What Happened Today In Music

August 22nd

2021 - Brian Travers

Brian Travers, British saxophonist with UB40, died from cancer age 62. With UB40 he had the 1983 UK No.1 & 1988 US No.1 single 'Red Red Wine' and over 30 other UK top 40 hits. 

2018 - Ed King

American musician Ed King died in his Nashville, Tennessee, home at 68 years of age. He was a guitarist for the psychedelic rock band Strawberry Alarm Clock and guitarist and bassist for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 to 1975 and again from 1987 to 1996.

2016 - Prince

It was reported that pills seized from the home of Princecontained the dangerously powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl but were mislabelled. Officials investigating the artist's death said the pills were labelled as hydrocodone, a weaker type of opioid. Autopsy results released in June revealed Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose.

2014 - John Lennon

John Lennon's killer, 59-year-old Mark David Chapman, was denied parole by New York State officials for the eighth time. In handing down their decision, the parole board said, "Your release would be incompatible with the welfare of society and would so deprecate the serious nature of the crime as to undermine respect for the law."

2011 - Jerry Leiber

Songwriter and producer Jerry Leiber died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 78 from cardio-pulmonary failure. With Mike Stoller he wrote many hits including: 'Hound Dog', 'Jailhouse Rock', 'King Creole', 'There Goes My Baby', 'Searchin', 'Yakety Yak', 'Stand By Me', 'Poison Ivy,' and 'Kansas City'.

2011 - Ashford and Simpson

Nicholas Ashford, one half of Ashford and Simpson died of complications from throat cancer, in New York. With his wife Valerie Simpson they had the 1979 US No.36 single 'Found A Cure', and 1985 UK No. 3 single 'Solid'. The pair wrote hits such as: 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough', 'You're All I Need To Get By', 'Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing', and 'Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)'.

2009 - Johnny Carter

Soul singer Johnny Carter, who was a member of doo-wop groups The Dells and The Flamingos, died aged 75. Carter who was famed for his falsetto vocals, was one of the few artists to be inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with two acts.

2007 - Darren Hayes

Former Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing a member of staff at a Thai restaurant in Soho, London. Hayes was released on bail pending further inquiries.

2005 - 50 Cent

50 Cent was suing a US car dealer for allegedly using his name in an advert without permission. Describing himself in the legal action as a "hugely successful" artist "known for his good looks, 'gangsta' image and hard knocks success story". The rapper was seeking more than $1m (£555,150) from Gary Barbera Enterprises for a Dodge Magnum advert with the line "Just Like 50 Says" alongside a photo of him.

2004 - Al Dvorin

Al Dvorin the announcer who popularised the phrase "Elvis has left the building" died in a car crash, on his way home from an Elvis Presley convention in California. Dvorin aged 81, was in a car driven by Elvis photographer Ed Bonja. Dvorin was never paid for recordings of his words, and was bitter towards the multimillion pound Elvis Presley Enterprises. In the early 1970s, Colonel Parker asked Dvorin to inform fans at a gig that Presley would not be appearing for an encore. He took the stage and announced: "Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building. Thank you and goodnight."

2003 - Elvis Presley

Kjell Henning Bjoernestad a Norwegian Elvis Presleyimpersonator set a world record by singing the rock 'n' roll legend's hits non-stop for over 26 hours. The previous record was set by British Elvis fan Gary Jay who sang for 25 hours 33 minutes and 30 seconds.

1999 - Geri Halliwell

Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell scored her first UK No.1 solo single with 'Mi Chico Latino' the second single from her debut solo album Schizophonic.

1992 - Sting

Sting and Trudie Styler held their wedding reception, (the couple married on 20th August 1992), after The Troggs had played a set, all three members of The Police got on stage and played a couple of numbers.

1987 - Madonna

Madonna went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Who's That Girl', her sixth US No.1 and also a No.1 in the UK. The track was from the soundtrack album of the motion picture of same name.

1979 - Led Zeppelin

In Through the Out Door was released in the US, Led Zeppelin's last album while all four members were alive. 'Fool in the Rain' was released as a single in the US. In Through The Out Door has now been certified 6 times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for US sales in excess of 6 million copies.

1978 - Sid Vicious

Sex Pistol Sid Vicious made his last live stage appearance when he appeared with Rat Scabies from The Damned, former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock and Nancy Spungen at London's Electric Ballroom. In the audience: Elvis Costello, Blondie, Joan Jett, The Slits and Captain Sensible.

1970 - David Gates

Bread went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Make It With You', the group's only No.1 hit, which was a No.5 in the UK. Many artists have covered the song including: The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, Dusty Springfield, Andy Williams, and Marc Cohn.

1970 - Creedance Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival started a nine-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with their fifth studio album Cosmo's Factory. The name of the album comes from the warehouse in Berkeley where the band rehearsed. Bandleader John Fogerty was so insistent on practicing (nearly every day) that drummer Doug "Cosmo" Clifford began referring to the place as "the factory".

1969 - The Beatles

The Beatles met at John Lennon's Tittenhurst Park home in England for their final ever photo session. Three shots from this session (by Ethan Russell) formed the front and back covers of the Capitol compilation album Hey Jude. Yoko Ono and a pregnant Linda McCartney (she was to give birth to daughter Mary six days later) appeared in some photographs with The Beatles.

1968 - Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr quit The Beatles during The White Album sessions when the constant bickering and tension became too much for him. The news of Ringo's departure was kept secret, and he rejoined the sessions on September 3rd. After Ringo walked out, the remaining Beatles recorded 'Back In the USSR', with Paul on drums and John playing bass.

1967 - Jimi Hendrix

The Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared on the UK BBC TV Simon Dee show. Kiki Dee and Cat Stevens were also guests on the show.

1966 - The Beatles

New York City teenagers Carol Hopkins and Susan Richmond climbed out onto the ledge on the second floor of a city hotel and threatened to jump unless they could get to meet The Beatles. Police talked then down.

1964 - The Supremes

The Supremes started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Where Did Our Love Go' the girl group's first No.1. Holland–Dozier–Holland had originally composed the song for The Marvelettes to record it who rejected the song. 

1963 - Billy J Kramer

Billy J Kramer And The Dakotas were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Bad To Me.' A song John Lennon wrote for them while on holiday in Spain with Brian Epstein. The track later became the first Lennon–McCartney composition to reach the US Top 40 for an artist other than The Beatles. 

1962 - The Beatles

The first TV appearance of The Beatles was recorded by Manchester based Granada TV, who filmed a lunchtime session at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, (the performance was shown on 17th October 1962).

1956 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley began working on his first movie, Love Me Tender. In the drama that was set during and just after the Civil War, Elvis played Clint Reno, the youngest of four brothers. The original title for the movie was The Reno Brothers, but was changed to take advantage of the 'Love Me Tender' song recorded for the film.

Born Today In Music

August 22nd

1995 - Dua Lipa

English singer, songwriter Dua Lipa. Her self-titled debut studio album released in 2017 produced seven singles, including the top-ten single Be the One and the No.1 single 'New Rules'.

1973 - Howie D

Howie D, Backstreet Boys, (1997 US No.2 single 'Quit playing Games With My Heart', 1999 UK No.1 single 'I Want It That Way').

1972 - Paul Doucette

Paul Doucette, Matchbox Twenty who rose to international fame with their debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You (1996), which was certified 12× Platinum in the United States and multi-platinum in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

1969 - Steve Cradock

Steve Cradock, guitarist with English rock band Ocean Colour Scene who formed in Moseley, Birmingham in 1989. They scored the 1996 UK No.4 single 'The Day We Caught The Train', plus over 12 other Top 40 singles and the 1997 UK No.1 album Marchin’ Already. Also a member of Paul Weller's Band.

1967 - Layne Staley

American musician Layne Staley lead vocalist of Alice in Chains. Staley was also a member of the supergroups Mad Season and Class of '99. He was found dead from a mixture of heroin and cocaine in his home on 5 April 2002.

1963 - James Debarge

James Debarge, Debarge, (1985 UK No.4 single 'Rhythm Of The Night').

1963 - Tori Amos

American singer-songwriter and pianist Tori Amos who had the 1994 UK No.4 single 'Cornflake Girl'. Amos won a full scholarship to the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University at the age of five, the youngest person ever to have been admitted. She was expelled at the age of 11 for "musical insubordination". Her 1996 hit 'Professional Widow' is widely rumoured to be about Courtney Love. 

1961 - Debbie Peterson

Debbie Peterson, drums, The Bangles, who had the 1986 UK No.2 single with the Prince song, 'Manic Monday' and the 1986 US No.1 single 'Walk Like An Egyptian'.

1961 - Roland Orzabal

English musician, singer-songwriter, Roland Orzabal, from Tears For Fears, who scored the 1985 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World', plus over 12 other UK top 40 singles. Their second album, Songs from the Big Chair, released in 1985, reached No.1 on the US Billboard 200.

1958 - Ian Mitchell

Ian Mitchell of the 1970s pop group, Bay City Rollers who had the 1975 UK No.1 single 'Bye Bye Baby' plus 11 other UK Top 20 singles' and the 1976 US No.1 single 'Saturday Night'.

1958 - Vernon Reid

Vernon Reid, Living Colour, (1991 UK No.12 single 'Love Rears It's Ugly Head').

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1956 - Chris Biondo

Chris Biondo, guitarist, producer with Eva Cassidy. (Only artist to score three posthumous UK No.1 albums, 2001 'Songbird', 2002 'Imagine', 2003 'American Tune'. 2001 UK No. 42 single 'Over The Rainbow').

1947 - Donna Godchaux

American singer Donna Godchaux, best known for having been a member of Grateful Dead from 1972 until 1979. She had worked as a session singer in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, eventually singing with a group called Southern Comfort. She appeared as a backup singer on at least two No.1 hit songs: 'When a Man Loves a Woman' by Percy Sledge in 1966 and 'Suspicious Minds' by Elvis Presley in 1969. Her vocals were featured on other classic recordings by Boz Scaggs, Duane Allman, Cher, Joe Tex, Neil Diamond and many others.

1946 - Mutha Withem

Mutha Withem, 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.'

1945 - Ron Dante

Ron Dante, singer, songwriter, The Archies, (1969 US & UK No.1 single 'Sugar Sugar') and The Cufflinks, (1969 UK No.4 single 'Tracy').

1939 - Fred Milano

Fred Milano, Dion and the Belmonts, (1961 US No.1 & UK No.11 single 'Runaround Sue').

1936 - Dale Hawkins

American rock singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist Dale Hawkins best known for his recording of his swamp-rock classic, 'Susie Q.' Hawkins later became a record producer and executive. He died aged 73 on 13 February 2010.

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1917 - John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker, American Blues singer, guitarist who had the 1951 US million selling album I'm In The Mood, and the 1964 UK hit single 'Dimples'. Several of his later albums, including The Healer (1989), Mr. Lucky (1991), Chill Out (1995), and Don't Look Back (1997), were album chart successes. Hooker died on 21st June 2001.