What Happened Today In Music

August 7th

2021 - Dennis Thomas

Dennis Thomas singer with Kool & The Gang died age 70. With Kool & The Gang he had the 1981 US No.1 & UK No.7 single 'Celebration', and the 1984 UK No.2 single 'Joanna' plus over 15 other Top 40 hits. 

2020 - Mark Wirtz

French pop music record producer, composer, singer, musician Mark Wirtz died from Pick's disease age 76. Wirtz is best known for the never-completed A Teenage Opera concept album, a project he devised while working under contract to EMI at Abbey Road Studios with Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick. The first single from the planned album, 'Excerpt from A Teenage Opera' by Keith West, was a No.2 hit on the UK Singles Chart in September 1967.

2014 - Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran was at No.1 on the UK album chart with his second studio album X. The album has been certified 10x platinum in the UK with sales of over 3 million copies, making it the third best-selling album of the 2010s and one of the best selling albums in the history of the UK.

2011 - Marshall Grant

Marshall Grant, who played bass for Johnny Cash in the Tennessee Two, from 1954 to 1980, passed away at the age of 83. After his time with The Man In Black, Grant managed The Statler Brothers until they retired in 2002 and later wrote an autobiography entitled "I Was There When It Happened".

2008 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley's peacock jumpsuit, was sold at auction for $300,000, making it the most expensive piece of Elvis memorabilia ever sold at an auction. The white outfit with a plunging V-neck and high collar featured a blue-and-gold peacock design, hand-embroidered on the front and back and along the pant legs.

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2007 - Lily Allen

Lily Allen had her US work visa cancelled after arriving at Los Angeles airport. The 22-year-old, who was due to tour America in September, had flown in for the MTV Video Music Awards launch. She was held at the airport for five hours in connection with an arrest for an alleged assault in London in June.

2007 - Pete Doherty

Pete Doherty was warned by a judge that he could face jail or a community order over drugs offences. In July, the 28-year-old Babyshambles frontman pleaded guilty to driving illegally while in possession of crack cocaine, heroin, ketamine and cannabis. The judge said: "What I have in mind is a community order or prison... if he does not show his motivation, it's prison - it's as simple as that." The singer volunteered to show the position of an implant in his stomach designed to help him give up drugs.

2005 - James Blunt

James Blunt was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘You're Beautiful’, Mariah Carey was at No.1 on the US charts with ‘We Belong Together’ and Axel F had ‘Crazy Frog’ at No.1 on the Australian singles charts.

2002 - Oasis

Three members of Oasis were injured when the taxi they were travelling in was involved in a crash during a US tour in Indianapolis. Noel Gallagher, Andy Bell and Jay Darlington were all taken to hospital and treated for cuts and bruises.

2001 - Larry Adler

Harmonica player Larry Adler died aged 87. Known for his original collaborations with George Gershwin, Kate Bush, Sting and Vaughan Williams and his own virtuoso performances.

1997 - Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks played to the largest crowd ever in New York's Central Park. An estimated 1 million people attended the live concert with an additional 14.6 million viewing live on HBO.

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1984 - Esther Phillips

American soul singer Esther Phillips died from liver and kidney failure in Carson, California in 1984, at the age of 48. (1975 hit single 'What A Difference A Day Makes').

1982 - Dexy's Midnight Runners

Dexy's Midnight Runners were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Come On Eileen' their second and last No.1. It was the Best-selling single of 1982 and the song won Best British Single at the 1983 Brit Awards. The "Eileen" as featured in the video is Máire Fahey, sister of Siobhan Fahey, former singer with Bananarama and Shakespears Sister. The American singer Johnnie Ray, mentioned in the opening lyrics, was also featured in the video using old film footage.

1982 - Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Mirage'. The bands third US No.1. album. 

1982 - Kids From Fame

'Kids From Fame' by The Kids From Fame started an eight week run at No.1 on the UK album chart. The American television series was originally produced between 1982 and 1987, based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts.

1980 - John Lennon

John Lennon began recording his final album, 'Double Fantasy' at The Hit Factory, in New York City. It would be released on November 17th by the newly-formed Geffen Records and would win the 1982 Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

1976 - Elton John

Elton John and Kiki Dee were at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart', giving Elton his sixth US No.1. It was written by Elton John with Bernie Taupin under the pseudonym "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche."

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1971 - Bee Gees

The Bee Gees started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart'. It was the group's tenth US hit and first No.1. The Bee Gees penned song was originally offered to Andy Williams, but ultimately the Bee Geesrecorded it themselves, it was also later covered by soul singer Al Green.

1970 - The Goose Lake International Music Festival

The Goose Lake International Music Festival was held in Leoni, Michigan. Over 200,000 fans attended the three day festival. Acts who appeared included, Jethro Tull, 10 Years After, Mountain, Chicago, Bob Seger, John Sebastian, James Gang, Stooges with Iggy Pop, Brownsville Station, MC5, Rod Stewart and Flying Burrito Brothers.

1965 - Peter Noone

Herman's Hermits went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I'm Henry VIII I Am'. The single was only released in the US. Singer Peter Noone once interviewed Elvis Presley for UK music paper New Musical Express.

1964 - The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones, Ronnie Scott, Tuby Hayes, Manfred Mann, Yardbirds and Mose Allison all appeared at the fourth Richmond Jazz Festival held over three days in Richmond, England.

1963 - The Beatles

This weeks UK Top 5 albums: No.5, Elvis Presley, 'It Happened At The World Fair', No.4, 'West Side Story', Soundtrack, No.3, Cliff Richard, 'Cliff's Hit Album', No.2, The Shadows, 'Greatest Hits', No.1, The Beatles, 'Please Please Me.'

1957 - The Quarry Men

The Quarry Men played at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, (without Paul McCartney who was away at Boy Scout summer camp). The Cavern was still a jazz club, but skiffle was tolerated, but when John Lennon dared to play ‘Hound Dog’ and ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, the club owner sent a note to the stage saying, "Cut out the bloody rock!"

1954 - Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash married Vivian Liberto at St Ann's Catholic Church in Memphis. Cash had plans of becoming a Memphis appliance salesman, he instead formed a band with Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant, and was signed to Sun Records a year later.

1954 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley appeared at the Eagles Nest in Memphis Tennessee, (the first of 12 shows at the venue in this year). The advertisement in the local paper read; ‘See and hear Elvis singing That’s All Right and The Blue Moon of Kentucky.’

Born Today In Music

August 7th

1966 - Kristin Hersh

American singer-songwriter, musician and author Kristin Hersh from Throwing Muses (with her stepsister Tanya Donelly) and 50FootWave.

1965 - Johnny Solinger

American singer-songwriter Johnny Solinger best known for being the lead vocalist of Skid Row from 1999 to 2015. He died on 26 June 2021 one month after he revealed that he was suffering from liver failure. He was 55 years old. 

1965 - Raul Malo

American singer, songwriter, guitarist Raul Malo who with The Mavericks had the 1998 UK No.4 single 'Dance The Night Away'.

1964 - Ian Dench

Ian Dench, guitarist 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.

1960 - Jacqui O'Sullivan

Jacqui O'Sullivan, singer who joined British female pop group Bananarama in 1988. She sang on the hits 'I Want You Back' and 'Nathan Jones'.

1958 - Bruce Dickinson

Bruce Dickinson, singer, songwriter, airline pilot, entrepreneur with English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, who had the 1982 UK No.1 album The Number Of The Beast, and the 1991 UK No.1 single 'Bring Your Daughter ...To The Slaughter'. Iron Maidenhave sold over 100 million copies of their albums worldwide.

1952 - Alexis Sayle

English stand-up comedian, actor, author Alexis Sayle who had the 1984 UK No.15 single 'Ullo John Got A New Motor'.

1951 - Pete Way

English hard rock and heavy metal bass player Pete Way. He was bassist for UFO and was also a founding member of Waysted and Fastway and notably played with Michael Schenker Group and Ozzy Osbourne. He died on 14 Aug 2020 age 69 following life-threatening injuries he had sustained in an accident two months earlier. 

1950 - Rodney Crowell

Rodney Crowell, country guitarist, songwriter, worked with Emmylou Harris, acts that covered his songs include Bob Seger, Willie Nelson & Carlene Carter.

1949 - Carlo Novi

Carlo Novi, from the Jersey Shore group Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes who had the 1978 album Hearts Of Stone and have released over ten other albums. He died on 12 March 2010. 

1945 - Kerry Chater

Kerry Chater, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap who had the 1968 UK No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Young Girl' as well as the hits 'Woman, Woman', 'Over You' and 'Lady Willpower.'

1942 - B.J. Thomas

B.J. Thomas, American singer. His 1966, album with The Triumphs I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry sold over one million copies. He is best known for his version of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David song 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head', which was featured in the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In 1975 he scored the US Country No.1 '(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.' He died age 78 on 21 May 2021. 

1936 - Charles Pope

Charles Pope, from the American vocal group The Tams who had the 1964 US hit 'What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)' and the 1971 UK No.1 single 'Hey Girl Don't Bother Me'. The group took their name from the Tam o'shanter hats they wore on stage. He died on 11 July 2013.

1931 - Luther Dixon

Luther Dixon, American songwriter, record producer, and singer. He began his professional career in 1954 with the Four Buddies, a doo-wop group. Dixon's songs achieved their greatest success in the 1950s and 1960s, and were recorded by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Jackson 5, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dusty Springfield and the Shirelles. He died on 22 October 2009 age 78. 

1928 - Herb Reed

Herb Reed, bass singer from American vocal group The Platters who had the 1959 UK & US No.1 single 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes'. The Platters were one of the first African-American groups to be accepted as a major chart group and were, for a period of time, the most successful vocal group in the world. Reed died aged 83 on June 4th 2012.

1925 - Felice Bryant

Felice Bryant, songwriter with her husband Boudleaux. Wrote Everly Brothers hits, 'All I Have To Do Is Dream', 'Bye Bye Love', 'Wake Up Little Susie' and 'Raining In My Heart' a hit for Buddy Holly. Felice died on April 22nd 2003.