ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

November 19th

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.

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. I distinctly remember my first sighting of the extraordinary Diana Ross and her colleagues. She seemed like some strange other worldly beauty which I guess is what she was to a little suburban white 11 year old . . . . she gave me a funny feeling in my pantaloons! (Shared too much there! - ED)

1965 - Glad Rag Ball

The Kinks, The Who, Georgie Fame & The Blue Fames, The Hollies, Wilson Pickett and The Golden Apples Of The Sun (sic) all appeared at the Glad Rag Ball, Empire Pool, London, tickets 30 shillings, ($4.20). This my first brush with the works of New Orleans came from buying this single in the sale bins, Huey Piano Smith's 'Rockin' Pneumonia and The Boogie Boogie Flu'

1976 - Sex Pistols

UK music weekly Sounds made the Sex Pistols debut 45, 'Anarchy In The UK' its single of the week.

1979 - Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry was released from prison after serving a four-month sentence for tax evasion.

1983 - Tom Evans

Pete Ham  and Tom Evans

English musician and songwriter Tom Evans from Badfinger, committed suicide by hanging himself in his back garden from a willow tree 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. Terrible tragedy and one always wondered why two such fine singer songwriters and guitarists should have chosen such a terrible path. Tragic losses, both

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.

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.

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.

2002 - Michael Jackson

Safety experts blasted Michael Jackson after dangling 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. The rest of the world was just stunned at the stupidity and danger to the child.

2003 - Greg Ridley

English bassist player Greg Ridley died from 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 - 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.

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. It is worth noting that it is likely Terry Melcher narrowly escaped being slaughtered by the Manson family. It is most likely it was Melcher who turned down Charlie for a recording contract and saw him for what he was, a second or third rate talent but the 'creepy crawl' later that saw the wholesale slaughter of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring and friends was one of mistaken identity as the Polanski's rented the house from Melcher and Charlie sent in his troops to murder whosoever they found inside.

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.

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.

No birthdays to speak of of music industry folks I know . . . . . .