This Date in Rock Music History: February 11

1956:  Elvis Presley performed "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Blue Suede Shoes" on the television program The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show.

1956:  The Platters notched a sixth week at #1 on the R&B chart with "The Great Pretender".

This Date in Rock Music History: February 10

1958:  Frank Sinatra moved to #1 on the Album chart with Come Fly With Me.

This Date in Rock Music History: February 9

1957:  A new star first appeared on the radio.  On this date, Johnny Mathis had his first hit "Wonderful!  Wonderful!" debut on the chart.

1957:  "Blue Monday" by Fats Domino was the top R&B song for a third week.
1959:  Frankie Avalon had to bow out of the ill-fated Winter Dance Party (that had already claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper) due to pneumonia, replaced by Paul Anka and Fabian.

1959:  "Stagger Lee" by Lloyd Price moved to #1 on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: February 8

1956:  Buddy Holly signed a recording contract with Decca Records.

1960:  The Special House Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight opened hearings on disc jockey payola.

This Date in Rock Music History: February 7

1959:  The funeral for Buddy Holly was held at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas.  Over 1,000 mourners attended.

This Date in Rock Music History: February 6

1960:  Jesse Belvin ("Guess Who" from 1959), who also co-wrote "Earth Angel" for the Penguins, died at age 27 in a car accident in Hope, Arkansas that also claimed the life of his wife and the driver of the car.

1961:  "Shop Around" by the Miracles was #1 on the R&B chart for a fourth week.

1964:  Tickets to see the Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show sold out.

This Date in Rock Music History: February 5

1957:  Bill Haley was welcomed by 5,000 fans when he arrived in Southampton, England for his first tour of the U.K.

1958:  The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which conducts the Grammy Awards, formed a chapter in New York City.

1962:  The hard-working Beatles played their usual two shows, one at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England and the other at the Kingsway Club in Southport.  Ringo Starr sat in on drums as Pete Best was ill.