This Date in Rock Music History: June 18

1948:  Columbia Records displayed its new 33 1/3 long-playing record in New York City.  The new format allowed 23 minutes per side as opposed to 3 minutes for a 78 RPM record.
1964:  The Beatles performed at Sydney Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 17

1933:  A man by the name of Vernon Presley married a woman by the name of Gladys Smith in Ponotoc, Mississippi.  They would give berth to a son, Elvis, a year-and-a-half later.
1954:  Danny Cedrone, guitarist who can be heard on the famous song "Rock Around The Clock", died 10 days after recording the record after falling down a staircase.  (Note:  some websites insist Danny died on July 17, 1954.  The correct date of death is June 17, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the book 'Legends of Rock Guitar:  The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists' by Pete Prown and Harvey P. Newquist.)

 

This Date in Rock Music History: June 16

1956:  The world was introduced to a guy on this date that would become a superstar.  Roy Orbison humbly debuted on the chart with "Ooby Dooby".
1958:  This famous R&B group originally known as the Roosters would go on to register 39 hits, but on this date, they first appeared on the charts with "For Your Precious Love", the first single for Jerry Butler & the Impressions.
1959:  Russ Conway had the top U.K. hit with "Roulette".
1961:  Gary "U.S." Bonds appeared on American Bandstand.
1962:  "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ray Charles was #1 on the R&B chart for the fourth week in a row.
1965:  Bob Dylan recorded "Like A Rolling Stone."   (Note:  some websites report that Dylan recorded the song on June 14 and others say it was on June 15.  According to 'Rolling Stone' magazine, Bob recorded it on June 16.)
1965:  Petula Clark and Gary Lewis & the Playboys appeared on the television show Shindig!

This Date in Rock Music History: June 15

1958 - The Platters sang "Twilight Time" on The Ed Sullivan Show. 
1958:  The all-music show Oh Boy was broadcast for the first time in the U.K.
1959:  Paul Anka's "Lonely Boy" was the only new entry into the Top 10, but it made a huge move--18-8 on this date.  

Top Track*: Van Morrison's "Into The Mystic"

One of the great albums of the '70s is Van Morrison's Moondance, which not only includes the amazing title song but this prime cut:

This Date in Rock Music History: June 14

1963:  The Beatles performed at the new Brighton Tower in England, with Gerry & the Pacemakers opening.
1964:  250,000 people in Australia were on hand to greet the Beatles in Melbourne.
1965:  Paul McCartney of the Beatles recorded the song "Yesterday" in two takes.  It was a significant departure from the Beatles' norm, as McCartney was the only group member on the song.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 13

1958 - Frank Zappa graduated from Antelope Valley High in Lancaster, CA. 
1960:  Little Brenda Lee took a giant leap up the charts, moving from 76 to 38 with "I'm Sorry".

This Date in Rock Music History: June 12

1957:  Jimmy Dorsey ("So Rare") died of throat cancer at the age of 53 in New York City.
1961:  Frankie Avalon began a 15-day tour of South America.