This Day in Music
On this day in music, April 24, 1995, Oasis scored their first No.1 hit in the UK with their sixth single, “Some Might Say.” Written by Noel Gallagher, the tune was taken from the Manchester band’s second album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, and marked the last recording made with their original drummer, Tony Carroll. The song became a defining hit for the band and was one of the biggest singles of the year in the UK.
In 1970, Elton John released his single “Border Song” in North America. While the song tanked during its initial release in the UK, it found better success across the Atlantic, where it gave the British singer and pianist his first appearance on any chart (peaking at No.34 in Canada). Co-written with John’s longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, “Border Song” was plucked from the singer’s self-titled second album.
In 2016, Philadelphia soul legend Billy Paul died at 81. Born Paul Williams in the City of Brotherly Love, the singer made his recording debut in 1952 but didn’t begin to enjoy success until 1970, when he began collaborating with noted songwriters and producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who signed him to their Philadelphia International label. He was best remembered for 1972’s “Me and Mrs. Jones,” a No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song, which peaked at No.12 in the UK, also earned Paul a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Male Artist.
In 1968, The Beatles’ newly formed Apple label turned down signing David Bowie, who had just left Deram Records. Bowie’s then-manager Kenneth Pitt submitted a demo tape, only to receive a letter from the company’s A&R chief, Peter Asher, stating that “Apple Records is not interested in signing David Bowie. The reason is that we don’t feel he’s what we’re looking for at the moment.”
In 1965, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders scored their sole No.1 hit in the US with “Game Of Love.” The Manchester band – whose frontman took his stage name from Elvis Presley’s drummer, D. J. Fontana – would only break the Hot 100 once again with “It’s Just A Little Bit Too Late,” which peaked at No.46.
In 1961, Bob Dylan made his first officially released recording, earning $50 for playing harmonica on the title track of Harry Belafonte’s LP, The Midnight Special. Dylan had made his debut recording five months earlier on a record by folk singer Carolyn Hester, but it wasn’t released until after Belafonte’s album.
In 1968, New Orleans jazz legend Louis Armstrong scored his only UK No.1 hit with “What A Wonderful World.” At the time, Armstrong, then 69, was the oldest act to top the UK charts.
BORN ON APRIL 24
1942: Barbra Streisand
1945: Doug Clifford (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
1951: Nigel Harrison (Blondie)
1958: Boris Williams (The Cure)
1963: Billy Gould (Faith No More)
1964: Paul Ryder (Happy Mondays)
1967: Patty Schemel (Hole)
1982: Kelly Clarkson
1987: Ben Howard
