THIS DAY IN MUSIC

April 23rd: On this Day

1956, Elvis Presley  (with Scotty Moore and Bill Black), played the first night of a two-week engagement (playing 2 shows a day) at the New Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas. Presley was not the typical Las Vegas Strip entertainer of the time and his shows were met with a cool reception.

1960, The Nerk Twins appeared at The Fox And Hounds in Caversham, Berkshire, England. The Nerk Twins being John Lennon and Paul McCartney who were staying at Paul's aunt's pub.

1963, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones met for the first time during a Stones performance at the Crawdaddy Club. The music venue in Richmond, Surrey, also saw performances by  Led Zeppelin, Long John Baldry, Elton John and & Rod Stewart.

1969, The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Get Back' the group's 16th UK No.1. Credited to "The Beatles with Billy Preston", it was the Beatles' only single that credited another artist, 'Get Back' was also the Beatles' first single release in true stereo in the US.

1969,

1971, The Rolling Stones released their classic album Sticky Fingers in the UK. The band's first release on their own label via Atlantic Records, the cover was designed by Andy Warhol, who was paid $15,000 for his efforts. The LP sleeve featured a close-up of a pair of jeans with a working zip. Widely assumed to be that of Mick Jagger, the crotch photographed for the cover was actually that of actor Joe Dallesandro.

1976, Ramones released their eponymous debut album. The front cover depicts the band members standing in a line leaning against a brick wall, taken by Roberta Bayley. The cover was ranked No.58 on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Album Covers.

1978, Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious filmed his version of 'My Way' for the Sex Pistols film 'The Great Rock n Roll Swindle.'

1983, David Bowie started a three week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with the Nile Rodgers produced 'Let's Dance', featuring the title track which made No. 1 on the US and UK singles chart and 'China Girl.'

1983, U2 kicked off their 48-date 'War' North American tour at The Carolina Concert For Children benefit, Chapel Hill, Carolina.

1987, Carole King sued record company owner Lou Adler for breach of contract. King claimed that she was owed over $400,000 in royalties. She also asked for all rights to her old recordings.

1988, Iron Maiden went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son', their second No.1 LP.

1988, Roy Orbison  celebrated his 52nd birthday at a Bruce Springsteen concert, during which the audience sang happy birthday to him.

1988, Whitney Houston  smashed a chart record held by The Beatles and The Bee Geeswhen 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go', became her seventh consecutive US No.1, a No.14 hit in the UK.

1991, Founder member of The New York Dolls Johnny Thunders (John Anthony Genzale, Jr), died of a drug overdose. He renamed himself Johnny Thunders, after a comic book of the same name. The influential New York Dolls formed in 1972 and made just two albums. A teenage Morrissey acted as president of the UK branch of the New York Dolls fan club. Formed The Heartbreakers with Dolls drummer Jerry Nolan, and Television bassist Richard Hell.

1992, George Michael announced he was donating $500,000 royalties from the sale of 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me', to various British and American charities.

1994, Pink Floyd were at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'The Division Bell', their fourth No.1 album. Bob Egan Pop Spots

1995, Peter Hodgson, from Liverpool found a tape in his attic containing 16 of The Beatles earliest recordings made in 1959. The tape included 'Hello Little Girl', a Lennon-McCartney composition that the Beatles never recorded and Ray Charles' 'Hallelujah, I Love Her So'. The sessions had been made on a reel-to-reel recorder that Hodgson's father had lent to Paul McCartney.

1997, Club boss Paul Donavan was fined over £2,000 after being found guilty of tricking fans that he had Peter Andre appearing at his Club in the West Midlands. He had in fact an act called Peter Andrex a puppet who threw toilet rolls.

2008, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was sentenced to three years probation after admitting to driving under the influence of alcohol. 48-year-old Sambora who was not at the court hearing would also have to attend first offender alcohol awareness classes. He was arrested in Laguna Beach after his car was seen weaving between traffic lanes.

2008, Amy Winehouse  went out on a drink and drug-fuelled spree and hit and head-butted two men. After drinking all day, Amy visited the Good Mixer pub in Camden, London with Babyshambles guitarist Mik Whitnall. Inside she allegedly punched Mustapha el Mounmi in the face after he refused to give way to her at the pool table. The singer then left to visit Bar Tok in the early hours and once at the bar shouted "I am a legend get these people out. I want to take drugs." After leaving the bar a good Samaritan tried to get her a cab, but she reportedly thought he was trying to molest her and allegedly head-butted him in the face.

2012, Thomas "Tommy" Marth, the touring and studio saxophonist for the Killers, died after shooting himself in the head at his Las Vegas home. The 33-year-old musician joined the band in 2005 and played on the live tours with Brandon Flowers and co between 2008 and 2010. Tommy also performed on 2006 release Sam's Town and 2008's Day & Age.

April 23rd: Born on this day

1936, Born on this day, Roy Orbison  singer, songwriter, who had a 1964 UK & US No.1 single with ‘Pretty Woman’ plus over 20 US & 30 UK Top 40 singles. With the Traveling Wilburys he had a 1988 UK No.21 single with ‘Handle With Care’. Orbison died on December 6th 1988.

1939, Born on this day, Ray Peterson, US singer, (1960 US No.7 single 'Tell Laura I Love Her').

1949, Born on this day, John Miles, singer, songwriter, guitarist, (1976 UK No.3 single 'Music'). Also worked with Alan Parson's, Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker and Tina Turner.

1955, Born on this day, Ray Burns, (Captain Sensible), The Damned, (1983 UK No.3 single 'Eloise') solo (1982 UK No.1 single 'Happy Talk').

1960, Born on this day, David Gedge, vocals, guitar, The Wedding Present, (UK indie band, during 1992 they released 1 single every month giving them 12 Top 30 hits, making them the only group to score more than 10 new hits in one year).

1960, Born on this day, Steve Clark, guitarist with Def Leppard, who had a 1987 UK No.6 single with ‘Animal’, a 1987 worldwide No.1 album with Hysteria and a 1988 US No.1 single with ‘Love Bites’. Clark died on January 8th 1991, aged 30 after a night of heavy alcohol consumption combined with prescription drugs.

1964, Born on this day, Simon Matthews, drummer with English group Jesus Jones who had the 1990 US No.2 hit with 'Right Here Right Now' and the 1991 UK No.7 single 'International Bright Young Thing'.

1968, Born on this day, Paul Clifford, bass, The Wonder Stuff, (1991 UK No.1 single 'Dizzy', with Vic Reeves).

1968, Born on this day, Stan Frazier, Sugar Ray, (1999 UK No. 10 single 'Every Morning').

1985, Born on this day, Taio Cruz, English singer-songwriter, producer. 2009 UK No.1 single 'Break Your Heart.'THIS DAY IN MUSIC