What Happened Today In Music

January 18th

1960 - Johnny Preston

Johnny Preston started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Running Bear'. Written by J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), the tune originally entered the chart in October 1959, then quickly vanished, but re-entered in November and slowly climbed to the top. It was also a UK No.1.

1964 - The Beatles

The Beatles made their US chart debut when 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' entered the chart at No.45 just ten days after its release, making it the fastest-breaking and the fastest selling single in Capitol Records history. It went on to spend seven weeks at the No.1 position.

1965 - The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones recorded 'The Last Time' and 'Play With Fire' at the RCA studio in Hollywood, California. Producer Phil Spector played acoustic guitar on 'Play With Fire.' 

1967 - Jimi Hendrix

The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded an appearance on UK TV show Top Of The Pops performing a live version of "Hey Joe". They also played a show at the Seven and a Half Club in Mayfair, London during the evening.

1974 - Paul Rodgers

Former members from Free, (Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke), Mott The Hoople (Mick Ralphs), and King Crimson, (Boz Burrell), formed Bad Company. The band went on to score a US No.1 album with their debut release.

1975 - Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow scored his first US No.1 single when 'Mandy', (originally titled 'Brandy' when it was recorded in 1972 by Scott English), went to the top of the charts.

1981 - Plasmatics

Wendy O. Williams of The Plasmatics was arrested on stage at Milwaukee and was charged with the offence of simulating sex with a sledgehammer. Williams later filed a multimillion dollar civil suit against the Milwaukee Police, claming they sexually assaulted and beat her during the arrest, but a jury rejected her claims.

1989 - Stevie Wonder

At just 38 years old, Stevie Wonder became the youngest living person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At a ceremony held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, other inductees include The Rolling Stones, The Temptations, Otis Redding and Dion DiMucci.

1990 - Mel Appleby

English singer Mel Appleby died of Pneumonia aged 23 following treatment for metastatic paraganglioma. Appleby was one half of the duo Mel and Kim who had the 1997 UK No.1 'Respectable'. She initially worked as a glamour model, (in 1987 she did a photo shoot for Mayfair).

1993 - Elton John

Elton John resigned his directorship of Watford Football Club. Having supported Watford Football Club since growing up locally, Elton John became the club's chairman and director in 1976, investing large sums of money as the club rose three divisions into the English First Division.

1997 - Keith Diamond

Songwriter and producer Keith Diamond died of a heart attack. He wrote, 'Caribbean Queen' and 'Suddenly' for Billy Ocean, and also wrote hits for Donna Summer, James Ingram, Mick Jagger, Sheena Easton and Michael Bolton.

1997 - Tori Amos

Tori Amos was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Professional Widow' (It's Got To Be)'. The song had been remixed by Armand Van Helden and was rumoured to be about Courtney Love the former wife of Kurt Cobain. 

2000 - Spencer Goodman

Spencer Goodman was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas. Goodman was convicted of kidnapping and murdering the wife of ZZ Top manager Bill Ham in 1991. Ham was present for the execution.

2001 - Noel Gallagher

Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher was granted a quickie divorce from Meg Matthews at the High Court in London. The couple had split last September, eight months after Meg had given birth to their daughter, Anais.

2005 - Norman Whitfield

Motown producer Norman Whitfield pleaded guilty for failing to report royalty income he earned from 1995 to 1999 to the Internal Revenue Service. Facing charges of tax evasion on over $2 million worth of income, he was sentenced to six months of house arrest and a $25,000 fine. The producer was not imprisoned because of health problems.

2006 - Michael Jackson

Animals in Michael Jackson's private zoo were declared to be in good health after officials paid a surprise visit to the singer's Neverland ranch. A medical officer from the US department of agriculture inspected the property following concerns voiced by the animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Jackson had earlier moved out of Neverland and had taken up residence in Bahrain in the Middle East.

2007 - Pink Floyd

Islington Green School in North London was fighting plans to turn it into an academy. The school, which found fame when some of its pupils sang on Pink Floyd's hit 'Another Brick In The Wall(Part 2)' wrote a new version of the song to sing outside Islington Town Hall as part of their protest. They hoped lyrics such as 'We don't need no business control' and 'Hey bankers leave our kids alone' could persuade authorities to reject the proposal.

2010 - Kate McGarrigle

Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle died of cancer at home in Montreal at the age of 63. Once married to folk singer Loudon Wainwright lll, Kate was the mother of singers Rufus and Martha Wainwright. She rose to prominence with sister Anna when they recorded together in the 1970s. Other artists who covered the pair's songs included Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, Kirsty MacColl and Judy Collins.

2011 - The Beatles

The largest collection of Beatles memorabilia went on display in a new museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Rodolfo Vazquez, a 53-year-old accountant, turned his mammoth Beatles collection into a museum with more than 8,500 objects - setting the new world record for the largest collection of Beatles memorabilia. Some of the items included a box of condoms bearing the names of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, a brick from the Cavern Club, a chunk of the stage from the Star Club in Hamburg, and certified copies of the band members' birth certificates. Among his favorite items were 64 boxes of chewing gum in the form of Beatles records.

2015 - Dallas Taylor

American session drummer Dallas Taylor died of complications from viral pneumonia and kidney disease, aged 66. He is best known as the drummer on Crosby, Stills and Nash's debut album, Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969) and their follow-up with Neil Young, Déjà Vu (1970) as well as appearing on Stephen Stills' eponymous first solo album in 1970. Taylor was the drummer for Stills' group Manassas in 1972 and 1973. In 1970, Dallas sat in with The Doorsaccompanying John Densmore on drums. Jim Morrisonacknowledges him on The Doors Live in New York album.

2016 - Glenn Frey

The Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey died at the age of 67 in New York City from complications arising from rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and pneumonia. Frey co-founded the Eagles in 1971 with Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner. After the breakup of the Eagles in 1980, Frey embarked on a successful solo career and went on to score the Top 40 hits 'The One You Love', 'Smuggler's Blues', 'The Heat Is On', and 'You Belong to the City'.

2020 - David Olney

Nashville folk singer David Olney died age 71 after suffering a heart attack during a performance in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He formed the band The X-Rays, which released two albums before splitting up in 1985. His songs have been covered by numerous artists, including Emmylou Harris, Del McCoury, Linda Ronstadt and Steve Earle.

Born Today In Music

January 18th

1941 - Bobby Goldsboro

Bobby Goldsboro, US singer, (1968 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Honey').

1941 - David Ruffin

David Ruffin, vocals, The Temptations, (1971 US No.1 & UK No. 8 single 'Just My Imagination' and re-issued 'My Girl' UK No.2 in 1992, solo, 1975 US No.9 & UK No.10 single 'Walk Away From Love'). Ruffin died of a drug overdose on 1st June 1991. 

1944 - Larry Smith

Legs Larry Smith, drummer with Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, who had the 1968 UK No.5 single 'I'm The Urban Spaceman'. As a solo artist, Smith also toured with Eric Clapton and Elton John. Smith was a close friend of ex-Beatle George Harrison for many years and designed the cover for his Gone Troppo album (1982).

1956 - Jack Sherman

American guitarist Jack Sherman who was best known as the second guitarist to have joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers, in between Hillel Slovak's departure and return. He played on their debut album, and co-wrote much of their second album, Freaky Styley. He went on to collaborate with Bob Dylan, George Clinton and Feargal Sharkey. Sherman died of a heart attack age 64 on 18 August 2020. 

1958 - Tom Bailey

Tom Bailey, vocals, keyboards, The Thompson Twins, (1984 UK No.2 single 'You Take Me Up', 1984 US No.3 single, 'Hold Me Now').

1959 - Bob Rosenberg

Bob Rosenberg, Will To Power, (1988 US No.1 & 1989 UK No.6 single 'Baby I Love Your Way / Freebird').

1962 - Jeremy Healey

Jeremy Healey, guitar, Haysi Fantayzee, (1982 UK No.11 single 'John Wayne Is Big Leggy').

1971 - Jonathan Davis

Jonathan Davis, singer from American nu metal band Korn who scored the 1998 US No.1 album, Follow The Leader. Twelve of the band's official releases have peaked in the top ten of the Billboard Chart.

1973 - Crispian Mills

Crispian Mills, guitar, vocals, with English psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker, who had the 1996 UK No.2 single 'Hey Dude'.

1974 - Christian Burns

Christian Burns, from English pop group BBMak who scored the 2001 UK No.5 single 'Back Here' which was also a No.1 hit in Japan.

1977 - Richard Archer

Richard Archer, singer, guitarist, Hard-Fi, (2006 UK No.1 album,'Stars of CCTV').

1980 - Estelle Swaray

Born on this day in 1980, Estelle Swaray, female English hip-hop artist, singer and producer who had the 2008 UK No.1 single 'American Boy' featuring Kayne West.

1983 - Samantha Mumba

Samantha Mumba, singer, actress, (2000 UK No.2 & US No.4 single 'Gotta Tell You', 2001 UK No.3 single 'Always Come Back To').

1983 - Katie White

Katie White, British musician and member of the pop duo The Ting Tings. After some success with a girl group punk trio TKO, White and De Martino formed the Ting Tings in 2007.