ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

Deaths, junk and weirdness oh and birthday cake . . . . . . . . . . .

1968 - Frankie Lymon

25 year old Frankie Lymon, lead singer of The Teenagers, died of a heroin overdose in his grandmother's New York home. Lymon was on leave from a Georgia Army post at the time and was scheduled to record for Roulette Records the next day. He first hit the national charts in 1956 when he was just 13 with 'Why Do Fools Fall in Love'.

1971 - Janis Joplin

Five months after her death, Janis Joplin started a nine-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with her second and final solo studio album Pearl. Joplin sang on all tracks except 'Buried Alive in the Blues', which remained a Full Tilt Boogie instrumental because she died before adding her vocals.

1977 - Keith Richards

Keith Richards was arrested at Toronto’s Harbour Castle Hotel, after an ounce of heroin was found following a raid of his hotel room by 15 Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Richards, who was charged with possession with intent to traffic, faced seven years to life in prison. Bail was set at $25,000 (£14,705). An ounce!

2004 - Michael Jackson

A worker in a supermarket in Aspen, Colorado alerted the police-after seeing a man shopping with his face covered by a mask. Police arrived on the scene and identified the man as Michael Jackson who was in town on holiday with his children.

2015 - Madonna

Madonna said she suffered whiplash as a result of her "nightmare" accident at the 2015 Brit Awards. The 56-year-old was pulled backwards off stage by a cape, which was supposed to fall from her shoulders causing the singer to fall down a flight of steps.

BIRTHDAYS

1960 - Paul Humphreys

Paul Humphreys, keyboards and vocals with Liverpool duo Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark who released their debut single, 'Electricity, in 1979, and gained popularity throughout Europe with the 1980 anti-war song 'Enola Gay'.

1954 - Neal Schon

American rock guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist, Neal Schon with Journey who had the 1982 US No.2 single 'Open Arms'. Schon was also a member of Santana, who had the 1977 UK No.11 single 'She's Not There'.

1951 - Steve Harley

English singer and songwriter Steve Harley best known as the frontman with Cockney Rebel who had the 1975 UK No.1 single 'Make Me Smile, (Come Up And See Me') as well as hits with 'Mr Soft' and 'Judy Teen'. Harley has released over five solo albums and has also worked as a radio presenter.

1948 - Eddie Gray

Eddie Gray from American rock band, Tommy James & The Shondells who had the 1966 US No.1 single 'Hanky Panky', the 1968 UK No.1 single 'Mony Mony' and the hit 'I Think We're Alone Now'. Yes, yes when it came out! I KNOW!