What Happened Today In Music

June 26th

1955 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley (with Scotty Moore and Bill Black) played the first of three nights at the Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. The local paper ran a preview which read; ‘A good looking youngster who has become a juke-box favorite with his That's Alright, Mama, and Blue Moon of Kentucky. Presley is expected to repeat some of his hit tunes at the Airmen's Club show in addition to mixing up a few country tunes with some "bop" and novelty numbers.’

1961 - Gary U.S. Bonds

Gary U.S. Bonds started a two-week run at No.1 on the US charts with 'Quarter To Three', a No.7 hit in the UK. Before Bonds recorded this, it was an instrumental by The Church Street Five called 'A Night With Daddy G.' Bond's manager added lyrics to it and had him record it. This is often covered by Bruce Springsteen who is a big fan. In 1981, Springsteen produced a successful comeback album for Bonds.

1964 - The Beatles

During a world tour, The Beatles played two shows at Town Hall, Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand. The flight from Auckland to Dunedin was tense due the receipt of an anonymous threat that a "germ bomb" had been placed on board the aircraft. 

1965 - Roger McGuinn

The Byrds went to No.1 on the US singles chart with their version of Bob Dylan's 'Mr Tambourine Man'. Only Roger McGuinn from the band played on the song, the drummer Hal Blaine who played on the track also played on 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'.

1966 - The Rolling Stones

During a North American tour, The Rolling Stones played two shows, a matinee show at The Coliseum in Washington DC and an evening show at The Baltimore Civic Centre in Maryland. The McCoys and The Standells were the support acts.

1972 - David Bowie

During sessions at Olympic Studios, London, England, David Bowie recorded 'John, I'm Only Dancing', with Mick Ronson on lead guitar and Lou Reed on rhythm guitar. The track which was released and became a hit single in the UK in September of this year was not released in America, being judged too risqué by RCA Records. The original video directed by Mick Rock, featuring androgynous dancers from Lindsay Kemp's mime troupe, was banned by British music show Top Of The Pops .

1973 - Keith Richards

Rolling Stone Keith Richards and his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg were arrested at their home in Chelsea, London on drugs and gun charges.

1974 - Cher

Cher divorced Sonny Bono after 10 years of marriage. Four days later, Cher married guitarist Gregg Allman, the couple split 10 days after that, got back together and split again. They did stay married for three years, producing Elijah Blue Allman.

1976 - Real Thing

TV talent show winners from Liverpool The Real Thing were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'You To Me Are Everything', the group's only No.1 hit. It was the first single by a Black British band to top the UK charts.

1977 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley made his last ever live stage appearance when he appeared at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. Presley would die less than two months later. The last two songs he performed were ‘Hurt’ and ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water.’ Before the show Elvis was presented with a plaque commemorating the 2 billionth record to come out of RCA’s pressing plant.

1982 - Charlene

American singer and One Hit Wonder Charlene was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I've Never Been To Me'. The song was recorded in 1976 and was reissued by Motown records in 1982 by which time Charlene had moved to England and was working in a sweet shop in Ilford, east London.

1988 - Bros

Bros were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Owe You Nothing'. It was the only No.1 for the Boy band comprising of twins Luke & Matt Goss and Craig Logan.

1993 - Gabrielle

Gabrielle started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Dreams'. The single entered the British charts at No.2 which was the highest chart entry for a debut act. Jamiroquai started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Emergency On Planet Earth'.

2000 - Britney Spears

Britney Spears hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana announced that a new museum, due to open early next year, would include a section including fan mail, platinum records and genuine items of the singers clothing.

2001 - Andrew Brown

The Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey caused uproar among theologians after rejecting an application from a rock star for a degree course on religious grounds. Former Cockney Rebel member Andrew Brown who was now a minister of the Unitarian church wanted to complete a MA in theology but Carey had rejected his application because Brown did not belong to a mainstream church.

2005 - The Rolling Stones

Tickets for a forthcoming Rolling Stones gig at the Hollywood Bowl were set to become the most expensive in rock 'n' roll history. Fans would have to pay up to £249 for a seat - £2 per minute to watch the Stones.

2008 - Celine Dion

Total Guitar magazine voted Celine Dion’s rendition of the AC/DC track ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ as the world's worst cover version ever. In the best cover versions list, Jimi Hendrixwas voted into first place with his version of the Bob Dylan song ‘All Along the Watchtower,’ The Beatles rendition of ‘Twist and Shout’, (first recorded by the Top Notes), was in second place, followed by the Guns N' Roses version of the Wings song ‘Live and Let Die’.

2012 - The Stone Roses

Hundreds of fans were set to miss The Stone Roses' reunion concerts in Manchester this weekend, after websites took their money, but failed to deliver tickets. Two sites, Aossatickets.com and theticketwebsite.net, who had sold tickets had since disappeared. Several major tours had been targeted by ticket fraudsters in recent years, with fans of Take That, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna and Michael Buble among those who found themselves out of pocket.

2016 - Prince

An electric guitar owned by Prince and a lock of David Bowie's hair sold at auction in the US for a total of more than $150,000 (£110,000). The Yellow Cloud guitar, said to be one of Prince's favourites, was bought for $137,500. Bowie's hair, which sold for $18,750, came from a former employee of Madame Tussauds in London who had used it to recreate the music icon's 1983 hairdo.

2017 - Dappy

Former N-Dubz rapper Dappy was given a suspended jail sentence for arming himself with a butcher's knife during a row with his partner. The star, whose real name is Costas Contostavlos, admitted having the knife outside the home he shared with Imani Campbell. He was given nine months in jail suspended for two years.

2020 - Tami Lynn

American soul singer Tami Lynn died. She scored a Top Ten hit on the UK Singles Chart in 1971 with "I'm Gonna Run Away From You”. She sang on all Dr. John's albums as well performing backing vocals on the Rolling Stones album Exile on Main St, and worked with Wilson Pickett, Sonny & Cher and Miles Davis. 

2021 - Johnny Solinger

American singer-songwriter Johnny Solinger died one month after he revealed that he was suffering from liver failure. He was 55 years old. He was best known for being the lead vocalist of Skid Row from 1999 to 2015. 

Born Today In Music

June 26th

1910 - Colonel Tom Parker

Dutch-born American manager Colonel Tom Parker, who became Elvis Presley's manager. Before working in the music business Parker ran a troupe of dancing chickens. His exceptionally high earnings have led some to question whether it came at the detriment of his client. He died on January 21st 1997 age 87 after he suffered a stroke.

1940 - Billy Davis Jr

American musician Billy Davis Jr, who had the 1977 US No.1 & UK No.7 single 'You Don't Have To Be A Star'. He is best known as a member of the 5th Dimension along with his wife, Marilyn McCoo.

1942 - Larry Taylor

Larry Taylor, bassist with American rock band Canned Heat. Two of their songs 'Going Up the Country' and 'On the Road Again' became international hits. He died on 19 August 2019 age 77. 

1943 - Georgie Fame

Georgie Fame, UK singer, keyboards, (1965 UK No.1 single 'Yeh Yeh'. 1968 UK No.1 single 'The Ballad Of Bonnie and Clyde').

1948 - Richard McCarken

Richard McCarken, bassist from Irish rock and blues band Taste who had the 1970 UK No.18 album 'On The Boards'. Its founder was songwriter and musician Rory Gallagher.

1950 - Junior Daye

Junior Daye, from British soul group Sweet Sensation who scored the 1974 UK No.1 and US No.14 single 'Sad Sweet Dreamer'.

1955 - Mick Jones

Mick Jones, guitarist, singer with The Clash, who had the 1979 UK No. 11 single London Calling and the 1982 US No. 8 single 'Rock The Casbah. Their 1991 UK No.1 single 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go', was first released 1982. And with Big Audio Dynamite had the 1986 UK No.11 single 'e=mc2'. Jones plays with Carbon/Silicon and also toured the world as part of the Gorillaz live band.

1955 - Ivan Julian

Ivan Julian, from American punk rock band Richard Hell And The Voidoids. Their 1977 album Blank Generation features the track 'Love Comes In Spurts'.

1956 - Chris Isaak

American rock musician and occasional actor Chris Isaak, who scored the 1990 UK No.10 & 1991 US No.6 single 'Wicked Game'. Film director David Lynch, has used his music in numerous films and gave him a large role in the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

1961 - Terri Nunn

Terri Nunn, singer from American new wave band Berlin, who scored the 1986 UK & US No.1 single 'Take My Breath Away' which was featured in the 1986 film Top Gun.

1963 - Harriet Wheeler

Harriet Wheeler, singer, songwriter with English alternative rock band The Sundays. Their first album, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, was released in 1990 and was a UK Top 5 hit along with the single 'Here's Where the Story Ends'.

1966 - Par Wiksten

Par Wiksten, guitar, vocals, with alternative Swedish rock band The Wannadies who had the 1996 UK No. 18 single, 'You And Me Song'.

1969 - Colin Greenwood

Colin Greenwood, bass, Radiohead. Their 1993 debut single 'Creep' was initially unsuccessful, but it became a worldwide hit several months after the release of their debut album, 'Pablo Honey'. Their 1997 album OK Computer appeared in many 1997 critics' lists and listener polls for best album of the year.

1969 - Mark Decloedt

Mark Decloedt drummer from British dance music/rock band EMF who had the 1990 UK No.3 & US No.1 single 'Unbelievable'. Their debut album, Schubert Dip, went to No.3 on the UK albums chart.

1972 - Lordi

Jussi Syd’nmaa, guitarist, Lordi. Became Finland's first ever Eurovision Song Contest winners after their song ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ won the contest held in Athens in 2006.

1973 - Gretchen Wilson

Female US country singer, Gretchen Wilson, who had the 2004 US country No.1 album 'Here For The Party', and the 2005 US No.1 album 'All Jacked Up'. 

1979 - Ryan Tedder

Ryan Tedder, US singer, songwriter with OneRepublic who had the 2013 UK No.1 hit 'Counting Stars'. As a songwriter and producer Tedder has worked with Madonna, U2, Adele, Beyoncé, Maroon 5, Ellie Goulding, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Lopez, Leona Lewis, One Direction, James Blunt, Taylor Swift, Gwen Stefani and many others.

1979 - Nathan Followill

Nathan Followill, drummer from American rock band Kings of Leon who had the 2007 UK No.1 album Because Of The Times, and the 2008 UK No.1 single ‘Sex on Fire’. The band has sold over 21 million albums worldwide and 38 million singles.

1993 - Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande, American singer, songwriter, and actress. Grande's second studio album, My Everything (2014), reached No.1 in the US, and contained the hit singles 'Problem' and 'Break Free'.