English singer, guitarist, songwriter Wilko Johnson died at the age of 75. Johnson was known for his distinctive guitar playing style which he achieved by not using a guitar pick but playing fingerstyle. With Dr Feelgood he had the 1979 UK No.9 single 'Milk And Alcohol' and was a founding member of Solid Senders. Wilko stated in early 2013 that he had terminal cancer and was given just 10 months to live, and aptly announced he was going on a farewell tour. On 22 March 2013, Wilko played what he thought would be his final show guesting with Madness on the television programme Madness Live: Goodbye Television Centre which was broadcast on BBC Four. In Oct 2014 Johnson said he had been "cured" of the terminal pancreatic cancer.

American actor, singer, songwriter, and guitarist David Cassidy died of liver failure aged 67. He was known for his role as Keith Partridge, the son of Shirley Partridge (played by his stepmother Shirley Jones), in the 70s musical-sitcom The Partridge Family, which led to him becoming one of popular culture's teen idols. The Partridge Family had the 1970 US No.1 single 'I Think I Love You', and the 1972 UK No.3 single 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do'. As a solo artist he scored the 1972 UK No.1 single 'How Can I Be Sure'.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers were suing a US network over the name of its TV show, Californication saying the title was "immediately associated in the mind of the consumer" with its 1999 album and single release. The band filed a lawsuit against Showtime Network - the makers of the TV show, which featured David Duchovny as a writer going through a mid-life crisis. "For some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right," said the band's singer, Anthony Kiedis. He described Californication as "the signature CD, video and song of the band's career".

Eminem was at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Encore', his third US No.1 album. Girls Aloud started a two week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Pretenders 'I'll Stand By You.' This was 2004's single for the Children In Need appeal with its proceeds going towards the charity.

After a five-year wait, The Stone Roses released the single 'Love Spreads'. In true Roses fashion the group turned down an appearance on BBC 1's TV show Top Of The Pops to promote the new single.

Charles and Eddie were at No.1 in the UK singles chart with 'Would I Lie To You' the debut single by the pop-soul duo and their only chart topper.

Billy Idol knocked Tiffany from the No.1 single position on the US singles chart with his version of Tommy James ' Mony Mony'. Tiffany had been at No.1 with another Tommy James song ' I Think We're Alone Now.'

Queen and David Bowie were at No.1 in the UK with Under Pressure. They recorded the song together when both acts were working in a Swiss recording studio. It was David Bowie's first released collaboration with another recording artist.

Olivia Newton-John started a ten-week run at No.1 in the US singles chart with 'Physical', the singer's fourth US No.1 went on to sell over 2 million copies. The song was produced by John Farrar and written by Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick, who had originally intended to offer it to Rod Stewart. Newton-John recalled that she later had misgivings about the song because of its innuendos and asked that the song be pulled from release. However, she was told it was too late, and the song was already performing well on the charts.

Elton John kicked off a 13-date UK tour at The Coventry Theatre, promoting his new album Madman Across The Water. The album cover for Madman Across the Water was embroidered over two weeks by Janis Larkham, wife of the album art director David Larkham. She used the back of an old Levi's jacket, and the original was gifted to John.

Two months after his death Jimi Hendrix was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' the closing track on Electric Ladyland, the third and final album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. This was the guitarist's only UK No.1 single. Hendrix's solo on the track was named the 11th greatest solo of all-time in Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.

Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Stay', the shortest ever US No.1 single at one minute 37 seconds. A No.14 hit in the UK in 1961.

American singer and actress Rosemary Clooney was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'This Ole House.' This song was also a No.1 for Shakin' Stevens in 1981. Her nephew, George Clooney was a pallbearer at her funeral in 2002.

Drew MacFarlane guitarist from Glass Animals. Their song 'Heat Waves' reached No.1 in Australia in February 2021 and eventually reached No.1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and No.5 on the UK Singles Chart. At the 2022 Brit Awards, Glass Animals were nominated for two Brit Awards (Best British Rock Act and 'Heat Waves' for Best British Single).

Canadian singer, songwriter, and actress Carly Rae Jepsen. She garnered mainstream attention after placing third on the fifth season of Canadian Idol in 2007. Her 2012 single 'Call Me Maybe' reached No.1 in 19 countries and culminated as the year's best-selling single globally.

Francis MacDonald, drummer with Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub, who had the 1992 UK No.31 single 'What You Do To Me'). MacDonald also composes music for film and television.

Alex James, bassist with English rock band Blur who scored the 1995 UK No.1 single 'Country House', plus over 12 other UK Top 40 singles. Their 1994 UK No.1 album Parklife spent over 2 years on the UK chart. James was also a member of Me Me Me, (with Stephen Duffy), who scored the 1996 UK No.19 single 'Hanging Around'. In 2012, Blur received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. James has become notable for his production of award-winning cheeses including 'Alex James Presents' – a range of British artisan cheeses – 'Good Maude', 'Blue Monday', 'Little Wallop', 'Farleigh Wallop', and most recently 'Goddess.'

Margret Ornolfsdottir, keyboards, The Sugarcubes. The Icelandic alternative rock band from Reykjavík was formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. The Sugarcubes' debut album, Life's Too Good (1988), was an unexpected international success and produced their signature song 'Birthday'. It is credited as the first Icelandic album to have a worldwide impact and influenced Icelandic popular music.

American musician Brian Ritchie best known as the bassist for the alternative rock band Violent Femmes. The band found critical acclaim with the release of their self-titled debut album in early 1983. Featuring many of their best-known songs, including 'Blister in the Sun'.

Australian guitarist Peter Koppes, best known as a founding and almost-continuous member of the independent rock band The Church. They had the 1988 US Top 40 hit 'Under the Milky Way' taken from the album Starfish.

American guitarist, singer, and songwriter Asa Brebner. He was a member of The Modern Lovers led by Jonathan Richman. They are best know for their 1976 hit ‘Roadrunner’ which Rolling Stone ranked it Number 274 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. He died on 10 March 2019 aged 65.

American singer, songwriter, Livingston Taylor (the brother of singer, songwriter James Taylor). He had the 1978 US No. 30 single 'I Will Be In Love With You'.

American–English rock keyboardist, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick. He worked with The Who, Free, Back Street Crawler, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Johnny Nash and Roger Waters. Bundrick played on Nash's hit single and album 'I Can See Clearly Now' (1972).

American singer-songwriter Lonnie Jordan from American funk band War. Their album The World Is a Ghetto was the best-selling US album of 1973. They also scored the 1973 US No.2 single 'Cisco Kid'.

British guitarist Tony Goulden from Vanity Fare who formed in 1966. They released the million-selling song 'Hitchin' a Ride', which became a worldwide hit in 1970.

American country singer Jean Shepard, who was considered one of the genre's first significant female artists. Her commercial success ran from the 1950s to the 1970s while also being a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 60 years. Her second single, 'A Dear John Letter' with Ferlin Husky, topped the country charts in 1953. During this period, she was among the first female country performers to headline shows and be played consistently on country music radio. Shepard died on September 25 2016, in Gallatin, Tennessee, age 82, due to complications of Parkinson's and heart disease.