December 19th: On this Day In Music History‏

 

 

1957, Elvis Presley had his draft notice served on him for the US Army. He went on to join the 32nd Tank Battalion third Armor Corps based in Germany.

1958, Conway Twitty was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'It's Only Make Believe'. The first song to reach the UK Top 10 in four different years: Billy Fury (1964), Glen Campbell (1970) and Child (1978).

1964, The Beatles fourth album 'Beatles For Sale' started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK album charts.

1964, The Supremes scored their third US No.1 single of the year when 'Come See About Me', went to the top of the charts. It made No.27 on the UK chart.

1967, Buffalo Springfield appeared at the Community Concourse, San Diego, California.

1969, Mick Jagger was fined £200 plus 50 guineas costs at Marlborough Magistrates Court for illegal possession of cannabis.

1969, The Beatles' seventh Christmas record, "The Beatles' Seventh Christmas Record" was released to members of their fan club in the UK and the US.

1970, Elton John's first US hit, 'Your Song' entered the Billboard Hot 100, where it went on to reach number eight. The Hollies had been offered the song and Three Dog Night had already recorded a version which was included on their 'It Ain't Easy' album.

1976, During an interview with UK daily newspaper The Daily Mail, Sex Pistol Paul Cook's mother said he was no longer welcome at home and she was going to turn his bedroom in a dining room.

1978, During a North American tour Queen appeared at the Forum, Inglewood, California.

1979, Elvis Presley's personal physician, George Nichopoulos, was charged with 'illegally and indiscriminately' prescribing over 12,000 tablets of uppers, downers, and painkillers for the star during the 20 months preceding his untimely death. Although he was acquitted this time, he was charged again in 1980 and again in 1992 and was stripped of his medical license in July 1995.

1981, Abba scored their seventh UK No.1 album with 'The Visitors'.

1987, The Pet Shop Boys had their third UK No.1 single with their version of 'Always On My Mind. The duo had performed a version of 'Always on My Mind' on Love Me Tender, an TV special commemorating the tenth anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, their performance was so well-received that the group decided to record the song and release it as a single.

1993, Michael Clarke drummer with The Byrds died of liver failure aged 47. Also worked with the Flying Burrito Brothers and Jerry Jeff Walker. Before his death Clarke had expressed a wish of alerting children to the dangers of alcoholism. Following his wishes, Clarke's girlfriend Susan Paul started a foundation in Clarke's name, called the Campaign for Alcohol-free Kids.

1994, The Manic Street Preachers played the first of three nights at The Astoria, London, the last shows Richie James made with the band before disappearing.

1999, Irish boyband Westlife started a four week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their versions of the Abba song 'I Have A Dream' and the Terry Jacks hit (written in French by Belgian, Jacques Brel and English lyrics by poet Rod McKuen), 'Seasons In The Sun'. It gave the group the Christmas No.1 and the last No.1 of the century.

2000, 10,000 Maniacs guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure aged 42. Best know for 'Hey Jack Kerouac', 'What's The Matter Here' and 'Candy Everybody Wants'.

2000, Songwriter, guitarist and singer and founder member of The Staple Singers, Roebuck 'pop' Staples died. Best known for their 1970s hits 'I'll Take You There', 'Respect Yourself', and 'Let's Do It Again'.

2000, Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol Dirty Bastard was returned to New York from Philadelphia in police custody, in order to face outstanding drug charges for possessing crack cocaine.

2001, Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton paid £3,000 for a custom built toilet. The singer ordered the hand painted porcelain loo complete with hand crafted toilet roll holder for her new £500,000 seaside apartment.

2005, Sir Elton John turned down £5.7m for the exclusive rights to his civil union to his partner David Furnish. The couple had considered the offer from a US television channel, putting the money in the Elton John Aids Foundation, but they told Attitude magazine they had decided to keep the day private.

2006, Two giant eyeballs donated by Pink Floyd raised £16,500 for the homeless charity Crisis. The 6ft-high props, made to promote the Pulse DVD, were on the auction site eBay for a week and attracted 46 bids. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, a vice-president of Crisis, said extra help was needed in the winter months.

December 19th: Born on this day

1918, Born on this day, Professor Longhair, US rock & roll piano player. Influenced Fat's Domino and Dr John. Died on 30th Jan 1980.

1940, Born on this day, Phil Ochs, US folk singer songwriter. Wrote 'There But A Fortune', hit for Joan Baez. Hung himself on 9th April 1976 suffering from chronic depression.

1941, Born on this day, Maurice White, vocals, Earth Wind and Fire, (1975 US No.1 single 'Shining Star', 1981 UK No.3 single 'Let's Groove').

1944, Born on this day, Alvin Lee, guitar vocals, Ten Years After, (UK rock group, 1970 UK No.10 single 'Love Like A Man').

1944, Born on this day, Zal Yanovsky, The Lovin Spoonful, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.8 single 'Summer In The City'). Died of a heart attack on 13th December 2002.

1949, Born on this day, John McEuen, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, (1971 US No.9 single 'Mr Bojangles').

1958, Born on this day, Chris Hamill, (Limahl), vocals, Kajagoogoo, (1983 UK No.1 single 'Too Shy').