TODAY IN HISTORY – JULY 3RD
1955 - Bill Haley's Rock Around The Clock reached No.1 on the Billboard charts and the rock era began in earnest.
1952 - Born this day, Laura Branigan, singer, 1983 UK No.6 single Gloria, 1984 US No.4 and 1984 UK No.5 single Self Control.
1960 - Born this day, Vince Clarke, in England, songwriter, keyboardist, (Depeche Mode: New Life, 1981 UK No.8 single Just Can't Get Enough, See you, The meaning of love, Leave in silence, Get the balance right, Everything count, People are people, Master and servant, Enjoy the silence; Yazoo: Don't go, The other side of love, Nobody's diary, Situation, 1982 UK No.2 single Only You; Erasure: 1992 UK No.1 single Abba-Esque EP, Who needs love like that, It doesn't have to be, A little respect).
1962 - Born on this day, Taylor Dayne, US singer, (Leslie Wundermann), 1988 UK No.3 single 'Tell It To My Heart', 1990 US No.1 single 'Love Will Lead You Back'.
1968 - The Equals were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Baby Come Back'. The group's only UK No.1. The song was first released in 1966 but did not chart. The song was covered by and became a No.1 hit for Pato Banton in 1994, (with Robin and Ali Campbell of UB40).
1969 - Brian Jones drowned while under the influence of drugs and alcohol after taking a midnight swim in his pool, aged 27. His body was found at the bottom of the pool by his Swedish girlfriend Anna Wohlin. The coroner's report stated "Death by misadventure", and noted his liver and heart were heavily enlarged by drug and alcohol abuse. Jones was one of the founding members of The Rolling Stones and in the early 60’s used the name "Elmo Lewis."
1970 - Casey Kasem counted down his first 'American Top 40'. KDEO in El Cajon, California aired the program a day before the other six affiliates.
1971 - Died this day, Jim Morrison, lead singer and composer for the rock group The Doors, at the age of 27, while in a hot bath in the middle of the night at a Paris, France hotel room. His death was attributed to heart failure, although popular speculation blamed an overdose of heroin. As there was no autopsy, the truth may never be known. Before his death, Morrison had a series of arrests which critics linked to his drug abuse problem. His popularity with fans was waning, only to be rekindled after his death. Some critics felt he was a mediocre rock singer whose star was falling fast, and who was catapulted undeservedly into rock 'n' roll legend. Hit songs by the Doors include Light My Fire and Riders On the Storm. On the 25th anniversary of his death an estimated 15,000 fans gathered at Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris to pay their respects.
1973 - On the last night of a 60 date tour David Bowie announced that he was about to retire from live performing, although it eventually transpires that Ziggy Stardust the stage persona was being retired and not Bowie himself.
1973 - Laurens Hammond the inventor of the Hammond organ died aged 73. Many rock artists including Procol Harum, Keith Emerson, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Allman Brothers and The Faces featured the sound of the Hammond. He also invented a silent spring-driven clock and during the second world war he helped design guided missile systems.
1976 - Brian Wilson rejoined The Beach Boys, who were appearing at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California before 74,000 fans. Wilson had been out of the group's road tour schedule for 12 years.
1976 - When rain stopped play during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, Cliff Richard launched into a spontaneous concert, where he led spectators through some of his old hits. It was later learned that Sir Cliff had planned the moment as a publicity stunt.
1982 - The Human League started a three week run at No.1 in the US with Don't You Want Me. It was also a No.1 in the UK.
1986 - U2 crew member Greg Carroll was killed in a motorcycle accident in Dublin while running an errand for Bono. The song 'One Tree Hill' on the bands Joshua Tree album is dedicated to Carroll.
1997 – While rain stopped play, Cliff Richard gave an impromtu concert to the crowd on centre court at Wimbledon. The match was between Pete Sampras and Richard Crycheck.
2002 - The wife of Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne underwent an emergency operation after being diagnosed with cancer. The family had become cult heroes after the success of the MTV The Osbournes Show.
2002 - Three diners at a newly opened Britney Spears owned restaurant suffered food poisoning. The three students who had eaten wild striped bass at the New York restaurant made official complaints and vowed never to eat there again.
1955 - Bill Haley's Rock Around The Clock reached No.1 on the Billboard charts and the rock era began in earnest.
1952 - Born this day, Laura Branigan, singer, 1983 UK No.6 single Gloria, 1984 US No.4 and 1984 UK No.5 single Self Control.
1960 - Born this day, Vince Clarke, in England, songwriter, keyboardist, (Depeche Mode: New Life, 1981 UK No.8 single Just Can't Get Enough, See you, The meaning of love, Leave in silence, Get the balance right, Everything count, People are people, Master and servant, Enjoy the silence; Yazoo: Don't go, The other side of love, Nobody's diary, Situation, 1982 UK No.2 single Only You; Erasure: 1992 UK No.1 single Abba-Esque EP, Who needs love like that, It doesn't have to be, A little respect).
1962 - Born on this day, Taylor Dayne, US singer, (Leslie Wundermann), 1988 UK No.3 single 'Tell It To My Heart', 1990 US No.1 single 'Love Will Lead You Back'.
1968 - The Equals were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Baby Come Back'. The group's only UK No.1. The song was first released in 1966 but did not chart. The song was covered by and became a No.1 hit for Pato Banton in 1994, (with Robin and Ali Campbell of UB40).
1969 - Brian Jones drowned while under the influence of drugs and alcohol after taking a midnight swim in his pool, aged 27. His body was found at the bottom of the pool by his Swedish girlfriend Anna Wohlin. The coroner's report stated "Death by misadventure", and noted his liver and heart were heavily enlarged by drug and alcohol abuse. Jones was one of the founding members of The Rolling Stones and in the early 60’s used the name "Elmo Lewis."
1970 - Casey Kasem counted down his first 'American Top 40'. KDEO in El Cajon, California aired the program a day before the other six affiliates.
1971 - Died this day, Jim Morrison, lead singer and composer for the rock group The Doors, at the age of 27, while in a hot bath in the middle of the night at a Paris, France hotel room. His death was attributed to heart failure, although popular speculation blamed an overdose of heroin. As there was no autopsy, the truth may never be known. Before his death, Morrison had a series of arrests which critics linked to his drug abuse problem. His popularity with fans was waning, only to be rekindled after his death. Some critics felt he was a mediocre rock singer whose star was falling fast, and who was catapulted undeservedly into rock 'n' roll legend. Hit songs by the Doors include Light My Fire and Riders On the Storm. On the 25th anniversary of his death an estimated 15,000 fans gathered at Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris to pay their respects.
1973 - On the last night of a 60 date tour David Bowie announced that he was about to retire from live performing, although it eventually transpires that Ziggy Stardust the stage persona was being retired and not Bowie himself.
1973 - Laurens Hammond the inventor of the Hammond organ died aged 73. Many rock artists including Procol Harum, Keith Emerson, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Allman Brothers and The Faces featured the sound of the Hammond. He also invented a silent spring-driven clock and during the second world war he helped design guided missile systems.
1976 - Brian Wilson rejoined The Beach Boys, who were appearing at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California before 74,000 fans. Wilson had been out of the group's road tour schedule for 12 years.
1976 - When rain stopped play during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, Cliff Richard launched into a spontaneous concert, where he led spectators through some of his old hits. It was later learned that Sir Cliff had planned the moment as a publicity stunt.
1982 - The Human League started a three week run at No.1 in the US with Don't You Want Me. It was also a No.1 in the UK.
1986 - U2 crew member Greg Carroll was killed in a motorcycle accident in Dublin while running an errand for Bono. The song 'One Tree Hill' on the bands Joshua Tree album is dedicated to Carroll.
1997 – While rain stopped play, Cliff Richard gave an impromtu concert to the crowd on centre court at Wimbledon. The match was between Pete Sampras and Richard Crycheck.
2002 - The wife of Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne underwent an emergency operation after being diagnosed with cancer. The family had become cult heroes after the success of the MTV The Osbournes Show.
2002 - Three diners at a newly opened Britney Spears owned restaurant suffered food poisoning. The three students who had eaten wild striped bass at the New York restaurant made official complaints and vowed never to eat there again.