What Happened Today In Music

February 1st

1949 - RCA Records

RCA Records issued the first ever 45rpm single, the invention of this size record made jukeboxes possible.

1964 - The Beatles

The Beatles started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', the first US No.1 by a UK act since The Tornadoes 'Telstar' in 1962 and the first of three consecutive No.1's from the group.

1965 - James Brown

At the Arthur Smith Studios in Charlotte, North Carolina, James Brown recorded 'Papa's Got A Brand New Bag', which will reach No.8 on the Billboard Pop chart and No.1 on the R&B chart the following August and later win a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording.

1967 - The Beatles

At Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles started work on a new song 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. It wasn't until The Beatles had recorded the song that Paul McCartney had the idea to make the song the thematic pivot for their forthcoming album.

1967 - Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd spent the day recording parts for the Syd Barrettsongs 'Arnold Layne' and 'Candy And A Current Bun' at Sound Techniques Studios, Chelsea, London. Floyd also turned professional on this day after signing a deal with EMI Records.

1969 - Tommy James

Tommy James and the Shondells started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Crimson And Clover', the group's second and last No.1. Billy Idol had a 1987 US No.1 with 'Mony Mony' a No.3 hit for Tommy James in 1968.

1972 - Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry had his first UK No.1 single with a live recording of a song he'd been playing live for over 20 years 'My Ding-a-Ling'. UK public morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse attempted to have the song banned due to its innuendo-laden lyrics. The Average White Band members guitarist Onnie McIntyre and drummer Robbie McIntosh played on the single.

1975 - Neil Sedaka

Neil Sedaka had his second US No.1 single with 'Laughter In The Rain', over 12 years after his last chart topper 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do'.

1979 - Sex Pistols

Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious was released on bail after attacking Todd Smith, singer Patti Smith's brother, at a Skafish concert. John Lydon has since stated that Mick Jagger stepped in and paid for the lawyers for Vicious.

1980 - Blondie

Blondie released 'Call Me', the main theme song of the 1980 film American Gigolo. It peaked at No. 1 for six consecutive weeks, and became the top-selling single of the year in the United States in 1980.

1986 - Dick James

Music publisher Dick James died of a heart attack aged 65. Worked with many UK 60s acts including The Beatles. James signed Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin as unknown artists in 1967 and was the founder of the DJM record label.

1989 - Paul Robi

Paul Robi from The Platters died of cancer. UK & US No.1 single 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes'. Robi left The Platters in the early 60s being replaced by Nate Nelson from the Flamingos.

1992 - George Michael

George Michael and Elton John went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me', also a No.1 in the UK. All proceeds from the single went to Aids charities.

1995 - Richey James

Richey Edwards guitarist with the Manic Street Preachers vanished leaving no clues to his whereabouts. He left The Embassy Hotel in London at 7am, leaving behind his packed suitcase. His car was found on the Severn Bridge outside Bristol, England sixteen days later. Edwards has never been found, despite constant searching, and in November 2008 he was declared officially dead.

1999 - Julius Wechter

American musician and composer Julius Wechter died. He composed the song 'Spanish Flea' for Herb Alpert and was leader of The Baja Marimba Band. As a session musician he worked for the likes of The Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher and various Phil Spector productions. His vibraphone solo work is featured on the Beach Boys' acclaimed album, Pet Sounds ('Let's Go Away for Awhile'). He died of lung cancer a day after his song 'Spanish Flea' was used in the Simpsons episode Sunday, Cruddy Sunday.

1999 - Marilyn Manson

Four hundred people were injured at an Australian concert by Marilyn Manson when he stormed off stage after being bombarded with missiles and abuse at the show in Perth. One of Manson's guitar technicians needed treatment for cuts to his head.

2001 - Elton John

A collection of Sir Elton John's private photos on display at a museum in Atlanta were withdrawn. The exhibition, which included snaps of nude men, was said to be too explicit, some school trips to the museum had been cancelled.

2008 - The Beatles

US space agency Nasa announced that 'Across the Universe' by The Beatles was to become the first song ever to be beamed directly into space. The track would be transmitted through the Deep Space Network - a network of antennas - on the 40th anniversary of the song being recorded, being aimed at the North Star, Polaris, 431 light-years from Earth. In a message to NASA, Paul McCartney said the project was an "amazing" feat."Well done, Nasa," he added. "Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul."

2009 - Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Working on a Dream' his 16th studio album.

2012 - Soul Train

Don Cornelius, the host of US TV's Soul Train, (from 1971 until 1993), who helped break down racial barriers and broaden the reach of Black culture, died. Police officers responded to a report of a shooting at 12685 Mulholland Drive and found Cornelius with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was 75.

2013 - Cecil Womack

American singer, songwriter and record producer Cecil Womack died of unknown causes in Johannesburg, South Africa aged 65. He had success both as a songwriter and recording artist, notably with his wife Linda as Womack & Womack. In 1988, their single ‘Teardrops’, taken from their fourth album Conscience, became a major international hit selling over 10 million copies worldwide. His best-known song ‘Love T.K.O.’ has been recorded by many artists, including Teddy Pendergrass, Boz Scaggs, Bette Midler and Michael McDonald.

2013 - Coldplay

Coldplay's 'Clocks' topped a list by BBC Radio 6 Music's top 100 tracks of the past 10 years. More than 100,000 votes were cast in the poll which looked back over the 10 years since the station began in 2002. Arctic Monkeys' 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' was voted into second place, and Elbow's 'One Day Like This' in third.

2014 - Action on Hearing Loss

A new report found that about two-thirds of people were left with ringing in their ears after a night out at a club, gig or pub. Campaign group Action on Hearing Loss said the poll of 1,000 adults also showed a third would ignore the "safe level" on their music players.

2020 - Andy Gill

Andy Gill, the founding member and guitarist of British post-punk band Gang Of Four, died aged 64. The musician's scratchy, staccato riffs provided the band with their signature sound, and influenced the likes of Nirvana, Fugazi and Franz Ferdinand. He also produced albums for artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Stranglers, Michael Hutchence and Killing Joke. 

Born Today In Music

February 1st

1934 - Bob Shane

Bob Shane from The Kingston Trio who had the 1958 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'Tom Dooley' plus nine other US Top 40 hits. He died on January 26, 2020. 

1937 - Don Everly

American singer, songwriter Don Everly, from The Everly Brothers who had the 1958 UK & US No.1 single 'All I Have To Do Is Dream'. Other hits include: 'Wake Up Little Susie,' 'Bird Dog,' 'Cathy's Clown,' 'Walk Right Back' and 'Crying in the Rain'. The music of the Everly Brothers influenced The Beatles who based the vocal arrangement of 'Please Please Me' on 'Cathy's Clown.

1937 - Ray Sawyer

Ray Sawyer, singer, songwriter with American rock band Dr Hook who had the 1970s hits 'The Cover of Rolling Stone', 'A Little Bit More', 'When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman' and 'Sylvia's Mother'. Sawyer died on 31 December 2018 aged 81. 

1938 - Jimmy Carl Black

Jimmy Carl Black, drummer who worked with Frank Zappa on his 1970 UK No.9 album Hot Rats. Black died on 1st Nov 2008.

1939 - Joe Sample

Joe Sample, keyboards with The Crusaders who had the 1979 UK No.5 single 'Street Life'.

1947 - Normie Rowe

Normie Rowe, singer, biggest solo star of Australian pop in the Sixties, who in 1965 had the Australian No.1 single ‘Que Sera Sera’ which spent 11 weeks at the top of the charts.

1948 - Rick James

Rick James, US singer who scored the 1981 US No.3 album 'Street Songs', and the 1981 US No 16 single 'Super Freak part 1'. James was found dead at his Los Angeles home on 6th August 2004.

1950 - Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell, guitarist with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers who had the 1977 single 'American Girl', the 1989 UK No.28 single 'I Won't Back Down', and the 1991 UK No.3 album 'Into The Great Wide Open'. Campbell has also worked with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Fleetwood Mac, Roger McGuinn, Tracy Chapman, Warren Zevon, George Harrison and Stevie Nicks.

1957 - Dennis Brown

Dennis Brown, reggae singer, who had the 1979 UK No.14 single 'Money In My Pocket'. He died on July 1st 1999.

1968 - Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley. Also known as the "Princess of Rock and Roll." She married Michael Jackson in 1994, and separated on 10th December 1995. She was also married to actor Nicolas Cage. Lisa Marie had the UK No.16 single 'Lights Out'.

1969 - Patrick Wilson

Patrick Wilson, drummer with American alternative rock band Weezer who had the 1995 UK No.12 single, 'Buddy Holly'.

1971 - Ron Welty

Ron Welty, drummer from American punk rock band The Offspring, who had the 1999 UK No.1 single 'Pretty Fly, (For A White Guy)', and the 1999 US No.6 & UK No.10 album Americana.

1975 - Antoine Patton

Big Boi, (Antoine Patton), Outkast, US rapper who had the 2001 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Ms Jackson' and the 2004 US No.1 single 'Hey Ya'.

1985 - Shellback

Swedish songwriter, record producer and musician, Shellback who was listed as the No.1 producer of 2012 on Billboard magazine's year end chart. With songwriter Max Martin he has produced, written and/or co-written songs for Taylor Swift, Usher,Pink, Lily Allen, Carrie Underwood ,Adam Lambert, Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne, Adele and other artists.

1990 - Laura Marling

British folk singer-songwriter Laura Marling. She won the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards. Her sixth record, Semper Femina, was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Folk Album category. 

1994 - Harry Styles

Harry Styles from English-Irish pop boy band One Direction who formed after finishing third in the seventh series of The X Factorin 2010. Scored the 2011 UK No.1 single 'What Makes You Beautiful' and the 2013 No.1 'One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)'. Also had the UK Solo 2017 No.1 single 'Sign of the Times'.