On this day

1964 | The Beatles scored their first No.1 best seller in the US when ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ reached the top of the Cash Box Magazine music chart.

1975 | The Carpenters went to No.1 on the US singles chart with their version of The Marveletts 1961 hit ‘Please Mr. Postman’.

1986 | Norwegian group A-Ha were at No.1 in the UK with ‘The Sun Always Shines On TV’.

2015 | Greek singer Demis Roussos, who sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, died aged 68 in hospital in Athens.

Born on this day

1931 | Swedish songwriter, producer and ABBA’s manager Stig Anderson. He co-wrote some of ABBA’s biggest hits, such as ‘Waterloo’, ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘S.O.S’, ‘Fernando’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’.

1938 | Etta James, singer, who had 9 US Top 40 hits during the 60s including the 1996 UK No.5 single ‘I Just Want To Make Love To You’. James died on January 20, 2012.

1956 | Andy Cox, guitarist with British band The Beat.

1981 | Alicia Keys, American R&B and soul singer, songwriter.