Today in rock history 27th January

1930 – The great blues singer Bobby “Blue” Bland is born in Rosemark, Tenn. 1945 – Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason is born in Birmingham, England. 1951 – Thin Lizzy drummer Brian Downey is born in Dublin. 1951 – J. Geils Band keyboardist Seth Justman is born in Washington, D.C. 1964 – The Rolling Stones appear on British television’s Juke Box Jury, where they pass judgment on that week’s single releases. 1967 – The Beatles sign a new, 9-year contract with EMI. 1968 – Faith No More vocalist Mike Patton is born in Eureka, Calif. 1971 – David Bowie arrives for his first visit to the U.S. He does not perform, but receives much publicity for wearing dresses in Texas and Louisiana. 1976 – David Bowie sues his former attorney, alleging that Michael Lippan took a 15 percent agent’s fee instead of the customary 10 percent. Bowie’s suit also claims that after his dismissal, Lippan withheld $475,000 in earnings from the singer. 1990 – In honor of one of its most famous sons, Gainesville, Fla., declares today Tom Petty Day. 1997 – At the American Music Awards, starchy crooner Pat Boone reveals his new “metal” direction, wearing leathers and a studded collar. His weekly Gospel America TV show is cancelled. Says Boone, “I’m not going to apologize; I’ve been one of the biggest squares of all time. Now I’m being judged like I used to judge these rockers, but God loves rockers too!” 2005 – R.E.M. are forced to cancel a gig for the first time since 1995 when their crew and gear is held at the Estonian/Russia border. The band were due to play St. Petersburg. 2011 –Police filed charges against the adoptive son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour on Thursday for his role in last month’s violent protest against the Government university fees policy.