188 Classic Rock

July 16th 1981, US singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, who had success in the 70s with 'Taxi’, ‘W-O-L-D’ and a No. 1 ‘Cat’s In The Cradle’, was killed aged 38 suffering a cardiac arrest while driving on a New York expressway. His car was hit from behind by...

July 16th 2012, Jon Lord the former keyboard player with Deep Purple, died aged 71. Lord was a co-founder of Deep Purple in 1968 and co-wrote many of the group's songs including Smoke On The Water. He also played with bands including Whitesnake. He had...

July 16th 2014, Blues guitarist Johnny Winter died at the age of 70 in Zurich, just days after playing at the Lovely Days Festival in Austria. Winter, who was instantly recognisable by his long white hair, worked with some of the greatest bluesmen, producing...

July 16th 1941, Born on this day, Desmond Dekker, Jamaican singer, (with The Aces, 1969 UK No.1 & US No.9 single 'Israelites'). Died May 25, 2006.

15th July 1978, The Rolling Stones started a two-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Some Girls the group's seventh US No.1 album. The cover designed by Peter Corriston, featured The Rolling Stones in garish drag alongside select female celebrities...

July 15th 1956, Born on this day, American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Joe Satriani. He is a 15-time Grammy Award nominee and has sold over 10 million albums, making him the biggest-selling instrumental rock guitarist of all...

15th July 1956, Born on this day, Ian Curtis, guitar, vocals, Warsaw, Joy Division, (1980 UK No.13 single 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'). Curtis hanged himself in the kitchen of his house in Macclesfield, England on 18th May 1980 at the age of 23. Curtis...

July 15th 1972, Elton John started a five week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Honky Chateau', his first US chart topper.

July 15th 1946, Born on this day, Linda Ronstadt, US singer, songwriter, (1975 US No.1 single 'You're No Good', 1989 UK No.2 single with Aaron Neville, 'Don't Know Much' plus over 15 other US Top 40 hits).

July 15th 1949, Born on this day, Trevor Horne, Buggles, (1979 UK No.1 single 'Video Killed The Radio Star'), Yes, (1980-81), produced three UK No.1's for Frankie Goes To Hollywood, 'Relax', 'Two Tribes', & 'The Power Of Love').