ΤΗΙS DAY IN MUSIC

November 17th: On this Day

1957, Harry Belafonte was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Mary's Boy Child,' the first single to sell over 1 million copies in the UK. It stayed at No.1 for seven weeks making it this years Christmas No.1. The first Christmas song to hit No.1 in two different versions - the other was Boney M's version in 1978.

1962, The Four Seasons started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Big Girls Don't Cry', the group's second No.1 of the year. It made No.13 in the UK.

1963, John Weightman the Headmaster of a Surrey Grammar School, banned all pupils from having Beatle haircuts saying, "this ridiculous style brings out the worst in boys physically. It makes them look like morons."

1966, The Beach Boys were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Good Vibrations.' As a child, Brian Wilsons mother told him that dogs could pick up "vibrations" from people, so that the dog would bark at "bad vibrations" Wilson turned this into the general idea for the song.

1967, A 16 date UK package tour with Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Move, The Nice and Amen Corner played at the City Hall, Sheffield. A review in the Sheffield Star noted: 'Like an electrified golliwog, Jimi Hendrix threw himself into a live-wire act that featured his intricate guitar interpretation. Quite an Experience'. Pink Floyd also released their third single Apples And Oranges today in the UK.

1971, Slade were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Coz I Luv You', the group's first of six No.1's. The misspelt song titles became a trademark for Slade, causing a great furore among teachers up and down the country.

1973, The Who's double album Quadrophenia entered the UK album chart peaking at No.2. One of two two full-scale rock operas from The Who (the other being the 1969 ‘Tommy’). The 1979 film based on the story stars Phil Daniels, Toyah Willcox, Ray Winstone, Michael Elphick and Sting.

1979, Jethro Tull bass player John Glascock died at the age of 28, as a result of a congenital heart defect. Had also been a member of Chicken Shack.

1984, Wham! Were at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Make It Big' and No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go'. Michael's inspiration for the song was a scribbled note left by his Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley for Andrew's parents, originally intended to read "wake me up before you go" but with "up" accidentally written twice, so Ridgeley wrote "go" twice on purpose.

1990, David Crosby from Crosby Stills Nash & Young was admitted to hospital after breaking a leg, shoulder and ankle after crashing his Harley Davidson motorbike.

1992, At the end of a long battle to claim royalties Jimmy Merchant and Herman Santiago ex of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, received an estimated $4 million in back payments from the song 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love'.

1995, English singer-songwriter and founding member of folk rock band, Lindisfarne Alan Hull died of a heart attack aged 50 whilst working on a new album, Statues & Liberties. After his death, Hull's ashes were scattered at the mouth of the River Tyne. Lindisfarne scored the 1972 UK No.3 single 'Lady Eleanor', 'Fog on the Tyne' and 'Run for Home'. On 19 July 2012, following a public campaign an Alan Hull memorial plaque was unveiled on the front of Newcastle City Hall, at a ceremony attended by hundreds of fans.

1996, The Spice Girls were at No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut release 'Spice Girls.' Five singles were released from the album: 'Wannabe', 'Say You'll Be There', '2 Become 1', 'Who Do You Think You Are' and 'Mama'. The first single, 'Wannabe', went to No.1 in 31 countries, and the next two singles, 'Say You'll Be There' and '2 Become 1', the top of the charts in 53 countries.

2000, It was reported that Andy White who played drums on The Beatles track 'Love Me Do' which was featured on the new Beatles Greatest Hits album would not earn enough from it to buy his own copy. White would get no more than his original session fee of £7.

2003, American soul singer Arthur Conley died of intestinal cancer in Ruurlo, The Netherlands at the age of 57. Had the 1967 US No.2 & UK No.7 single 'Sweet Soul Music'. He first recorded in 1959 as the lead singer of Arthur & the Corvets.

2003, 21 year-old Britney Spears became the youngest singer to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The only other performer to get a Hollywood star at her age was Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert.

2003, George Michael signed a new contract with the record company he took to court in 1993. The singer re-signed to Sony in a deal that included his extensive back catalogue. Michael had failed in his court wrangle with Sony after accusing it of "professional slavery"; his contract was bought out by Virgin Records.

2003, American country music legend Don Gibson died of natural causes aged 75. Scored the 1958 US No.7 single 'Oh Lonesome Me', (covered by Neil Young on his After The Gold Rush album), 1961 UK No.14 single 'Sea Of Heartbreak'. His song ‘I Can't Stop Loving You’, has been recorded by over 700 artists, most notably by Ray Charles in 1962.

2007, The Eagles were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Long Road Out Of Eden’ the bands seventh studio album and first since 1979.

2010, Patti Smith won the National Book Award for her memoir 'Just Kids'.

2011, Sheriff's deputies in South Los Angeles charged 61-year-old Bonnie Pointer of The Pointer Sisters for possessing rock cocaine after the car she was driving in was pulled over for a mechanical malfunction.

2014, American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin died aged 78. Ruffin who was the elder brother of David Ruffin of the Temptations had the 1974 UK No.4 single 'What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted'. In 1980, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees produced his album Sunrise and the hit single 'Hold On To My Love', reached No.10 in the US and No.7 in the UK.

November 17th: Born on this day

1937, Born on this day, Peter Cook, comedian (Derek & Clive), compere of UK TV music show 'Revolver'. (1965 UK No.18 single with Dudley Moore, 'Goodbye-ee' Cook died on 9th January 1995.

1937, Born on this day, Geoff Goddard, songwriter, wrote 'Johnny Remember Me', played keyboards on The Tornadoes 1962 No.1 hit 'Telstar'. He died on 15th May 2000 aged 62.

1938, Born on this day, Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian singer, (1971 UK No.30 single 'If You Could Read My Mind', 1974 US No.1 single 'Sundown').

1942, Born on this day, Bob Gaudio, The Royal Teens, (1958 US No.3 single 'Short Shorts). The Four Seasons, who had the 1960s hits 'Sherry', 'Big Girls Don't Cry', 'Walk Like a Man', and the 1976 UK & US No.1 single 'December 1963, (Oh What A Night').

1944, Born on this day, Gene Clark, singer, songwriter, The New Christy Minstrels, The Byrds, (1965 UK & US No.1 single 'Mr Tambourine Man'). Solo, (1974 album, 'No Other'). Died of a heart attack on 24th May 1991 aged 49.

1946, Born on this day, English rock musician Martin Barre best known for his work with progressive rock band Jethro Tull from their second album in 1969 to the band's initial dissolution in 2012.

1947, Born on this day, Rod Clements from English group Lindisfarne who had the 1970s hit singles 'Meet Me on the Corner', 'Lady Eleanor and 'Run For Home'. Their album Fog on the Tyne became the biggest selling UK album in 1972.

1947, Born on this day, Robert Antoni, vocals, Nazz, Utopia with Todd Rundgren.

1948, Born on this day, Iain Sutherland, Sutherland Brothers And Quiver, (1976 UK No.5 single 'Arms Of Mary').

1956, Born on this day, Peter Cox singer with Go West who had the 1985 UK No.5 single 'We Close Our Eyes' and hits with 'Call Me' and King of Wishful Thinking. They were named Best British Newcomer at the 1986 Brit Awards

1957, Born on this day, Jim Babjak, US group, The Smithereens, (1988 US No.41 album 'Smithereens 11).

1960, Born on this day, RuPaul, US male drag queen, (1994 UK No.7 single with Elton John, 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart', 1998 UK No.21 single, 'It's Raining Men').

1966, Born on this day, Jeff Buckley, US singer songwriter, (1995 album 'Grace'). His singer songwriter father Tim Buckley, died on 29th June 1975 of a heroin and morphine overdose. Jeff Buckley drowned on 29th May 1997 in Wolf River Harbor on the Mississippi River - during a spontaneous evening swim - wearing boots and all of his clothing.

1966, Born on this day, Richard Fortus American guitarist. He is best known as a member of Guns N' Roses with whom he has been a member since 2002. Fortus has also collaborated extensively with The Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler.

1967, Born on this day, Ronald Devoe, singer from American R&B group New Edition who had the 1983 UK No.1 single 'Candy Girl', and with Bell Biv De Voe had the 1990 US No.3 single 'Do Me!'.

1980, Born on this day, American musician Isaac Hanson, guitar, keyboards and vocals with Hanson who had the 1997 UK & US No.1 single 'MMMbop'. Hanson has sold over 16 million records worldwide and have had 8 top 40 albums and 6 top 40 singles in the US.

1981, Born on this day, Sarah Harding, from English-Irish pop girl group Girls Aloud, which was created through the ITV talent show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. They scored the 2002 UK No.1 single 'Sound Of The Underground' and over 20 UK Top 20 singles. They hold the record for "Most Consecutive Top Ten Entries in the UK by a Female Group.