Today In History
In 1955
Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery, going by the name Buddy and Bob, opened for Bill Haley and the Comets at a show in Lubbock, Texas,
In 1957
Elvis Presley released the single "Jailhouse Rock."
The Everly Brothers' "Wake Up Little Susie" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
In 1963
The British press reported that more than 15-million people tuned in the previous night to see The Beatles perform on the UK TV show "Sunday Night at the Palladium."
In 1964
Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts married Shirley Shepherd in a ceremony in Bradford, Yorkshire.
In 1966
Grace Slick made her first appearance with the Jefferson Airplane at a show at the Fillmore West in San Francisco.
Pink Floyd, after having decided against delving more into R&B, played its first set of all original material at a show at All Saints Hall in London.
In 1967
Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" hit number one on the Billboard R&B chart.
Brenton Wood's "Gimme Little Sign" peaked at number nine on the pop singles chart.
The Buckinghams' "Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song)" peaked at number 12 on the pop singles chart.
The Rolling Stones' "Dandelion" peaked at number 17 on the pop singles chart.
The Strawberry Alarm Clock's "Incense and Peppermints" broke into the Top 40.
The Who released the single "I Can See For Miles.
In 1968
While John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison stayed in London to finish work on the album "The Beatles," better known as "The White Album," Ringo Starr went to Sardinia for a two-week vacation with his family.
In 1969
Andy Kim's single "Baby, I Love You," Glen Campbell's single "Galveston," and Jimi Hendrix's album "Smash Hits" were certified Gold.
In 1970
The Grateful Dead released the album "American Beauty."
In 1971
John Fogerty was sued by Specialty Records, claiming his "Travelin' Band" sounded too much like Little Richard's "Good Golly, Miss Molly." The suit was later dropped.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono appeared on ABC's "The Dick Cavett Show.
In 1972
Joe Cocker was arrested in Australia for drug possession.
Michael Jackson's "Ben" hit number one on the pop singles chart.
The Spinners' "I'll Be Around" hit number one on the Billboard R&B chart.
Bill Withers' "Use Me" peaked at number two on the pop singles chart.
The Main Ingredient's "Everybody Plays the Fool" peaked at number three on the pop singles chart.
Rod Stewart's "You Wear It Well" peaked at number 13 on the pop singles chart.
Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman" broke into the Top 40.
The Temptations released the single "Papa Was A Rolling Stone."
In 1974
Olivia Newton-John's album "Let Me Be There" was certified Gold.
In 1975
Kiss released "Rock and Roll All Night."
In 1977
Linda Ronstadt sang the national anthem at the start of the third game of the World Series, pitting the Los Angeles Dodgers against the New York Yankees.
Elvis Presley's album "In Concert" was certified Gold and Platinum.
In 1978
Dr. Hook's "Sharing the Night Together" broke into the Top 40.
In 1980
AC/DC's albums "If You Want Blood You've Got It" and "Let There Be Rock," and Paul Simon's album "One Trick Pony" were certified Gold.
In 1987
The video "The Doors Live At The Hollywood Bowl" was certified Gold.
In 1989
Roy Orbison was added to the West Texas Walk of Fame.
The Rolling Stones' "Mixed Emotions" peaked at number five on the pop singles chart.
Alice Cooper's "Poison" broke into the Top 40.
In 1991
The Marvin Gaye album "Every Motown Hit" was released.
Tina Turner released the album "Simply the Best."
In 1992
John Denver began a tour of China. It was the most extensive tour by a Western artist to be approved by the Chinese government.
In 1993
Peter Gabriel's clip for "Sledgehammer" was named the number one video in "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of "The 100 Top Music Videos."
In 1994
Several concertgoers were hurt at a Pink Floyd show at the Earls Court in London when a section of seating collapsed.
In 1997
Stephen Stills and wife Kirsten had a son, Henry Owen Stills.
Paul McCartney's symphonic poem, "Standing Stone," had its world debut at London's Royal Albert Hall.
The Rolling Stones had to scrap a performance for the premier of MTV's "Live From the Ten Spot" because Mick Jagger had a sore throat. David Bowie performed instead.
Federal aviation officials said John Denver didn't have a valid pilot's license when his plane had crashed off the California coast two days earlier.
In 2003
Ozzy Osbourne announced that he was suffering from unexplained tremors, which had been getting progressively worse since 2001. However the medication for the condition caused temporary side effects that forced him to postpone his European tour.
Former Temptations singer Barrington Henderson filed a lawsuit against the group, claiming he was owed millions of dollars in back royalties for his work on the albums "Awesome" and "Ear-resistible." He also accused the band of continuing to use his voice and likeness for promotional purposes, even though he had been forced out of the group.
Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, appeared at a fundraiser for the Islamic Information and Services Foundation in Malaysia, where he recited messages of peace.
ZZ Top released the box set "Chrome, Smoke, and BBQ."
In 2004
Plans for a new Cirque du Soleil show about The Beatles, which incorporates characters from the group's songs, were announced. The 30-million-dollar production was being developed for the Mirage casino, to take the place of the retired Siegfried & Roy's act.
In 2006
Freddy Fender died of cancer at his home in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was 69.
In 2007
Elton John was the performer at the 3rd annual Andy Roddick Foundation Charity Gala in Austin, Texas. The event supported local and regional charities that provide economic and educational assistance to children.< |