Fascinating Facts and Trivia

The oldest artist to top the UK singles chart was Louis Armstrong with ‘What a wonderful world’ in 1968. He was 66 years and 8 months old at the time.

Monaco’s orchestra is bigger than its army.

Axl Rose used to earn $8 per hour for smoking cigarettes, for a science experiment at California’s UCLA.

Pete Townshend has smashed more than 90 guitars during his Who career, including at least 23 Fender Stratocasters, 12 Gibson Les Pauls and 21 Gibson SGs.

Alice Cooper has a golf handicap of 3.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich is a keen modern art collector. In 2008, he auctioned his ‘last Basquiat’ for $13.5 million.

The original Village People line up was recruited via an advert that read ‘Macho types wanted : Must have moustache’.

Chic’s 1978 hit song ‘Le Freak’ was originally called ‘Fuck Off’. These were the words that were sung as the main hook, but they were changed to ‘Freak out’ before the song was recorded.

Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye recorded most of their 1973 duets album in separate studios. Ross, who was pregnant at the time was worried that Gaye’s marijuana smoking would damage the health of her unborn child.

Meat Loaf is a supporter of Hartlepool United.