What Happened Today In Music

September 23rd

1957 - Buddy Holly

The Crickets went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'That'll Be The Day.' The title being taken from a phrase used by John Wayne in the film 'The Searchers.'

1965 - The Walker Brothers

The Walker Brothers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Burt Bacharach song, 'Make It Easy On Yourself', the trio's first of two UK No.1's.

1966 - The Rolling Stones

The 'Rolling Stones 66' 12 date UK tour kicked off at the Royal Albert Hall London. Supported by Long John Baldry, Ike & Tina Turner and The Yardbirds, (Jimmy Page was playing bass, with Jeff Beck on guitar). Michelangelo Antonioni attended this concert and asked The Yardbirds to appear in his forthcoming film Blow Up. Also both Keith Moon and John Entwistle from The Who were in the audience.

1967 - Box Tops

The Box Tops started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Letter', a No.5 hit in the UK. The record went on to sell over four million copies and receive two Grammy nominations. It was also a Top Ten hit for Joe Cocker in 1970.

1968 - The Beatles

Working on new songs for their forthcoming The Doors came to visit The Beatles in the studio and watched them recording.

1969 - Paul McCartney

The Northern Star newspaper of Northern Illinois University ran a story claiming that Paul McCartney had been killed in a car crash in 1966 and had been replaced by a look-a-like. Russell Gibb of WKNR-FM in Detroit picked up on the claim and the story went worldwide. By late October 1969 the hoax was so well entrenched, that McCartney came out of seclusion at his Scottish farm to deny the story. When McCartney was asked to comment by a reporter visiting Macca’s farm, he replied, "Do I look dead, I’m as fit as a fiddle."

1974 - Robbie McIntosh

Robbie McIntosh founder member of the Average White Band died of a heroin overdose at a Hollywood party, (after he inhaled a white powder thought to be cocaine but was actually pure heroin). AWB scored the No.1 single 'Pick up the Pieces' which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1975.

1977 - David Bowie

David Bowie released 'Heroes' as a single. Co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno, the track features King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and has gone on to become one of Bowie's signature songs.

1978 - 10CC

10cc had their third and final UK No.1 single with 'Dreadlock Holiday.' The lyrics, about a white man lost in Jamaica, were based on a true event that happened to Moody Blues vocalist Justin Hayward and Eric Stewart from 10cc in Barbados.

1980 - Bob Marley

Bob Marley collapsed on stage during a concert at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Marley had collapsed in New York's Central Park while jogging, two days before and was told to immediately cancel the US leg, but flew to Pittsburgh to perform one final performance. This was the last time Marley ever appeared on stage performing, Marley died of cancer on in May 1981.

1989 - Milli Vanilli

Milli Vanilli started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Girl I'm Gonna Miss You', the duo's second US No.1 a No.2 hit in the UK. Also today the duo went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Girl You Know It's True'.

1995 - Shaggy

Jamaican Ragga singer Shaggy scored his second No.1 UK single when 'Boombastic' went to the top of the charts for one week. Also a US No.1.

2001 - Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head.' The Australian singers 6th No.1 was written and produced by Cathy Dennis and former Mud guitarist Rob Davis, for which the pair won an Ivor Novello Award for the most performed song of the year. 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' also charted at No.1 in 40 countries.

2002 - Sting

Musical winners at this years Oscars included, Sting who won Best Musical Performance for 'Sting In Tuscany...All This Time' and the Best Reality TV Show went to The Osbournes.

2004 - Lil' Kim

A bodyguard for rapper Lil' Kim was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting firing at least 20 times in a shoot-out with a rival gang. The judge sentencing Suif Jackson, said society needed protection from a gun-toting man with five convictions. The shooting took place when the entourages of Lil' Kim and Capone-N-Noreaga crossed at a New York radio station.

2004 - Corey Taylor

Slipknot's Corey Taylor issued a statement denying he was dead. Rumours started after a shock jock in Des Moines broadcast the announcement that the singer had died of a drug overdose, which then became a fatal car crash.

2006 - Neil Young

Neil Young was named artist of the year at the Americana Honors and Awards at the fifth annual event in Nashville, Tennessee. The 60-year-old singer-songwriter released the protest album Living With War this year.

2009 - Cargo Studios

A Blue Plaque was unveiled on the building where Cargo Studios used to be on Kenion Street in Rochdale, England. The plaque was to recognise the part the building played in the British music scene between 1978 and 2000. In the early years as a home to Cargo Studios and Tractor Music then later Suite 16 Studios. Factory producer Martin Hannett spent a great deal of time in Cargo recording Joy Division, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Durutti Column, Section 25 and Nico amongst others.

2013 - Paul McCartney

Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California was shut down for a 15-song set by Paul McCartney on the roof of the El Capitan Theatre. An estimated crowd of 10,000 listened from the street. The show followed his appearance on TV's Jimmy Kimmel Live show.

2016 - Music Playlists

According to the Music Business Association, playlists were now a more popular way to listen to music than albums. The report said playlists accounted for 31% of listening time across all demographics, while albums lagged behind on 22%. But single tracks remained the dominant format, according to the study, accounting for 46% of music played.

2019 - Robert Hunter

Robert Hunter, Grateful Dead lyricist died age 78. He provided the Grateful Dead with many of their vivid and enduring lyrics for some of the band’s signature songs, including 'Uncle John’s Band', 'Scarlet Begonias' and 'Dark Star.' 

Born Today In Music

September 23rd

1930 - Ray Charles

Ray Charles, singer songwriter, (1962 UK & US No.1 single 'I Can't Stop Loving You' plus over 30 US Top 40 singles, 2005 US No.1 album 'Genius Loves Company'). Charles died on 10th June 2004 aged 73.

1939 - Jerry Cole

American guitarist Jerry Cole. He first entered the pop music scene as one of The Champs along with Glen Campbell.. Cole and Campbell later formed the Gee Cee's and released one single called 'Buzzsaw Twist'. He backed up Elvis Presley in 1974 and also worked with Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Aretha Franklin, The Righteous Brothers, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Lou Rawls, Gregg Allman, Lee Hazlewood, Blood Sweat & Tears, Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, Steely Dan and Isaac Hayes. He died on May 28 2008 aged 68.

1939 - Roy Buchanan

Roy Buchanan, US guitarist, first worked with Dale Hawkins, released over 15 solo albums. Died after hanging himself by his own shirt on 14th Aug 1988 in Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, Virginia after being arrested for drunkenness.

1940 - Tim Rose

American singer-songwriter Tim Rose, who spent much of his life in London, England and had more success in Europe than in his native country. Rose had a minor hit with 'Hey Joe' in 1966 and later Keith Richards' girlfriend at the time, played Rose's recording of the song to Chas Chandler (Hendrix's manager) resulting in Jimi Hendrix recording the song. Rose died on September 24, 2002.

1943 - John Banks

John Banks, The Merseybeats, (1964 UK No.5 single 'I Think Of You').

1943 - Julio Iglesias

Julio Iglesias, Spanish singer, (1981 UK No.1 single 'Begin The Beguine'. Iglesias has sold over 100m albums).

1943 - Steve Boone

Steve Boone, The Lovin Spoonful, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Summer In The City').

1943 - Walter and Wallace Scott

Walter and Wallace Scott, singers with American group The Whispers who had the 1980 UK No.2 & US No.19 single 'And The Beat Goes On'.

1947 - Neal Smith

Neal Smith, drummer with the Alice Cooper Band, who had the 1972 UK No.1 & US No.7 single 'School's Out', the 1972 hit 'Elected' and the 1973 US & UK No.1 album Billion Dollar Babies.

1948 - Dan Toler

American guitarist Dan Toler who was a member of Dickey Betts & Great Southern. He went on to become a member of The Allman Brothers Band with Betts from 1979–1982 appearing on Enlightened Rogues (1979), Reach for the Sky (1980) and Brothers of the Road (1981). He died in Florida on 25 February 2013 aged 64.

1949 - Bruce Springsteen

US singer, songwriter, Bruce Springsteen, 'The Boss', who had the 1985 US No.2 & UK No.4 single 'Dancing In The Dark', 1994 UK No.2 single 'Streets of Philadelphia'. His most successful studio albums, Born in the U.S.A. and Born To Run showcase a talent for finding grandeur in the struggles of daily American life; he has sold more than 65 million albums in the United States and more than 120 million worldwide.

1979 - Erik-Michael Estrada

Erik-Michael Estrada, from American boy band O-Town, who were the winners of US TV show 'Making The Band' They scored the 2001 US No. 3 single 'All Or Nothing'.

1985 - Diana Oritz

Diana Oritz, Dream, (2001 US No.3 & UK No.17 single.