.

1962, The Beatles made their radio debut on the BBC's 'Teenagers Turn', (Here We Go), singing Roy Orbison's 'Dream Baby'. It was reportedly the first time they wore suits onstage.

1965, David Bowie made his TV debut with The Manish Boys on a UK program called 'Gadzooks! It's All Happening' when they performed their current single 'I Pity The Fool.'

1965, Bob Dylan's single Subterranean Homesick Blues was released in the US. The lead track from his Bringing It All Back Home album, gave Dylan his first top 40 hit. Subterranean Homesick Blues is also noted for its innovative film clip, in what became one of the first 'modern' promotional film clips. The clip was shot in an alley behind the Savoy Hotel in London, the cue cards which Dylan holds were written by Donovan, Allen Ginsberg, and Dylan himself.

1965,

1966, Lulu became the first British female singer to appear behind the Iron curtain, when she toured Poland with The Hollies.

1966, Bob Dylan recorded 'Just Like A Woman' for his 'Blonde On Blonde' album at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

1968, Cream played the first of two nights at at Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, California. The concert was recorded with some tracks ending up on their 'Wheels Of Fire' double album.

1969, The Small Faces split up after singer Steve Marriott announced he was leaving the band. Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones linked up with Ronnie Woodand Rod Stewart and formed The Faces.

1973, Ron Mckernan, keyboard player with The Grateful Dead, died aged 27 from liver failure brought on by alcohol poisoning.

1973, Paul McCartney was fined £100 ($170) for growing cannabis at his farm in Campbeltown, Scotland. McCartney claimed some fans gave the seeds to him and that he didn't know what they would grow.

1974, Bad Company kicked off their first UK tour at Newcastle City Hall. The band was made up by ex members from Free, (Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke), Mott The Hoople (Mick Ralphs), and King Crimson, (Boz Burrell).

1975, Olivia Newton-John went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Have You Ever Been Mellow', the singers second US No.1.

1986, Diana Ross was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the 'Chain Reaction.' Written and produced by The Bee Gees (who also provided the backing vocals for the single). The single became her first No.1 single in the UK since 'I'm Still Waiting' in 1971.

1986, Whitney Houston  went to No.1 on the US album chart with her self-titled album. It spent a total of 14 weeks at the No.1 position.

1990, Cher won the worst dressed female, and worst video for 'If I Could Turn Back Time', in The Rolling Stone Magazine's awards, Donny Osmond won the most unwelcome comeback award.

2001, It was reported that US manufactures Art Asylum planned to send over 100,000 Eminem dolls to shops in the UK. The lifelike figure had the rapper's tattoos recreated in detail including the words 'Cut Here' on his neck.

2001, Winners in 'Rock Sound' readers poll included, Pitchshifter who won Best British Band, Slipknot won Best single for 'Wait & Bleed' Foo Fighters won Best video for 'Breakout', Marilyn Manson won Best album for 'Holy Wood' and Limp Bizkit won Worst band.

2003, Singer, actor Adam Faith died. Had the 1959 UK No.1 single 'What Do You Want', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles, acting roles include the TV series 'Love Hurts.'

2003, Former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler was injured when the Honda motorbike he was riding was involved in a collision with a Fiat Punto car. The 53-year-old singer and guitarist suffered a broken collar bone and six broken ribs in the accident which happened in London's smart Belgravia district in mid-morning traffic.

2008, China was set to impose stricter rules on foreign pop stars after Bjork caused controversy by shouting "Tibet, Tibet" at a Shanghai concert after a powerful performance of her song Declare Independence. Talk of Tibetan independence was considered taboo in China, which had ruled the territory since 1951. A spokesperson from the culture ministry said Bjork would be banned from performing in China if there was a repeat performance.

2009, A blue plaque in honour of The Who drummer Keith Moon  was unveiled on the site of The Marquee Club in Soho, London, where in 1964 the band played the first of 29 gigs there. Fans on scooters turned up to pay tribute to Moon, who was 32 when he died of an accidental overdose in 1978. The blue plaque, which means the site is of historic importance, was awarded by the Heritage Foundation.

2009, Malcolm Jones, guitarist with Scottish band Runrig, was seriously ill in hospital after collapsing at Waverley rail station in Edinburgh. The band's forthcoming tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland had to be cancelled.

2009, U2 started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with their twelfth studio album 'No Line on the Horizon'.

March 8th: Born on this day

1942, Born on this day, Ralph Ellis from British group The Swinging Blue Jeans who had the 1964 UK No.2 & US No.24 single 'Hippy Hippy Shake'.

1943, Born on this day, Andrew Semple, guitarist and singer with The Fortunes who had the 1965 UK No.2 & US No.7 single 'You've Got Your Troubles'.

1945, Born on this day, Michael Dolenz, singer and drummer with The Monkees who had the 1967 UK & US No.1 single 'I'm A Believer' plus 10 US & 8 UK Top 40 singles. Dolenz is now a actor, television director, radio personality and theatre director.

1946, Born on this day, Carole Bayer Sager, singer, songwriter. Wrote 'Groovy Kind Of Love', hit for The Mindbenders and Phil Collins. Sinatra, Pitney and Dolly Partonhave all recorded her songs. Married Burt Bacharach in 1982.

1946, Born on this day, Randy Meisner, guitarist with US group Poco who later joined The Eagles who had the 1977 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Hotel California'. He quit The Eagles in 1977.

1947, Born on this day, Mike Allsup, guitarist with US group Three Dog Night who had the 1970 UK No.3 & US No.1 single with their version of the Randy Newman song 'Mama Told Me Not To Come'.

1948, Born on this day, Little Peggy March, (Margaret Battivio.) US singer who had the 1963 US No.1 single 'I Will Follow Him'.

1948, Born on this day, Mel Galley, guitarist with Whitesnake who had the 1987 US No.1 & UK No.9 single 'Here I Go Again'. Died of cancer on 1st July 2008.

1949, Born on this day, Dave Lambert from The Strawbs who had the 1973 UKNo.2 single 'Part Of The Union'.

1954, Born on this day, Cheryl Baker, singer with UK group Bucks Fizz who had the 1981 UK No.1 single 'Making Your Mind Up', plus 12 other UK Top 40 singles'. Baker now works as a TV presenter.

1957, Born on this day, Clive Burr, drummer with UK Rock group Iron Maiden who had the 1982 UK No.1 album The Number Of The Beast, and the 1991 UK No.1 single 'Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter'. Burr died on 13th March 2013 at the age of 56. He had been suffering from multiple sclerosis, and died in his sleep. Burr was a member of up-and-coming British metal band, Samson, before joining Maiden in 1979.

1958, Born on this day, Gary Numan, singer with Tubeway Army who had the 1979 UK No.1 single 'Are Friends Electric'. As a solo artist had the 1979 UK No.1 & 1980 US No.9 single 'Cars' plus 18 other UK Top 40 singles.

1960, Born on this day, Richard Darbyshire, singer, songwriter from UK group Living In A Box, who had the 1987 UK No.5 single 'Living In A Box'.

1962, Born on this day, Steve Grantley from Eighth Wonder who had the 1988 UK No.7 single 'I'm Not Scared'.

1964, Born on this day, Peter Gill, drummer with Liverpool group Frankie Goes To Hollywood who had the 1984 UK No.1 & US No. 10 single 'Relax' and six other UK Top 40 singles.

1968, Born on this day, Shawn Mullins, US male singer, songwriter who had the 1999 UK No.9 single 'Lullaby'.

1976, Born on this day, Gareth Coombes singer, songwriter with UK group Supergrass who had the 1995 UK No.2 single 'Alright'. Their 1995 UK No.1 album 'I Should Coco' spent 35 weeks on the UK chart.

1979, Born on this day, Tom Chaplin singer, songwriter with UK group Keane who had the 2004 UK No.1 album 'Hopes And Fears' which was the second best-selling British album of the year.

1988, Born on this day, Eleanor Jackson, singer with La Roux who had the 2009 UK No.1 single 'Bulletproof'.