ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

1964 - The Beatles

The Beatles started recording their fourth album ('Beatles For Sale', not yet titled), at EMI studios in London, England.

1964 - The High Numbers

The High Numbers, (later to become The Who), played at The Railway Hotel in Harrow, England. Just before the band were due on stage, Roger Daltry's father-in law came into the venue and dragged the singer outside and hit him. The band started their set and Daltry appeared back on stage after the fight.

1966 - John Lennon

At a press conference held at The Astor Towers Hotel in Chicago, John Lennon apologised for his remarks that The Beatles were ‘more popular than Jesus'. Lennon told reporters "Look, I wasn’t saying The Beatles are better than God or Jesus, I said ‘Beatles’ because it’s easy for me to talk about The Beatles. I could have said ‘TV’ or ‘Cinema’, ‘Motorcars’ or anything popular and would have got away with it’’.

1967 - WINDSOR FESTIVAL Seventh National Jazz and Blues Festival

Small Faces, The Move, Marmalade, Paul Jones, Pink Floyd, Amen Corner, Donovan, Zoot Money, Cream, Jeff Beck, John Mayall, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown all appeared at this years UK Reading festival (so called although in Windsor in 1967 it wasn't until 1971 that it moved to Reading. An advance 3 day ticket cost £2.) Arthur Brown's trademark flaming helmet burnt out of control and organiser Harold Pendleton's father-in-law had to douse the flames with a pint of beer.

Fleetwood Mac on stage

Eric with CREAM

1979 - Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin played their last ever UK show when they appeared at Knebworth House, England. The set list included: The Song Remains The Same, Celebration Day, Black Dog, Nobody's Fault But Mine, Over The Hills And Far Away, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I've Been Loving You, No Quarter, Hot Dog, The Rain Song, White Summer/Black Mountainside, Kashmir, Trampled Under Foot, Sick Again, Achilles' Last Stand, In The Evening, Stairway To Heaven Rock And Roll, Whole Lotta Love and Communication Breakdown.

There are several version of recordings of this concert over on YouTube so check it out. They are better than the media suggests whilst not brilliant live recordings they are sufficient to see they were still on form. The first time in four years and the first gig after the tragic death of Robert's young son they turn in a set nearly three hours long!

Jimmy at Knebworth playing his beloved Danelectro

1984 - Ray Parker Jr

Ray Parker JR. started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the theme from the film 'Ghostbusters'. Parker who had been a session guitarist for Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye was accused of plagiarizing the melody from Huey Lewis and the News song 'I Want a New Drug', resulting in Lewis suing Parker, the pair settled out of court in 1985.

Go on turn it up! You KNOW you want to and there's nobody listening! 
(Who ARE you talking to? ED)

BIRTHDAYS

1942 - Mike Hugg

Mike Hugg, drummer and founding member of the 1960s group Manfred Man who had the 1964 UK & US No.1 single 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy'. He was later a member of Manfred Mann Chapter Three.

1968 - Charlie Sexton

American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Charlie Sexton known for the 1985 hit 'Beat's So Lonely' and for being the guitarist for Bob Dylan's backing band from 1999. Sexton has contributed songs to various film soundtracks, including True Romance and Air America, made a cameo fronting a bar band in Thelma & Louise and played the role of Jimmy in the 2014 film Boyhood.

1970 - Andy Bell

Andy Bell, guitarist, singer with Ride who had the 1992 UK No.9 single 'Leave Them All Behind'. Also a member of Hurricane No.1. Bell joined Oasis in 1999.

Steve and Andy discuss what's in my bag . . . . . . . obvious really! 
Another great Oxford band and Steve worked locally in record shops in town until they broke big . . . . . mixed in the same circles for a while and found him shy and intense so never got to know him well at all but he was universally liked by his mates and colleagues. Great band