What Happened Today In Music

March 6th

2022 - Glass Animals

'Heat Waves' by English indie pop band Glass Animals topped the US Hot 100 in its 59th week on the chart, breaking the record for the longest journey to No.1, surpassing the 35-week tally of Mariah Carey’s 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' (1994).

2021 - Lou Ottens

Lou Ottens passed away at the age of 94. The inventor of the tape cassette, he was instrumental in changing personal listening habits for an entire generation. “We were little boys who had fun playing,” he once said of his invention. “We didn’t feel like we were doing anything big.”

2017 - Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran's new album ÷ (Divide) became one of the fastest-selling releases ever in the UK, shifting 432,000 copies in just three days. The all-time list for first-week sales has Adele's 25 and Oasis's Be Here Now at the top with 800,000 each. ÷ smashed the Spotify record for the most-streamed album in a single day - notching up 56.7 million streams on its day of release.

2016 - Lana Rae Meisner

Lana Rae Meisner, the wife of former Eagles' bassist Randy Meisner, died after she accidentally shot herself while looking for something in a closet. Although the couple had a history of domestic incidents, police immediately cleared Randy of any wrongdoing whatsoever.

2013 - Alvin Lee

English guitarist, singer, Alvin Lee died age 68. Lee's performance at the WoodstockFestival in 1969 was captured on film in the documentary of the event, and his 'lightning-fast' playing helped catapult him to stardom. Ten Years After were known for tracks such as 'I'm Going Home', 'Hear Me Calling', 'I'd Love to Change the World' and 'Love Like a Man'.

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2010 - Sparklehorse

47-year-old singer-songwriter Mark Linkous, best known as the leader of the US band Sparklehorse, took his own life. In addition to releasing several broadly acclaimed albums with Sparklehorse, Linkous was an in-demand collaborator, who worked with the likes of PJ Harvey, Tom Waits, Radiohead, and Danger Mouse.

2009 - David Williams

American singer, songwriter, musician David Williams died of cardiac arrest aged 58. He was best known for his work as a prolific session rhythm guitarist, working with artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, The Jacksons, Boz Scaggs, Michael Jackson, (on the Thrilleralbum), Madonna, Bryan Ferry, Herbie Hancock and the Temptations.

2009 - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was mobbed by screaming fans as he took his two youngest children to see Oliver! at Drury Lane. The youngest two of Jackson's three children - seven-year-old Prince Michael II (known as Blanket) and 11-year-old Paris, hid their faces as they were escorted through the crowd. Jackson was in London, England to announce his series of summer concerts at the O2. Jackson died three weeks before the shows were to start.

2008 - Loud Music

A UK charity warned that nine out of ten young people had experienced the first signs of hearing damage after listening to loud music. The RNID said more should wear ear plugs to protect their hearing, without spoiling their appreciation of music. Experts said prolonged exposure to noise over 85 decibels would harm hearing over time. Music played in concerts, bars and clubs was often above this level.

2004 - David Crosby

David Crosby was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana after leaving his bag in a New York hotel. The luggage was found by a hotel employee looking for identification, finding instead a handgun and marijuana. The employee called authorities, and Crosby, discovering the missing luggage himself, telephoned to say he would return for it. He was met by New York police, who arrested him.

2004 - Lionel Richie

Diane Richie, the estranged wife of singer Lionel Richie, went to court seeking $300,000 (£176,500) a month in maintenance support. Diane's monthly costs included: $20,000 (£11,800) a year on plastic surgery; $15,000 (£8,824) a month for clothing, shoes and accessories; $5,000 (£2,940) on jewellery; $3,000 (£1,765) on dermatology; $1,000 (£588) for laser hair removal and $600 (£353) on massages.

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2001 - Madonna

A man who hid for 24 hours in the rafters of a Cathedral and secretly filmed the Christening of Madonna's baby appeared in court. Security staff discovered the man after the ceremony when he made a noise as he climbed down from the rafters.

1998 - Oasis

Oasis singer Liam Gallagher appeared handcuffed in a Brisbane court on charges of head butting a fan during a gig in Australia. Gallagher was released on bail.

1990 - Phil Collins 

...But Seriously the fourth studio album by English drummer and singer-songwriter Phil Collins was at No.1 on the UK album chart. It was the best selling album of 1990 in the UK, eventually selling 2.75 million copies there and 4 million in the US. The lead single ‘Another Day in Paradise’ won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

1982 - Tight Fit

Tight Fit were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of The Tokens hit 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight.' It was first recorded by its writer, Solomon Linda, and his group, The Evening Birds, in 1939. In 2004, the song became the subject of a lawsuit between the family of its writer Solomon Linda and Disney. The suit claimed that Disney owed $1.6 million in royalties for the use of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' in the film and stage production of The Lion King. A settlement was reached for an undisclosed amount in 2006.

1973 - Elvis Presley

An attempt to bring Elvis Presley to the UK for shows at London's Earl's Court failed. Promoters had hoped that Elvis would be available during the summer but were told that Elvis now had US tour and filming commitments.

1973 - Slade

Slade scored their fourth UK No.1 single with 'Cum On Feel The Noize', the first single to enter the charts at No.1 since The Beatles 'Get Back' in 1969. Elton John had the No.1 album with 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player'.

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1971 - Mungo Jerry

Mungo Jerry were at No.1 on the UK singles chat with 'Baby Jump', the group's second and final No.1.

1971 - Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin appeared at the National Boxing Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, the group's first show in Dublin, where they played 'Stairway To Heaven' live for only the second time.

1970 - Charles Manson

Charles Manson released an album called Lie to help raise money for his defence in the Tate-LeBianca murder trial. The album jacket was made to look like a cover of Life magazine with the letter f removed from the word Life. In the mid sixties, Manson had been a wanna-be musician who befriended The Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson, eventually talking the group into recording one of his songs, 'Cease To Exist'. The title was changed to 'Never Learn Not To Love' and was released as the B side of the single 'Bluebirds Over The Mountain', which eventually climbed to number 61 in the US in early 1969.

1970 - David Bowie

David Bowie released the single 'The Prettiest Star' in the UK as a follow-up single to 'Space Oddity'. The track featured Marc Bolan on guitar, with whom Bowie would spend the next few years as a rival for the crown of the king of glam rock. Despite receiving good reviews, the single reportedly sold fewer than 800 copies, a major disappointment on the back of the success of 'Space Oddity'.

1967 - The Beatles

The Beatles recorded sound effects onto the song ''Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' at Abbey Road studios in London. The beginning audience murmurs and sounds of a band preparing for a performance were added, along with screams from a tape of The Beatles in concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

1967 - Nelson Eddy 

American singer and actor Nelson Eddy died age 65. He was performing at the Sans Souci Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida when he was stricken on stage with a cerebral hemorrhage. Eddy was one of the first ‘crossover’ stars, a superstar appealing both to shrieking bobby soxers and opera purists, and in his heyday, he was the highest paid singer in the world. He scored the early 50's No.1 hit with Jo Stafford 'With These Hands'. 

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1966 - The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones started recording sessions for their tenth UK single 'Paint It, Black' at RCA studios in Hollywood. It was originally titled 'Paint It Black' without a comma. Keith Richards has stated that the comma was added by the record label, Decca.

1965 - The Temptations

The Temptations went to No.1 on the US singles chart with the Smokey Robinsonpenned song 'My Girl', making the group the first male act to have a No.1 for Motown, The single only reached No.43 in the UK but made No.2 when re-issued in 1992. 

1961 - George Formby

George Formby died aged 57. The British singing comedian and ukulele player made over 20 films, and his best known song is 'Leaning On A Lamp Post.' Formby who was made an OBE in 1946 was a major influence on George Harrison.

1951 - Ivor Novello

Welsh composer, singer and actor Ivor Novello died aged 58. He first became known for the song 'Keep the Home Fires Burning,' which he composed during World War I. The annual British songwriter award is named after him.

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Born Today In Music

March 6th

1991 - Tyler, the Creator

American rapper, musician, songwriter, record producer, actor, designer and comedian Tyler, the Creator. His fifth album, Igor (2019), became Tyler's first No.1 on the Billboard 200, and won Best Rap Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

1984 - Chris Tomson

Chris Tomson, drummer from Vampire Weekend who had the 2010 US & UK No.1 album, ‘Contra’ and the 2013 US No.1 album 'Modern Vampires of the City'.

1974 - Dwight Grant

Dwight Grant, (Beanie Sigel), American rapper. Beanie founded the group and label State Property, as well as the clothing company of the same name.

1974 - Guy Garvey

Guy Garvey singer/guitarist with Manchester based group Elbow. Elbow won the Mercury Music Prize for their 2008 album The Seldom Seen Kid and in 2009 they won the Brit Award for Best British Group. Garvey also presents a radio show on BBC 6Music.

1970 - Betty Boo

Betty Boo, (Alison Moira Clarkson), singer who had the 1990 UK No.3 single 'Where Are You Baby'. Now a songwriter who wrote 'Pure and Simple' for Hear'Say as well as hits for Girls Aloud.

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1964 - Stephen Bier

Stephen Bier, (Wayne Gacy), keyboards with American rock band Marilyn Manson who had the 1998 US No.1 album, Mechanical Animals.

1947 - Kiki Dee

Kiki Dee, (Pauline Matthews), singer and actress who had the 1976 UK & US No.1 single Don't Go Breaking My Heart' with Elton John. As a session singer she worked with Dusty Springfield and also became the first white British artist to be signed by Motown Records, releasing her first Motown single in 1970. Dee now performs with guitarist Carmelo Luggeri.

1946 - David Gilmour

David Gilmour: guitarist, singer and songwriter, who joined Pink Floyd in 1968. After Roger Waters' departure in 1985, David created two further Floyd albums, A Momentary Lapse of Reason and The Division Bell, with Nick Mason and Richard Wright. He was appointed a CBE in 2003 for his services to music. He released his first solo album, David Gilmour, in 1978, followed by About Face in 1984 and 2006's On An Island, which charted at No.1 in the UK and No.6 in the US.

1946 - Murray Head

Murray Head, UK singer who had the 1984 UK No.12 & 1985 US No.3 single, 'One Night In Bangkok'.

1945 - Hugh Grundy

English musician Hugh Grundy who is the drummer with The Zombies who had four US hits, 'She's Not There', 'Tell Her No', 'She's Coming Home', and 'Time of the Season'.

1944 - Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson, vocals, The Supremes who had the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'Baby Love' plus 11 other US No.1 singles. Wilson died in her sleep on 8 February 2021 age of 76 from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at her home in Henderson, Nevada. 

1905 - Bob Wills

Bob Wills, American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the co-founder of Western swing, he was universally known as the King of Western Swing. Wills died on 13th May 1975.

1893 - Walter Lewis

Memphis blues artist Walter ‘Furry’ Lewis. He was the first guitarist to play with a bottleneck. He lost a leg in a railroad accident and once supported The Rolling Stones. Joni Mitchell wrote the song ‘Furry Sings The Blues’ after him. Lewis died on September 14th 1981, aged 88.