Saturday, May 27, 2017

This Date in Rock Music History: May 28

1955:  Elvis Presley performed for the Big "D" Jamboree at the Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas.  (Note:  some websites claim Presley performed in Fort Worth, Texas on this day.  According to the book 'Elvis Day By Day:  The Definitive Record of His Life and Music' by Peter Guralnick and Ernst Jorgensen, as well as the official website for guitarist Scotty Moore, Presley performed in Dallas, not in nearby Fort Worth.) 

Friday, May 26, 2017

This Date in Rock Music History: May 27


1957:  A group from Lubbock, Texas released their first single on Brunswick Records for consideration on this date, and the world was about to discover one of the greatest talents ever known.  It was called "That'll Be the Day" and history was about to be made by Buddy Holly & the Crickets.

1957:  "All Shook Up" by Elvis Presley was the #1 R&B song for the fourth week in a row.


Thursday, May 25, 2017

This Date in Rock Music History: May 26

1953:  Man, egg on the faces of the judges who ranked Elvis Presley second in the talent competition at the Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Show in Meridian, Mississippi.  Whoever finished first came nowhere near having 18 #1 songs.
1958:  Jerry Lee Lewis played what would be his final concert of a planned 27-date tour of the U.K., booed off stage by angry British.  People found out that he had been married to his 13 year-old cousin and it was "Bye, Bye Jerry!" after four shows.  When Lewis returned to the United States, he was blacklisted from radio stations, his record company mocked him, and he went from making $10,000 per performance to finding gigs for $250.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

This Date in Rock Music History: May 25


1959:  "Bongo Rock", the great instrumental from Preston Epps, was the biggest mover of the week, rising from 80 all the way to 48.


Tuesday, May 23, 2017

This Date in Rock Music History: May 24


1968:  The Rolling Stones released the single "Jumpin' Jack Flash".
1969:  The Guess Who appeared on American Bandstand.

Monday, May 22, 2017

This Date in Rock Music History: May 23



1960:  "Cathy's Clown" reached #1 in its sixth week of release for the Everly Brothers.  Elvis Presley was resigned to #2 with "Stuck On You".  
1962:  The Elvis Presley movie Follow That Dream opened in theaters.
1963:  The Beatles toured with Roy Orbison at the Odeon Cinema in Nottingham, England.


Sunday, May 21, 2017

This Date in Rock Music History: May 22

1958:  Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra.