1956 – Elvis Presley
RCA Records placed a half page advert in Billboard Magazine claiming that Elvis Presley was ‘the new singing rage.’
1958 – Simon and Garfunkel
Big Records released ‘Our Song’ by a teenage duo from Queens, New York, Tom and Jerry. The duo will become famous in the ’60s under their real names, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
1977 – Sex Pistols
At 7am in the morning on a trestle table set up out-side Buckingham Palace, London, the Sex Pistols signed to A&M Records, (the real signing had taken place the day before). An after party was held at the offices of A&M records following the signing where the group set about reeking unforeseen havoc on the posh building, with Sid Vicious smashing a toilet and cutting his foot, trailing blood everywhere he went, while Rotten cursed and threatened every upscale executive in sight and guitarist Steve Jones getting it on with an unnamed fan in the restrooms.The contract lasted for six days.
1979 – Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Will Survive’, also a No.1 in the UK. The song was originally released as the B-side to a song first recorded by The Righteous Brothers called ‘Substitute.’
1988 – Andy Gibb
Younger brother of The Bee Gees, Andy Gibb died in hospital. His death from myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) followed a long battle with cocaine addiction, which had weakened his heart.
1996 – Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette won Best Album for Jagged Little Pill, Best Female singer, Best Rock Album, Best songwriter and best single at the 25th Juno Awards held in Hamilton, Canada.
2000 – Chrissie Hynde
Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde was arrested for leading an animal rights protest against the clothing firm Gap, who were accused of using leather from cows slaughtered ‘illegally and cruelly’. The protest took place in a store in Manhattan.
2003 – Dixie Chicks
During a concert in London, England, Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines said that the band was “ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas” (referring to Maines’ hometown of Lubbock and President Bush hailing from the same state). This was during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, the comment sparked intense controversy and outrage among Americans, including a large share of country music fans.
2009 – Paul McCartney
Tickets for a one-off gig by Sir Paul McCartney in Las Vegas sold out seven seconds after going on sale. The former Beatle was booked to perform at the opening of the New Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on 19 April 2009 in-front of 4,000 fans. Tickets cost $750 each.
2010 – Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd won a court battle with EMI that prevented the record company from selling single downloads and ringtones on the Internet from the group’s albums. Pink Floyd‘s back catalogue was second only in sales to The Beatles.
2017 – Joni Sledge
American singer–songwriter, actress and producer Joni Sledge died from natural causes age 60. She was best known as a founding member of Sister Sledge, who were best known for their hits ‘We Are Family’ and ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’.
2019 – Asa Brebner
American guitarist, singer, and songwriter Asa Brebner died age 65. He was a member of The Modern Lovers led by Jonathan Richman. They are best know for their 1976 hit ‘Roadrunner’ which Rolling Stone ranked it Number 274 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
