EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY DECEMBER 17 IN MUSIC HISTORY
On this day December 17 in 1954 – With ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’, Bill Haley and his Comets became the first group to have a rock and roll song chart in the United Kingdom.
1967 – John Lennon and George Harrison held a party in London for the area secretaries of the Official Beatles Fan Club. The guests were also treated with sneak previews of the films Magical Mystery Tour and The Beatles at Shea Stadium.
1971 – David Bowie released his fourth album ‘Hunky Dory’ through RCA Records on this day December 17 in music history. The album was well-received by both fans and critics and it peaked at No.3 in the UK.
15 Interesting Facts About David Bowie
1982 – American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Joseph Lee “Big Joe” Williams died at the age of 79. Best remembered for hit songs such as ‘Preach Orchard Mama’, ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’, ‘She Left Me a Mule to Ride’, and ‘Crawlin’ King Snake’.
1983 – The first edition of the British compilation album series ‘Now That’s What I Call Music’ started a four-week run at No.1 in the UK on this day December 17. The album features hits by various popular music acts such as Phil Collins, UB40, Duran Duran, Rod Stewart, Culture Club, New Edition, and others.
1994 – Jamaican reggae musician Ini Kamoze started a two-week stint at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Here Comes the Hotstepper’. The song was a worldwide hit and it also reached No.1 on nine other singles charts.
1999 – American actor, singer, and songwriter Rex Allen also known as the Arizona Cowboy died on this day December 17 in music history at the age of 78.
1999 – American jazz and soul music saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. died at the age of 56 from a heart attack. Best remembered as a pioneer of the smooth jazz genre and for the hit “Just the Two of Us”.
Grover Washington Jr. ft. Bill Withers – Just the Two of Us
2006 – English multi-instrumentalist and backing vocalist Denis Peyton died on this day December 17 , aged 63. Best remembered for his work with the rock band The Dave Clark Five (DC5).
2010 – American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Don Van Vliet better known by his stage name Captain Beefheart died at the age of 69.
2011 – With the posthumously released compilation album ‘Lioness: Hidden Treasures’, Amy Winehouse hit number one in the UK on this day December 17.
2011 – Singer-songwriter Olly Murs scored his third number one single in the United Kingdom with ‘Dance With Me Tonight’.
2016 – With his third studio album ‘Starboy’, Canadian signer The Weeknd went to number one on the US Billboard 200 chart on this day December 17 in music history.
2020 – English musician Yungblud scored his first number one album in the UK with his second studio release ‘Weird!’.
2020 – 26 years after the song’s initial release, Mariah Carey topped the UK Singles chart for the first time with ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ on this day December 17.
BORN ON THIS DAY DECEMBER 17 IN MUSIC HISTORY
1910 – American jazz trumpeter, singer, bandleader, composer, and arranger Melvin James “Sy” Oliver was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on this day December 17 in music history.
1932 – American jazz alto saxophonist and composer Sylvester Kyner Jr. also known professionally as Sonny Red was born in Detroit, Michigan.
1933 – Country music singer-songwriter and guitar player Nathan “Nat” Stuckey was born on this day December 17 in Cass County, Texas. Best known for hit songs such as ‘Sweet Tang’, ‘Take Time to Love Her’, and ‘Plastic Saddle’.
1936 – British singer and guitarist Thomas Hicks better known by his stage name Tommy Steele was born in London, England. Best known for the hit singles ‘Singing the Blues’, ‘Rock with the Caveman’, ‘Water, Water’, and ‘Little White Bull’ among other.
1937 – American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Arthur “Art” Neville was born on this day December 17 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
1939 – American R&B keyboardist and vocalist James Booker nicknamed “The Black Liberace” was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.
1939 – Co-founder and lead singer of The Temptations, Edward Kendrick also known as Eddie Kendricks was born in Union Springs, Alabama on this day December 17 in music history.
1941 – Singer-songwriter David John Harman better known by his stage name Dave Dee was born in Salisbury, England. He rose to fame as the frontman of the band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich.
1942 – Blues music singer, harmonica player, and bandleader Paul Butterfield was born on this day December 17 in Chicago, Illinois.
1948 – American drummer Jim Bonfanti was born in Windber, Pennsylvania. He came to prominence as the drummer of the pop rock band The Raspberries.
1949 – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Paul Rodgers was born on this day, December 17 in Middlesbrough, England. Best known as the lead singer of the bands Free, Bad Company, The Law, and The Firm.
1950 – Jamaican reggae drummer Carlton Barret was born on this day in Kingston, Jamaica. Best known for his work with Bob Marley & The Wailers.
1958 – Multi-instrumentalist, singer, and founding member of the band R.E.M, Michael “Mike” Mills was born in Orange County, California on this day December 17 in music history.
1959 – Lead guitarist and founding member of the rock band The Replacements, Robert “Bob” Stinson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1961 – British singer Sara Elizabeth Dallin was born on this day December 17 in Bristol, England. Best known as a founding member of the pop group Bananarama.
1964 – Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Ginger Wildheart was born David Leslie Walls in South Shields, England. Best known as a leader of the hard rock band The Wildhearts.
1966 – American country music singer and songwriter Tracy Byrd was born on this day December 17 in Vidor, Texas. Best known for his chart-topping singles ‘Holdin’ Heaven’ and ‘Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo’.
1969 – Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Mick Quinn was born in Cambridge, England. He came to prominence as a founding member of the band Supergrass.