ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

February 8th

1964 - The Beatles

On their first full day in New York, The Beatles (minus George who had a sore throat), went for a photo-opportunity walk around Central Park. Over 400 girl fans followed The Beatles and extra police were called in to control them. Later in the day The Ronettes interviewed The Beatles for radio. By curious coincidence the photoshoot of the boys shows the Dakota building in the back ground of these shots where dear John was to meet his end at the hands of the murderous psychopath Mark Chapman some sixteen years later.

1968 - The Band Of Joy

Band of Joy

The Band Of Joy, featuring John Bonham and Robert Plant, made their first London appearance, supporting Edwin Starr at the The Marquee Club in London, England. The Marquee was witness to the London scene of the late 60s, represented at the club by bands like the Move, The Syn, Pink Floyd, (who played the club many times), Neat Change, The In Crowd, Soft Machine and Arthur Brown.

1975 - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan went to No.1 on the US chart with his 15th studio album Blood On The Tracks, his second US No.1 album. The album has become one of Dylan's all-time best-selling studio releases, with a double-platinum US certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.

1980 - David Bowie

Happier days

'pushing ahead of the dames . . . '

The divorce became final between David Bowie and his wife Angie. He won custody of their son Zowie, (known as Joe, later film maker Duncan Jones), Angie received a £30,000 ($51,000) settlement.

David and his son

1981 - R.E.M.

R.E.M. made their first ever-recording sessions at Bombay Studios Smyrna, Georgia. Tracks included 'Gardening At Night', 'Radio Free Europe' and '(Don't Go Back To) Rockville.'

1983 - Kim Wilde

Winners at the second annual Brit Awards held in London included Paul McCartney who won Best British Male Solo Artist, Kim Wilde won Best British Female Solo Artist, Dire Straits won British Group, British Breakthrough Act went to Yazoo, International Act was Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Best Selling Single Dexy's Midnight Runners "Come On Eileen" and the Life Achievement Award went to Pete Townshend .

1986 - Billy Ocean

Billy Ocean started a four week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going', as featured in the film 'The Jewel Of The Nile.' The video was banned in the UK because it featured non-musician union members. Boyzone took the song to No.1 in 1999.


1990 - Del Shannon

Suffering from depression American singer songwriter Del Shannon died of self inflicted gunshot wounds. He scored the 1961 UK and US No.1 single 'Runaway', plus nine US and 12 other UK Top 40 singles. In 1963, he became the first American to record a cover version of a song by the Beatles: his version of ‘From Me to You’ charted in the US before The Beatles' version. Shannon had been working with Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne and was rumoured to be replacing Roy Orbison who had recently died, in the Traveling Wilburys supergroup.

1992 - Right Said Fred

UK act Right Said Fred started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I'm Too Sexy', a No.2 hit in the UK.

1994 - Oasis

Oasis were forced to cancel their first foreign tour after they were deported from Holland. The band were involved in a drunken brawl on a cross-channel ferry resulting in members of the band being arrested and locked in the brig on the ferry. Yobs!

2005 - Pete Doherty

Speaking of professional musicians, Pete Doherty was released from jail on bail after four nights when his manager paid the remaining £100,000 ($170,000) bail to Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, London. The ex-Libertines star had been charged with robbery and blackmail after a fracas at a London hotel. His bail arrangements stated he would not be able to leave his house between 22.00pm and 07.00am every night and must be accompanied by a security guard or his manager if he goes out at any other time.

to be honest I have given up finding time appropriate pictures but who cares they're pretty much interchangeable 

2005 - Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue was voted the world's sexiest woman in her 30s by UK magazine Good Housekeeping. Sade was voted No.4 in the over 40s with Madonna coming in at No.7 and Jerry Hall at No.8. And Sharon Osbourne (sic!) was voted into 3rd place in the over 50s section.

2009 - Chris Brown

R&B singer Chris Brown was questioned by police in Los Angeles over a complaint of assault. The 19-year-old had pulled out of his performance at the Grammy Awards, as did his pop star girlfriend Rihanna. Police said Mr Brown argued with an unidentified woman while sitting in a car. Brown had walked into a police station and was later released on $50,000 (£34,000) bail. Los Angeles police did not identify the woman who had made the complaint against Brown.

2013 - Axl Rose

LA Superior Court Judge Charles Palmer threw out a claim by Axl Rose of fraud and misrepresentation against Guitar Hero III. Rose claimed that his deal with the company to license the song 'Welcome to the Jungle' for use in the game included a promise from Activision that no images of Slash would be used in the game. Later, both Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani’s band No Doubt sued the company over their own portrayals in Band Hero, a Guitar Hero series spin-off.

2015 - Sam Smith

British soul singer Sam Smith won four Grammy Awards in the US, including the prestigious prizes for record and song of the year for 'Stay With Me' and best new artist. Album of the year went to Beck for Morning Phase.

BIRTHDAYS

1974 - De Homem Christo

Guy Man, (Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo), French electronic musician with Daft Punk, 1997 UK No.5 single 'Around The World', remixed Gabrielle, Chemical Brothers. Scored the 2013 UK No.1 hit 'Get Lucky' featuring Pharrell Williams.

1968 - Tjinder Singh

Tjinder Singh, guitarist from British indie rock band Cornershop, who had the 1998 UK No.1 single 'Brimful Of Asha'.

1962 - Ken McCluskey

Ken McCluskey, drummer from Scottish indie rock band The Bluebells who had the 1993 UK No.1 single with the re-issued 'Young At Heart' after it was used in a Volkswagen television advertisement.

1946 - Adolpho De La Para

Mexican drummer Adolpho De La Para with American band Canned Heat who had the 1970 UK No.2 & US No.26 single 'Let's Work Together'. He has also played with some of the greatest blues singers of our time including, Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins and John Lee Hooker. I LOVED Canned Heat . . . . mind you waking up in a field somewhere in Southern England can affect you like that! I'm on the road again . . . . . . . 

1942 - Terry Melcher

Terry Melcher, who was behind hits by the Byrds, Ry Cooder and the Beach Boys. The son of actress Doris Day, he co-wrote ‘Kokomo’ for The Beach Boys, and produced 'Mr Tambourine Man' for the Byrds, as well as hits for The Mamas & the Papas. Melcher died on 19 November 2004 aged 62 after a long battle with skin cancer. It is likely it seems that he was lucky to survive the attentions of the Charles Manson gang of acid blasted psychopaths who it is believed targeted the house where Melcher had met Charlie and turned down his sophomoric truly dreadful songs and when he sent in his 'creepy crawl' buddies to reek revenge they found the Melcher house now owned by Sharon Tate who bore the random brunt of the murderous pointless crew of misfits ever keen to do Charlie's bidding.