This Day In Music - May 24th

May 24th: On this Day

(from thisdayinmusic.com)

2003, Paul McCartney made his first ever live performance in Russia when he

appeared in front of 20,000 fans in Red Square.

2002, Paul McCartney opened his first major UK art exhibition 'The Art Of

Paul McCartney' at The Walker, Liverpool.

2000, A New York Judge told Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde that if she

wanted her March arrest for protesting the sale of leather goods in a Gap

store dismissed, she'd better keep her nose clean for the next six months.

2000, Andrea and Sharon Corr from The Corrs both collapsed in the mid-day

sun whilst shooting their new video in the Mojave Desert in California. The

pair were treated in hospital for heat exhaustion and were back on the set

within 24 hours.

1999, Freddie Mercury was featured on a new set of millennium stamps issued

by the Royal Mail. The Queen front man who died in 1991, was featured on the

19p stamp. The singer was a keen stamp collector, and his collection was

bought by the Post Office in 1993. The stamp marked his contribution to the

Live Aid charity concert in 1985.

1998, Appearing at Haigh Hall, Wigan, England, John Martyn, The Verve and

Beck.

1998, Garbage went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Version 2.0.'

1997, Hanson started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with

'MMMBop', the brothers first US No.1, also a No.1 in the UK.

1997, The Spice Girls went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Spice',

making them only the third all girl group to do so after The Supremes and

The Go-Go's and the first ever UK girl group to do so.

1997, Boyzone kicked off a 12-date UK tour at Aberdeen Conference Centre.

1992, police in Montgomery were called when an impostor posing as Steve

Miller left a hotel owing a $600 (£353) unpaid bill, he did however leave a

$73 (£43) tip on a $8 (£4.7) drinks bill.

1984, US backed pirate station Laser 558, started broadcasting in the UK.

Within a few months the station claimed to have over 10 million listeners.

1982, The Clash kicked off a 12-date UK tour at Leeds University.

1981, Appearing at The Top Rank, Brighton, England, Toyah.

1980, Genesis fans turning up at the Roxy Club box office in Los Angeles to

buy tickets for a forthcoming gig were surprised to find the band members

Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford selling the tickets themselves.

1980, The Beat kicked off a 22-date UK tour at Friars, Aylesbury.

1975, Earth Wind and Fire went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Shining

Star', the groups first and only US No.1.

1970, Peter Green played his last gig with Fleetwood Mac when they appeared

at the Bath Festival, Somerset, England.

1969, Bob Dylan scored his fourth No.1 UK album with 'Nashville Skyline'.

1969, BBC television aired the first '33 & A Third Revolutions Per Monkee',

guests included Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Julie

Driscoll.

1969, The Beatles with Billy Preston started a five week run at No.1 on the

US singles chart with 'Get Back', the groups 17th US No.1.

1968, The Rolling Stones released the single 'Jumpin Jack Flash' in the UK.

1962, Elvis Presley was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Good Luck

Charm' his 11th UK No.1 single.

1956, the first Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland. The

event was the brainchild of Marcel Baisoncon of the European Broadcasting

Union. Seven countries participated and they were each allowed two songs.

Both Luxembourg and the winner Switzerland used the same singer for both.

Switzerland won with 'Refrain' by Lys Assia.

May 24th: Born on this day

1969, Born on this day, Rich Robinson, guitar, The Black Crowes, (1991 UK

No.39 single 'Hard To Handle', 1992 US No.1 & UK No.2 album 'The Southern

Harmony And Musical Companion').

1969, Born on this day, Tommy Page, (1990 US No.1 single 'I'll Be Your

Everything', a No. 53 hit in the UK).

1967, Born on this day, Heavy D, US rapper, (1991 UK No.2 single 'Now That

We Found Love').

1962, Born on this day in 1962, Gene Anthony Ray, 'Leroy' in TV's 'Fame'.

Axed fro the show in 1984 after his mother was jailed for running a drug

ring, danced with The Weather Girls in their video of 'It's Raining Men.' He

died on November 19th 2003.

1947, Born on this day, Albert Bouchard, Blue Oyster Cult, (1976 US No. 12

and 1978 UK No.16 single 'Don't Fear The Reaper').

1947, Born on this day, Cynthia 'Plaster' Caster, groupie who became famous

for making plaster cast's of rock star's penises and breasts. Clients

include Jimi Hendrix and members from MC5, Television, The Kinks and various

road managers.

1946, Born on this day, Steve Upton, Wishbone Ash, (1972 UK No.3 album

'Argus', & 8 other Top 40 albums).

1945, Born on this day, Dave Peacock, Chas & Dave, (1982 UK No.2 single

'Ain't No Pleasing You').

1942, Born on this day, Derek Quinn, Freddie and the Dreamers, (1963 UK No.3

single 'You Were Made For Me', 1965 US No.1 single 'I'm Telling You Now').

1942, Born on this day, Sarah Dash, Labelle, (1975 US No.1 & UK No.17,

single 'Lady Marmalade').

1941, Born on this day, Robert Zimmerman, (Bob Dylan), US folk singer,

songwriter, over 40 albums since 1964, major influence on The Beatles, and

The Rolling Stones during the 60's. 1965 US No.2 single 'Like A Rolling

Stone', 1969 UK No.5 single 'Lay Lady Lay', 1964 UK No.1 album 'The

Freewheelin' Bob Dylan'). Member of The Traveling Wilburys.

May 24th: I knew the bride

1986, Country singer Garth Brooks married Sandy Mahl. The couple divorced in

2000 after 12 years of marriage.

May 24th: Three steps to heaven

1991, Founder member of The Byrds Gene Clark died of a heart attack aged 49.

1974, Duke Ellington, composer, bandleader, pianist, died aged 75. Worked

with Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday.

1963, Elmore James US blues guitarist, singer, died of a heart attack aged

45. Wrote 'Shake Your Money Maker', Covered by Fleetwood Mac in 1968.

Influenced Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Keith Richards.