188 Classic Rock

June 16th 1982, Pretenders guitarist James Honeyman-Scott died following sustained cocaine and heroin addiction.

16th June 1986, The Smiths released their third studio album The Queen Is Dead. The album spent twenty-two weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number two. The album is considered to be a defining album of the 1980s, as well as one of the greatest...

June 16th 1941, Born on this day, American songwriter and record producer Lamont Dozier, (Holland/Dozier/Holland), who wrote many hits for Motown records, (14 US Billboard No.1 hits), including The Supremes, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves & The...

15th June 1996, US jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald died in Beverly Hills, California, aged 79. Already blinded by the effects of diabetes, Fitzgerald had both her legs amputated in 1993. Winner of 13 Grammy Awards, the 1956 'Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole...

15th June 1941, Born on this day, Harry Nilsson, US singer, songwriter, (1972 UK & US No.1 single with his version of The Badfinger song 'Without You', 1969 US No.6 single 'Everybody's Talkin' from the film Midnight Cowboy'). The Monkees, Three Dog Night...

June 15th 1969, During a short 5 date UK tour Led Zeppelin appeared at The Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England supported by Blodwyn Pig and The Liverpool Scene. The flyer for the tour stated: 'Come & take off, levitate with the Led Zeppelin album'.

June 15th 1943, Born on this day, Johnny Halliday, 'the French Elvis', major star in Europe. Jimmy Page, Peter Frampton and Foreigner's Mick Jones have played on his records.

June 15th 1933, Born on this day Waylon Jennings. Jennings worked as a DJ, played bass with Buddy Holly, Jennings unintentionally missing flying with Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens on the flight on which they died. In 1976 he released the album...

June 15th 1946, Born on this day, Demis Roussos, singer, (1976 UK No.1 EP, featuring 'Forever And Ever'). In the 1970s he was a member of Aphrodite's Child, a progressive rock group that also included Vangelis. Roussos died on 25 January 2015.

June 15th 1946, Born on this day, Noddy Holder, guitar, vocals, Slade, (1971 UK No.1 single 'Coz I Luv You', plus five other UK No.1 singles and 18 UK Top 40 hits. Now a TV actor, (The Grimleys), radio and TV presenter.