TODAY IN HISTORY – JANUARY 19th
1939 - Born this day, Phil Everly, singer, The Everly Brothers, Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie, 1958 UK and US No.1 single All I Have To Do Is Dream, Bird Dog, Cathy’s Clown, and solo, When Will I Be Loved.
1942 - Born this day, Michael Crawford (Dumble-Smith), actor, singer, (The Phantom of the Opera, Some Mothers Do 'ave 'em, Condorman, Hello, Dolly!, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Knack).
1943 - Born this day, Janis Joplin, singer, songwriter, born in Port Arthur, Texas. Joined Big Brother & The Holding Company in 1965, (Piece of My Heart, How Hard It Is). Their 1968 US No.1 album had the title Dope, Sex and Cheap Thrills, was shortened by their record company to Cheap Thrills. She appeared at the 1967 three day Monterey Pop Festival alongside The Who, Jimi Hendrix, The Byrds, The Grateful Dead, Otis Redding and Buffalo Springfield. Janis also played The Royal Albert Hall, London in 1969 supported by Yes. 1971 US No.1 single Me And Bobby McGee, 1971 US No.1 album Pearl spent nine weeks in pole position. She formed the Kozmic Blues Band, then Full Tilt Boogie Band.
Janis was signed by Bob Dylan's manager Albert Grossman. Janis was arrested in Tampa, Florida during a 1969 gig for using vulgar and indecent language. In 1970 she bought a headstone for the grave of her greatest influence, Bessie Smith at the Mont Lawn Cemetery in Philadelphia. Janis was found dead on 4 October 1970 at the Landmark Hotel, Hollywood after an accidental heroin overdose. The 1979 film The Rose starring Bette Midler was based on the life of Janis Joplin.
1946 - Born this day, Dolly Parton, songwriter, singer, ACM Entertainer of the Year [1977], CMA Entertainer of the year [1978], (1976 UK No.7 single Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, Here You Come Again, 9-to-5, You’re the Only One, [w/Kenny Rogers]: Islands in the Stream; Grand Ol’ Opry member; actress: 9-to-5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias; owns Dollywood amusement park in Tennessee), wrote I Will Always Love You UK and US No.1 for Whitney Houston.
1949 - Born this day, Robert Palmer, singer, guitarist, (Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley, Hey Julia, 1996 UK No.5 single Addicted To Love, Every Kinda People, I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On, It Could Happen To You). Also Vinegar Joe.
1952 - Born this day, Dewey Bunnell, singer, musician, guitar, (group: America: A Horse with No Name, You Can Do Magic).
1963 - Born on this day, Caron Wheeler, vocals, Soul II Soul, (1989 UK No.1 single 'Back To Life').
1967 - The Monkees were at No.1 on the UK singles with 'I'm A Believer', the group's only UK No.1.
1967 - The Beatles began recording 'A Day In The Life' at Abbey Road studios London, recording four takes of the new song. According to Lennon, the inspiration for the first two verses was the death of Tara Browne, the 21-year-old heir to the Guinness fortune who had crashed his Lotus Elan on 18 December 1966 in Redcliffe Gardens, London
1970 - The soundtrack of the film, Easy Rider, the movie that made a star of Peter Fonda, became a gold record. It was the first pop-culture, film soundtrack to earn the gold award.
1971 - Tracks from The Beatles White Album (including 'Helter Skelter), were played in the courtroom at the Sharon Tate murder trial to find out if any songs could have influenced Charles Manson and his followers to commit murder. Actress Sharon Tate who was married to film director Roman Polanski, was eight and a half months pregnant when she was murdered in her home, along with four others, by followers of Charles Manson.
1976 - The Beatles turned down an offer of $30 million to play together again on the same stage. Rock promoter Bill Sargent still doesn’t understand why the group turned down his generous offer.
1978 - Johnny Rotten was fired from The Sex Pistols for 'not being weird enough anymore.'
1980 - 'Brass In Pocket' gave The Pretenders their first UK No.1 single. The bands self-titled debut album started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK chart also on this day.
1980 - Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' started a 15-week run at No.1 on the US album chart. The group’s third US No.1, it went on to sell over 23 million copies in the US alone. 'The Wall' is still the third largest grossing album in the US, behind Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller' and Eagles’ 'Greatest Hits'.
1988 - Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe manager Doc McGhee pleaded guilty to importing more than 40,000lb of marijuana into the US from Colombia via a shrimp boat. McGhee received a five-year suspended prison sentence, a fine of $15,000, and was ordered to set up an anti-drugs foundation.
1990 - Singer Mel Appleby died of Pneumonia aged 23 following treatment for spinal cancer. Had been one half of the duo Mel and Kim. Appleby initially worked as a glamour model, (in 1987 she did a photo shoot for Mayfair). Mel & Kim had the 1997 UK No.1 'Respectable'.
1991 - Janet Jackson went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Love Will Never Do', her 5th US No.1, a No.31 hit in the UK.
1993 - Fleetwood Mac reunited for Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration.
1998 - Died this day, Carl Perkins, a sharecropper's son who learned music on a guitar fashioned from a cigar box and broomstick, was a rockabilly pioneer, influencing the likes of Elvis Presley and the Beatles. He died aged 65 in his hometown and birthplace, Jackson, Tennessee, of complications resulting from a series of recent strokes. Perkins was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and wrote the definitive anthem of 50's cool, Blue Suede Shoes. His career took off in 1956, when he wrote and recorded the song after hearing a young man warn his prom date not to step on his fancy footwear.
1999 - Judge Lawrence Mira, who warned Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee eight months earlier that a slip-up could send him to prison for three years, set a hearing date after learning through news reports that Lee was allegedly drinking recently with bandmates in Florida. Lee was scheduled to go to court 4 February to answer allegations that he used alcohol, a violation of his probation for spousal abuse that could land him in prison. Lee served about four months in jail after he pleaded no contest to kicking his estranged wife, former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson Lee, while she held their son, Dylan, in February 1998. Judge Mira ordered Lee to stay away from alcohol and drugs. Lee also had to donate $5,000 to a battered women's shelter, stay at least 100 yards away from his estranged wife, attend anger management classes, and undergo random drug tests.
2003 - Norah Jones started a three week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Come Away With Me', also a UK No.1.
2006 - American soul singer, Wilson Pickett died in hospital near his Ashburn, Virginia home of a heart attack aged 64. Pickett recorded the soul classics ‘Mustang Sally’, ‘Everybody Needs Somebody to Love’ and ‘In The Midnight Hour’ plus Pickett scored 15 other US Top 40 singles.
2007 - Canadian singer songwriter and former Mamas and the Papas singer Denny Doherty died at the age of 66. He died at his home near Toronto, Canada after a short illness. The group scored the 1966 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Monday Monday.'
2008 - Singer songwriter John Stewart, who wrote the Monkees hit Daydream Believer died aged 68 after he suffered a massive stroke or brain aneurysm in San Diego. Stewart was a member of folk group The Kingston Trio and went on to record more than 45 solo albums with his biggest solo success being a US top five single, 'Gold', in 1979.
2013 – Elvis Costello plays “A Day on the Green” at Auckland’s Civic.
1939 - Born this day, Phil Everly, singer, The Everly Brothers, Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie, 1958 UK and US No.1 single All I Have To Do Is Dream, Bird Dog, Cathy’s Clown, and solo, When Will I Be Loved.
1942 - Born this day, Michael Crawford (Dumble-Smith), actor, singer, (The Phantom of the Opera, Some Mothers Do 'ave 'em, Condorman, Hello, Dolly!, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Knack).
1943 - Born this day, Janis Joplin, singer, songwriter, born in Port Arthur, Texas. Joined Big Brother & The Holding Company in 1965, (Piece of My Heart, How Hard It Is). Their 1968 US No.1 album had the title Dope, Sex and Cheap Thrills, was shortened by their record company to Cheap Thrills. She appeared at the 1967 three day Monterey Pop Festival alongside The Who, Jimi Hendrix, The Byrds, The Grateful Dead, Otis Redding and Buffalo Springfield. Janis also played The Royal Albert Hall, London in 1969 supported by Yes. 1971 US No.1 single Me And Bobby McGee, 1971 US No.1 album Pearl spent nine weeks in pole position. She formed the Kozmic Blues Band, then Full Tilt Boogie Band.
Janis was signed by Bob Dylan's manager Albert Grossman. Janis was arrested in Tampa, Florida during a 1969 gig for using vulgar and indecent language. In 1970 she bought a headstone for the grave of her greatest influence, Bessie Smith at the Mont Lawn Cemetery in Philadelphia. Janis was found dead on 4 October 1970 at the Landmark Hotel, Hollywood after an accidental heroin overdose. The 1979 film The Rose starring Bette Midler was based on the life of Janis Joplin.
1946 - Born this day, Dolly Parton, songwriter, singer, ACM Entertainer of the Year [1977], CMA Entertainer of the year [1978], (1976 UK No.7 single Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, Here You Come Again, 9-to-5, You’re the Only One, [w/Kenny Rogers]: Islands in the Stream; Grand Ol’ Opry member; actress: 9-to-5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias; owns Dollywood amusement park in Tennessee), wrote I Will Always Love You UK and US No.1 for Whitney Houston.
1949 - Born this day, Robert Palmer, singer, guitarist, (Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley, Hey Julia, 1996 UK No.5 single Addicted To Love, Every Kinda People, I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On, It Could Happen To You). Also Vinegar Joe.
1952 - Born this day, Dewey Bunnell, singer, musician, guitar, (group: America: A Horse with No Name, You Can Do Magic).
1963 - Born on this day, Caron Wheeler, vocals, Soul II Soul, (1989 UK No.1 single 'Back To Life').
1967 - The Monkees were at No.1 on the UK singles with 'I'm A Believer', the group's only UK No.1.
1967 - The Beatles began recording 'A Day In The Life' at Abbey Road studios London, recording four takes of the new song. According to Lennon, the inspiration for the first two verses was the death of Tara Browne, the 21-year-old heir to the Guinness fortune who had crashed his Lotus Elan on 18 December 1966 in Redcliffe Gardens, London
1970 - The soundtrack of the film, Easy Rider, the movie that made a star of Peter Fonda, became a gold record. It was the first pop-culture, film soundtrack to earn the gold award.
1971 - Tracks from The Beatles White Album (including 'Helter Skelter), were played in the courtroom at the Sharon Tate murder trial to find out if any songs could have influenced Charles Manson and his followers to commit murder. Actress Sharon Tate who was married to film director Roman Polanski, was eight and a half months pregnant when she was murdered in her home, along with four others, by followers of Charles Manson.
1976 - The Beatles turned down an offer of $30 million to play together again on the same stage. Rock promoter Bill Sargent still doesn’t understand why the group turned down his generous offer.
1978 - Johnny Rotten was fired from The Sex Pistols for 'not being weird enough anymore.'
1980 - 'Brass In Pocket' gave The Pretenders their first UK No.1 single. The bands self-titled debut album started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK chart also on this day.
1980 - Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' started a 15-week run at No.1 on the US album chart. The group’s third US No.1, it went on to sell over 23 million copies in the US alone. 'The Wall' is still the third largest grossing album in the US, behind Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller' and Eagles’ 'Greatest Hits'.
1988 - Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe manager Doc McGhee pleaded guilty to importing more than 40,000lb of marijuana into the US from Colombia via a shrimp boat. McGhee received a five-year suspended prison sentence, a fine of $15,000, and was ordered to set up an anti-drugs foundation.
1990 - Singer Mel Appleby died of Pneumonia aged 23 following treatment for spinal cancer. Had been one half of the duo Mel and Kim. Appleby initially worked as a glamour model, (in 1987 she did a photo shoot for Mayfair). Mel & Kim had the 1997 UK No.1 'Respectable'.
1991 - Janet Jackson went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Love Will Never Do', her 5th US No.1, a No.31 hit in the UK.
1993 - Fleetwood Mac reunited for Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration.
1998 - Died this day, Carl Perkins, a sharecropper's son who learned music on a guitar fashioned from a cigar box and broomstick, was a rockabilly pioneer, influencing the likes of Elvis Presley and the Beatles. He died aged 65 in his hometown and birthplace, Jackson, Tennessee, of complications resulting from a series of recent strokes. Perkins was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and wrote the definitive anthem of 50's cool, Blue Suede Shoes. His career took off in 1956, when he wrote and recorded the song after hearing a young man warn his prom date not to step on his fancy footwear.
1999 - Judge Lawrence Mira, who warned Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee eight months earlier that a slip-up could send him to prison for three years, set a hearing date after learning through news reports that Lee was allegedly drinking recently with bandmates in Florida. Lee was scheduled to go to court 4 February to answer allegations that he used alcohol, a violation of his probation for spousal abuse that could land him in prison. Lee served about four months in jail after he pleaded no contest to kicking his estranged wife, former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson Lee, while she held their son, Dylan, in February 1998. Judge Mira ordered Lee to stay away from alcohol and drugs. Lee also had to donate $5,000 to a battered women's shelter, stay at least 100 yards away from his estranged wife, attend anger management classes, and undergo random drug tests.
2003 - Norah Jones started a three week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Come Away With Me', also a UK No.1.
2006 - American soul singer, Wilson Pickett died in hospital near his Ashburn, Virginia home of a heart attack aged 64. Pickett recorded the soul classics ‘Mustang Sally’, ‘Everybody Needs Somebody to Love’ and ‘In The Midnight Hour’ plus Pickett scored 15 other US Top 40 singles.
2007 - Canadian singer songwriter and former Mamas and the Papas singer Denny Doherty died at the age of 66. He died at his home near Toronto, Canada after a short illness. The group scored the 1966 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Monday Monday.'
2008 - Singer songwriter John Stewart, who wrote the Monkees hit Daydream Believer died aged 68 after he suffered a massive stroke or brain aneurysm in San Diego. Stewart was a member of folk group The Kingston Trio and went on to record more than 45 solo albums with his biggest solo success being a US top five single, 'Gold', in 1979.
2013 – Elvis Costello plays “A Day on the Green” at Auckland’s Civic.