ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

October 4th

1961 - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan played a showcase at New York's Carnegie Chapter Hall to 53 people.

1962 - The Tornadoes

The Tornadoes were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the instrumental, 'Telstar', (named after a communication satellite). The track went on to be the first major hit from a UK act on the American chart also reaching No.1. I think this is my bid for first single ever bought. It certainly had a profound effect upon me and I still have the single which I am pretty sure I have posted a vid of before but  . . . . . . I don't care!

1963 - The Beatles

The Beatles made their first appearance on the UK ITV pop show 'Ready Steady Go!'

1968 - Led Zeppelin

On the first night of a UK club tour Led Zeppelin (billed as The 'New' Yardbirds featuring Jimmy Page) appeared at the Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, supported by Terry Reid's Fantasia, and a band called Junco Partners, tickets cost 10/6. The Mayfair was a regular venue for up and coming acts, Pink Floyd Mott the Hoople, Def Leppard and AC/DC had all appeared at the club which was demolished in 2000.

1969 - Creedance Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival started a four week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Green River', the group's first US chart topper.

1969 - THE BEATLES - Abbey Road

The Beatles Abbey Road album went to No.1 on the UK chart. The final studio recordings from the group supposedly contained clues adding to the ‘Paul Is Dead’ phenomenon: Paul is barefoot and the car number plate ‘LMW 281F’ supposedly referred to the fact that McCartney would be 28 years old if he was still alive. ‘LMW’ was said to stand for ‘Linda McCartney Weeps.’ And the four Beatles, represent; the priest (John, dressed in white), the Undertaker (Ringo in a black suit), the Corpse (Paul, in a suit but barefoot), and the Gravedigger (George, in jeans and a denim work shirt). Oh dear, oh very dearie me!

1970 - Janis Joplin

US singer Janis Joplin was found dead at the Landmark Hotel Hollywood after an accidental heroin overdose. Joplin had the posthumous 1971 US No.1 single 'Me And Bobby McGee', and the 1971 US No.1 album 'Pearl'. She was known as "The Queen of Psychedelic Soul" and as "Pearl" to her friends, Joplin remains one of the top-selling musicians in the United States, with over 15.5 million albums sold in the USA.

The Landmark Hotel as was

1975 - Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd went to No.1 on the UK album chart with Wish You Were Here. The album featured a tribute to ex band member Syd Barrett, 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. Also No.1 in the US. For one of the shots on the album's cover, two stuntmen were used, Danny Rogers and Ronnie Rondell, who was dressed in a fire-retardant suit covered by a business suit. Initially the wind was blowing in the wrong direction, and the flames were forced into Rondell's face, burning his moustache. The two stuntmen changed positions, and the image was later reversed.

1978 - Tammy Wynette

Country singer Tammy Wynette was abducted, beaten and held in her car for two hours by a kidnapper wearing a ski mask. He held a gun on her and forced her to drive 90 miles from Nashville, Tennessee. She was later released and the kidnapper escaped.

Tammy with daughter Geargette comforting her after the alleged assault

1980 - Melody Maker's Readers Poll 1980

Winners in the Melody Makers readers poll included, Kate Bush who won Best female singer, Peter Gabriel won Best male singer, Best guitarist went to Ritchie Blackmore, Phil Collins won Best drummer, Genesis won Band of the year, Best single went to Pink Floyd for 'Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)' and Saxon won brightest hope.

1980 - Queen

Queen started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Another One Bites The Dust.'

1982 - The Smiths

The Smiths made their live debut at the Ritz in Manchester, England, supporting Blue Rondo A La Turk.

1999 - Jimi Hendrix

It was reported that the sister of Jimi Hendrix was planning to exhume her brothers body and move it to a pay-to view mausoleum. Other plans for the new site included a chance for fans to buy one of burial plots around the guitarist's new resting-place.

Leon, Janie, Al and Jimi Hendrix

2005 - Mike Gibbins

Mike Gibbins drummer with Badfinger died in his sleep at his Florida home aged 56. Badfinger had the 1970 UK No.4 & US No.7 single 'Come And Get It'. He had also been a member of The Iveys during the 60’s.

2007 - The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones set a new record for the top grossing tour of all time with their A Bigger Bang tour. The tour which ran from late 2005 to August 2007, earned the band £247m, ($437m) with The Stones playing to over 3.5 million people at 113 shows. 

2007 - Phil Spector

Producer Phil Spector was set to be retried for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson following the collapse of the first trial in Sept of this year. The first trial ended with the jury deadlocked 10-2 favouring conviction. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler set another hearing for the case on 23 October.

2014 - Paul Revere

Paul Revere, organist and leader of Paul Revere And The Raiders died following a battle with cancer. Between 1961 and 1971, the band placed 15 songs on Billboard's Top 40, including the US Top 10 hits 'Kicks', 'Hungry', 'Good Thing' and 'Him Or Me - What's It Gonna Be?'

BIRTHDAYS

1959 - Chris Lowe

Chris Lowe, keyboards, Pet Shop Boys, (1986 UK & US No.1 single 'West End Girls', plus three other UK No.1 singles and over 20 other UK Top 40 singles).

with Joss Ackland

1957 - Barbara Kooyman

Barbara Kooyman, Timbuk 3, (1987 UK No.21 single 'The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades').