2016 – John Lennon
A furious letter from John Lennon to Paul McCartney and his wife, Linda, written after The Beatles’ break-up sold for nearly $30,000 (£24,200), to an anonymous collector in Dallas. In the two-page typed draft with handwritten notes, Lennon criticises the couple for their treatment of him and his wife, Yoko Ono. The attack is said to be in response to Linda’s criticism of him not publicly announcing his departure from the band.
2012 – ELO
Two farmers were found not guilty of health and safety offences after a giant hay bale crushed former ELO cellist Mike Edwards to death. He was killed instantly when the 600kg bale rolled down a field and landed on his van near Totnes in Devon in September 2010. In March 2011, an inquest jury found a verdict of accidental death for Mr Edwards.
2006 – The Beatles
A guitar played by George Harrison was set to fetch more than £100,000 at a London auction. The Maton MS500 guitar was used on The Beatles’ first album.
2004 – Young Buck
Rapper Young Buck was arrested over a stabbing at the Vibe hip-hop awards. Young Buck (real name David Darnell Brown) was arrested on suspicion of stabbing a man who allegedly punched rap star Dr Dre in the face. He was released on $500,000 (£270,000) bail after surrendering to police in Los Angeles.
2004 – Terry Melcher
Record producer Terry Melcher, who was behind hits by the Byrds, Ry Cooder and The Beach Boys, died aged 62 after a long battle with skin cancer. The son of actress Doris Day, he co-wrote ‘Kokomo’ for The Beach Boys, produced ‘Mr Tambourine Man’ for the Byrds, as well as hits for The Mamas & the Papas.
2003 – Greg Ridley
Bass player Greg Ridley died of pneumonia. He was a member of the VIP’s with Keith Emerson, Spooky Tooth, and Humble Pie who had the 1969 UK No.4 single ‘Natural Born Bugie’. He formed Strange Brew with Clem Clempson and Cozy Powell.
2003 – Gene Ray
American actor, dancer, Gene Anthony Ray died from a stroke aged 41. Best known for his portrayal of the street smart dancer Leroy in the 1980 film Fame and the television spin-off which aired from 1982 until 1987.
2003 – Michael Jackson
Police issued an arrest warrant for Michael Jackson following allegations of sexual abuse of a 12-year-old boy. Jackson who was in Las Vegas filming a video, negotiated with police to arrange a time and place to hand himself in.
2002 – Michael Jackson
Safety experts blasted Michael Jackson after he hung his baby from a third-floor hotel balcony. Jacko was in Berlin for an awards ceremony and was showing his nine-month-old baby to his fans outside the hotel.
2001 – Scott Weiland
Scott Weiland lead singer with The Stone Temple Pilots was arrested after allegedly fighting with his wife at the Hard Rock hotel in Las Vegas. Weiland was booked on one count of domestic battery and was released 12 hours later. The band had performed at the club that night.
2000 – LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Can’t Fight The Moonlight’, the singer’s first UK chart topper. Written by Diane Warren and featured on the soundtrack of the film Coyote Ugly.
2000 – The Beatles
The Beatles started an eleven-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with The Beatles 1. The album features virtually every number-one single released from 1962 to 1970. Issued on the 30th anniversary of the band’s break-up, it was their first compilation available on one CD. The world’s best-selling album of the 21st century, 1 has sold over 31 million copies.
1994 – David Crosby
Crosby Stills & Nash member David Crosby had a successful liver transplant operation at Dumont-UCLA in Los Angeles. Crosby’s liver was deteriorated from extensive alcohol and drug abuse, as well as hepatitis-C.
1992 – R.E.M.
R.E.M. played a Greenpeace Benefit show at the 40 watt Club, Athens, Georgia, for 500 people. The show was recorded on a solar powered mobile recording studio.
1988 – Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with lead single from the band’s album New Jersey, ‘Bad Medicine’, which became the group’s third US No.1, and a No.17 hit in the UK.
1988 – Robin Beck
Robin Beck was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘First Time.’ The song was from a TV advertisement for Coca-Cola which session singer Beck had recorded. It made the American a One Hit Wonder.
1983 – Tom Evans
English musician and songwriter Tom Evans from Badfinger, took his own life after a bitter argument with Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland about the royalties for ‘Without You’. (Evans co-wrote ‘Without You’ a hit for both Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey). Family members said the singer, songwriter was never able to get over his former bandmate’s Pete Ham’s suicide.
1979 – Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry was released from prison after serving a four-month sentence for tax evasion.
1976 – Sex Pistols
UK music weekly Sounds made the Sex Pistols debut 45, ‘Anarchy In The UK’ its single of the week.
1965 – David Bowie
David Bowie and the Lower 3rd appeared at The Marquee Club, London, England.
1965 – Wilson Pickett
The Kinks, The Who, Georgie Fame & The Blue Fames, The Hollies, Wilson Pickett and The Golden Apples Of The Sun all appeared at the Glad Rag Ball, Empire Pool, London, tickets 30 shillings, ($4.20).
1964 – The Supremes
The Supremes became the first all girl group to have a UK No.1 single when ‘Baby Love’ went to the top of the charts. Written and produced by Motown’s main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, it was also the second of five Supremes songs in a row to go to No.1 in the United States.
1962 – The Beatles
The Beatles played gigs at three different venues. First they performed a lunchtime show at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, followed by an 85-mile drive to the Midlands, where they performed at Smethwick Baths Ballroom and then at the Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich in Staffordshire.
