What Happened Today In Music

January 30th

1956 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley started recording what would be his first album at RCA's New York Studios. Songs recorded included his version the Carl Perkins song 'Blue Suede Shoes'. Johnny Cash planted the seed for the song in the fall of 1955, while Perkins, Cash, Elvis Presley, and other Louisiana Hayride acts toured throughout the South. Cash told Perkins of a black airman, C. V. White, whom he had met when serving in the military in Germany, who had referred to his military regulation airmens shoes as "blue suede shoes."

1961 - The Shirelles

The Shirelles became the first all-girl black group to have the number one song on the US chart when 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow?' reached the top. The song peaked at No.4 in the UK. 

1964 - The Searchers

The Searchers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Sonny Bono song 'Needles And Pins'. The group's second UK No.1 had originally been recorded by Jackie DeShannon.

1969 - The Beatles

The Beatles with Billy Preston, played their lunchtime rooftop gig on top of the Apple building on Savile Row, London. Lasting for just over 40 minutes it was the last time The Beatlesperformed live. The played ‘Get Back’, ‘Don’t Let Me Down’, ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’, ‘The One After 909’ and ‘Dig A Pony’. Traffic was brought to a standstill as crowds of people gathered below and watched from windows in nearby buildings. John Lennon ended the performance by saying “I’d like to say ‘Thank you’ on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we passed the audition.”

1970 - Edison Lighthouse

Edison Lighthouse were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes).' The group's only Top 40 hit spent five weeks at the top of the charts. In February 1970, Tony Burrows became the first (and still the only) person to appear on BBC Television's Top Of The Pops fronting three different acts in one show: Edison Lighthouse (who were number one that week), White Plains, and Brotherhood of Man.

1972 - Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney wrote and recorded his protest song 'Give Ireland Back To The Irish' within 24 hours of Bloody Sunday, when 13 Catholics were killed by British paratroopers.

1973 - Kiss

After recently changing their name from Wicked Lester, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss made their first appearance as Kiss at the Popcorn Club in Queen's, New York.

1975 - Bee Gees

The Bee Gees begin recording 'Jive Talkin', which became their second US chart topper and No.5 UK hit. Barry Gibb's inspiration for the song came when his wife commented on the sound their car made while crossing a bridge over Biscayne Bay into Miami. She noted, "It's our drive talkin'."

1976 - Mike Oldfield

UK Music weekly Sounds readers Poll Winners included; best album 'A Night At The Opera', by Queen, best single 'Bohemian Rhapsody', by Queen, best band went to Queen, musician Mike Oldfield, female singer Maddy Prior, Steeleye, Span, new band Rainbow, bore of the year The Bay City Rollers.

1982 - Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney guested on BBC radios Desert Island Discs his selections include, Elvis Presley's 'Heartbreak Hotel', Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Sixteen', John Lennon's 'Beautiful Boy 'and Little Richard's 'Tutti Frutti'.

1982 - Sam Lightnin Hopkins

Blues singer, songwriter, guitarist Sam Lightnin' Hopkins died of cancer aged 70. In 1968, Hopkins recorded the album Free Form Patterns, backed by the rhythm section of the psychedelic rock band 13th Floor Elevators. Hopkins influenced Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. R.E.M. recorded a song named after him on their Document album.

1988 - Frankie Goes To Hollywood

During a court case involving Holly Johnson and ZTT Records it was revealed that Frankie Goes To Hollywood had not played on their hits 'Relax' and 'Two Tribes'. The court was told that top session musicians were used to make the records.

1988 - Tiffany

Tiffany was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Think We're Alone Now', the singers only UK No.1 single. The song was a hit for Tommy James & The Shondells in 1967.

1990 - Stone Roses

Unhappy with the re-issue of the bands early single 'Sally Cinnaman' The Stone Roses trashed their former record company Revolver FM's offices and threw paint over cars. The band were arrested and charged with criminal damage.

1999 - Britney Spears

After spending 11 weeks on the chart Britney Spears started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with '...Baby One More Time.' Britney's debut album also went to No.1 on the US chart on the same day.

1999 - Natalie Imbruglia

In the NME readers poll results the winner of 'The pop personality that you would like as your doctor' was won by singer Natalie Imbruglia.

2000 - Gabrielle

Gabrielle went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Rise'. The song used a sample from Bob Dylan's 'Knocking On Heaven's Door' giving Dylan his third UK No.1 as a writer, the other two being The Byrds version of 'Mr Tambourine Man' and Manfred Mann's 'The Mighty Quinn'.

2010 - Neil Young

Neil Young was named the Musicares person of the year for his "influential artistic accomplishments and philanthropic work". A string of artist including Elton John, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Elvis Costello, John Forgarty, Dave Matthews and Sheryl Crowe performed his songs as he was honoured by the US Recording Academy at the Los Angeles Convention Centre.

2013 - Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger was named the most stylish rock star of all time by lifestyle website Complex. Jagger lead their top 50 list ahead of Prince, David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, Sid Vicious and Keith Richards. Complex stated “Even today, he wears silk scarves and suits with more rakish appeal than most men – and he’s pushing 70.”

2015 - Marion "Suge" Knight

Marion "Suge" Knight was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with a fatal traffic incident. The record producer had earlier surrendered to police after he was declared a suspect in a hit-and-run incident where one man died.

2016 - David Bowie

David Bowie reached No.1 in the American album charts for the first time with Blackstar, released two days before his death on 10 January. His highest-charting US album previously had been The Next Day, which peaked at No.2 in 2013.

2016 - David Bowie

David Bowie left an estate valued at about $100m (£70m), according to his will which was filed in New York. Half would go to his widow, Iman, along with the home they shared in New York. The rest was shared between his son and daughter. Bowie's personal assistant, Corinne Schwab, was left $2m and another $1m went to a former nanny, Marion Skene.

Born Today In Music

January 30th

1928 - Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown, US singer who had the 1957 US No.25 single, 'Lucky Lips' and was Atlantic Records top selling artist of the 50s scoring hits such as 'Teardrops from My Eyes' and '(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean'. Brown died on November 17, 2006.

1936 - Horst Jankowski

Horst Jankowski, German pianist who had the 1965 UK No.3 & US No.12 single 'A Walk In The Black Forrest'. He died of cancer on 29th June 1998.

1941 - Joe Terranova

Joe Terranova, from doo-wop and rock and roll vocal group Danny and the Juniors famous for their 1958 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'At The Hop'.

1942 - Marty Balin

Marty Balin, American singer, songwriter best known as the founder and one of the lead singers of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship. who had the 1967 US No.18 single 'White Rabbit'. Balin played with Jefferson Airplane at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. He died on September 27, 2018 at the age of 76.

1943 - Sandy Deane

Sandy Deane, from Jay and the Americans, who had the 1962 hit with 'She Cried' and the 1969 US No.6 single 'This Magic Moment'.

1947 - Steve Marriott

Steve Marriott, guitarist and singer/songwriter. He was a major influence on many UK bands. Marriott was a member of Small Faces who had the 1967 UK No.3 & US No.16 single with ‘Itchycoo Park’ plus the 1968 No.1 UK album 'Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake.' Formed Humble Pie who had the 1969 UK No.4 single ‘Natural Born Bugie’. Marriott died in a house fire on April 20th 1991.

1949 - William King

William King, trumpet player with The Commodores who had the 1978 UK & US No.1 single 'Three Times A Lady'.

1951 - Phil Collins

Phil Collins, drummer, singer, songwriter who was a member of Genesis who had the 1986 US No.1 'Invisible Touch', 1992 UK No.7 single 'I Can't Dance' plus six UK No.1 albums. As a solo artist had the 1988 UK & US No.1 single 'A Groovy Kind Of Love' plus six other US No.1's and four UK No.1 solo albums. Acting roles include Oliver, Buster and Miami Vice, also worked with Brand X.

1959 - Mark Eitzel

Mark Eitzel, guitarist, singer, songwriter who was a member of American Music Club who had the 1993 album 'Mercury'. Eitzel is now a solo artist.

1961 - Jody Watley

Jody Watley, singer with Shalamar who had the 1980 US No. 8 single ‘The Second Time Around’, and the 1982 UK No.5 single ‘A Night To Remember’. Solo hits include the 1987 UK No.13 single, ‘Looking For A New Love’ and the 1989 US No.2 single, ‘Real Love’. Destiny’s Child covered the Watley penned song ‘Sweet Sixteen.’

1964 - Angie Stone

Angie Stone, singer, songwriter who was a member of Vertical Hold and is now a solo artist. Stones has written hits for Mary J. Blige & D'Angelo.