Music Almanac: December 30, 2017

Birthdays 

• 1927 - Bob Ferguson (songwriter, Wings of a Dove, The Carroll County Accident) (d. 2001)
• 1928 - Bo Diddley (d. 2008)
• 1930 - Red Rhodes (steel guitar, Michael Nesmith) (d. 1995)
• 1931 - Skeeter Davis (d. 2004)
• 1934 - Del Shannon (d. 1990)
• 1937 - Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary) (80)
• 1937 - John Hartford (d.2001)
• 1938 - Mike Auldridge (Seldom Scene) (d. 2012)
• 1940 - Kenny Pentifallo (Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes) (77)
• 1940 - Perry Ford (born Bryan Pugh) (Ivy League) (d. 1999)
• 1942 - Michael Nesmith (Monkees) (75)
• 1942 - Robert Quine (Voidoids) (d. 2004)
• 1945 - Davy Jones (Monkees) (d. 2012)
• 1946 - Patti Smith (71)
• 1946 - Clive Bunker (Jethro Tull) (71)
• 1947 - Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra, Traveling Wilburys) (70)
• 1956 - Suzy Bogus (61)
• 1959 - Tracy Ullman (58)
• 1964 - Duglas Stewart (BMX Bandits) (53)
• 1969 - Jay Kay (born Jason Cheetham) (Jamiroquai) (48)
• 1970 - Sister Bliss (born Ayalah Bentovim) (Faithless) (47)
• 1973 - Jon Theodore (Mars Volta, Queens of the Stone Age) (44)
• 1978 - Tyrese (born Tyrese Gibbons) (39)
• 1982 - Wesley Schultz (Lumineers) (35)
• 1986 - Ellie Goulding (31)

Deaths

• 1967 - Bert Berns (songwriter, Piece of My Heart, Twist & Shout) (38)
• 1995 - Clarence Satchell (Ohio Players) - Brain aneurysm (55)
• 1998 - Johnny Moore (Drifters) - Respiratory failure (64)
• 2009 - Rowland S. Howard (Birthday Party) - Liver cancer (50)
• 2010 - Bobby Farrell (Boney M) - Heart failure (61)
• 2016 - Alan Williams (Beatles' first manager) (86)

On This Day

• 1944 - Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys debuted at the Grand Ole Opry. It was the first time drums were allowed on the show.
• 1950 - Lefty Frizzell made his first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. 
• 1962 - Brenda Lee was injured trying to save her poodle from her burning house.
• 1969 - Peter Tork bought himself out of his contract with the Monkees.
• 1978 - Emerson, Lake and Palmer announced they were breaking up.
• 1978 - XTC played live for the first time in the U.S. in Philadelphia.
• 1999 - George and Olivia Harrison were attacked by an intruder in their Henley-on-Themes, England home. George suffered a collapsed lung from stab wounds while Olivia was treated for wounds and bruises.
• 1999 - It was announced that Noddy Holder of Slade would receive an MBE and Mark Knopfler an OBE from the Queen.
• 1999 - One of the victims of the night club shooting where Sean Puffy Combs was in attendance sued the rapper for $100 million.
• 2002 - Diana Ross was arrested for a DUI in Arizona.
• 2002 - Clash singer Joe Strummer's funeral was held in London.
• 2003 - Chris Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets was shot in the back during a struggle with a post office security guard in Phoenix. He was also arrested for the incident.
• 2005 - DMX was released from prison after serving a month of a 70-day parole violation sentence.
• 2006 - Brandy was in a four-car crash that left one woman dead.
• 2006 - It was announced that Rod Stewart would receive a CBE from the Queen.
• 2009 - Neil Young was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. 
• 2012 - Brian May was named PETA UK's Person of the Year. 
• 2016 - Darryl "DMC" McDaniels of Run-DMC sued a number of retailers for selling unlicensed clothing using the band's name.

Marriages

• 1989 - Chris Novoselic (Nirvana) and Shelli Dilly
• 1993 - Kirk Pengilly (INXS) and Deni Hines

Recorded

• 1950 - 60 Minute Man - Billy Ward & the Dominos

Broadcasts

• 1965 - Shindig! - Kinks, Who, Manfred Mann, Hollies, Gerry & the Pacemakers

Number Ones – U.S. Singles

• 1950 - The Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page (9 weeks)
• 1967 - Hello, Goodbye - Beatles (3 weeks)

Number Ones – U.S. Albums 

• 1950 - Merry Christmas - Bing Crosby (2 weeks (33 previous weeks))
• 1995 - Daydream - Mariah Carey (3 weeks)
• 2006 - The Inspiration - Young Jeezy (1 week)

Number Ones – U.S. R&B Singles

• 1989 - Tender Lover - Babyface (2 weeks)

Number Ones – U.S. Country Singles

• 1972 - She's Got to Be a Saint - Ray Price (3 weeks)

Number Ones – U.S. Adult Contemporary Singles

• 1972 - Sweet Surrender - Bread (2 weeks)
• 1995 - One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey Featuring Boyz II Men (13 weeks)
• 2000 - This I Promise You - N'Sync (1 week)
• 2006 - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Hall and Oates (2 weeks)

Number Ones – U.K. Singles

• 2006 - A Moment Like This - Leona Lewis (4 weeks)

Number Ones – U.K. Albums 

• None