What Happened Today In Music

June 3rd

1953 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley graduated from J.C. Hulmes High School in Memphis; his graduation photo shows him to have a split curl in the middle of his forehead, later to become his trademark. He was the first member of his family to graduate high school.

1964 - Ringo Starr

During a photo session Ringo Starr was taken ill suffering from tonsillitis and pharyngitis, days before a world tour was about to start. After a last-minute phone call from George Martin, session drummer Jimmy Nichol rushed over to EMI Studios, where he and The Beatles ran through six songs from their tour repertoire in a quick rehearsal. Nichol replaced Ringo and became a Beatle for eleven days.

1967 - Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin went to No.1 on the US singles chart with her version of the Otis Redding hit 'Respect'. A No.10 hit on the UK chart. Aretha scored her first UK No.1 20 years later with a duet with George Michael 'I Knew You Were Waiting'.

1967 - The Doors

The Doors 'Light My Fire' was released in the US, where it went on to be No.1 on the singles chart two months later. When The Doors were booked to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show they were asked to change the line "girl, we couldn't get much higher", as the sponsors were uncomfortable with the possible reference to drug-taking. The band agreed to do so, and did a rehearsal using the amended lyrics; however, during the live performance, lead singer Jim Morrison sang the original lyric, after which they were informed they would never appear on the Ed Sullivan show again.

1968 - Andy Warhol

Valerie Solanas shot Andy Warhol and art critic and curator Mario Amaya at Warhol's studio in New York City. Solanas had been to see Warhol after asking for the return of a script which had apparently, been misplaced. Warhol was seriously wounded in the attack and barely survived.

1970 - Deep Purple

Deep Purple released their fourth studio album 'Deep Purple In Rock'. This was the first album to feature the classic Mk II lineup of - Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice.

1970 - Ray Davies

The Kinks Ray Davies was forced to make a 6,000 mile round trip from New York to London to record one word in a song. Davies had to change the word 'Coca- Cola' to 'Cherry Cola' on the bands forthcoming single 'Lola' due to an advertising ban at BBC Radio.

1972 - The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones kicked off their seventh North American tour at the Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, Canada. The 32 date tour grossed $4 million (£2.35 million), making it the richest rock tour in history.

1977 - Bob Marley & the Wailers

Bob Marley & the Wailers released Exodus. The album featured the hits, 'Jamming', 'Waiting In Vain', 'Three Little Birds' and 'One Love'. In 1999, Time magazine named Exodus the best album of the 20th century.

1983 - Jim Gordon

US session drummer Jim Gordon, murdered his mother by pounding her head with a hammer. A diagnosed schizophrenic, it was not until his trial in 1984 that he was properly diagnosed. Due to the fact that his attorney was unable to use the insanity defense, Gordon was sentenced to sixteen years-to-life in prison in 1984. A Grammy Award winner for co-writing Layla with Eric Clapton, Gordon worked with The Beach Boys, John Lennon, George Harrison Frank Zappa and many other artists.

1995 - Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman' Taken from the film 'Don Juan De Marco' it became Adams third US solo No.1, a No.4 hit in the UK.

2002 - Ozzy Osbourne

Paul McCartney, Sting, Elton John, Brian Wilson, Cliff Richard, Ozzy Osbourne, The Corrs, Will Young, Atomic Kitten and S Club 7 all appeared at The Queen's Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace, London.

2003 - Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow suffered a broken nose after he accidentally walked into a wall at his home in Palm Springs, California and knocked himself unconscious. Although he passed out for four hours, he didn't endure any lasting effects as doctors determined that surgery was not necessary.

2006 - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers were at No.1 on the UK and US album charts with Stadium Arcadium the bands ninth studio album.

2011 - Andrew Gold

American singer, songwriter Andrew Gold died in his sleep aged 59 from a heart attack. Had the 1977 US No.7 single 'Lonely Boy', 1978 UK No.5 single 'Never Let Her Slip Away' and as a member of Wax the 1987 UK No.12 single 'Bridge To Your Heart'.

2016 - Dave Swarbrick

English folk musician and singer-songwriter Dave Swarbrick died aged 75. His work for the group Fairport Convention from 1969 has been credited with leading them to produce their seminal album Liege & Lief (1969) which initiated the electric folk movement.

2019 - Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus was promoting her latest EP ‘She Is Coming’ with condoms. Fans who bought her $20 branded condoms would receive a digital download of her new music.

2019 - George Michael

Court paperwork showed that George Michael left all of his £98 million fortune to family and friends and left nothing to his former boyfriends Kenny Goss and Fadi Fawaz. George's sisters Yioda and Melanie were the main beneficiaries with them sharing equally all the major assets and his two London homes. There was also a horse racing stud farm for George's dad Kyriacos as the singer ensured his family were taken care of. 

Born Today In Music

June 3rd

1926 - Irwin Allen Ginsberg

in Newark, New Jersey, Irwin Allen Ginsberg. A leading figure in the Beat Generation, he first met Bob Dylan in 1963 and they remained life long friends. In 1971 Ginsberg and Dylan collaborated on a series of poetry readings set to music. Allen Ginsberg is one of the figures in the background for the iconic film promo of Bob Dylan card flipping the lyrics of Subterranean Homesick Blues. Ginsberg died of liver cancer on April 5th 1997 aged 70.

1936 - Eddie Willis

American soul musician Eddie Willis, who played electric guitar and occasional electric sitar for Motown's in-house studio band, The Funk Brothers, during the 1960s and early 1970s. He performed on many hits including ‘Please Mr. Postman’ by The Marvelettes, ‘The Way You Do the Things You Do’ by The Temptations, ‘You Keep Me Hanging On’ by The Supremes, and ‘I Was Made to Love Her’ by Stevie Wonder. Willis died on 20 August 2018 aged 82. 

1939 - Ian Hunter

English musician Ian Hunter, vocals, guitar with Mott The Hoople, who had the 1972 UK No.3 & US No.37 single 'All The Young Dudes' which was written for them by David Bowie. Other hits include, 'All the Way from Memphis' and 'Roll Away the Stone'. As a solo artist he had the 1975 UK No.14 single 'Once Bitten twice Shy' and later was one half of Hunter Ronson with Mick Ronson. He wrote the book Diary Of A Rock 'n' Roll Star.

1942 - Curtis Mayfield

American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer Curtis Mayfield. He was a member of The Impressions, who had the 1965 US No.7 single 'Lilies Of The Field'. As a solo artist the 1971 UK No.12 single 'Move On Up', and the 1972 US No.4 single 'Freddie's Dead, Theme From Superfly'. He died on December 26th 1999.

1943 - Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke, drummer, The Flying Burrito Brothers and The Byrds, who had the 1965 US & UK No.1 single 'Mr Tambourine Man'. Clarke died of liver failure on December 19th 1993.

1947 - Mickey Finn

English percussionist Mickey Finn, who with Tyrannosaurus Rex (on one album, A Beard of Stars) and T. Rex scored the 1971 UK No.1 single 'Hot Love', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles. Finn died from alcohol-related liver problems on January 11th 2002.

1947 - Dave Alexander

Dave Alexander, the original bassist for The Stooges. Alexander met Iggy Pop and formed The Stooges in 1967 and had a hand in arranging, composing and performing all of the songs that appeared on the band's first two albums, The Stooges and Fun House. He was fired from the band in August 1970 after showing up at a gig too drunk to play. He died from pneumonia on 10 February 1975 aged 27.

1950 - Florian Pilkington-Miksa

Florian Pilkington-Miksa English drummer who with Curved Air had the 1971 UK No.4 single 'Back Street Luv'. He also has also performed with Kiki Dee.

1950 - Suzi Quatro

American rock singer-songwriter Suzi Quatro, who had the 1973 UK No.1 single 'Can The Can', plus 10 other UK Top 40 singles, and the 1979 US No.4 single with Chris Norman, Stumblin' In'. Quatro was the first female bass player to become a major rock star, breaking a barrier to women's participation in rock music.

1951 - Deniece Williams

American singer–songwriter Deniece Williams, who had the 1978 US No.1 & UK No.3 single with Johnny Mathis 'Too Much Too Little Too Late', and the 1984 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Let's Hear It For The Boy'. Worked as a backing singer with Stevie Wonder's group Wonderlove.

1952 - Billy Powell

Billy Powell, American musician and a longtime keyboardist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2009. They had the 1974 US No. 8 single, 'Sweet Home Alabama', 1982 UK No.21 single 'Freebird'). Powell died at the age of 56 of a suspected heart attack in Florida on 28th Jan 2009. Powell called police saying he was having trouble breathing and emergency services tried to resuscitate the musician but he was pronounced dead an hour later.

1954 - Dan Hill

Canadian pop singer and songwriter Dan Hill who had the 1978 US No.3 & UK No. 13 single 'Sometimes When We Touch' and 'Can't We Try', a duet with Vonda Shepard.

1956 - Danny Wilde

Danny Wilde, singer, songwriter, from American pop rock duo The Rembrandts, who had the 1990 US Top 20 hit ‘Just the Way It Is, Baby’, and the 1995, UK No. 3 single ‘I’ll Be There For You’, Theme from Friends.

1961 - El Debarge

El Debarge, 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 - David Cole

David Cole, from American group C+C Music Factory who had the 1991 UK No.4 single 'Things That Make You Go Hmmm..., and the 1991 US No.1 single 'Gonna Make You Sweat'. Cole produced Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin. Cole died January 24th 1995.

1964 - Kerry King

Kerry King, guitarist with American thrash metal band Slayer who released the 1986 album 'Reign in Blood'.

1965 - Mike Gordon

Mike Gordon, bass, banjo, piano, harmonica and percussion, from American rock band Phish who are known for musical improvisation, extended jams, and blending of genres. Gordon is also an award-winning filmmaker.

1968 - Samantha Sprackling

Samantha Sprackling, singer with English alternative rock band Republica who had the 1997 UK No.7 single 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' and the single 'Ready to Go'.

1973 - Tonmi Lillman

Tonmi Lillman, Finnish musician, best known as Otus, the former drummer of the Finnish hard rock band Lordi.Lillman died on 13 February 2012 after a bout of illness.

1974 - Kelly Jones

Kelly Jones, vocals, guitar, from Welsh rock band, Stereophonics, who had the 2001 UK No.5 single 'Have A Nice Day'. Their 1999 UK No.1 album, Performance and Cocktails spent 97 weeks on the UK chart.

1985 - Pretty Ricky

Tavion La'Corey Mathis, singer from American R&B/hip hop group Pretty Ricky who scored the 2007 US No.1 album Late Night Special.