October 19th
2020 – Spencer Davis
Spencer Davis, one of the key figures of the 60s beat scene, died at the age of 81. The Welsh guitarist was the driving force behind The Spencer Davis Group, who scored transatlantic hits with ‘Keep On Running’ and ‘Somebody Help Me’. The band, which also featured a teenage Stevie Winwood, toured with The Who and The Rolling Stones in the 60s.
2014 – Raphael Ravenscroft
Raphael Ravenscroft who played the sax riff on the Gerry Rafferty hit ‘Baker Street’ died aged 60 of a suspected heart attack. He was only paid £27.50 for the ‘Baker Street’ session, and it has been reported that the cheque bounced and that it was kept on the wall of Ravenscroft’s solicitors; by contrast the song is said to have earned Rafferty £80,000 a year in royalties.
2011 – Michael Jackson
At the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr Conrad Murray, Dr Steven Shafer testified that it would have been impossible for Michael Jackson to have self-administered a lethal dose of the sedative propofol. He later said of Dr Murray’s delay in calling 911: “I almost don’t know what to say. That is so completely and utterly inexcusable.”
2011 – Coldplay
Coldplay released their fifth studio album ‘Mylo Xyloto’ which charted at No.1 in thirty-four countries. In the UK ‘Mylo Xyloto’ became Coldplay’s fifth album to debut at No.1 and became the group’s third to debut at No.1 on the US Billboard 200.
2010 – Elton John
Elton John described today’s songwriters as “pretty awful”, Pop music as “uninspiring” and talent shows like American Idol as “boring” in an interview with UK Radio Times magazine.
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2009 – Elvis Presley
A clump of hair believed to have been trimmed from Elvis Presley’s head when he joined the US Army in 1958 sold for $15,000 (£9,200) at an auction in Chicago, America. Other items sold belonging to Presley included a shirt which sold for $52,000 (£32,000), a set of concert-used handkerchiefs, $732 (£450) and photos from the reception of Presley’s 1967 wedding to Priscilla, sold for nearly $6,000 (£3,700).
2007 – Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr was made a visiting professor of music at the University of Salford in Manchester. The former Smiths guitarist was set to deliver a series of workshops and masterclasses to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree.
2005 – Music Industry
A survey concluded that the average person spent around £21,000 ($42,000) on music during their lives, the figure included the amount spent on Hi-Fi equipment, concerts and CDs. Music enthusiasts were likely to spend more than double that, parting with just over £44,000 ($89,000), in a lifetime, according to the survey conducted by UK company Prudential.
2000 – Robbie Williams
A judge ruled that Robbie Williams had substantially copied lyrics on his song ‘Jesus In A Camper Van’ from the 1961 Woody Guthrie song ‘I Am The Way’ and also used parts of a parody by Loudon Wainwright III. EMI Records had offered 25% royalties but the publishers Ludlow Music were demanding 50%.
1998 – Noel Gallagher
Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher made a surprise appearance at the launch party of the new London venue Sound Republic. He jammed onstage with Pete Townshend and members from Ocean Colour Scene and Boo Radleys.
1997 – Glen Buxton
Original Alice Cooper band guitarist Glen Buxton died from pneumonia, aged 49. Born in Akron, Ohio, he attended High School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he met Dennis Dunaway and Vincent Furnier, later to call himself the titular Alice Cooper. Buxton co-wrote several classic Alice Cooper hits, including ‘School’s Out’, ‘I’m Eighteen’ and ‘Elected.’
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1995 – Don Cherry
African-American jazz trumpeter Don Cherry died of liver failure aged 58. Developed the genre of world fusion music, incorporating influences of Middle Eastern, traditional African, and Indian music into his playing. Is the stepfather to singer’s musicians Neneh Cherry and Eagle-Eye Cherry.
1991 – Noel Gallagher
Oasis played The Boardwalk in their hometown Manchester, the group’s first gig with Noel Gallagher in the group.
1989 – Alan Murphy
Alan Murphy guitarist with English band Level 42 died of pneumonia related to aids. Murphy also worked with Kate Bush, Go West and Mike & the Mechanics.
1985 – A-Ha
A-Ha went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Take On Me’, making them the first Norwegian group to score a US No.1. The video for the song featured the band in a pencil-sketch animation method called rotoscoping, combined with live action which won six awards and was nominated for two others at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.
1980 – AC/DC
AC/DC kicked off a 20-date UK tour at Bristol Colston Hall. The bands first gigs since the death of singer Bon Scott.
1973 – David Bowie
David Bowie released his seventh album Pin Ups. The album, which features supermodel Twiggy on the front cover, is a collection of cover versions of some of the singer’s favourite songs, including tracks by Pink Floyd, The Pretty Things, The Who, The Yardbirds and The Kinks.
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1968 – Cream
On their farewell tour Cream appeared at The Forum in Los Angeles, California, where live recordings were made which were included on the ‘Goodbye Cream’ album which was released the following year.
1968 – Humble Pie
18 year old Peter Frampton meet Steve Marriott at a Small Faces show in London. After striking up a friendship, the two started planning a new group which emerged as Humble Pie next April.
1966 – The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds arrived in New York for their first US tour with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on lead guitars. After two dates of the tour, Beck developed acute tonsillitis and quit the group. He would go on to form The Jeff Beck Group, that gave Rod Stewart his first major exposure.
1961 – Helen Shapiro
Helen Shapiro was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Walkin’ Back To Happiness.’ The singers second and final UK No.1.
