What Happened Today In Music

October 19th

1961 - Helen Shapiro

Helen Shapiro was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Walkin' Back To Happiness.' The singers second and final UK No.1.

1966 - The Yardbirds

The Yardbirds arrived in New York for their first US tour with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on lead guitars. After two dates of the tour, Beck developed acute tonsillitis and quit the group. He would go on to form The Jeff Beck Group, that gave Rod Stewart his first major exposure.

1967 - The Sound Of Music

The soundtrack to The Sound Of Music was at No.1 on the UK album chart, spending its 132 week on the chart. The Beatleswere at No.2 with Sgt. Pepper and Scott Walker was at No.3 with 'Scott.'

1968 - Cream

On their farewell tour Cream appeared at The Forum in Los Angeles, California, where live recordings were made which were included on the 'Goodbye Cream' album which was released the following year.

1968 - Humble Pie

18 year old Peter Frampton meet Steve Marriott at a Small Facesshow in London. After striking up a friendship, the two started planning a new group which emerged as Humble Pie next April.

1973 - David Bowie

David Bowie released his seventh album Pin Ups. The album, which features supermodel Twiggy on the front cover, is a collection of cover versions of some of the singer’s favourite songs, including tracks by Pink Floyd, The Pretty Things, The Who, The Yardbirds and The Kinks.

1980 - AC/DC

AC/DC kicked off a 20-date UK tour at Bristol Colston Hall. The bands first gigs since the death of singer Bon Scott.

1985 - A-Ha

A-Ha went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Take On Me', making them the first Norwegian group to score a US No.1. The video for the song featured the band in a pencil-sketch animation method called rotoscoping, combined with live action which won six awards and was nominated for two others at the 1986 MTVVideo Music Awards.

1989 - Alan Murphy

Alan Murphy guitarist with English band Level 42 died of pneumonia related to aids. Murphy also worked with Kate Bush, Go West and Mike & the Mechanics.

1991 - Noel Gallagher

Oasis played The Boardwalk in their hometown Manchester, the group's first gig with Noel Gallagher in the group.

1995 - Don Cherry

African-American jazz trumpeter Don Cherry died of liver failure aged 58. Developed the genre of world fusion music, incorporating influences of Middle Eastern, traditional African, and Indian music into his playing. Is the stepfather to singer’s musicians Neneh Cherry and Eagle-Eye Cherry.

1997 - Glen Buxton

Original Alice Cooper band guitarist Glen Buxton died from pneumonia, aged 49. Born in Akron, Ohio, he attended High School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he met Dennis Dunaway and Vincent Furnier, later to call himself the titular Alice Cooper. Buxton co-wrote several classic Alice Cooper hits, including 'School's Out', 'I'm Eighteen' and 'Elected.'

1998 - Noel Gallagher

Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher made a surprise appearance at the launch party of the new London venue Sound Republic. He jammed onstage with Pete Townshend and members from Ocean Colour Scene and Boo Radleys.

2000 - Robbie Williams

A judge ruled that Robbie Williams had substantially copied lyrics on his song 'Jesus In A Camper Van' from the 1961 Woody Guthrie song 'I Am The Way' and also used parts of a parody by Loudon Wainwright III. EMI Records had offered 25% royalties but the publishers Ludlow Music were demanding 50%.

2005 - Music Industry

A survey concluded that the average person spent around £21,000 ($42,000) on music during their lives, the figure included the amount spent on Hi-Fi equipment, concerts and CDs. Music enthusiasts were likely to spend more than double that, parting with just over £44,000 ($89,000), in a lifetime, according to the survey conducted by UK company Prudential.

2007 - Johnny Marr

Johnny Marr was made a visiting professor of music at the University of Salford in Manchester. The former Smiths guitarist was set to deliver a series of workshops and masterclasses to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree.

2009 - Elvis Presley

A clump of hair believed to have been trimmed from Elvis Presley's head when he joined the US Army in 1958 sold for $15,000 (£9,200) at an auction in Chicago, America. Other items sold belonging to Presley included a shirt which sold for $52,000 (£32,000), a set of concert-used handkerchiefs, $732 (£450) and photos from the reception of Presley's 1967 wedding to Priscilla, sold for nearly $6,000 (£3,700).

2010 - Elton John

Elton John described today's songwriters as "pretty awful", Pop music as "uninspiring" and talent shows like American Idol as "boring" in an interview with UK Radio Times magazine.

2011 - Michael Jackson

At the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr Conrad Murray, Dr Steven Shafer testified that it would have been impossible for Michael Jackson to have self-administered a lethal dose of the sedative propofol. He later said of Dr Murray's delay in calling 911: "I almost don't know what to say. That is so completely and utterly inexcusable."

2011 - Coldplay

Coldplay released their fifth studio album 'Mylo Xyloto' which charted at No.1 in thirty-four countries. In the UK 'Mylo Xyloto' became Coldplay's fifth album to debut at No.1 and became the group's third to debut at No.1 on the US Billboard 200.

2014 - Raphael Ravenscroft

Raphael Ravenscroft who played the sax riff on the Gerry Rafferty hit 'Baker Street' died aged 60 of a suspected heart attack. He was only paid £27.50 for the 'Baker Street' session, and it has been reported that the cheque bounced and that it was kept on the wall of Ravenscroft's solicitors; by contrast the song is said to have earned Rafferty £80,000 a year in royalties.

2020 - Spencer Davis

Spencer Davis, one of the key figures of the 60s beat scene, died at the age of 81. The Welsh guitarist was the driving force behind The Spencer Davis Group, who scored transatlantic hits with 'Keep On Running' and 'Somebody Help Me'. The band, which also featured a teenage Stevie Winwood, toured with The Who and The Rolling Stones in the 60s.

2020 - Spencer Davis

Spencer Davis, one of the key figures of the 1960s beat scene, died at the age of 81. The Welsh guitarist was the driving force behind The Spencer Davis Group, who scored transatlantic hits with 'Keep On Running' and 'Somebody Help Me'. The band, which also featured a teenage Stevie Winwood, toured with The Who and The Rolling Stones in the 60s.

Born Today In Music

October 19th

1944 - George McCrae

George McCrae, (1974 UK & US No.1 single 'Rock Your Baby').

1944 - Peter Tosh

Peter Tosh, guitar, vocals, The Wailers, left in 1974, (1978 UK No.43 single 'You Gotta Walk, Don't Look Back'). Tosh was murdered by burglars at his home on 11th September 1987

1945 - Jeannie C Riley

Jeannie C Riley, singer, (1968 US No.1 & UK No.12 'Harper Valley PTA'. Jeannie won a Grammy for the best female country singer of 1968).

1946 - Keith Reid

Keith Reid, Procol Harum, 1967 UK No.1 & US No.5 single 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' (one of the few singles to have sold over 10 million copies) and scored the hits 'Homburg', 'Conquistador'.

1947 - Wilbert Hart

Wilbert Hart, singer from American R&B/soul vocal group The Delfonics who had the 1968 US No.4 single 'La-La Means I Love You', and the hits 'Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)', and 'Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)'.

1948 - Pat Simmons

Pat Simmons, guitarist, singer with The Doobie Brothers who had the 1979, US No.1 single 'What A Fool Believes' and the 1993 UK No.7 single 'Long Train Runnin'.

1956 - Nino DeFranco

Nino DeFranco, from family pop group The DeFranco Family, who scored the 1973 US No.3 single 'Heartbeat-It's A Lovebeat', the biggest selling US single of 1973. Based on The Osmonds, the group featured 10 year old Tony DeFranco.

1957 - Karl Wallinger

Karl Wallinger, keyboardist with The Waterboys, (1985 album 'This Is The Sea'). Wallinger quit the band in 1986. He went on to be singer and guitarist with World Party, (1993 UK No.19 single with ‘Is It Like Today’). The Wallinger penned song ‘She’s The One’ gave Robbie Williams a UK No.1 hit in 1999.

1960 - Daniel Woodgate

Daniel Woodgate, drummer from English ska band Madness. They have had 15 singles reach the UK top ten, hits include 'One Step Beyond', 'Baggy Trousers', 'Our House' and 'It Must Be Love'.

1960 - Jennifer Holliday

Jennifer Holliday, US singer, (1982 US No.22 & UK No.32 single 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going').

1966 - Sinitta

Sinitta, singer, (1986 UK No.2 single 'So Macho').

1972 - Pras

American rapper, record producer, songwriter Pras, who with The Fugees had the 1996 UK No.1 single 'Killing Me Softly'. Solo, hits include 'Getto Supastar, That's Is What You Are', with Ol' Dirty Bastard.

1976 - Pete Loeffler

Pete Loeffler lead guitarist and lead singer, Chevelle.