1959, 22 year old Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, aged 17, died in a crash shortly after take-off from Clear Lake, Iowa, the pilot of the single-engined Beechcraft Bonanza plane was also killed. Holly hired the plane after heating problems developed on his tourbus. All three were traveling to Fargo, North Dakota, for the next show on their Winter Dance Party Tour which Holly had set - covering 24 cities in three weeks, to make money after the break-up of his band, The Crickets, last year.

1966, Beach Boy Carl Wilson married his girlfriend Annie Hinsche in LA.

1966, Paul McCartney attends a performance of Stevie Wonder at Scotch of St. James' Club in London and partakes in a backstage meeting with the 15-year-old genius.

1967, Otis Redding, The Marvelettes, Aaron Neville, James and Bobby Purify and The Drifters all appeared at The Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, Tennessee. Tickets cost $2.50–3.50.

1967, producer Joe Meek shot his landlady Violet Shenton and then shot himself at his flat in London, Meek produced The Tornadoes 'Telstar' the first No.1 in the US by a British group.

1968, One hit wonders The Lemon Pipers went to No.1 on the singles chart with 'Green Tambourine' the song was a No.7 hit in the UK.

1968, The Beatles started work on their new single ‘Lady Madonna’ at Abbey Road studios in London. Recording three piano and drum takes with overdub bass, fuzz guitars, drums, and vocals.

1973, Elton John started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Crocodile Rock'. Elton's first of five US No.1 singles.

1976, David Bowie kicks off an American tour in Seattle, showing off his new Thin White Duke persona.

1978, On the 19th anniversary of Buddy Holly's death, it's revealed that his Texas birthplace is scheduled for demolition by the Lubbock Building Department. The landmark is saved when the entire building is purchased and moved out of town.

1979, Blondie had their first of five No.1 singles, with 'Heart Of Glass', taken from the band's third studio album, Parallel Lines. 'Heart of Glass' was originally recorded in 1975 under the name 'Once I Had a Love.'

1979, The Blues Brothers went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Briefcase Full Of Blues'.

2003, Legendary producer Phil Spector is arrested in connection with the shooting death of a woman at his mansion in Alhambra, Calif.

Birthdays.....

1943, Shawn Phillips

1947, Dave Davies (The Kinks)

1947, Melanie (Melanie Safka)