What Happened Today In Music

August 10th

2016 - Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran was being sued in America over claims that his track 'Thinking Out Loud' rips off a Marvin Gaye song. The family of the man who co-wrote 'Let's Get It On' says it copies key parts of the track. Ed Townsend's relatives were asking for a jury to decide if they're owed damages.

2013 - Eydie Gorme

American singer Eydie Gorme remembered for her 1963, No.7 Billboard hit, 'Blame It On The Bossa Nova', died at the age of 84. She also reached the Hot 100 six other times between 1956 and 1964 and earned numerous awards, including a Grammy and an Emmy.

2008 - Katy Perry

American singer-songwriter Katy Perry went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Kissed A Girl'. The track was a worldwide hit topping the charts in over than 20 countries.

2008 - Isaac Hayes

US singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes died at his home in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 65. Police were called to his home after his wife found him unconscious. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Hayes won an Oscar for the 1971 hit Theme From Shaft as was also known as the voice of Chef from the hit cartoon show, South Park. He was married four times and had 12 children.

2007 - Anthony Wilson

Anthony Wilson the UK music mogul behind some of Manchester's most successful bands died aged 57 after suffering from kidney cancer. The TV presenter and entrepreneur founded Factory records, the label behind New Order and the Happy Mondays was also famous for setting up the Hacienda nightclub in Manchester, England.

2007 - Emma Bunton

Spice Girl Emma Bunton gave birth to a baby boy called Beau at London's private Portland Hospital. Bunton and her partner Jade Jones, a former member of defunct boy band Damage, had been together for eight years.

2005 - James Blunt

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

2002 - Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa Marie Presley married actor Nicolas Cage at a resort in Hawaii. The marriage was Presley's third. She was married previously to musician Danny Keough and pop star Michael Jackson. Cage filed for divorce four months later.

1999 - Paul Arthurs

It was announced that Oasis rhythm guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthur's had quit the band after finishing his guitar parts on the bands new album.

1993 - The Dave Matthews Band

The Dave Matthews Band played at The Flood Zone in Richmond, Virginia, the gig was recorded with some of tonight’s songs ending up on the bands first album ‘Remember Two Things.’

1992 - Def Leppard

Def Leppard kicked off the North American leg on their 248-date Seven Day Weekend world Tour at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

1987 - Wilson Pickett

Wilson Pickett was found guilty by a New Jersey court of possessing a shotgun with intent to endanger life following his involvement in a fist fight in a bar.

1985 - Bryan Adams

Canadian singer, guitarist Bryan Adams scored his first US No.1 album with 'Reckless.'

1985 - Dire Straits

'Money for Nothing' by Dire Straits peaked at No.4 on the UK singles chart. Notable for its groundbreaking music video and a cameo appearance by Sting singing the song's falsetto introduction and backing chorus, "I want my MTV" who also co-wrote the song with Mark Knopfler. The video was also the first to be aired on MTV Europe when the network started on 1 August 1987.

1985 - Simon Le Bon

Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran was air lifted to safety when his boat 'Drum' overturned while racing off the English coast. Le Bon was trapped under the hull with five other crew members for twenty minutes, until being rescued by the Royal Navy.

1976 - Elton John

Elton John played the first of ten sold out nights at Madison Sq. Gardens in New York City. The $1.25 million generated from the shows broke the record set by The Rolling Stones in 1975.

1972 - Paul McCartney

During their Wings Over Europe Tour, Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested in Sweden for possession of drugs. McCartney joked the arrest would “make good publicity” for the tour.

1970 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley played the first night of a four-week engagement, playing 2 shows most nights at The International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

1969 - Led Zeppelin

During a North American tour, Led Zeppelin appeared at the San Diego Sports Arena. Jethro Tull were the support act.

1968 - Tom Jones

Tom Jones went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Delilah'.

1964 - Beatles

The Beatles had four singles re-released in the US: ‘Do You Want To Know A Secret’, ‘Please, Please Me’, 'Love Me Do' and 'Twist And Shout.’

1964 - Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger was fined £32 in Liverpool for driving without insurance and breaking the speed limit. His solicitor explained that Jagger was on 'an errand of mercy', driving to see two fans injured in a car crash.

1963 - Stevie Wonder

13 year-old Little Stevie Wonder started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Fingertips part II', making him the youngest singer to top the charts.

1963 - Cliff Richard

The 100th edition of 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' was aired on UK TV, with Cliff Richard, The Shadows, The Searchers, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas and Alma Cogan.

1963 - Richmond Jazz Festival

Acker Bilk, Chris Barber, Ronnie Ross, Cyril Davies, Long John Baldry and The Rolling Stones all appeared at the third Richmond Jazz Festival held over two days in Richmond, England. A weekend ticket cost 20 shillings.

1961 - Helen Shapiro

Helen Shapiro was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'You Don't Know'. Aged 14, Shapiro became the youngest act ever to score a UK No.1.

1959 - The Platters

Four members of The Platters were arrested after a gig in Cincinnati after being found with four 19 year old women, (3 of them white), in various stages of undress. The scandal resulted in radio stations across the US removing Platters records from their playlists.

Born Today In Music

August 10th

1968 - Leigh Marklew

Leigh Marklew, bassist with English rock band Terrorvision who had the 1999 UK No.2 single 'Tequila'. Terrorvision were originally known as The Spoilt Bratz.

1968 - Michael Bivins

American singer, rapper and manager Michael Bivins, from American R&B group New Edition who had the 1983 UK No.1 single 'Candy Girl', and Bell Biv DeVoe who had the 1990 US No.3 single 'Do Me!'.

1962 - Julia Fordham

Julia Fordham, singer, songwriter, one time member of Mari Wilson's Wilsations and backing singer for Kim Wilde, (1988 UK No.27 single 'Happy Ever After').

1961 - Jon Farriss

Jon Farriss drummer, from Australian rock band INXS, who had the 1988 UK No.2 & US No.1 single 'Need You Tonight'. Their 1987 album Kick has sold over 10m copies in the US alone and features four Top 10 singles; 'Need You Tonight,' 'Devil Inside', 'New Sensation,' and 'Never Tear Us Apart.' INXS has sold over 55 million records worldwide.

1959 - Mark Price

Mark Price, drummer with All About Eve who had the 1988 UK No.10 single 'Martha's Harbour'. Also worked with The Cure and Right Said Fred.

1949 - Andy Cresswell-Davis

Andy Cresswell-Davis, The Korgis (1980 UK No.5 single 'Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime').

1948 - Peter Beckett

English musician Peter Beckett, best known as the lead singer and guitarist for 1970s soft rock group Player, which scored a US No. 1 hit in 1977 with 'Baby Come Back'. 

1948 - Patti Austin

American R&B, pop and jazz singer Patti Austin who had the 1983 US No.1 & UK No.11 single with James Ingram 'Baby Come To Me'. She and Michael Jackson performed a duet on It's the Falling in Love, which appeared on his album Off the Wall,

1947 - Ian Anderson

British musician, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ian Anderson, best known for his work as the lead vocalist, flautist and acoustic guitarist of British rock band Jethro Tull. Anderson has also owned several salmon farms in the UK.

1947 - Ronnie Spector

Ronnie Spector, singer, The Ronettes, (1963 US No.2 & UK No.4 single 'Be My Baby'). Married producer Phil Spector in 1968.

1946 - Mick Clarke

Mick Clarke, from English pop band The Rubettes who had the 1974 UK No.1 single 'Sugar Baby Love'.

1943 - James Griffin

American singer, guitarist and songwriter, James Griffin who with Bread had the 1970 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'Make It With You'. He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1970 as co-writer of 'For All We Know'. He died of complications from cancer on 11 January 2005. 

1940 - Bobby Hatfield

Bobby Hatfield, singer, The Righteous Brothers, (1965 UK & US No.1 single 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', 1990 UK No.1 single 'Unchained Melody', first released in 1965). He died on 5th November 2003.

1929 - Eddie Fisher

American singer and entertainer Eddie Fisher, singer, who had the 1953 UK No.1 single 'Outside Of Heaven', and 1955 US No.6 single 'Heart'. Fisher divorced his first wife, actress Debbie Reynolds, to marry Reynolds' best friend, actress Elizabeth Taylor. 

1928 - Jimmy Dean

Jimmy Dean, singer, (1961 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Big Bad John'. Went on to present a prime time variety show on US TV.

1909 - Leo Fender

Clarence Leonidas 'Leo' Fender, inventor and founder of the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company. The Fender Telecaster (1949) was the first mass-produced electric guitar; the Fender Stratocaster (1954) is among the world's most iconic electric guitars and the Fender Precision Bass (1951) set the standard for electric bass guitars. Fender died on 21st March 1991 having long suffered from Parkinson's disease.