What Happened Today In Music

January 19th

1963 - The Beatles

The Beatles made their first national TV appearance in the UK on 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' performing 'Please Please Me'.

1967 - The Beatles

The Beatles began recording 'A Day In The Life' at Abbey Road studios London, recording four takes of the new song. According to Lennon, the inspiration for the first two verses was the death of Tara Browne, the 21-year-old heir to the Guinness fortune who had crashed his Lotus Elan on 18 December 1966 in Redcliffe Gardens, London.

1967 - Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd and Marmalade played at The Marquee Club, London, England. Marmalade went on to score a No.1 UK hit with their version of The Beatles' Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da in 1968.

1967 - Monkees

The Monkees were at No.1 on the UK singles with 'I'm A Believer', the group's only UK No.1. The song composed by Neil Diamondhad 1,051,280 advance orders, and went gold within two days of release. It is one of the fewer than forty all-time singles to have sold 10 million (or more) physical copies worldwide.

1971 - Charles Manson

Tracks from The Beatles The White Album (including 'Helter Skelter), were played in the courtroom at the Sharon Tate murder trial to find out if any songs could have influenced Charles Manson and his followers to commit murder. Actress Sharon Tate who was married to film director Roman Polanski, was eight and a half months pregnant when she was murdered in her home, along with four others, by followers of Charles Manson.

1980 - The Pretenders

The Pretenders scored their first UK No.1 hit with their third single 'Brass In Pocket'. The bands self-titled debut album started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK chart also on this day. Singer Chrissie Hynde got the idea for the song's title when, during an after-show dinner, she overheard someone enquiring if anyone had, "Picked up dry cleaning? Any brass in pocket?"

1980 - Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd's The Wall started a 15-week run at No.1 on the US album chart. The group’s third US No.1, it went on to sell over 23 million copies in the US alone. The Wall is still the third largest grossing album in the US, behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Eagles’ 'Greatest Hits'.

1988 - Doc McGheep

Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe manager Doc McGhee pleaded guilty to importing more than 40,000lb of marijuana into the US from Colombia via a shrimp boat. McGhee received a five-year suspended prison sentence, a fine of $15,000, and was ordered to set up an anti-drugs foundation.

1993 - Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac re-formed to perform at Bill Clinton's inauguration. The band's "Don't Stop" was used as the theme for his campaign.

1998 - Carl Perkins

American singer, songwriter Carl Perkins died aged 65 from throat cancer. He wrote the classic rock & roll song 'Blue Suede Shoes', the first record on the Sun label to sell a million copies. His songs were recorded by Elvis Presley, The Beatles Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Cash.  Paul McCartney claimed that "if there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles."

2001 - Paul McCartney

It was reported that Paul McCartney was set to become the world's first pop star billionaire. McCartney was said to be worth £725 million ($1,233) and was expected to become a billionaire after huge sales from The Beatles compilation hits album.

2006 - Wilson Pickett

American soul singer, Wilson Pickett died in hospital near his Ashburn, Virginia home of a heart attack aged 64. Pickett recorded the soul classics ‘Mustang Sally’, ‘Everybody Needs Somebody to Love’ and ‘In The Midnight Hour’ plus Pickett scored 15 other US Top 40 singles.

2007 - Denny Doherty

Canadian singer songwriter and former Mamas and the Papas singer Denny Doherty died at the age of 66 at his home near Toronto, Canada after a short illness. The group scored the 1966 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Monday Monday.' Doherty started his musical career in 1956 with a band called the Hepsters and in 1963, established a friendship with Cass Elliot when she was with a band called The Big 3.

2008 - John Stewart

American songwriter and singer John Stewart, who wrote the Monkees 1967 hit 'Daydream Believer' died aged 68 after he suffered a brain aneurysm in San Diego. Stewart was a member of folk group The Kingston Trio and went on to record more than 45 solo albums with his biggest solo success being a US top five single, 'Gold', in 1979.

2011 - Aerosmith

Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler made his debut appearance as a judge on American Idol, during the premiere of the show's tenth season, (replacing Simon Cowell).

2012 - Winston Riley

Jamaican singer, songwriter and record producer Winston Riley died aged 68. He had been shot in the head at his home in Kingston. After being in a coma since the shooting, he died on 19 January. He formed the band The Techniques in 1962 and Riley's own song, ‘Double Barrel’, performed by Dave and Ansell Collins under his own production, was one of the first international reggae hits, reaching No.1 in the Dutch and UK Singles Chart.

2014 - Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen scored his 10th UK No.1 album with High Hopes, putting him ahead of the likes of Abba, David Bowie and Michael Jackson. The achievement puts him on level pegging with The Rolling Stones and U2, who also have 10 UK No.1's. The Beatles lead the way, with 15, followed by Madonna on 12, while Elvis Presley and Robbie Williams both had 11 each.

2017 - Alanis Morissette

The former business manager of Alanis Morissette has admitted stealing over $7m (£5.7m) from the singer and other celebrities. Jonathan Schwartz was charged with fraud over claims he transferred the singer's money into his own accounts. When initially confronted about the theft, Mr Schwartz lied and said he had invested the money in an illegal marijuana growing business.

2018 - Tom Petty

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner announced that Tom Petty had died accidentally from mixed drug toxicity, a combination of fentanyl, oxycodone, acetylfentanyl and despropionyl fentanyl (all opioids); temazepam and alprazolam (both sedatives); and citalopram (an antidepressant). Petty's wife and daughter said he had multiple medical problems, including emphysema, knee difficulties and most significantly a fractured hip. The statement read, "It is our feeling that the pain was simply unbearable and was the cause for his overuse of medication. We feel confident that this was, as the coroner found, an unfortunate accident."

2019 - Ted McKenna

Scottish drummer Ted McKenna died aged 68 of a hemorrhage during a routine operation for a hernia. He worked with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Rory Gallagher, The Michael Schenker Group and toured with Ian Gillan for a short period in 1990.

2020 - Robert Parker

American R&B singer and musician Robert Parker died age 89. He was best known for his 1966 hit, 'Barefootin'. He played with most of New Orleans’ musicians, including Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, and Huey “Piano” Smith.

Born Today In Music

January 19th

1935 - Johnny O'Keefe

Johnny O'Keefe, singer known as 'Australia's King of rock 'n' roll'. He co-wrote and had the 1958 Australian hit with, 'Real Wild Child', which was covered by Iggy Pop in 1986. Other hits included 'Shout!', 'Don't You Know Pretty Baby' and 'She's My Baby.' O'Keefe died on October 6th 1978.

1939 - Phil Everly

Phil Everly, singer, songwriter, The Everly Brothers, (1958 UK & US No.1 single 'All I Have To Do Is Dream' plus over 25 other Top 40 hits). Everly died on 3rd Jan 2014 aged 74 of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

1942 - Michael Crawford

Michael Crawford, UK actor, singer, (1987 UK No.7 single 'The Music Of The Night').

1943 - Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin, US singer, who had a 1971 U.S No.1 single with 'Me And Bobby McGee' and the 1971 U.S No.1 album 'Pearl'. Janis died on October 4th 1970 after an accidental heroin overdose. Joplin was cremated in the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Mortuary in Los Angeles; her ashes were scattered from a plane into the Pacific Ocean and along Stinson Beach.

1944 - Laurie London

Laurie London, actor, singer. At the age of 13 had the 1958 US No.1 & UK No. 12 single 'He's Got The Whole World In His Hands'.

1946 - Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton US singer, songwriter, actress, (1976 UK No.7 single 'Jolene', 1981 US No.1 single '9 to 5'). Parton wrote 'I Will Always Love You' which was a US Country No.1 for her in 1974 and became a UK & US No.1 for Whitney Houston in 1992.

1947 - Rod Evans

English singe Rod Evans who was an early member of Deep Purple who had the US No.14 single 'Hush' which was taken from the bands debut 1969 album Shades of Deep Purple.

1948 - Harvey Hinsley

Harvey Hinsley, Hot Chocolate, who had the 1975 US No.3 single 'You Sexy Thing' the 1977 UK No.1 single 'So You Win Again' and over 25 other Top 40 hits.

1949 - Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer, Britisih singer, songwriter, member of Vinegar Joe and solo artist. His first solo album the 1974 Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley was heavily influenced by the music of Little Feat and the funk fusion of the Meters who acted as backing band along with producer/guitarist Lowell George of Little Feat. He had the 1986 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'Addicted To Love'. He was also a member of the Power Station with former Chic drummer Tony Thompson, and Duran Duran members John Taylor and Andy Taylor. Palmer died on 26th Sept 2003 aged 54.

1950 - CP Lee

British musician, author, broadcaster and lecturer CP Lee. He was a member of the band Greasy Bear and became a linchpin of the punk rock explosion with Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias. In 1977 Lee wrote the "snuff-rock" musical Sleak. Lee died on 25 July 2020 age 70. 

1950 - Francis Buchholz

Francis Buchholz, from German rock band Scorpions. Their 1990 power ballad 'Wind Of Change' topped the European charts and was a No.4 hit in the US. The Scorpions hold the record for the best-selling single by a German artist and band.

1951 - Martha Davis

American rock and new wave singer-songwriter Martha Davis. With The Motels she scored the 1981 UK hit single 'Days Are OK'. 

1951 - Dewey Bunell

Dewey Bunell, America, (1972 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Horse With No Name').

1952 - Eric Leeds

Eric Leeds, American jazz and funk musician, saxophone and other woodwind and brass instruments. Best known for his work with Prince. Played on The Black Album, Lovesexy and Batman albums.

1953 - Michael Boddicker

Michael Boddicker American film composer and session musician. Played synthesizer on Michael Jackson's albums, Thriller, Bad and Dangerous.

1957 - Mickey Virtue

Mickey Virtue, keyboards, with UB40, who had the 1983 UK No.1 & 1988 US No.1 single 'Red Red Wine' and over 30 other top 40 hits.

1963 - Caron Wheeler

Caron Wheeler, vocals, Soul II Soul, (1989 UK No.1 single 'Back To Life').

1969 - Trey Lorenz

Trey Lorenz, US singer, sang on Mariah Carey's 1992 UK No.2 & US No 1 version of the Jackson Five hit 'I'll Be There'.

1978 - John Parker

John Parker, double bass, human beatbox, vocals, Nizlopi, (2005 UK No.1 single 'JCB Song').

1979 - Wiley

Richard Kylea Cowie Jr, MBE, better known by his stage name Wiley and in his early career Wiley Kat, English MC, rapper, and record producer. Often labelled the ‘Godfather of Grime’ he had the 2012 UK No.1 single 'Heatwave’.