TODAY IN HISTORY – NOVEMBER 17TH
1938 - Born this day, Gordon Lightfoot, in Ontario, Canada, folksinger, 1971 UK No.30 single If You Could Read My Mind, 1974 US No.1 single Sundown.
1941 - Born this day, Gene Clark, vocals, The Byrds, 1965 UK and US No.1 single Mr. Tambourine Man. Died 24 May 1991.
1954 – Born this day, Mark Williams, NZ singer made his mark in the mid 70’s with hits like, “Sweet Wine”, “Yesterday Was Just The Beginning Of My Life” and “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”. Made comeback in 1989 with “Show No Mercy”.
1956 - Born this day, Peter Cox, Go West, 1985 UK No.5 single We Close Our Eyes, Call Me, Don't Look Down.
1962 - The Four Seasons started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Big Girls Don't Cry', the group's second No.1 of the year. It made No.13 in the UK.
1963 - John Weightman the Headmaster of a Surrey Grammar School, banned all pupils from having Beatle haircuts saying, "this ridiculous style brings out the worst in boys physically. It makes them look like morons."
1966 - Born this day, Jeff Buckley, singer, songwriter, son of Tim Buckley, 1995 album Grace. Died on 29 May 1997.
1966 - The Beach Boys were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Good Vibrations.' As a child, his mother told him that dogs could pick up "vibrations" from people, so that the dog would bark at "bad vibrations" Wilson turned this into the general idea for the song.
1971 - Slade were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Coz I Luv You', the group's first of six No.1's. The misspelt song titles became a trademark for Slade, causing a great furore among teachers up and down the country.
1973 - The Who's double album ‘Quadrophenia’ entered the UK album chart peaking at No.2. One of two two full-scale rock operas from The Who (the other being the 1969 ‘Tommy’). The 1979 film based on the story stars Phil Daniels, Toyah Willcox, Ray Winstone, Michael Elphick and Sting.
1979 - Jethro Tull bass player John Glascock died at the age of 28, as a result of a congenital heart defect. Had also been a member of Chicken Shack.
1979 - The Rose starring Bette Midler and Alan Bates, premiered in New York City. The lead character was modeled after the late rock singer Janis Joplin. Midler was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her performance.
1979 - When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman, by Dr Hook started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart.
1979 - The Commodores went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Still', the group's second US No.1 single, it made No.4 in the UK.
1980 - Born this day, Clarke Isaac Hanson, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, guitarist, Hanson, 1997 UK and US No.1 single MMMbop.
1980 - John Lennon released his Double Fantasy album in UK.
1984 - Wham! started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, George Michael's first US No.1. It was also No.1 in the UK.
1990 - David Crosby of the Byrds and Crosby Stills and Nash, broke his ankle, leg and shoulder in a motorcycle crash.
1992 - At the end of a long battle to claim royalties Jimmy Merchant and Herman Santiago ex of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, received an estimated $4 million in back payments from the song 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love'.
2000 - It was reported that Andy White who drums on the Beatles) track Love Me Do featured on the new Beatles Greatest Hits album would not earn enough from it to buy his own copy. White would get no more than his original fee of £7.
2003 - Meat Loaf collapsed onstage in London and underwent heart surgery to cure an irregular heartbeat.
2003 - George Michael signed a new contract with the record company he took to court in 1993. The singer re-signed to Sony in a deal that included his extensive back catalogue. Michael had failed in his court wrangle with Sony after accusing it of "professional slavery"; his contract was bought out by Virgin Records.
2003 - Britney Spears said that her first lover Justin Timberlake was a huge disappointment in the pants department. Talking during a MTV show Spears said ‘forget trousersnake, its more like trouser worm’, when referring to her ex boyfriend.
2010 – Most played song on NZ radio the past week is “Just the way you are” by Bruno Mars.
1938 - Born this day, Gordon Lightfoot, in Ontario, Canada, folksinger, 1971 UK No.30 single If You Could Read My Mind, 1974 US No.1 single Sundown.
1941 - Born this day, Gene Clark, vocals, The Byrds, 1965 UK and US No.1 single Mr. Tambourine Man. Died 24 May 1991.
1954 – Born this day, Mark Williams, NZ singer made his mark in the mid 70’s with hits like, “Sweet Wine”, “Yesterday Was Just The Beginning Of My Life” and “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”. Made comeback in 1989 with “Show No Mercy”.
1956 - Born this day, Peter Cox, Go West, 1985 UK No.5 single We Close Our Eyes, Call Me, Don't Look Down.
1962 - The Four Seasons started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Big Girls Don't Cry', the group's second No.1 of the year. It made No.13 in the UK.
1963 - John Weightman the Headmaster of a Surrey Grammar School, banned all pupils from having Beatle haircuts saying, "this ridiculous style brings out the worst in boys physically. It makes them look like morons."
1966 - Born this day, Jeff Buckley, singer, songwriter, son of Tim Buckley, 1995 album Grace. Died on 29 May 1997.
1966 - The Beach Boys were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Good Vibrations.' As a child, his mother told him that dogs could pick up "vibrations" from people, so that the dog would bark at "bad vibrations" Wilson turned this into the general idea for the song.
1971 - Slade were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Coz I Luv You', the group's first of six No.1's. The misspelt song titles became a trademark for Slade, causing a great furore among teachers up and down the country.
1973 - The Who's double album ‘Quadrophenia’ entered the UK album chart peaking at No.2. One of two two full-scale rock operas from The Who (the other being the 1969 ‘Tommy’). The 1979 film based on the story stars Phil Daniels, Toyah Willcox, Ray Winstone, Michael Elphick and Sting.
1979 - Jethro Tull bass player John Glascock died at the age of 28, as a result of a congenital heart defect. Had also been a member of Chicken Shack.
1979 - The Rose starring Bette Midler and Alan Bates, premiered in New York City. The lead character was modeled after the late rock singer Janis Joplin. Midler was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her performance.
1979 - When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman, by Dr Hook started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart.
1979 - The Commodores went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Still', the group's second US No.1 single, it made No.4 in the UK.
1980 - Born this day, Clarke Isaac Hanson, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, guitarist, Hanson, 1997 UK and US No.1 single MMMbop.
1980 - John Lennon released his Double Fantasy album in UK.
1984 - Wham! started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, George Michael's first US No.1. It was also No.1 in the UK.
1990 - David Crosby of the Byrds and Crosby Stills and Nash, broke his ankle, leg and shoulder in a motorcycle crash.
1992 - At the end of a long battle to claim royalties Jimmy Merchant and Herman Santiago ex of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, received an estimated $4 million in back payments from the song 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love'.
2000 - It was reported that Andy White who drums on the Beatles) track Love Me Do featured on the new Beatles Greatest Hits album would not earn enough from it to buy his own copy. White would get no more than his original fee of £7.
2003 - Meat Loaf collapsed onstage in London and underwent heart surgery to cure an irregular heartbeat.
2003 - George Michael signed a new contract with the record company he took to court in 1993. The singer re-signed to Sony in a deal that included his extensive back catalogue. Michael had failed in his court wrangle with Sony after accusing it of "professional slavery"; his contract was bought out by Virgin Records.
2003 - Britney Spears said that her first lover Justin Timberlake was a huge disappointment in the pants department. Talking during a MTV show Spears said ‘forget trousersnake, its more like trouser worm’, when referring to her ex boyfriend.
2010 – Most played song on NZ radio the past week is “Just the way you are” by Bruno Mars.