On This Day In The World Of Music - 10th April 2021
It's Saturday and a sad day here in the United Kingdom after the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh. Still, life must go on, and in that regard, time for me to bring you some more historical facts from this day in music, rock & pop. I personally love the history of the music world as there are so many interesting stories and events that lie behind the hits that we hear on the radio. This feature, which is also broadcast on Swan Radio here in the UK celebrates those who were born on this day, and have entertained us over the years with their artistry and talent.
To start with however, let's find out which hits were at the top of the charts in the US on this day in 1973
- Crocodile Rock - Elton John
- You're So Vain - Carly Simon
- Why Can't We Live Together - Timmy Thomas
- Oh Babe, What Would You Say? - Hurricane Smith
- Superstition - Stevie Wonder
And the top 5 on this day in 1973 in the UK were...
- Get Down - Gilbert O'Sullivan
- Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree - Dawn feat Tony Orlando
- I'm A Clown - David Cassidy
- The Twelfth Of Never - Donny Osmond
- Hello! Hello! I'm Back Again - Gary Glitter
Many interesting, fascinating and sometimes strange events occurred on this day in years past. Highlights included...
10th Apr 1967 - Marvin Gaye recorded his version of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'. The song was first recorded by The Miracles and had also been a million seller in 1967 for Gladys Knight and the Pips.
10th Apr 1970 - Paul McCartney issued a press statement, announcing that The Beatles had split, ( this occurred just one week before the release of his solo album). McCartney said, 'I have no future plans to record or appear with The Beatles again, or to write any music with John'. John Lennon, who had kept his much-earlier decision to leave The Beatles quiet for the sake of the others, was furious. When a reporter called Lennon to comment upon Paul's resignation, Lennon said, 'He hasn't left. I sacked him'.
10th Apr 1970 - Elton John released his self titled second studio album which included his breakthrough single 'Your Song'. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year the following year.
10th Apr 1976 - Peter Frampton went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Frampton Comes Alive', one of the biggest selling 'live' albums in rock history. It was the best-selling album of 1976, selling over 6 million copies in the US.
10th Apr 1982 - Iron Maiden had their first UK No.1 album with The Number Of The Beast. The bands 3rd studio album saw the introduction of vocalist Bruce Dickinson and the final appearance of drummer Clive Burr. This was their first album to reach No. 1 in the UK Album Chart, and it was also certified platinum in the US.
10th Apr 1985 – Madonna started her very first North American tour by playing the first of three nights at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington. The Beastie Boys opened for her over those three concerts.
10th Apr 2001 - Sean Puffy Combs was stopped by police in Golden Beach, Miami who informed him that his driving license was suspended. Combs was not arrested because he claimed he was unaware of the suspension, but he was cited for the traffic violation.
10th Apr 2005 - The final episode of The Osbournes was aired on MTV in the UK. The show reached a peak audience of eight million at it's height during a three year run. Ozzy Osbourne was at a loss to explain its popularity, saying, 'I suppose Americans get a kick out of watching a crazy Brit family like us make complete fools of ourselves every week.'
10th Apr 2006 - Actress Gwyneth Paltrow & Coldplay frontman Chris Martin announced they had named their second child, a boy, Moses Martin. The couple also had a daughter named Apple.
10th Apr 2007 - The former home of country singing legend Johnny Cash burnt to the ground. Johnny and his wife June used the home in Tennessee to write many of their songs, and to entertain fans and US presidents too. Indeed, a section of Cash's famous video for 'Hurt' was filmed inside the house. After the couple's deaths in 2003, the home was purchased by Bee Gee Barry Gibb who was preparing to refurbish the property when fire struck - within a few hours, only the stone chimneys were left of the building.
Finally, many well known rock & pop artists were born on 9th April. These include...
10th Apr 1936 - Bobbie Smith - Singer with the Detroit Spinners
10th Apr 1936 - Ricky Valance (born David Spencer) - Singer & performer
10th Apr 1947 - Karl Russell - Singer with The Hues Corporation
10th Apr 1947 - Bunny Wailer - Jamaican singer songwriter and percussionist
10th Apr 1948 - Fred Smith - Bassist with Television
10th Apr 1950 - Ernest Stewart - Keyboards with KC and the Sunshine Band
10th Apr 1950 - Eddie Hazel - Lead guitar with Parliament-Funkadelic
10th Apr 1953 - Terre Roche - Singer, songwriter with The Roches
10th Apr 1959 - Brian Setzer - Guitar & vocals with The Stray Cats
10th Apr 1959 - Katrina Leskanich - lead singer with Katrina And The Waves
10th Apr 1963 - Mark Oliver Everett - Lead singer, guitarist, & keyboardist with Eels
10th Apr 1964 - Alan 'Reni' Wren - Drummer with The Stone Roses
10th Apr 1968 - Kenediid Osman - Bassist with Sleeper
10th Apr 1970 - Q-Tip - Rapper with A Tribe Called Quest
10th Apr 1979 - Sophie Ellis Bextor - Singer & performer
10th Apr 1981 - Liz McClarnon - Singer with Atomic Kitten
A very Happy Birthday to all those mentioned above...