What Happened Today In Music

March 10th

1956 - Elvis Presley

RCA Records placed a half page advert in Billboard Magazine claiming that Elvis Presley was 'the new singing rage.'

1958 - Simon and Garfunkel

Big Records released 'Our Song' by a teenage duo from Queens, New York, Tom and Jerry. The duo will become famous in the '60s under their real names, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

1960 - Cliff Richard

UK trade paper Record Retailer published the UK's first ever EP (extended player) chart and LP chart. No. 1 EP was 'Expresso Bongo' by Cliff Richard & The Shadows and No.1 LP 'The Explosive Freddy Cannon.'

1962 - Bruce Channel

Bruce Channel started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Hey! Baby'. The song features a prominent riff from harmonica player Delbert McClinton, who while touring the UK in 1962 with The Beatles, McClinton met John Lennon and gave him some harmonica tips. Lennon put the lessons to use right away on ‘Love Me Do’.

1964 - Simon and Art Garfunkel

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel recorded 'The Sounds Of Silence' as an acoustic duo. It wasn't until record company producers added electric guitar, bass and drums, without the knowledge of Paul and Art, that the song would become a hit in late 1965.

1977 - Sex Pistols

At 7am in the morning on a trestle table set up out-side Buckingham Palace, London, the Sex Pistols signed to A&M Records, (the real signing had taken place the day before). An after party was held at the offices of A&M records following the signing where the group set about reeking unforeseen havoc on the posh building, with Sid Vicious smashing a toilet and cutting his foot, trailing blood everywhere he went, while Rotten cursed and threatened every upscale executive in sight and guitarist Steve Jones getting it on with an unnamed fan in the restrooms.The contract lasted for six days.

1979 - Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Gaynor started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Will Survive', also a No.1 in the UK. The song was originally released as the B-side to a song first recorded by The Righteous Brothers called 'Substitute.'

1988 - Andy Gibb

Younger brother of The Bee Gees, Andy Gibb died in hospital. His death from myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) followed a long battle with cocaine addiction, which had weakened his heart.

1995 - Stone Roses

Former Stone Roses' manager Gareth Evans' £10 million ($17 million) lawsuit with the band was settled out of court over alleged wrongful dismissal for an undisclosed sum.

1996 - Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette won Best Album for Jagged Little Pill, Best Female singer, Best Rock Album, Best songwriter and best single at the 25th Juno Awards held in Hamilton, Canada.

1997 - Lavern Baker

American rhythm and blues singer Lavern Baker died from coronary complications aged 57. Had the 1958 US No.6 single 'I Cried A Tear.'

2000 - Chrissie Hynde

Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde was arrested for leading an animal rights protest against the clothing firm Gap, who were accused of using leather from cows slaughtered 'illegally and cruelly'. The protest took place in a store in Manhattan.

2003 - Dixie Chicks

During a concert in London, England, Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines said that the band was "ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas" (referring to Maines' hometown of Lubbock and President Bush hailing from the same state). This was during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, the comment sparked intense controversy and outrage among Americans, including a large share of country music fans.

2005 - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson arrived in a Santa Barbara court an hour late dressed in his pyjamas after being treated for a back injury. Jackson was attending the Santa Moria court for his child abuse trial.

2005 - Robbie Williams

A survey carried out by Music Choice concluded that 'Angels' by Robbie Williams was the song Britons would most like played at their funeral. Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' was second and Monty Python's 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' was voted into third place.

2009 - Paul McCartney

Tickets for a one-off gig by Sir Paul McCartney in Las Vegas sold out seven seconds after going on sale. The former Beatle was booked to perform at the opening of the New Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on 19 April 2009 in-front of 4,000 fans. Tickets cost $750 each.

2010 - Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd won a court battle with EMI that prevented the record company from selling single downloads and ringtones on the Internet from the group's albums. Pink Floyd's back catalogue was second only in sales to The Beatles.

2017 - Joni Sledge

American singer–songwriter, actress and producer Joni Sledge died from natural causes age 60. She was best known as a founding member of Sister Sledge, who were best known for their hits 'We Are Family' and 'He's The Greatest Dancer'.

2019 - Asa Brebner

American guitarist, singer, and songwriter Asa Brebner died age 65. He was a member of The Modern Lovers led by Jonathan Richman. They are best know for their 1976 hit ‘Roadrunner’ which Rolling Stone ranked it Number 274 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Born Today In Music

March 10th

1940 - Dean Torrence

Dean Torrence, who with Jan and Dean had the 1963 US No.1 & UK No.26, single 'Surf City', co written by The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson). Jan and Dean were pioneers of the California Sound and vocal surf music styles. Other hits include, Subsequent top 10 hits included 'Drag City' , 'Dead Man's Curve' and 'The Little Old Lady from Pasadena.'

1945 - Pete Nelson

Pete Nelson, from English pop group The Flowerpot Men who had the 1967 UK No.4 single 'Let's Go To San Francisco'.

1947 - Tom Scholz

Tom Scholz, guitar, keyboards, Boston, (1977 UK No.23 single 'More Than A Feeling', 1986 US No.1 single 'Amanda'). Boston have sold more than 75 million records worldwide, including 31 million albums in the United States, of which 17 million were from their self-titled debut album and seven million were for their second album, Don't Look Back, making them one of the world's best-selling artists.

1950 - Ted McKenna

Scottish drummer, Ted McKenna who has played with bands Tear Gas, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Rory Gallagher, The Sensational Party Boys and The Michael Schenker Group. He also toured with Ian Gillan for a short period in 1990. McKenna died on 19 January 2019 at the age of 68, of a hemorrhage during a routine operation for a hernia. 

1954 - Tina Charles

Tina Charles, (1976 UK No.1 single 'I Love to Love, But My Baby Loves to Dance').

1955 - Bunny Debarge

Bunny DeBarge singer from American family group DeBarge who had the 1983 US No.17 single 'All This Love', and the 1985 UK No.4 single 'Rhythm Of The Night'.

1962 - Gary Clark

Gary Clark, guitarist from Scottish pop group Danny Wilson who had the 1988 UK No.3 single 'Mary's Prayer'. Clark become a successful songwriter for other artists including Natalie Imbruglia, Liz Phair, k.d. lang and former Spice Girls Melanie C and Emma Bunton.

1963 - Jay "Rick" Rubin

Jay "Rick" Rubin, American record producer and former co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin is the founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings. 

1963 - Jeff Ament

Jeff Ament, bassist for Pearl Jam who had the 1992 single 'Jeremy', have scored 5 US No.1 albums and have sold more than 85 million albums worldwide. One of the key bands in the grunge movement of the early 1990s they are considered one of the most influential bands of the decade. 

1964 - Neneh Cherry

Neneh Cherry, singer, songwriter, (1988 UK & US No.3 single with 'Buffalo Stance' and a 1994 UK No.3 single with '7 Seconds' with Youssou N'dour).

1964 - Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane, Hue and Cry, (1987 UK No.6 single 'Labour Of Love').

1966 - Dave Krusen

American drummer Dave Krusen best known for being the original drummer for Pearl Jam. Krusen was also a member of the bands Hovercraft, Unified Theory and Candlebox.

1966 - Edie Brickell

Edie Brickell, US singer, (1989 UK No.31 single with the New Bohemians, 'What I Am', also a 1999 hit for Spice Girl Emma Bunton. Edie married Paul Simon in 1992.

1967 - Susie Q

Susie Q, (Susie Banfield), from English rap duo Cookie Crew who had the 1988 UK No.5 single 'Rok Da House'.

1971 - Timbaland

Timothy Z. Mosley (Timbaland), R&B producer and rapper. With partner Magoo, he is a member of hip-hop duo Timbaland & Magoo. Produced hits for Nelly Furtado, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Utada Hikaru, Ludacris and The Pussycat Dolls.

1973 - John Charles LeCompt

John Charles LeCompt, guitar, with American rock band Evanescence who had the 2003 UK No.1 & US No.5 single ‘Bring Me To Life’, and the 2003 UK No.1 & US No.3 album Fallen.

1977 - Robin Thicke

Robin Thicke, singer-songwriter, record producer, actor and musician. His mother is American actress-singer Gloria Loring, who appeared on US daytime drama Days of Our Lives, and his father was Canadian actor Alan Thicke, who was known for his role on the TV sitcom Growing Pains. In the US, 'Blurred Lines' topped the Billboard Hot 100 for twelve consecutive weeks, becoming the longest running No.1 single of 2013 and of the 2010s decade. The song peaked at No.1 in 25 countries. Thicke has also written hits for Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Mary J. Blige. 

1983 - Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood, American pop country music singer, winner of the fourth season of American Idol. Her debut album 'Some Hearts' is the fastest selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history. In 2010, when Carrie garnered her second win as ACM Entertainer of the Year, she became the first female artist to win the award twice, and only the 7th female to take the award in the 40-year history of the ACM category, among Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, and the Dixie Chicks.

1987 - Emeli Sandé

Emeli Sandé, Scottish singer, songwriter. Sandé has three UK No.1 singles with 'Read All About It' with Professor Green, 'Next to Me' and 'Beneath Your Beautiful'.