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May 1st: On this Day

(from thisdayinmusic.com)

2005, Coldplay became the first British band to have a new entry in the US Top 10 singles chart since The Beatles. Coldplay's latest single ‘Speed Of Sound’ entered the chart at number eight, only the second time a UK band has achieved the feat. The Beatles managed it with 'Hey Jude' in 1968.

2005, Tony Christie made chart history by hanging on to the UK number one spot for the seventh week in a row with '(Is This The Way To) Amarillo.' The last single to spend that long at number one was ‘Believe’ by Cher from October to December 1998.

2005, Bruce Springsteen went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Devils & Dust’ the American singer songwriters sixth UK No.1.

2003, soul singer Barry White suffered a stroke while being treated for kidney failure. The singer died two months later on July 4th 2003.

2000, a writer who claimed Neil Young went back on an agreement to have a biography written about him filed a $1.8 million civil fraud suit against Young in Los Angeles Superior Court. Young had blocked the book's publication.

1999, The Paintings of Paul McCartney exhibit opened at the Lyz Art Forum, Siegen, Germany. The exhibit featured 70 paintings by the former Beatle, including a piece called 'Bowie Spewing' McCartney's representation of a young David Bowie.

1997, Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt had a quadruple heart by-pass operation after visiting his Harley Street doctor and complaining of chest pains.

1996, Ben Folds Five made their live UK debut when the appeared at the 100 Club, London.

1993, Cliff Richard went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'The Album' his seventh UK No.1 album.

1993, George Michael, Queen and Lisa Stansfield went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Five Live E.P.' recorded at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert.

1993, Silk went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Freak Me', a No.46 hit in the UK.

1987, Tom Jones appeared on UK TV Channel 4 Show 'The Last Resort' with Jonathan Ross. Jones performed a version of the Prince song 'Kiss'.

1984, Fleetwood Mac drummer and founder member Mick Fleetwood filed for bankruptcy.

1983, The Style Council played their first-ever live gig at the Empire Theatre Liverpool, England.

1982, Barry Manilow scored his first UK No.1 album when 'Barry Live In Britain' went to the top of the charts.

1980, The South African government banned Pink Floyd's single 'Another Brick In The Wall' after black children adopted the song as their anthem in protest against inferior education.

1979, Elton John became the first pop star to perform in Israel. In three weeks time he also became the first Western solo pop performer to tour Russia.

1979, Rod Stewart played the first of two sold out nights at The Uptown Theatre, Chicago.

1978, the first date on a 20-date UK tour by The Tubes kicked off at Colston Hall, Bristol, tickets £2 & £4.

1977, The 'White Riot Tour' kicked of at the Roxy in London with The Clash, The Jam and The Buzzcocks.

1976, Led Zeppelin started a two-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Presence', the group's fifth No.1 album.

1976, Leo Sayer started a nine-date UK tour at the Apollo Theatre in Glasgow.

1976, The Bellamy Brothers went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Let Your Love Flow', the duo's only US No.1, a No.7 hit in the UK.

1974, The Carpenters performed at the White House, at the request of President Nixon.

1973, Washington DC, proclaimed a 'Marvin Gaye Day'.

1971, Dave and Ansil Collins were at No.1 in the UK singles chart with 'Double Barrel'.

1966, The Beatles played a 15-minute live set on stage for the last time in the UK when they appeared at the NME Poll Winners concert at Wembley Empire Pool. Also on the bill, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Cliff Richard, The Small Faces, The Yardbirds and Dusty Springfield.

1965, Herman's Hermits started a three week run at No.1 in the US singles chart with 'Mrs Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter'.

1962, The Beatles started a month long residency at The Star Club, Hamburg, Germany.


May 1st: Born on this day

1978, Born on this day, Chris Kelly, Kris Kross, (1992 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Jump'. The duo of Chris Smith and Chris Kelly were 12 and 13 when they recorded the song.

1970, Born on this day, Bernard Butler, guitar, vocals, Suede, (1994 UK No.3 single 'Stay Together', left in 1994), solo, (1995 UK No.8 single 'Yes' with David McAlmont),

1968, Born on this day, D'arcy Wretsky-Brown, bass, Smashing Pumpkins, (1995 US No.1 album 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness', 1996 UK No.7 single 'Tonight Tonight').

1967, Born on this day, Tim McGraw, US country singer, 1994 US No.1 album 'Not A Moment Too Soon'.

1966, Born on this day, Johnny Colt, The Black Crowes, (1991 UK No.39 single 'Hard To Handle', 1991 US No.4 album 'Shake Your Money Maker', 1992 US No.1 & UK No.2 album 'The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion').

1962, Born on this day, Owen Paul, UK singer, (1986 UK No. 3 single 'My Favourite Waste Of Time').

1959, Born on this day, Phil Smith, sax, Haircut 100, (1982 UK No.3 & US No.37 single 'Love Plus One')

1957, Born on this day, Rick Driscoll, Kenny, (1975 UK No.3 single 'The Bump').

1957, Born on this day, Steve Farris, Mr Mister, (1985 US No.1 & 1986 UK No.4 single 'Broken Wings').

1954, Born on this day, Ray Parker Jr. (1984 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Ghostbusters').

1946, Born on this day, Nick Fortune, bass, The Buckinghams, (1967 US No.1 single 'Kind Of A Drag').

1944, Born on this day, Rita Coolidge, US singer, songwriter, backing singer with Joe Cocker, Delaney and Bonnie, solo, (1977 UK No.6 & US No.7 single 'We're All Alone'). Married Kris Kristofferson.

1939, Born on this day, Judy Collins, US singer, (1968 US No. 8 & 1970 UK No.14 single 'Both Sides Now').

1930, Born on this day, blues artist, Little Walter. First harmonica player to amplify his harmonica giving it a distorted echoing sound. He died on February 15th 1968.