2017 – David Cassidy
American actor, singer, songwriter, and guitarist David Cassidy died of liver failure aged 67. He was known for his role as Keith Partridge, the son of Shirley Partridge (played by his stepmother Shirley Jones), in the 70s musical-sitcom The Partridge Family, which led to him becoming one of popular culture’s teen idols. The Partridge Family had the 1970 US No.1 single ‘I Think I Love You’, and the 1972 UK No.3 single ‘Breaking Up Is Difficult To Do’. As a solo artist he scored the 1972 UK No.1 single ‘How Can I Be Sure’.
2012 – Stone Roses
Stone Roses guitarist John Squire’s art studio burned down at his home in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, after it caught fire. Two paintings from Squire’s recent Celebrity series were lost but no other works were in the studio at the time.
2009 – Pete Doherty
Pete Doherty was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance moments after escaping a prison sentence at a court hearing. The Baby Shambles singer allegedly dropped a wrap of ‘small blue crystals’ when he was being frisked by security as he entered the court.
2007 – Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were suing a US network over the name of its TV show, Californication saying the title was “immediately associated in the mind of the consumer” with its 1999 album and single release. The band filed a lawsuit against Showtime Network – the makers of the TV show, which featured David Duchovny as a writer suffering through a mid-life crisis. “For some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right,” said the band’s singer, Anthony Kiedis. He described Californication as “the signature CD, video and song of the band’s career”.
2004 – Eminem
Eminem was at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Encore’, his third No. 1 album. Girls Aloud started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Pretenders’ ‘I’ll Stand By You.’ This was 2004’s single for the Children In Need appeal with all proceeds going to the charity.
2003 – George Harrison
An acoustic guitar on which the late Beatle George Harrison learned to play fetched £276,000 at a London auction. His father originally bought the Egmond guitar for Harrison for £3.50. Another item auctioned was a signed invitation to the post-premiere celebrations for The Beatles Hard Days Night film, which sold for £17,250.
2003 – Phil Spector
Record producer Phil Spector appeared before a California court and was formally charged with murder. B-movie actress Lana Clarkson was found at his mansion in February of this year with a fatal gunshot wound to her face. Spector pleaded not guilty to her murder during a brief hearing in Alhambra, near Los Angeles and was released on $1m bail.
1995 – Peter Grant
Legendary manager of Led Zeppelin Peter Grant died from a heart attack aged 60. Known as being one of the shrewdest and most ruthless managers in rock history, Grant secured 90% of concert gate money. He intimidated record store owners who dealt with bootlegs. The former wrestler also worked as a film extra and bodyguard. During the early 60’s Grant worked as a tour manager for Bo Diddley, The Everly Brothers, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and The Animals.
1994 – Stone Roses
After a five-year wait, The Stone Roses released the single ‘Love Spreads’. In true Roses fashion the group turned down an appearance on BBC 1’s TV show Top Of The Pops to promote the upcoming single.
1992 – Charles and Eddie
Charles and Eddie were at No.1 in the UK singles chart with ‘Would I Lie To You’ the debut single by the pop-soul duo and their only chart topper.
1991 – Aerosmith
Aerosmith made a guest appearance in the animated TV comedy. Other acts who have appeared on the show include: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, U2, The Moody Blues, The B-52’s, The Who, R.E.M., Phish, Blink-182, Metallica, and The White Stripes.
1990 – Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger married Jerry Hall in Bali. The marriage was declared ‘null and void’ on 13th August 1999 after a judge ruled that the six-hour ceremony in Bali was never registered.
1988 – Jimmy Page
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page sets out on his first ever solo tour at The Hummingbird, Birmingham. He appears with John Miles and the son of Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason Bonham.
1987 – Billy Idol
Billy Idol knocked Tiffany from the No.1 single position on the US singles chart with his version of Tommy James’ ‘Mony Mony’. Tiffany had been at No.1 with another Tommy James song ‘I Think We’re Alone Now.’
1983 – Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson‘s 14-minute video for Thriller premiered in Los Angeles. Directed by John Landis and co-starring former Playboy centerfold Ola Ray. The video (like the song) contains a spoken word performance by horror film veteran Vincent Price. The video was filmed at the Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. It also features the zombie dance sequence at the junction of Union Pacific Avenue and South Calzona Street in East Los Angeles. It also features the final house scene in the Angeleno Heights neighborhood at 1345 Carroll Avenue.
1981 – Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton John started a ten week run at No.1 in the US singles chart with ‘Physical’. The singer’s fourth US No.1 single, going on to sell over 2 million copies. It also became a No.7 hit in the UK.
1981 – David Bowie
Queen and David Bowie were at No.1 in the UK with Under Pressure. They recorded the song together when both acts were working in a Swiss recording studio. It was David Bowie’s first release with another recording artist.
1980 – Don Henley
Don Henley was arrested after a naked 16-year-old girl was found at his home in Los Angeles suffering from a drug overdose. He received a $2,000 fine and two years probation.
1976 – Billy Idol
The Stranglers supported by Chelsea appeared at The Nashville, London, England. This was Billy Idol’s last gig with Chelsea, who then joined fame in the punk band Generation X before becoming a solo artist.
1975 – Elton John
At the start of Elton John’s week in Los Angeles, the singer received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
1974 – Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett was arrested in New York City for possession of a dangerous weapon after he pulled a gun during an argument.
1971 – Elton John
Elton John kicked off a 13-date UK tour at The Coventry Theatre, promoting his new album Madman Across The Water. The album cover for Madman Across the Water was embroidered over two weeks by Janis Larkham, wife of the album art director David Larkham. She used the back of an old Levi’s jacket, and the original was gifted to John.
1970 – Partridge Family
The Partridge Family started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Think I Love You’. The song was featured in the first episode of the Partridge Family TV series, made by the same company that made The Monkees.
1970 – Jimi Hendrix
Two months after his death Jimi Hendrix was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’ the closing track on Electric Ladyland, the third and final album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. This was the guitarist’s only UK No.1 single. Hendrix’s solo on the track was named the 11th greatest solo of all-time in Guitar World’s 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.
1960 – Maurice Williams
Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Stay’, the shortest ever US No.1 single at one minute 37 seconds. A No.14 hit in the UK in 1961.
1960 – The Beatles
The Beatles played at the Kaiserkeller Club in Hamburg, Germany without George Harrison. The guitarist had been deported on this day for being underage (he was 17) and not legally allowed to remain in a nightclub after midnight.
1955 – Elvis Presley
RCA Records purchased Elvis Presley‘s recording contract from Sam Phillips at Sun Records for the unprecedented sum of $35,000. In September 1931, RCA Victor introduced the first 33⅓ rpm records sold to the public, and later in 1949, RCA Victor introduced the 7-inch 45 rpm fine-grooved vinyl record.
1954 – Rosemary Clooney
American singer and actress Rosemary Clooney was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘This Ole House.’ This song was also a No.1 for Shakin’ Stevens in 1981. Her nephew, George Clooney was a pallbearer at her funeral in 2002.
