This Day In Music - April 5th

April 5th: On this Day

2006, Gene Pitney was found dead aged 65 in his bed at The Hilton hotel in Cardiff, Wales. Pitney was on a 23-date UK tour and had appeared at St David's Hall in Cardiff the previous night. The US singer had the 1963 UK No. 5 & US No.7 single 'Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa' and the solo UK No.5 and 1989 UK No.1 single with Marc Almond 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart', plus over 15 other US & UK Top 40 hits.

2003, Paul McCartney kicked off the UK leg of his 'Back In The World Tour' at Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield a year after it began in America. The set included 22 Beatles songs.

1998, James went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'The Best Of James.'

1998, The Spice Girls performed their first ever-live UK concert when they appeared in front of a 9,000 strong audience in Glasgow, Scotland.

1997, The Chemical Brothers went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Block Rockin Beats.'

1995, Jimi Hendrix's one-time girlfriend Monika Dannerman committed suicide, two days after losing a court battle with another of the guitarist's ex- lovers.

1985, at 3:50pm GMT, over 5,000 radio stations worldwide aired the charity single 'We Are The World' by USA for Africa, the single went on to be a No.1 in the US & UK, and most western territories. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie the all star cast included Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Perry and Bob Geldof.

1985, UK Channel 4 music show The Tube aired a two-hour end of series special featuring UB40, Alison Moyet, Style Council, The Pogues, Spandau Ballet, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Bronski Beat.

1984, Marvin Gaye's funeral took place at The Forest Lawn Cemetery, Los Angeles; Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy and other Motown singers, writers and producers, attended the service.

1980, Genesis scored their first UK No.1 album when 'Duke' went to the top of the charts.

1980, R.E.M. played their first ever gig when they appeared at St Mary's Episcopal Church, Athens, Georgia.

1978, Duran Duran made their live debut at The Lecture Theatre, Birmingham Polytechnic. England.

1975, Minnie Riperton went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Loving You' it was the singers only US chart hit who died on 12th July 1979. A No.2 hit in the UK.

1968, The first date of a twice-nightly UK tour featuring, Amen Corner, Gene Pitney, Status Quo, Simon Dupree & The Big Sound and Don Partridge kicked off at The Odeon Theatre, Lewisham, London.

1967, Monkees fans walked from London's Marble Arch to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square to protest Davy Jone's planned call-up. Jones was exempted because he was deemed responsible for supporting his father.

April 5th: Born on this day

1973, Born on this day, Pharrell Williams, one half of the writing duo, The Neptunes (with Chad Hugo). Produced numerous No.1 hits for Mystikal, Jay-Z, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Nelly. 2003 US No.1 album ‘The Neptunes Present…Clones.’

1968, Born on this day, Paula Cole, US singer, (1997 UK No.15 single, 'Where Have All The Cowboys Gone'').

1965, Born on this day, Mike McCready, guitar, Pearl Jam, (1992 UK No.15 single 'Jeremy', 1993 US No.1 album 'Vs').

1954, Born on this day, Stan Ridgeway, Wall Of Voodoo, solo, (1986 UK No.4 single 'Camouflage').

1951, Born on this day, Everton Morton, The Beat, (1983 UK No.3 single 'Can't Get Used To Losing You'').

1950, Born on this day, Agnetha Faltskog, vocals, Abba, (first UK hit 1974 No.1 'Waterloo', followed by eight other UK No.1 singles and 9 UK No.1 albums, 1977 US No.1 single 'Dancing Queen').

1944, Born on this day, Nicholas Caldwell, The Whispers, (1980 UK No.2 & US No.19 single 'And The Beat Goes On').

1942, Born on this day, Alan Clarke, vocals, The Hollies, (over 25 top 40 hits, 1972 US No.2 single 'Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress'), 1988 UK No.1 single 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother', first released in 1969.

1941, Born on this day, Dave Swarbick, Fairport Convention, UK folk group, (1969 UK No.21 single 'Si Tu Dois Partir').

1939, Born on this day, Ronnie White, The Miracles, (1970 UK & US No.1 single with Smokey Robinson, 'The Tears Of A Clown').

1929, Born on this day, Joe Meek, producer. Shot himself dead on 3rd February 1967 after killing his landlady. Produced 'Telstar' the 1962 UK and US No.1 single by The Tornados. The first British act to have a No.1 in the US. Also produced hits for John Leyton and The Honeycombs.

1928, Born on this day, Tony Williams, The Platters, (1959 UK & US No.1 single 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes'). Died on 14th August 1992.

April 5th: Three steps to heaven

1998, UK Drummer Cozy Powell was killed when his car smashed into crash barriers on a motorway in Bristol, England. Worked with Whitesnake, ELP, Black Sabbath, Rainbow and the ELP spin-off Emerson, Lake, & Powell. Plus sessions with Donovan, Roger Daltrey, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Gary Moore and Brian May.

1994, Kurt Cobain committed suicide by shooting himself in the head at his home in Seattle. Gary Smith who was working at Kurt Cobain's house discovered his body three days later lying on the floor in the greenhouse.

1983, Danny Rapp, leader of 50's group Danny and the Juniors committed suicide by shooting himself. (1958 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'At The Hop').

1981, Canned Heat singer Bob Hite died of a heart attack aged 36. (1970 UK No.2 & US No.26 single 'Let's Work Together').