ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

November 21st

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.

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. Great song

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.

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.
Slight return we played the other day so here's . . . .well, this! . . . . . 


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.

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.

Wicked Mr Pickett

1975 - Elton John

At the start of Elton John week in Los Angeles, the singer received a Star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame.

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.

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 over-dose, he received a $2,000 fine with two years probation.

Sorry what do we call someone prosecuted for 'entertaining' 15 and 16 year old girls?

1981 - Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton John started a ten week run at No.1 in the US singles chart with 'Physical', the singers fourth US No.1 went on to sell over 2 million copies, a became a No.7 hit in the UK. Truly awful but it's a shame really  . . . just something about as alluring as an ersatz 'Grease' remake!?

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 German recording studio. It was David Bowie's first released collaboration with another recording artist.

1983 - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's 14-minute video for Thriller was 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, the zombie dance sequence at the junction of Union Pacific Avenue and South Calzona Street in East Los Angeles and the final house scene in the Angeleno Heights neighborhood at 1345 Carroll Avenue.

Ola Rey

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.'

1988 - Jimmy Page

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page set out on his first ever-solo tour at The Hummingbird, Birmingham, appearing with John Miles and the son of Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason Bonham.


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.

1994 - Stone Roses

After a five-year wait, The Stone Roses released the single 'Love Spreads'. In true Roses fashion the group turn down an appearance on BBC 1's TV show Top Of The Pops to promote the single.


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 and intimidated record store owners who dealt in 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.

1995 - The Beatles

The Beatles Anthology 1 was released in the US, featuring 60 tracks including the track 'Free As A Bird', a song originally composed and recorded in 1977 as a home demo by John Lennon. In 1995 a studio version of the recording, incorporating contributions from Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr was released as a single by The Beatles.

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 went 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 had been 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.

2004 - Eminem

Eminem was at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Encore', his third US 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 its proceeds going towards the charity.

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 going 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".

2009 - Pete Doherty

Pete Doherty was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug, moments after escaping a prison sentence at a court-hearing. The Babyshambles singer allegedly dropped a wrap of ‘little blue crystals’ when he was being frisked by security as he entered the court.

2012 - Stone Roses

Stone Roses guitarist John Squire's art studio burnt 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.

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 Hard To Do'. As a solo artist he scored the 1972 UK No.1 single 'How Can I Be Sure'. Admittinghis problems with alcohol as early as 2008 he continued to blame strings of DUI charges and illness on dementia and only towards the end did he face his alcoholism head on. By then ti was really too late and he passed away from chronic liver and kidney failure whilst eating for a live transplant. 

"[it] was complete alcohol poisoning – and the fact is, I lied about my drinking." Cassidy also said, "You know, I did it to myself, man. I did it to myself to cover up the sadness and the emptiness."

BIRTHDAYS

1968 - Alex James

Alex James, bassist with Blur who scored the 1995 UK No.1 single 'Country House', plus over 12 other UK Top 40 singles. Their 1994 UK No.1 album 'Parklife' spent over 2 years on the UK chart. Also a member of Me Me Me, (with Stephen Duffy), who scored the 1996 UK No.19 single 'Hanging Around'. James has become notable for his production of award-winning cheeses including 'Alex James Presents' – a range of British artisan cheeses – 'Good Queen Maude', 'Blue Monday', 'Little Wallop', 'Farleigh Wallop', and most recently 'Goddess.'

1965 - Bjork

Bjork - for whom the phrase 'force of nature' was created

Icelandic singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, and DJ. Bjork Gudmundsdottir. Was a member of The Sugarcubes whose 1987 single 'Birthday' was a hit on US and UK indie stations. Björk embarked on a solo career in 1993 and several of Björk's albums have reached the top 20 on the Billboard chart, plus she has had 30 singles reach the top 40 on pop charts around the world