Births
1944 Michael Nyman, UK composer, pianist, (1993 ‘The Piano’ film soundtrack). Worked with Damon Albarn from Blur.
1949 Ric Ocasek, The Cars, (1978 UK No.3 single 'My Best Friend's Girl.' 1984 US No.3 & 1985 UK No.4 'Drive' was used as part of the soundtrack for the 'Live Aid' concert.
1952 Dave Bartram, Showaddywaddy, (1976 UK No.1 single 'Under The Moon Of Love' plus over 20 other UK Top 40 hits).
1953 Chaka Khan, (Yvette Marie Stevens), US singer, (1984 UK No.1 & US No.3 single 'I Feel For You'), Rufus, (1974 US No.3 single 'Tell Me Something Good').
1966 Mark McLoughlin, (Marti Pellow), vocals, Wet Wet Wet, (1994 UK No. 1 single 'Love Is All Around' which spent 15 weeks at the top of the charts plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles). Left the band in 1999.
1967 John Stohm, The Lemonheads, (1993 UK No.14 single 'Into Your Arms').
1968 Damon Albarn, vocals, Blur, (1994 UK No.1 album 'Parklife' spent over 2 years on the UK chart, 1995 UK No. 1 'Country House', plus over 12 other UK Top 40 singles), Gorillaz, (2001 UK No.4 single, 'Clint Eastwood.'). The Good, The Bad & The Queen, (2007 self-titled album with Paul Simonon, Tony Allen and Simon Tong).
1972 Beverly Knight, UK singer, (2002 UK No. 10 single ‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’).
Deaths
1995 Alan Barton of UK pop band Black Lace died.
1997 Keyboard player Craig Scott died of a heroin overdose, he had worked with Elastica and been a member of indie band The Dylans.
Events
1961 Elvis Presley had his 7th UK No.1 single with 'Wooden Heart'.
1963 Ruby and the Romantics went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Our Day Will Come', it made No.38 in the UK.
1963 The Beach Boys released "Surfin' U.S.A."
1964 John Lennon's book of verse and rhyme 'In His Own Write' was published.
1969 Anita Bryant and the Letterman appeared at a "Rally For Decency" in Miami following Jim Morrison's indecent exposure onstage there.
1972 The film of The Concert For Bangladesh featuring George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton premiered in New York.
1973 John Lennon was ordered to leave the US within 60 days by the immigration authorities, he began a long fight to win his 'Green Card' which he was given on 27/7/76.
1973 Yoko Ono was granted permission to live in the U.S. permanently.
1974 Cher went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Dark Lady', the singers 3rd solo No.1, it made No.36 in the UK.
1978 The Police signed with A&M Records.
1980 The Psychedelic Furs and The Teardrop Explodes playe The Lyceum Ballroom, London.
1981 Adam and the Ants kicked off an UK tour at The City Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.
1983 The Smiths played at The Rock Garden, London.
1985 'Easy Lover' by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins started a 4 week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart.
1985 Billy Joel and Christy Brinkley were married in New York. They were divorced in 1994.
1985 Julian Lennon held his first concert in San Antonio, TX.
1985 Former Creedence Clearwater Revival front man John Fogerty went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Centerfield.'
1987 The Soul Train Music Awards debuted. It was the first televised awards ceremony to pay exclusive homage to black producers, songwriters and recording artists in the music industry.
1988 Mick Jagger made his first solo appearance on stage in Japan.
1991 R.E.M. scored their 1st UK No.1 album with their 7th LP 'Out Of Time' featuring the singles 'Losing My Religion' and 'Shiny Happy People'.
1992 Janet Jackson signed with Virgin Records for $16,000,000.
1996 Celine Dion went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Because You Loved Me', her 2nd US No.1, a No.5 hit in UK. On the same day her album 'Falling Into You' went to No.1 on the UK album chart.
1997 Timmy T went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'One More Try', not a hit in the UK.
1997 U2 were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Pop’ the bands fifth US No.1 album
1999 Michael Jackson announced that he would donate the proceeds from his next two concerts to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the Red Cross.
1999 Pope John Paul II's "Abba Pater" was released. The 11 tracks chanting and praying with musical accompaniment.
