What Happened Today In Music

March 22nd

1956 - Carl Perkins

While driving to New York for appearances on 'The Perry Como Show', and 'The Ed Sullivan Show', the car that Carl Perkins was traveling in was involved in an accident putting Perkins in hospital for several months. The singer received four broken ribs and a broken shoulder, his brother Jay was killed in the accident.

1965 - The Temptations

The Temptations released their second studio album Sing Smokey. As its name implies, it is composed entirely of songs written and produced by Smokey Robinson, and several other members of the Miracles as well. More importantly, it featured one of the well known Motown releases in its history 'My Girl'. 

1965 - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan released his fifth studio album Bringing It All Back Home. The album was the first of Dylan's albums to break into the US top 10, and it also topped the UK charts later that Spring. The lead-off track, 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' became Dylan's first single to chart in the US, peaking at No.39. The album's iconic cover, photographed by Daniel Kramer, features Sally Grossman, wife of Dylan's manager Albert Grossman, lounging in the background. The artefacts scattered around the room include vinyl LPs by The Impressions and Robert Johnson.

1974 - The Eagles

The Eagles released their third studio album On the Border the first Eagles album to feature guitarist Don Felder. Three singles were released from the album: 'Already Gone', 'James Dean' and 'Best of My Love'. A hidden message carved into the run out groove of some vinyl LPs reads: "He who hesitates is lunch". 

1975 - Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin were enjoying a six-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Physical Graffiti the group's fourth US No.1 album. On its first day of release in the US, the album shipped a million copies – no other album in the history of Atlantic records had generated so many sales. Physical Graffiti has now been certified 16 times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for US sales in excess of 16 million copies.

1975 - Bay City Rollers

The tartan teen sensations Bay City Rollers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Bye Bye Baby', the group's first of two UK No.1's. 

1978 - The Police

The Police signed to A&M Records. The band scored over 15 UK Top 40 hits with the label including the worldwide No.1 'Every Breath You Take.'

1980 - Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)' started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart. The track, which was the group’s only US chart topper, was also a No.1 in the UK, Germany, Australia, Italy and in many other countries around the world. Pink Floyd received a Grammy nomination for Best Performance by a Rock Duo or Group for the song, but lost to Bob Seger's 'Against The Wind.'

1980 - The Jam

The Jam had their first UK No.1 with their tenth release, 'Going Underground / Dreams Of Children' the first single of the 80s to debut at No.1.

1984 - Queen

Queen filmed the video for ‘I Want To Break Free’ at Limehouse Studio in London, England. Directed by David Mallet, it was a parody of the northern British soap opera Coronation Street with the band members dressed in drag. Guitarist Brian May later said the video ruined the band in America, and was initially banned by MTV in the US.

1986 - Mark Dinning

American singer Mark Dinning died from a heart attack aged 52. He scored the 1959 US No.1 hit 'Teen Angel'. The song which is about a girl and her boyfriend whose car stalled on a railroad track in the path of an oncoming train was initially banned by many radio stations that considered it too sad.

1992 - Tears For Fears

Polygram Records officially announced that Tears For Fears had split up, Roland Orzabal continued using the name Tears For Fears. During their career they scored 15 UK Top 40 singles and two US No.1's. Re-formed in 2004.

1994 - Dan Hartman

American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer Dan Hartman died aged 43 of a brain tumor in Westport, Connecticut. He was a member of the Edgar Winter Group and wrote the band's hit ‘Free Ride.’ As a solo artists he had the 1978 No.1 dance hit ‘Instant Replay,’ and wrote ‘Relight My Fire’ a UK No.1 for Take That and Lulu and also co-wrote The James Brown song 'Living in America.’ Hartman collaborated with Tina Turner, Dusty Springfield, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Tyler, Paul Young, Living In A Box, Holly Johnson and Steve Winwood.

1996 - Billy Williamson

American steel guitar player Billy Williamson died aged 71. He was a member of Bill Haley and His Saddlemen, and its successor group Bill Haley & His Comets, from 1949 to 1963. Williamson had the distinction of being the only Comet allowed to record lead vocal tracks during Haley's tenure at Decca Records (such as the song ‘Hide and Seek’ on their 1956 album, Rock and Roll Stage Show and ‘B.B. Betty’ on the 1958 Bill Haley's Chicks album.

1997 - Puff Daddy

Puff Daddy featuring Mase started a six week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Can't Nobody Hold Me Down', his first US No.1, a No.19 hit in the UK.

2001 - Earl T. Beal

American singer Earl T. Beal with The Silhouettes died. The doo wop/R&B groups single 'Get A Job' was a No.1 hit on the Billboard R&B singles chart and pop singles chart in 1958. The doo-wop revival group Sha Na Na derived their name from the song's lyrics. 'Get A Job' is included in the soundtracks of the film American Graffiti, Trading Places and Stand By Me. The Silhouettes performed in the 1986 movie Joey.

2004 - Elvis Presley

A new book claimed that Elvis Presley's ancestors came from a small village called Lonmay in the North East of Scotland. Author Allan Morrison said he'd found evidence that Elvis's great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was married in the village 300 years ago.

2005 - Rod Price

Rod Price, former member of Black Cat Bones and a founding member of Foghat died after falling down a stairway at his home after suffering a heart attack. The 57 year old English guitarist played on Foghat's highest charting US single 'Slow Ride' a hit in 1976.

2009 - Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Poker Face', her second UK chart topper and a No.1 hit in over 20 countries.

2016 - Phife Dawg

American rapper Phife Dawg died in Contra Costa County, California, due to complications relating to diabetes at the age of 45. He was a member of the group A Tribe Called Quest and was also known as the 'Five Foot Assassin' and 'The Five Footer' because he stood at 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m).

2016 - Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl leapt to the defence of a teenage heavy metal band from Cornwall, England, after their local council said they were too loud. The Black Leaves of Envy were told they would have to stop practising in a family garage after noise complaints from neighbours. Foo Fighters frontman Grohl penned an open letter to the authority after the band contacted him asking Cornwall Council to 'reconsider the restrictions'.

2019 - Brian Harvey

East 17 star Brian Harvey was taken to hospital and arrested after ‘threatening self-harm’ in a livestream video. Police were called to the star's East London home over concerns for his welfare and officers reportedly threatened to taser him in a tense stand-off. In a string of videos the singer spoke about his financial struggles, living on benefits and the government.

2020 - Julie Felix

American-born, British-based folk recording artist Julie Felix died age 81. She had two UK Singles Chart hits in 1970, the first of several on the RAK label, produced by Mickie Most. The first was with the song entitled "If I Could (El Cóndor Pasa)", while the second, "Heaven is Here", was written by Errol Brown and Tony Wilson of Hot Chocolate.

Born Today In Music

March 22nd

1936 - Roger Whittaker

Kenyan/British singer-songwriter and musician, Roger Whittaker who had the 1969 UK No.12 single 'Durham Town', and the 1975 UK No.2 & US No.19 single 'The Last Farewell'. He is best known for his baritone singing voice and trademark whistling ability.

1943 - George Benson

American musician, guitarist, and singer-songwriter George Benson. His album Breezin' was certified triple-platinum, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard album chart in 1976 and has since released over 30 albums.

1943 - Keith Relf

English musician Keith Relf, The Yardbirds who had the 1965 UK No.3 & US No.6 single 'For Your Love'. He also sang an early version of 'Dazed and Confused' in live Yardbirds concerts, a song later recorded by the band's successor group Led Zeppelin. Relf died aged 33 on May 14th 1976 when he was electrocuted in the basement of his home, while playing his improperly earthed (electrically grounded) guitar.

1947 - Harry Vanda

Australian musician, songwriter and record producer Harry Vanda, The Easybeats who had the 1966 UK No.6 & US No.16 single 'Friday On My Mind'. After the band broke up in 1969, Vanda and fellow member George Young embarked on a songwriting career that saw the pair produce dozens of hits. They became two of Australia's best-known songwriters, with Young's work including 'Love Is In The Air' and 'Yesterday's Hero' both hits for John Paul Young.

1947 - Patrick Olive

Patrick Olive, 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.

1948 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

English composer and impresario of musical theatre Andrew Lloyd Webber. He has composed 13 musicals and several of his songs have been widely recorded and were hits; 'All I Ask of You' from The Phantom of the Opera, 'I Don't Know How to Love Him' from Jesus Christ Superstar, 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina' from Evita, and 'Any Dream Will Do' from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Lloyd Webber was knighted in the 1992 Birthday Honours.

1948 - Randy Hobbs

Randy Hobbs, bass guitarist, Johnny Winter group, McCoys, (1965 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'Hang On Sloopy'). Hobbs died on August 5th 1993 from a drug overdose, aged 45.

1957 - Stephanie Mills

American Grammy award–winning singer, songwriter and Broadway stage actress Stephanie Mills, who had the 1980 UK No.4 & US No.6 single, 'Never Knew Love Like This Before'.

1958 - Pete Wylie

English singer/songwriter and guitarist Pete Wylie who with Wah! had the 1982 UK No.3 single 'Story Of The Blues'. He began his career in 1977 with lead vocalist Ian McCulloch (Echo & the Bunnymen) and bassist Julian Cope, (Teardrop Explodes) with whom he formed the band Crucial Three.

1963 - Susanne Sulley

Susanne Sulley, singer, The Human League. Formed in Sheffield, England in 1977 the group attained widespread commercial success with their third album Dare in 1981. The album contained four hit singles, including the UK/US No.1 hit 'Don't You Want Me'.

1968 - Mickey Dale

Mickey Dale, keyboards, from English alternative rock band Embrace, who had the 2006 UK No. 2 single ‘Natures Law’, the 2006 UK No.1 album This New Day and two other UK No.1 albums.

1970 - Andreas Johnson

Andreas Johnson, Swedish musician and songwriter who had the international 1999 hit single 'Glorious', which has been used in a number of advertisements from companies including Volvo, Nutella and Vauxhall.

1973 - Beverley Knight

Beverley Knight, MBE, English singer, radio presenter and musical theatre actress who released her debut album, The B-Funk, in 1995. Knight is widely labelled as one of Britain's greatest soul singers, and is best known for her hit singles ‘Greatest Day’, ‘Get Up!’, and ‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’.

1979 - Aaron North

Aaron North, American guitarist who was the co-founder and guitarist of punk band The Icarus Line who joined Nine Inch Nails in 2005. He formed Jubilee in late 2007 and co-founded Buddyhead with Travis Keller in 1998.

1980 - Shannon Bex

Shannon Bex, singer, with American girl group Danity Kane, (formed on the MTV reality show Making the Band 3). They became the first female group in Billboard history to debut their first two albums at the top of the charts.

1981 - Shawn Mims

American hip hop recording artist Shawn Mims who had the 2007 US No.1 single 'This Is Why I'm Hot'.

1986 - Amy Studt

English singer, songwriter Amy Studt, UK singer who had the 2003 UK No.4 single 'Misfit'.