What Happened Today In Music

April 24th

2016 - Papa Wemba

Papa Wemba, the King of Rumba Rock died aged 66 during a show. The musician collapsed on stage in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, during the FEMUA urban music festival. He was one of the most popular musicians of his time in Africa and played an important role in world music.

2016 - Billy Paul

American soul singer Billy Paul died at his home in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township, New Jersey, from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81. He was best known for his 1972 hit 'Me and Mrs Jones', which won a Grammy award and reached No.1 in the US.

2012 - Sinead O'Connor

Sinead O’Connor cancelled the remaining dates of her world tour, saying she was still recovering from a "very serious breakdown". In a statement on her official website, she said she had scrapped all concerts this year due to her bipolar disorder. Her website was also now being deleted along with her Twitter account.

2007 - Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow said a ban on using too much toilet paper should be introduced to help the environment. The singer suggested using "only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required". Crowe made the comments on her website after touring the US on a biodiesel-powered bus to raise awareness about climate change. Crow had also designed a clothing line with what she called a "dining sleeve". The sleeve is detachable and can be replaced with another "dining sleeve" after the diner has used it to wipe his or her mouth.

2004 - Marion Suge Knight

Marion "Suge" Knight, the founder of Death Row records was released from Mule Creek State Prison in California after serving 10 months for breaking his parole on a 1997 assault. Knight was sent back to prison on 4 August for a second parole violation after he punched a parking attendant outside a Hollywood night-club in 2003.

2003 - Christina Aguilera

The first official UK download chart was compiled after the big five record companies - EMI, Warners, Sony, BMG and Universal combined for a Digital Download day. Over 150,000 computer users had downloaded 1.1m tracks. The Net Parade Top 3: No.3, Tatu, 'All The Things She Said', No, 2, Coldplay 'Clocks' and No.1 Christina Aguilera, 'Beautiful.'

2003 - Dixie Chicks

Dixie Chicks launched a publicity campaign to explain their position after the controversy of Natalie Maines' statement regading the Iraq war. During a prime-time interview with TV personality Diane Sawyer, Maines said she remained proud of her original statement. The band also appeared naked (with private parts strategically covered) on the current cover of Entertainment Weekly magazine, with slogans such as "Traitors", "Saddam's Angels", "Dixie Sluts", "Proud Americans", "Hero", "Free Speech", and "Brave" printed on their bodies. The slogans represented the labels (both positive and negative) that had been placed on them in the aftermath of Maines' statement.

1995 - Oasis

Oasis released 'Some Might Say' which went on to give the band their first UK No.1 single. The planned promo video for the song was cancelled due to Liam not turning up for the shoot. Instead, a makeshift video was created using footage from the 'Cigarettes & Alcohol', US 'Supersonic' and UK 'Whatever' videos.

1992 - David Bowie

David Bowie married Somali born supermodel and actress Iman in Switzerland. Iman first got married at the age of eighteen to a young Somali man, in 1977, she married American basketball player Spencer Haywood. 

1979 - Ray Charles

Ray Charles' 'Georgia On My Mind' was proclaimed the state song of Georgia. The music to the song was written in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael who also recorded a version of the song in New York in the same year. Ray Charles, a native of Georgia, recorded it in 1960 on the album The Genius Hits the Road.

1976 - Paul McCartney

Paul and Linda McCartney spent the evening with John Lennon at his New York Dakota apartment and watched Saturday Night Live on TV. Producer of the show Lorne Michaels made an offer on air asking The Beatles to turn up and play three songs live. Lennon and McCartney thought about taking a cab to the studio, but decided they were too tired. This was the last time Lennon and McCartney were together.

1975 - Peter Ham

Peter Ham, British singer, songwriter with Badfinger committed suicide by hanging himself in the garage of his Surrey home, aged 27. Ham co-wrote 'Without You', with band mate Tom Evans (who also later committed suicide). The song won an Ivor Novello award for Song Of The Year in 1973, and was a hit for Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey. Ham was a founder member of The Iveys, who became Badfinger, were signed to the Beatles' Apple label, their first hit 'Come And Get It' was written by Paul McCartney.

1972 - John Lennon

John Lennon's controversial single, 'Woman Is the N****r of the World' was released in the US. The song peaked at No.57, despite virtually every radio station in the country refusing to play it. Yoko Ono said the phrase during a magazine interview in 1967 and Lennon later explained that he was making a point that women deserved higher status in society.

1970 - Elton John

Elton John released his fourth single 'Border Song' the first single from his 1970 album Elton John. The appearance of 'Border Song on the Canadian charts was Elton John's first chart appearance in any country and was also John's first song to chart in the United States, peaking at No.92. 

1968 - David Bowie

The Beatles new company, Apple Records turned down the offer to sign new artist David Bowie. (Apple later signed Mary Hopkin, James Taylor, Badfinger and Billy Preston). 

1968 - Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was at No.1 in the UK with the single 'What A Wonderful World / Cabaret.' At 69 years of age, it made Armstrong the oldest act ever to score a UK No.1.

1965 - Wayne Fontana

Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Game Of Love', a No.2 hit in the UK. Wayne took his name from DJ Fontana the Elvis Presleydrummer. Eric Stewart guitarist in the Mindbenders went on join Hotlegs and 10CC.

1961 - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan appeared on Harry Belafonte's album 'The Midnight Special' playing harmonica on the title track. Dylan was paid a $50 session fee for this his first ever recording.

1961 - Del Shannon

Del Shannon started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Runaway', also a No.1 in the UK. Del was the first person to have a hit with a Beatles song in the US with his version of 'From Me To You.'

1959 - Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Paul Anka song 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore.' A No.1 hit six weeks after Holly's death.

1955 - Perez Prado

Perez Prado was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White'. Known as the 'King of the Mambo' the instrumental was the theme from the film 'Underwater' where Jane Russell can be seen dancing to 'Cherry Pink'.

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Born Today In Music

April 24th

1987 - Ben Howard

English singer-songwriter Ben Howard who won two BRIT Awards in 2013: British Breakthrough Act and British Solo Male Artist.

1982 - Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson, singer, who came to prominence after winning the first season of American Idol, and scored the 2002 US No.1 single 'A Moment Like This'.

1974 - Brian Marshall

Brian Marshall, bassist, from American rock band Creed, who had the 2001 US No.1 & UK No.13 single 'With Arms Wide Open' and the 2002 US No.1 album, Weathered.

1971 - Jas Mann

Jasbinder Mann (Jas Mann) musician, producer, 1996 UK No.1 single 'Spaceman', No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Spaceman', the fastest selling non-charity single ever. (420,000 copies in 6 days). The song was used as the backing for a Levi Jeans TV commercial.

1968 - Aaron Comess

Aaron Comess, drummer, with American rock band The Spin Doctors who had the 1993 UK No.3 & US No.7 single 'Two Princess' and the hit 'Little Miss Can't Be Wrong'.

1967 - Shannon Larkin

Shannon Larkin, drummer, with Ugly Kid Joe, Godsmack, who had the 2003, US No.1 album ‘Faceless’, and the 2006 US No.1 album ‘IV’.

1967 - Patty Schemel

Patty Schemel, with American alternative rock band Hole. The band has been noted for being one of the most commercially successful female-fronted rock bands of all time.

1964 - Paul Ryder

Paul Ryder, bassist with English alternative rock band Happy Mondays who had the 1990 UK No.5 single 'Step On' and the 1990 hit Kinky Afro'.

1963 - Billy Gould

Billy Gould, bassist from American rock band, Faith No More who had the 1993 UK No.3 and US No.4 hit single with their version of The Commodores 'I'm Easy'. They had the best-selling albums The Real Thing (1989) and Angel Dust (1992).

1960 - Paula Yates

Paula presenter on UK music TV show The Tube. Yates is the ex-wife of Sir Bob Geldofand was the girlfriend of INXS singer Michael Hutchence. Yates died on September 17th 2000.

1958 - Boris Williams

Boris Williams, drummer with English rock band The Cure who had the 1989 US No.2 single 'Love Song', the 1992 UK No.6 single 'Friday I'm In Love', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles.1957 - David Jay

David Jay from English post-punk band Bauhaus, who had the 1982 UK No.15 single with their version of the David Bowie song 'Ziggy Stardust'.

1954 - Jack Blades

Jack Blades, bassist with Night Ranger and Damn Yankees, 1990 album 'Damn Yankies.'

1951 - Nigel Harrison

English musician Nigel Harrison who bass player who spent several years as the bassist of the American rock band Blondie during the 1970s and 1980s.

1948 - Steve York

Steve York who with Manfred Mann had the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy' and the 1968 UK No.1 & US No.10 single 'Mighty Quinn'.

1947 - Ann Kelly

Ann Kelly, from American pop and soul trio The Hues Corporation, who scored the 1974, US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'Rock The Boat' which sold over 2 million copies.

1945 - Doug Clifford

Doug Clifford, drummer with Creedence Clearwater Revival who scored the 1969 US No.2 & UK No.1 single 'Bad Moon Rising', and the 1970 US & UK No.1 album Cosmo's Factory. The band has sold 26 million albums in the United States alone.

1942 - Barbra Streisand

American singer, songwriter, actress, and filmmaker Barbra Streisand who had the 1974 US No.1 single 'The Way We Were', and the 1980 UK & US No.1 single 'Woman In Love'. She is among a small group of entertainers who have been honored with an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. Films include, Funny Girl, The Owl and the Pussycat, The Way We Were, and A Star Is Born.