On This Day

April 3rd

1956 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley appeared on ABC-TV's 'The Milton Berle Show' live from the flight deck of the USS Hancock in San Diego, California. He performed 'Heartbreak Hotel' 'Shake Rattle And Roll' and 'Blue Suede Shoes.' It was estimated that one out of every four Americans saw the show.

1960 - Elvis Presley

During recording sessions at RCA studios in Nashville, Tennessee, Elvis Presley recorded ‘It's Now Or Never’, ‘Fever’ and ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’.

1961 - The Marcels

The Marcels started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the Rodgers and Heart song 'Blue Moon', also a No.1 in the UK.

1964 - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan made his first appearance on the UK charts with The Times They Are A-Changin'. In 2004 the song was ranked No.59 on Rolling Stone's list of the '500 Greatest Songs of All Time'.

1967 - The Beatles

Working on The Beatles Sgt. Pepper album at Abbey Road studios in London, George Harrison recorded his lead vocal on his song 'Within You Without You'. as well as a sitar part, and some acoustic guitar parts.

1969 - The Doors

The Doors' Jim Morrison turned himself in to the FBI in Los Angeles. He was charged on six charges of lewd behavior and public exposure at a concert in Miami on March 2nd, 1969. He was later released on $2000 bail.

1971 - Temptations

The Temptations scored their second US No.1 with 'Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)'. The track is considered one of the Temptations' signature songs, and is notable for recalling the sound of the group's 1960s recordings. It is also the final Temptations single to feature founding members Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams.

1975 - Steve Miller

Steve Miller was charged with setting fire to the clothes of a friend, Benita Diorio. When police arrived at Miller's house, Diorio was putting out the flames, Miller then got into a fight with some of the policemen and was charged with resisting arrest.

1976 - Sex Pistols

A then-unknown Sex Pistols opened for The 101'ers at The Nashville Rooms in London. The 101ers were a pub rock band, notable as being the band that Joe Strummer left to join The Clash.

1979 - Kate Bush

Kate Bush kicked off the 28-date 'Tour Of Life' trek making her concert debut at Liverpool's Empire Theatre, England. Bush never set out on another tour again. She played a run of 22 shows at London's Hammersmith Apollo in 2014.

1983 - U2

After completing a 29-date UK tour, U2 appeared on BBC TV Top Of The Pops performing their latest single 'Two Hearts Beat As One'.

1990 - Sarah Vaughan

American jazz singer Sarah Vaughan died of lung cancer. She had the 1954 US No.6 single 'Make Yourself Comfortable' and released over 50 albums. March 27, is "Sarah Lois Vaughan Day" in both San Francisco and Berkeley, California in honour of the singer.

1993 - Bluebells

10 years after its first release, The Bluebells had a UK No.1 single with 'Young At Heart' after the track was featured on a Volkswagen TV commercial. The song was co-written by Bananarama member Siobhan Fahey. (and recorded by Bananarama). In 2002 session musician Bobby Valentino, who performed the violin solo on The Bluebells version of the song won the right to be recognised as co-author after taking legal action.

1999 - Lionel Bart

English composer Lionel Bart died from cancer aged 69. Wrote 'Living Doll' for Cliff Richard, 'Little White Bull' for Tommy Steele, composed the musical, 'Oliver' And wrote the theme song for the 1963 James Bond film From Russia With Love.

2001 - Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams won the award for the most radio plays in the UK for the third year running. The singer picked up the award at the Radio Academy awards in London.

2002 - Frank Tovey

Influential British avant-garde electronic musician Frank Tovey of Fad Gadget died of heart failure aged 45. Was infamous for spreading his naked body in shaving cream onstage and would play various instruments with his head.

2003 - Homer Banks

Stax records songwriter Homer Banks died aged 61. Wrote 'I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down', recorded by Sam & Dave and a UK hit for Elvis Costello. Rod Stewart, The Emotions, Isaac Hayes, Millie Jackson and Johnny Taylor all covered his songs. 

2006 - The Wonder Stuff

Founder member and original drummer for The Wonder Stuff, Martin Gilks died aged 41, after losing control of his motorbike in London. Gilks was voted the best drummer on the planet in an NME poll in 1989.

2007 - Keith Richards

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards denied that he snorted the ashes of his late father. Jane Rose, Richards' manager, told MTV News the remarks were made ‘in jest’, and she could not believe they had been taken seriously. Richards had said in an interview with the NME: ‘He was cremated and I couldn't resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow.’ But NME interviewer Mark Beaumont was convinced that Richards was not joking when speaking to him about the alleged incident. ‘He did seem to be quite honest about it. There were too many details for him to be making it up,’ he later told BBC news.

2008 - Morrissey

Morrissey accepted a public apology in court from Word Magazine after it suggested he was a racist and a hypocrite. The singer took Word to court after an article concerning his political views appeared in its March edition. His solicitor said the magazine now accepted that it was "absurd to accuse Mr Morrissey of being a racist" and that he was "not a hypocrite". The former Smiths frontman did not appear at London's High Court.

2008 - Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey smashed Elvis Presley's US chart record by scoring the 18th number one of her career with ‘Touch My Body’, from her new album E=MC2. Carey had now surpassed Elvis Presley's 17 number ones, The Beatles still held the record with 20 US No.1 hit singles.

2011 - Adele

Adele broke the record for the longest time at No.1 in the UK album chart by a female solo artist after her second album, 21 spent 10 consecutive weeks at the top of the chart. The previous record was held by Madonna with her first greatest hits record, The Immaculate Collection, in 1990.

2015 - Bob Burns

Bob Burns, the American drummer who was in the original line-up of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd died in a car crash in Georgia when his car struck a mailbox and a tree with the front of the vehicle. Burns was the only occupant of the car and was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. He appeared on the band's 'Sweet Home Alabama,' 'Gimme Three Steps' and 'Free Bird.'

Born On This Day

April 3rd

1924 - Doris Day

American actress, singer, and animal welfare activist Doris Day. She starred in Alfred Hitchcock's suspense film, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) with James Stewart and sang two songs in the film, 'Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be), which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and 'We'll Love Again'.

1928 - Don Gibson

American songwriter and country musician Don Gibson who wrote such country standards as 'Sweet Dreams' and 'I Can't Stop Loving You'. Neil Young covered his 'Oh Lonesome Me' on his After The Gold Rush album. Gibson died on 17th November 2003 aged 75.

1938 - Jeff Barry

Jeff Barry, songwriter. Wrote 'Tell Laura I Love Her', 'Da Doo Ron Ron', 'Be My Baby', 'Baby I Love You', 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy.'

1938 - Phillip Wynne

Phillippe Wynne, from American rhythm and blues vocal group the Detroit Spinners who had the 1980 UK No.1 & US No.2 single 'Working My Way Back To You'. Wynne died on 14th July 1984 after he suffered a heart attack performing at Ivey's nightclub in Oakland, California the previous night.

1941 - Jan Berry

Jan Berry, who with Jan and Dean, had the 1963 US No.1 & UK No.26 single 'Surf City', co-written by The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson). Berry died on 26th March 2004 after being in poor health from the lingering effects of brain damage after a 1966 car crash.

1943 - Richard Manuel

Richard Manuel, Canadian composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as a pianist, lead singer, and occasional drummer of the Band. He joined Ronnie Hawkins's backing group, the Hawks when he was 18. The Band had the 1969 US No.25 single 'Up On Cripple Creek', and the 1970 UK No.16 single 'Rag Mama Rag'. Manuel committed suicide on March 1986 after a gig at the Cheek to Cheek Lounge in Winter Park, Florida.

1944 - Barry Pritchard

Barry Pritchard, guitar, vocals, from English harmony beat group The Fortunes, who had the 1965 UK No.2 & US No.7 single 'You've Got Your Troubles' and the hits 'Here It Comes Again and 'Storm in a Teacup'. Pritchard died on 11th January 1999.

1944 - Tony Orlando

Tony Orlando, singer from American pop music group Dawn who were popular in the 1970s. Their signature hits include 'Candida', 'Knock Three Times', and 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree'.

1946 - Dee Murray

English bass guitarist Dee Murray best known as a member of Elton John's band. He first appeared with John on the 1970 album Tumbleweed Connection and the milestone albums Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson were also members of the Spencer Davis Group in 1969 and during the Eighties Murray continued working as a session musician. Murray died on 15 January 1992 after suffering a stroke aged 45.

1949 - Richard Thompson

English singer, songwriter, and guitarist Richard Thompson who was a member of Fairport Convention and is now a solo artist. Thompson was awarded the Orville H. Gibson Award for best acoustic guitar player in 1991 and his songwriting has earned him an Ivor Novello Award. Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music.

1951 - Mel Schacher

Mel Schacher, best known as the bassist for Grand Funk Railroad who had the US No.1 single with their version of 'The Loco-Motion' which was produced by Todd Rundgren. They were the most successful US Heavy Metal band of the 70s selling over 20m albums.

1961 - Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy, Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and comedian. Regular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984. Appeared in the 2006 motion picture musical Dreamgirls. Scored the 1986 US No.3 single, 'Party All The Time.'

1962 - Simon Raymonde

English musician Simon Raymonde, from Cocteau Twins. The group released the album Heaven or Las Vegas in late 1990 which became the most commercially successful of their many recordings.

1962 - Mike Ness

Mike Ness, American guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion.

1968 - Sebastian Bach

Sebastian Bach, from American heavy metal band Skid Row. The group achieved commercial success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with its first two albums Skid Row (1989) and Slave to the Grind (1991) the latter of which reached No.1 on the Billboard chart.

1968 - Jamie Hewlett

Jamie Hewlett, English comic book artist and designer. He is best known for being the co-creator of the comic Tank Girl and co-creator of the virtual band Gorillaz with Blur's Damon Albarn.

1970 - Matthew Priest

Matthew Priest, from English power pop rock trio Dodgy who had the 1996 UK No.4 single 'Good Enough'.

1985 - Leona Lewis

British singer, songwriter Leona Lewis, singer, winner of the third UK series of the The X Factor who had the 2006 UK No.1 single ‘A Moment Like This’. The download single set a world record, by being downloaded over 50,000 times within 30 minutes of being available online.