21 APRIL
In Music History
1969 Mick Jagger sends a letter to Andy Warhol, who has agreed to design the artwork for the Rolling Stones album Sticky Fingers. Jagger writes: "In my short sweet experience, the more complicated the format of the album... the more f--ked up the reproduction and agonising delays." Warhol eventually delivers a design with a working zipper, which becomes one of the most memorable album covers ever made, but is very difficult to mass produce.
1962 Elvis Presley's "Good Luck Charm" hits #1.
1959 Johnny Mathis records "Misty."
1959 Robert Smith of The Cure is born in Blackpool, Lancashire, UK.
1959 Alt rocker Michael Timmins (guitarist for Cowboy Junkies) is born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
1958 The Platters' "Twilight Time" hits #1.
1958 Mike Barson (keyboardist for Madness) is born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
1957 At his first session with Atco Records, an offshoot of Atlantic Records, Bobby Darin records "Don't Call My Name," "Pretty Betty," and "So Mean."
1956 Elvis Presley's breakout hit "Heartbreak Hotel" goes to #1 in America.
1951 Les Paul and Mary Ford's "How High The Moon" hits #1.
1951 Nickey Barclay (keyboardist for Fanny) is born.
1948 Singer-songwriter Paul Davis is born in Meridian, Mississippi.
1947 Iggy Pop is born James Newell Osterberg Jr. in Muskegon, Michigan. As a solo artist and with his band The Stooges, he literally bleeds on stage, often rolling shirtless in broken glass. His most POP-ular songs are "The Passenger" and "Lust For Life," both released in 1977.
1947 Rock musician John Weider (guitarist for The Animals, bassist for Family) is born in Shepherd's Bush, London, England.
1947 Alan Warner (lead guitarist for The Foundations) is born in Paddington, West London, England.
Prince Dies
2016Prince dies at age 57 after overdosing on fentanyl, a highly addictive opioid.
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Featured Events
2014 Big Sean becomes the first rapper to perform at the White House when he duets with Ariana Grande on "Right There" at the annual Easter Egg Roll.
2004 Future Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson gets voted off season three of American Idol, where she finishes in seventh place.More
2004 Michael Jackson is officially charged with child molestation after a California grand jury determines there is enough evidence to proceed with allegations made against him for time spent at his Neverland Ranch.
1984 "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" goes to #1 on the Hot 100, giving Phil Collins his first solo chart-topper on the tally. He will have six more.
1960 For about 20 years, it was common practice for record companies to pay DJs to play songs, but now the US government is cracking down on what they call "Payola." Dick Clark testifies before congress and admits that he took money and gifts to play records - estimating 27% of his playlist to be paid. Clark emerges more powerful than ever, selling off conflicting interests and expanding his music empire. On the other hand, another prominent DJ and TV host, Alan Freed, refuses to admit that he took payola, insisting that he was a consultant to the industry. His career never recovers despite his massive influence and success.
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