What Happened Today In Music

August 28th

1961 - Joe Dowell

Joe Dowell went to No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of 'Wooden Heart'. The song is best known for its use in the 1960 Elvis Presley film G.I. Blues, which gave Elvis a No.1 hit in the United Kingdom.

1964 - Bob Dylan

After playing a show at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, New York, The Beatles met Bob Dylan for the first time at The Delmonico Hotel. Dylan and mutual journalist friend Al Aronowitz introduce the Fab Four to marijuana.

1965 - The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys 'California Girls' was at No.3 on the US singles chart, the single peaked at No.26 in the UK. The music for the song came from Brian Wilson's first LSD experience. Wilson recorded the Beach Boys' vocals using Columbia's new 8-track recorder, allowing Mike Love's lead vocals to be triple-tracked and the group's vocals spread over three more. 'California Girls' was the first Beach Boys recording to feature vocals from Bruce Johnston, who had joined the group to substitute for Wilson on concert tours.

1965 - The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones announced that Allen Klein, who they had met three days earlier, would co-manage the group along with Andrew Loog Oldham. At the same time, The Stones signed a five-year recording deal with Decca Records. 

1965 - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan played the first night of a 40 date North American tour at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in New York City. Dylan played the first set solo and was backed by a band consisting of Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Harvey Brooks and Al Kooper in the second set. This format, one acoustic and one electric set was kept through-out the tour.

1966 - The Beatles

Nearing the end of their final tour of America, The Beatlesperformed one show at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, before a crowd of 45,000. The Beatles' attempt to escape from the stadium in an armored truck is thwarted when the main gate was found to be locked, and The Beatles had to spend two hours in the back of the truck before they could leave the stadium.

1968 - The Beatles

Working at Trident Studios, London, The Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song ‘Dear Prudence’. They built the song instrument by instrument, utilizing the 8-track equipment at Trident. John and George played guitars, while Paul played drums to compensate for Ringo Starr who had quit The Beatles on August 22.

1968 - Tammy Wynette

Tammy Wynette recorded 'Stand By Your Man' at Epic studios after an idea that came from producer, Billy Sherrill. Wynette and Sherril completed the song in 15 minutes. It proved to be the most successful record of Wynette's career and is one of the most covered songs in the history of country music. The song has appeared in various films, including: Five Easy Pieces, The Blues Brothers, The Crying Game, Sleepless in Seattle, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Golden Eye.

1968 - Simon and Garfunkel

Simon And Garfunkel started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Bookends'. The duo's fourth studio album featured 'America', 'Mrs. Robinson' and 'A Hazy Shade of Winter'.

1968 - Beach Boys

The Beach Boys were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Do It Again'. Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love it became the group's second and final UK No.1.

1970 - Elvis Presley

During a four-week engagement at The International Hotel in Las Vegas, a security guard at the hotel received a phone call in which he was told Elvis Presley would be shot during his last show. The person demanded $50,000 to reveal the name of the potential killer. Later that day a menu was found in Elvis’ mail at the hotel on which Elvis’ face was destroyed and a gun had been drawn pointing to his heart. The threats were taken very seriously. Elvis played his last show without any incident.

1972 - Alice cooper

Alice Cooper was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'School's Out'. Cooper has said he was inspired to write the song when answering the question, "What's the greatest three minutes of your life?". Cooper said: "There's two times during the year. One is Christmas morning, the next one is the last three minutes of the last day of school."

1981 - Guy Stevens

Producer Guy Stevens died at the age of 38 years old, having overdosed on prescription drugs he was taking to reduce his alcohol dependency. He worked with Mott The Hoople, Free and The Clash. He was the president of the Chuck Berry Appreciation Society and it was Stevens who brought Berry to the UK for his first tour. He gave Procol Harum and Mott the Hoople their distinctive names.

1984 - The Jacksons

The Jacksons' Victory Tour broke the record for concert ticket sales after they surpassed the 1.1 million mark in two months.

1988 - Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue set a new UK record when her debut album Kylie became the biggest selling album by a female artist in Britain with sales of almost two million.

1993 - Billy Joel

Billy Joel started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'River Of Dreams.' Joel claimed most of the music came to him in his sleep, hence the title. The singers second wife, one time model Christie Brinkley, painted the album cover which was later voted worst album cover of the year.

1993 - Culture Beat

German-based multi-national dance act Culture Beat started a four-week run at No.1 in the UK singles chart with 'Mr Vain'. It was the first UK No.1 single not to be available in a 7" version.

1996 - Issac Hayes

Issac Hayes, who co-wrote the Sam and Dave's classic 'Soul Man', sent a protest letter to presidential candidate Bob Dole, requesting Dole to stop using his song, which supporters had changed to 'I'm A Dole Man.'

1998 - Geri Halliwell

Geri Halliwell announced that she was selling off her Spice Girlsclothes in a charity auction. The PVC cat suit she used to wear was up for £5000 knee high boots for £1200 and the Union Jack dress she wore to the Brit Awards for £8000.

2005 - Marion Suge Knight

Rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight was admitted to hospital after being shot in the leg at a party hosted by hip hop star Kanye West. The party was held at a club in Miami, Florida, to celebrate this year's MTV Video Music Awards.

2005 - Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel was charged by police for possession after a marijuana cigarette was allegedly found in the ashtray of his car. Garfunkel had pleaded guilty the previous year to possession of marijuana in upstate New York.

2005 - Gwen Stefani

Green Day cleaned up at this years MTV awards held in Miami winning seven awards including, Video of the Year for 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' and the Viewer's Choice Award. Best Male Video went to Kanye West for ‘Jesus Walks’, Best Choreography went to Gwen Stefani for ‘Hollaback Girl’ and Breakthrough Video went to Gorillaz for ‘Feel Good Inc.’ The awards went ahead despite concerns over Hurricane Katrina, which hit Florida last week, and after a shooting at a pre-awards party. Record boss Suge Knight was shot in the leg during at a party for Kanye West.

2009 - Oasis

Noel Gallagher quit Oasis saying he could no longer work with his brother Liam. Noel, the group's lead guitarist and chief songwriter, had recently been involved in a series of rows with Liam, and admitted he and his brother rarely spoke, did not travel together and only saw each other on stage. The guitarist said: "It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. The band were due to play the Rock en Seine festival in Paris but cancelled at the last minute. When the support band said Oasiswould not be performing, many fans thought it was a joke.

2012 - Ringo Starr

Celebrity Net Worth named Ringo Starr as the world's richest drummer, with an estimated fortune of $300 million. Phil Collinswas ranked second with $250 million, former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl was third with $225 million, the Eagles' Don Henley came in forth with $200 million and Metallica's Lars Ulrich was fifth with $175 million. Also making the top ten were U2's Larry Mullen and The Rolling Stones' Charlie Watts.

2016 - Juan Gabriel 

Mexican singer, songwriter Juan Gabriel died from a heart attack aged 66. Having sold over 200 millions records worldwide, Gabriel was among Latin America's best selling singer-songwriters. His nineteenth studio album, Recuerdos, Vol. II, is reportedly the best-selling album of all time in Mexico, with over eight million copies sold. 

Born Today In Music

August 28th

1937 - Joe Osborn

American bass guitar player Joe Osborn, known for his work as a session musician in Los Angeles and Nashville during the 1960s through the 1980s. As a member of The Wrecking Crew his playing can be heard on records by The Mamas & the Papas, The Carpenters, The Association and The 5th Dimension. Osborn can be heard on Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Trouble Water'and the 5th Dimension's version of ‘Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In’. He died on December 14, 2018 aged 81. 

1939 - Clem Cattini

Clem Cattini, drums, The Tornadoes (1962 UK & US No.1 single 'Telstar'). The first major hit from a UK act on the American chart. Cattini has featured on a record 44 different UK No.1 singles, from artists such as Tom Jones, T. Rex, The Seekers, Bay City Rollers, Rolf Harris and Hot Chocolate.

1942 - Sterling Morrison

American guitarist Sterling Morrison one of the founding members of the rock group Velvet Underground. Their debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico (with German-born singer and model Nico), was released in 1967 to critical indifference and poor sales but has become critically acclaimed. Morrison died of cancer on 30th August 1995.

1943 - Ann Lantree

Honey Lantree drummer with English beat, pop group The Honeycombs who scored the Joe Meek produced 1964 UK No.1 single 'Have I The Right'. Lantree who was one of the few female drummers in bands at that time died on 23 December 2018 aged 75. 

1943 - David Soul

David Soul, actor, singer (1977 UK & US No.1 single 'Don't Give Up On Us').

1946 - Ken Andrew

Ken Andrew, drummer from Scottish pop group Middle Of The Road, who had the 1971 UK No.1 single 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep', which is one of only a few singles to have sold in excess of 10 million physical copies.

1948 - Danny Seraphine

American musician Danny Seraphine, known as the original drummer and founding member of the rock band Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990. The band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois as The Chicago Transit Authority before shortening the name in 1970. Chicago have had five consecutive No.1 albums on the Billboard chart and 20 top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

1949 - Hugh Cornwell

English musician and singer-songwrite Hugh Cornwell from The Stranglers from 1974 to 1990 who had the 1982 UK No.2 single 'Golden Brown', and over 20 other Top 40 hits.

1949 - Martin Lamble

Martin Lamble drums, Fairport Convention, (1969 UK No.21 single 'Si Tu Dois Partir'). Killed on 14th May 1969 when the bands van crashed on the way home from a gig in Birmingham, England.

1951 - Wayne Osmond

Wayne Osmond, from American family group The Osmonds. They had the 1971 US No.1 single 'One Bad Apple', the 1974 hit 'Crazy Horses' and the 1974 UK No.1 single 'Love Me For A Reason'. They had their own 1972–1973 Saturday morning cartoon series, The Osmonds, on ABC-TV. The Osmonds have sold over 75 million records world wide.

1961 - Kim Appleby

Kim Appleby, singer, Mel and Kim, (1987 UK No.1 single 'Respectable').

1965 - Shania Twain

Shania Twain, Canadian singer, (Eilleen Regina Edwards). Her 1997 album 'Come On Over', became the best-selling album of all time by a female musician in any genre, and the best-selling country album of all time selling more than 40 million copies worldwide. Twain has won 5 Grammy Awards and 27 BMI Songwriter awards and is sometimes referred to as "The Queen of Country Pop", she is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time, having sold over 80 million albums.

1969 - Jack Black

Jack Black, actor, comedian and musician. One half of the comedy/rock duo Tenacious D with Kyle Gass.

1969 - Mary McCartney

Mary McCartney, a daughter to Paul and Linda McCartney Mary was named after Paul's mother (who he mentioned in the song 'Let It Be').

1974 - Peter Turner

Peter Turner, bass, Elbow, won the Mercury Music Prize for their 2008 album ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’.

1982 - LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes, US singer, known for her rise to fame as an eight-year-old champion on the original Ed McMahon version of Star Search, followed by the release of the Bill Mack song 'Blue' when she was 13 to become the youngest country music star since Tanya Tucker in 1972. Scored the 1997 US No.3 & 1998 UK No.7 single, 'How Do I Live' which spent 30 weeks on the UK top 40 singles chart (the first record, to do so since 'Relax' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood).

1986 - Florence Welch

English musician, singer and songwriter Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine, who scored the 2009 UK No.1 album Lungs and the 2015 UK and US No.1 album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful