ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

1968 - Otis Redding

The Otis Redding album Dock Of The Bay went to No.1 in the UK. The posthumously released album, and his sixth studio album contained a number of singles and B-sides dating back to 1965 and one of his best known songs, the posthumous hit (Sittin' On The Dock) Of The Bay.

1969 - Judy Garland

American singer, actress, Judy Garland, died of a barbiturate overdose aged 47, she was found on the floor of her rented Chelsea home, in London, UK. Made more than two dozen films, played Dorothy in the 1939 film 'Wizard Of Oz', sang 'Over The Rainbow' in the film, (voted the 'Song Of The Century' in a 2001 poll published in America). 1961 US No.1 comeback album 'Judy At Carnegie Hall'.

In her prime

Not yet 47

1971 - GLASTONBURY FAYRE

The second Glastonbury Festival in England took place. Held over 5 days to coincide with the summer solstice, (the weather was, for a British 'summer' very good). Acts who appeared included: Melanie, Quintessence, David Bowie, The Edgar Broughton Band, Pink Fairies, Terry Reid - with David Lyndley and Linda Lewis, Gong, Hawkwind, Arthur Brown, Brinsley Schwarz, Fairport Convention, Family and Traffic. Over 7,000 fans attended the event.

1971 - Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell released her fourth studio album Blue. The album is now generally regarded by music critics as one of the greatest albums of all time. In July 2017, Blue was chosen by NPR as the greatest album of all time made by a woman.

1981 - Mark Chapman

Mark Chapman pleaded guilty to the charge of murdering John Lennon in 1980. He was later sentenced to 20 years to life.

When I first went to New York I went and stood in the door way to the Dakota and was so overcome I wept

Chapman

Note: The parole board wrote to Chapman that whilst he was at low risk to reoffend, but that he "admittedly carefully planned and executed the murder of a world-famous person for no reason other than to gain notoriety. While no one person's life is any more valuable than another's life, the fact that you chose someone who was not only a world-renowned person and beloved by millions, regardless of pain and suffering you would cause to his family, friends, and so many others, you demonstrated a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life and the pain and suffering of others. This fact remains a concern to this panel

Here we are 38 years later and Chapman is allowed conjugal visits with his Oriental wife once a year and enjoys visits from friends and family. Chapman is up for parole again in August next year 2020. 

1988 - Jesse Ed Davis

Concert for Bangladesh (Klaus Voorman, George & Jesse Ed Davis

American session guitarist Jesse Ed Davis died of a heroin overdose after collapsing in a laundry room in Venice, California, aged 43. Worked with Conway Twitty, The Monkees, George Harrison (George picked Tay Mahal's guitarist Jesse for the Concert For Bangladesh to stand in as back up in case Bob Dylan or Eric Clapton [deep in heroin addiction at that time] failed to show John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Leonard Cohen, Keith Moon, Jackson Browne, Steve Miller, Harry Nilsson and Taj Mahal's housebound.

1992 - MC Hammer

Three members of M.C. Hammer's tour crew were wounded in a drive by shooting incident, three days later Joseph Mack, a dancer in Hammer's entourage was shot on stage during a concert in Nevada.

1996 - Arthur Ross

The brother of singer Diana Ross, Arthur Ross and his wife were murdered by suffocation in the basement of their rented Detroit home. The badly decomposed bodies were discovered after neighbors complained of a foul odor coming from the house. Two men were later charged with murder and robbery. Arthur Ross had written songs for Marvin Gaye, The Miracles and Madonna.

2008 - Coldplay

Coldplay went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Viva La Vida', their first UK No.1. History was made by this single, as it had no physical CD-single release in the UK, being available by internet download only. The song won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2009.

2011 - Bono

It was reported in the Irish press that Bono's wandering peahen was causing havoc for some south Dublin residents. The peahen the less spectacular-coloured female partner to a male peacock had arrived in the Ard Mhuire housing estate in Killiney near to where the singer lived. One newspaper ran the headline: "Bono's cock drives me nuts". Local woman Susan McKeon said she first noticed the bird at night. "It had a tiny head and a huge body. It was actually quite ugly but I don't think it's fully grown."

2012 - Isle of Wight Festival

MP Andrew Turner called for a review of procedures after thousands of rock fans were delayed for hours heading to the Isle of Wight Festival. After heavy rain cars were unable to park on waterlogged fields - leading to gridlock as about 55,000 people headed to the site. Some fans were stuck in traffic for up to 16 hours on the way to the festival. Elbow, Lana Del Rey, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam all appeared at this year's festival.

2013 - Robin Thicke

'Blurred Lines' by Robin Thicke started a 13 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart. Featuring American rapper T.I. and American singer and producer Pharrell Williams, the video was made in two versions; the first video features models Emily Ratajkowski, Jessi M'Bengue, and Elle Evans being topless, the second features them covered. The topless version of the video was removed from YouTube for violating the site's terms of service regarding nudity, though it was later restored, but flagged as inappropriate. 'Blurred Lines" peaked at No.1 in 14 countries.

BIRTHDAYS

1962 - Ruby Turner

British Jamaican R&B and soul singer, Ruby Turner, who scored the 1987 UK hit single 'I'd Rather Go Blind'. As a session backing vocalist, she has worked with Bryan Ferry, UB40, Steel Pulse, Steve Winwood, Jools Holland and Mick Jagger.

1961 - Jimmy Somerville

Jimmy Somerville, UK singer, who with Bronski Beat had the 1984 UK No.3 single 'Smalltown Boy'. With British pop duo The Communards had the 1986 UK No.1 single with a cover version of the Thelma Houston hit 'Don't Leave Me This Way'.

1956 - Green Gartside

Green Gartside, singer, songwriter from British band Scritti Politti, who had the 1984 UK No.10 single 'Wood Beez, Pray Like Aretha Franklin', and the hit 'The Word Girl', as well as a US Top 20 hit 'Perfect Way'.

1953 - Cyndi Lauper

American singer, songwriter Cyndi Lauper, who had the 1984 US No.1 single 'Time After Time', and the UK & US No.2 single 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun', (first recorded in 1979 by American musician Robert Hazard). The song received Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

1944 - Peter Asher

Peter Asher, Peter &Gordon, who had the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'World Without Love', written by Lennon & McCartney. Asher was a producer and Head of Apple Records in late 60s and went on to become James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt's manager.

Peter and Jane Asher

Paul and Jane Asher

Peter, Jane and Paul

1936 - Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson, musician, actor, and writer, known for such hits as 'Me and Bobby McGee', 'For the Good Times', 'Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down', and 'Help Me Make It Through the Night'. In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in forming the country music supergroup The Highwaymen. In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.