On This Day

July 29th

1956 - Carl Perkins

Carl Perkins was on the UK singles chart with his debut UK hit 'Blue Suede Shoes'. Johnny Cash planted the seed for the song in the fall of 1955, while Perkins, Cash, Elvis Presley toured throughout the South. Cash told Perkins of a black airman whom he had met when serving in the military in Germany. He had referred to his military regulation air shoes as "blue suede shoes." Cash suggested that Carl write a song about the shoes.

1963 - Beach Boys

With the US charts full of Hot Rod songs, Capitol Records sent disc jockeys a list of car terms and phrases to help promote The Beach Boys latest release ‘Little Deuce Coupe’.

1963 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with '(You're The) Devil In Disguise'. His 14th UK No.1. In 1963, when the song was debuted to a British audience on the BBC television show Juke Box Jury, the celebrity guest John Lennon voted the song “a miss” stating on the new song that Elvis Presley was "like Bing Crosby now."

1965 - The Beatles

The Beatles second feature film 'Help!' had its UK premiere at The Pavilion in London. The Beatles later said the film was shot in a 

1966 - John Lennon

Datebook published Maureen Cleave’s interview with John Lennon in which he said ‘We’re bigger than Jesus now.’ American Christian’s reacted with outrage, organising ‘Beatle bonfires’ burning the group's records.

1966 - Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker made their live debut as Cream at The Twisted Wheel, Manchester, England. The group's third album, Wheels of Fire, was the world's first platinum-selling double album.

1966 - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan was riding his Triumph 55 motorcycle to a garage near his home in Woodstock, New York for repairs when the rear wheel locked. Dylan lost control and was thrown over the handlebars, suffering a broken neck vertebra. His recuperation led to a period of reclusive inactivity.

1967 - Doors

The Doors started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with an edited version of 'Light My Fire'. The group's first US No.1, it only reached No.49 on the UK chart. Eventually, many radio stations in the US would start playing the full six minute and fifty second album cut, which features a longer instrumental break.

1967 - International Love-In Festival

The International Love-In Festival took place at Alexandra Palace London with Pink Floyd, Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll, The Animals, Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Tomorrow, Blossom Toes, Creation, The Nervous System and Apostolic Intervention.

1968 - Gram Parsons

Gram Parsons left The Byrds on the eve of a tour of South Africa, refusing to play to segregated audiences.

1968 - The Beatles

The first recording session of The Beatles seven-minute epic 'Hey Jude' took place at Abbey Road studios London. The Paul McCartney song was written about John Lennon's son Julian.

1972 - Screaming Lord Sutch

Screaming Lord Sutch was arrested in London after jumping from a bus in Downing Street with four nude women. Sutch was publicising his forthcoming London gigs.

1973 - Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin played the last of three nights at Madison Square Garden, New York at the end of a 33-date North American tour. It was on this day that Led Zeppelin lost around $203,000 in cash after a thief made off with the receipts from the two Madison Square Garden concerts. The theft took place from the safe at The Drake Hotel in New York where the group were staying. Tour manager Richard Cole, who discovered the theft, was arrested as a suspect and questioned by police but was later released.

1974 - Cass Elliot

Mamas & the Papas singer Cass Elliot died in her sleep from a heart attack after playing a sold out show in London, England. She was staying at Harry Nilsson's London flat when she died. Her solo hits included 'Dream a Little Dream of Me,' which also featured the rest of The Mamas & the Papas and 'It's Getting Better'. Had also been a member of The Mugwumps.

1978 - Grease

The film soundtrack to Grease featuring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John went to No.1 on the US album chart.

1986 - Gordon Mills

English songwriter, producer and manager Gordon Mills died of stomach cancer. Worked with Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones and Gilbert O'Sullivan. Wrote the 1963 No.4 UK hit ‘I'll Never Get Over You’, for Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, and ‘I'm The Lonely One’ a hit for Cliff Richard.

1987 - Four Tops

Michigan state governor James Blanchard declared an annual state wide 'Four Tops Day', honouring the group for its contribution to American music.

1988 - Pete Drake

American record producer and pedal steel guitar player Pete Drake died of lung disease. Worked with Elvis Presley, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Played on such hits as Lynn Anderson's ‘Rose Garden’, Charlie Rich's ‘Behind Closed Doors', Bob Dylan's ‘Lay Lady Lay' and  Tammy Wynette's ‘Stand by Your Man’.

1990 - Elton John

Elton John checked into a Chicago clinic to cure bulimia and an addiction problem, taking over a year off from touring and recording.

2003 - Kylie Minogue

The chairman of the Professional Association of Teachers Jim O'Neill warned that children were being put under pressure to grow up too soon by pop stars who use a sexy image. "Kylie Minogue might be a great singer but in many of these things you can see more of her bottom than you hear of her voice," said Mr O'Neill.

2004 - Huby Heard

Keyboard player Huby Heard died from heart problems. Member of Billy Preston's, The God Squad, and worked with Teddy Pendergrass, Ray Charles, Little Bootsy Collins, The Brothers Johnson, The Rolling Stones and Bill Wyman.

2006 - Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson married for the second time to US rapper Kid Rock, on a yacht off the French resort of St Tropez. The 39-year-old former Baywatch star divorced from rock star Tommy Lee in 1998, had recently got back together with Kid Rock, after a brief engagement ended in 2003. Anderson and Rock split after four months of marriage.

2007 - Timbaland

Timbaland feat Keri Hilson started a two week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Way I Are', released as the second single from his second album, Timbaland Presents Shock Value.

2007 - Paul Stanley

Heart problems forced Kiss singer and guitarist Paul Stanley to abandon a show in California. Paramedics stopped and restarted his heart to give it a regular rhythm after his heart spontaneously jumped to 190 plus beats per minute.

2010 - Roy Caton

American trumpet player and session musician Roy Caton died aged 83. As a session player in Hollywood recording studios Caton worked with Nancy Sinatra, The Monkees, (The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees), Harpers Bizarre, (Feelin' Groovy), The Byrds, (The Notorious Byrd Brothers), Love, (Forever Changes), The Righteous Brothers and The Beach Boys, (Pet Sounds) 

2011 - Gene McDaniels

Gene McDaniels, who scored the 1961 US No.3 hit 'A Hundred Pounds Of Clay' died at the age of 76 after a short illness. Gene also wrote Roberta Flack's 1974 No.1 hit 'Feel Like Makin' Love' which won a Grammy Award.

Born On This Day

July 29th

1946 - Neal Doughty

Neal Doughty, keyboards, from American rock band REO Speedwagon, who had the 1981 US No.1's 'Keep On Loving You' and 'Can't Fight This Feeling'. They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a flatbed truck.

1947 - Carlo Santanna

Carlo Santanna, guitarist, from Paper Lace who scored the 1974 UK No.1 single 'Billy Don't Be A Hero', and the 1974 US No.1 single 'The Night Chicago Died'.

1953 - Geddy Lee

Geddy Lee, bass, vocals, Rush, (1980 UK No.13 single 'Spirit Of Radio' 1982 US No. 21 single 'New World Man'). Lee was made an Officer of the Order of Canada on May 9, 1996. The trio was the first rock band to be so honored, as a group.

1953 - Patti Scialfa

American singer-songwriter Patti Scialfa who has worked with The Rolling Stones and on Keith Richards' Talk Is Cheap album. She toured with Bruce Springsteen Band from the 1984 Born in the USA tour and later married Springsteen on June 8th 1991. She has released two solo albums. Scialfa was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band.

1959 - John Sykes

John Sykes, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, (1987 US No.1 & UK No.9 single 'Here I Go Again'), Tygers Of Pan Tang.

1962 - Martin McCarrick

Martin McCarrick, guitarist with alternative metal band from Northern Ireland Therapy? who had the 1993 UK No.9 single 'Screamager'.

1966 - Miles Hunt

Miles Hunt, singer from British alternative rock band The Wonder Stuff who had the 1991 UK No.1 single with their version of the Tommy Roe hit 'Dizzy' (with Vic Reeves).

1972 - Simon Jones

Simon Jones, bassist from English rock band The Verve, who had the 1997 album Urban Hymns, one of the best-selling albums in UK Chart history. The album features the hit singles 'Bitter Sweet Symphony', 'The Drugs Don't Work' and 'Lucky Man'.

1973 - Wanya Morris

Wanya Morris, from American R&B vocal group Boyz II Men, who had the 1992 US & UK No.1 single 'End Of The Road' which set a new record for longevity, staying at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for thirteen weeks, breaking the decades-old record held by Elvis Presley. 

1977 - Danger Mouse

American musician, songwriter and producer Danger Mouse, (Brian Joseph Burton). He formed Gnarls Barkley with CeeLo Green and has worked with Adele, Gorillaz, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many other artists.