This Date in Rock Music History: October 7

1957:  RCA Victor Records announced that 500,000 advance orders for Elvis' Christmas album had been received.

1957:  "Honeycomb" by Jimmie Rodgers was the #1 R&B song.
1959:  Connie Stevens starred in Hawai'i'an Eye on ABC TV.  The series would last four years.
1961:  The Biggest Show of Stars tour, featuring the Platters, the Drifters, Del Shannon, Dee Clark, Gary U.S. Bonds, the Clefftones and Curtis Lee, performed at the Wichita Forum in Wichita, Kansas.
1963:  The Rolling Stones recorded the song "I Wanna' Be Your Man" that their friends John Lennon and Paul McCartney had written for them at DeLane Lea Studios in London.
1964:  The Beatles appeared on the television show Shindig!, performing "I'm A Loser", "Kansas City" and "Boys".

This Date in Rock Music History: October 6

1958:  "Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day ("Rock-In Robin" on some 45's) was #1 on the R&B chart.

1958:  "Tom Dooley" by the Kingston Trio raced up from #83 to #37 on this date.
1962:  After their first single "Love Me Do" had been released the day before, the Beatles signed records at Dawson's Music Shop on Church Street in Widnes, Cheshire, England.  It was one of only three official autograph sessions the Beatles did in their career.  The four Beatles signed their names on the single's red and silver label.  Copies today are rare today and extremely valuable due to the limited duration of the signing.

This Date in Rock Music History: October 5

1958:  Cliff Richard and the Shadows played their first show together at Victoria Hall in Hanley, England.

1959:  A new Motown group was first introduced to us as the Miracles as their first single--"Bad Girl" debuted on this date.
1959:  "Poison Ivy" was the top R&B Song for the Coasters.
1959:  Ernie Field's Combo were racing up the charts (95 to 46) with "In the Mood".

This Date in Rock Music History: October 4

1956:  The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show began on NBC-TV.

1961:  Bob Dylan performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City before an audience of 50 people.
1962:  The Tornadoes blew into the #1 spot in the U.K. with "Telstar".
1963:  Eric Clapton replaced Anthony Topham in the Yardirds at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, England.  
1963:  The Beatles appeared on the British television show Ready!  Steady!  Go!

This Date in Rock Music History: October 3

1945:  Elvis Presley gave his first performance, singing "Old Shep" at the age of 10 at a Mississippi-Alabama Dairy Show talent contest.

1957:  The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom premiered on ABC-TV.
1960:  Ike and Tina Turner made their U.S. television debut and performed "A Fool In Love" on American Bandstand on ABC-TV.
1964:  The Beatles taped a performance for broadcast on Shindig! at Granville Theatre in London.

This Date in Rock Music History: October 2

1954:  Elvis Presley made his first and only appearance on the "Grand Ole Opry" in Nashville, Tennessee.  Jim Denny, the Opry manager, infamously told Elvis to stick to his truck driving.  (Note:  Numerous sources report the date of Elvis' Opry performance as September 2.  This is incorrect, according to the book 'Elvis Presley, Reluctant Rebel:  His Life and Our Times', by Glen Jeansonne, David Luhrssen, and Dan Sokolovic and Elvis Presley fan sites.)
1957:  Connie Francis recorded "Who's Sorry Now".

1959:  Fifteen Elvis Presley fans were arrested in East Germany after they marched through the streets of Leipzig chanting "Long live Elvis Presley", who was stationed in the U.S. military at the time.  The fans were given prison sentences of six months to four-and-a-half years. 
1961:  "Michael" by the Highwaymen logged a fifth straight week at #1 on the Easy Listening chart.
1961:  Joan Baez released her album Volume Two.
1961:  Ray Charles took over at #1 on the R&B chart with "Hit The Road, Jack".

This Date in Rock Music History: October 1

1955:  A new group with an awesome sound and great lead singer debuted on the chart.  On this date, we first heard from the Platters with their first single "Only You (And You Alone)".

1956:  After test audiences reacted unfavorably to Elvis Presley dying in the movie Love Me Tender, Elvis was called back to the set to reshoot the scene in which he lived.
1962:  A new talent on the scene, Barbra Streisand, signed a recording contract with Columbia Records.  Although it was for a modest sum, Streisand had creative control of her music.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 30

1961:  After hearing 20-year-old Bob Dylan play harmonica in the studio for Carolyn Hester, producer John Hammond signed Dylan to a recording contract with Columbia Records and scheduled a recording session in October.

1963:  Sid Bernstein contacted Beatles manager Brian Epstein to inquire about arranging a U.S. tour for the group, which eventually led to Bernstein promoting the famous Beatles concert at Shea Stadium in New York City.
1964:  The Who were in concert at the Town Hall in Greenwich, Southeast London.
1965:  Donovan made his U.S. television debut on the television show Shindig!, joined by the Hollies, the Turtles and Lesley Gore.  Some sources also claim that the Dave Clark Five was on the show, but this is disputed.
1967:  Paul McCartney and John Lennon appeared on The David Frost Show.
1967:  "Funky Broadway" by Wilson Pickett set the pace on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 29

1956:  The Oh, Susanna Show, a strange name for what actually was The Gale Storm Show, debuted on CBS-TV and would air for five seasons.

1956:  Bill Haley owned five of the top songs in the U.K.--"Rockin' Through The Rye", "Saints Rock n' Roll", "Rock Around The Clock", "Razzle Dazzle"and "See You Later, Alligator".
1956:  Elvis Presley's double-sided smash "Hound Dog"/"Don't Be Cruel" resumed the #1 position on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 28

1953:  Johnny Horton ("The Battle Of New Orleans") married the widow of Hank Williams, Billie Jean.

1962:  The Beatles performed at lunch at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England and then gave a show aboard the MV Royal Iris (commonly known as the Fish and Chip Boat) on the River Mersey.  Ray McFall, owner of the Cavern Club, organized the Riverboat Shuffles, with cruises beginning and ending at the Pier Head in Liverpool.
1963:  Disc jockey Murray the K in New York City played "She Loves You" by the Beatles on WINS-AM, believed to be the first time that a Beatles song was played in the United States.
1963:  Bobby Vinton continued to set the pace with four weeks at #1 on the Easy Listening chart for "Blue Velvet".
1963:  "Heat Wave" led the way on the R&B chart for Martha & the Vandellas.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 27

1963:  Cilla Black made her live television debut on Ready Steady Go! on British television singing "Love Of The Loved".

This Date in Rock Music History: September 26

1955:  Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher married in Grossinger, New York.

1956:  The city of Tupelo, Mississippi declared Elvis Presley Day in honor of its native son.
1957:  The Monotones recorded "Book Of Love".
1957:  The classic musical West Side Story opened at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.
1961:  Bob Dylan opened for the Greenbriar Boys at Gerde's Folk Club in New York's Greenwich Village.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 25

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1954:  Elvis released his second single on Sun Records--"Good Rockin' Tonight".

1956:  "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley became the first single in history to sell a million copies before its release.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 24

1955:  Elvis Presley performed on The Louisiana Hayride at the Shreveport Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, broadcast on KWKH-TV.  

1955:  Chuck Berry was on top of the R&B chart for the eighth straight week with "Maybellene".

This Date in Rock Music History: September 23

1956:  Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees first appeared on television on Circus Boy on NBC-TV.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 22

1956:  We were first introduced to a great new act as the first single by the Coasters--"One Kiss Led To Another" debuted on this date.
1957:  Bobby Helms made his television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, singing "My Special Angel".

1958:  With permission from the United States Army, Elvis Presley gave one last press conference at the Military Ocean Terminal in Brooklyn, New York before joining his 3rd Armored Division on the USS General Randall on the way to Bremerhaven, Germany.  (Note:  some websites report Elvis left Brooklyn on September 19.  He left his base at Fort Hood, Texas on September 19, but departed for Germany from Brooklyn on September 22, according to the official Graceland website.)

1958:  Connie Francis had the top U.K. song with "Carolina Moon, Stupid Cupid".

1958:  Tommy Edwards had one of the great early songs of the Rock Era with "It's All In The Game", which on this date reached #1 on the R&B chart.
1960:  The Beatles performed for the 37th consecutive night of a 48-night stay at the Indra Club, on Grosse Freiheit in Hamburg, West Germany.
1962:  Bob Dylan first appeared at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, New York.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 21

1957:  Elite guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black quit as backup musicians for Elvis Presley after a salary dispute with Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker.

1959:  "Shout" by the Isley Brothers was their first single release and it debuted on this date in history.
1959:  "I Want To Walk You Home" from Fats Domino topped the R&B chart.
1959:  The instrumental "Sleep Walk" from Santo & Johnny moved to #1.  The Browns slipped after four weeks at the top with "The Three Bells".  Lloyd Price remained at 3 with "I'm Gonna' Get Married" while the Everly Brothers scored their 14th hit and sixth Top 10 with "('Til) I Kissed You".  The rest of the Top 10:  Phil Phillips and "Sea Of Love", another instrumental--"Red River Rock" from Johnny & the Hurricanes, the classic "Mack The Knife" moved up to 7 for Bobby Darin, Sarah Vaughan had song #8--"Broken-Hearted Melody", Fats Domino said "I Want To Walk You Home" and Paul Anka shot up from 29 to 10 with "Put Your Head On My Shoulder".
1961:  The busy Beatles played at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England by day and appeared with Gerry & the Pacemakers and Rory Storm & the Hurricanes at Litherland Town Hall in Liverpool by night.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 20

1957:  Buddy Holly released the single "Peggy Sue".  (Note:  one website reports the song was released in July.  According to the Buddy Holly Center in his birthplace--Lubbock, Texas, the song was released September 20.)

This Date in Rock Music History: September 19

1955:  Frank Sinatra sang "Love And Marriage" on the "Producer's Showcase" production of the play Our Town on NBC-TV.

1957:  Cliff Richard, 16 years old and known by his real name (Harry Webb), joined the Dick Teague Skiffle Group.
1960:  "Kiddio" by Brook Benton was #1 on the R&B chart for the fourth week. 
1960:  Hank Ballard and the Midnighters became the first group to own three songs in the Top 100 simultaneously--"Finger Poppin' Time", "Let's Go Let's Go Let's Go" and "The Twist".  After the group refused to perform "The Twist" on television, Dick Clark suggested Chubby Checker do the song.  He did, and... 

This Date in Rock Music History: September 18

1954:  Elvis Presley was at Bellevue Park in Memphis, Tennessee.  (Note:  some websites claim the show was at the Eagle's Nest in Memphis.  According to the official website for guitarist Scotty Moore, Elvis played at Bellevue Park on this date.)

1957:  The Big Record debuted on CBS-TV, with Patti Page hosting.
1959:  The first Dick Clark Caravan of Stars tour began with Paul Anka, the Coasters, Lloyd Price, Duane Eddy, the Coasters and Bobby Rydell at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
1960:  The Tab Hunter Show premiered on NBC-TV.
1960:  Frankie Avalon was given $600,000 on his 20th birthday as earnings accumulated when he was a minor.
1963:  The Patty Duke Show premiered on ABC-TV.  It would last three seasons.
1964:  The Beatles performed at Dallas Memorial Auditorium in Texas.
1965:  A new group was introduced to us as the Vogues first charted on this date with their first single "You're the One".
1965:  James Brown reigned on the R&B chart for the sixth week with "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag Part 1".
1965:  We Five were on top of the Adult chart for a third week with the great song "You Were On My Mind".

This Date in Rock Music History: September 17

1931:  RCA Records demonstrated the first players to play 33 1/3 records at the Savoy Plaza Hotel in New York City.

1955:  Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded "Sixteen Tons" at the Capitol Records Melrose Avenue Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.
1955:  "Maybellene" by Chuck Berry logged week #7 at the top of the R&B chart.
1962:  The Beatles, Billy Kramer, and the Coasters played the last of three Monday night gigs at the Queen's Hall in Widnes, Lancashire, England.  (Note:  Some sources claim that Rory Storm and the Hurricanes also played this night, when they only played the first two Beatles shows (September 3 and September 10, according to the websites 'Beatles Bible' and 'Liverpool Beat'.  Some sources also say the Beatles played in Widnes, Cheshire, England.  Widnes did not become part of the county of Cheshire until 1974, 12 years after the concert, so it is physically impossible for the Beatles to have played in Widnes, Cheshire.)  

This Date in Rock Music History: September 16

1960:  Johnny Burnette recorded "You're Sixteen".

1963:  "She Loves You" by the Beatles was released by Swan Records in the United States and, despite being #1 in the U.K., was ignored until 1964 when the Beatles' invasion was well underway.
1964:  The Everly Brothers, the Righteous Brothers, Sam Cooke, Bobby Sherman, the Wellingtons and comedian Alan Sues helped premiere the series Shindig! on ABC-TV.
1965:  The Dean Martin Show premiered on ABC-TV.  It would last 10 years.
1965:  The Rolling Stones, the Everly Brothers, the Byrds and the McCoys opened the second season of Shindig!
1966:  Bassist Pete Quaife left the Kinks temporarily after suffering severe injuries in a car crash.  Quaife left the group for good in 1969.
1967:  The Beatles recorded "Your Mother Should Know" at EMI Studios, the third of four recordings of the song.  The version was not used at the time on the Magical Mystery Tour album, but was later included on the compilation Anthology 2.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 15

1956:  Elvis Presley's monumental double-sided hit "Hound Dog"/"Don't Be Cruel" was the #1 song on the R&B chart.

1961:  The Pendletones of Hawthorne, California recorded the song "Surfin'" at Hite and Dorinda Morgan's recording studio in Los Angeles.  The song would have a big influence on their career as the Beach Boys, as they were later known.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 14

1955:  Little Richard recorded "Tutti Frutti" at J&M Studios in New Orleans, Louisiana.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 13

1958:  Cliff Richard made his British television debut singing "Move It" on the program Oh Boy.

1959:  Elvis Presley met Priscilla Beaulieu while he was in the United States Army in West Germany. 

1962:  Elvis Presley collected his 12th U.K. #1 with "She's Not You".

This Date in Rock Music History: September 12

This Date in Rock Music History: September 11

This Date in Rock Music History: September 10

1963:  Andrew Loog Oldham, manager of the Rolling Stones, invited Paul McCartney and John Lennon to the Studio 51 Jazz Club in London where the Stones were rehearsing.  The two Beatles were working on the song "I Wanna' Be Your Man", and finished it at the rehearsal when they found out the Rolling Stones needed another song.  The  Stones recorded it for their album. .

1963:  The Beatles received the award for Top Vocal Group of the Year from the Variety Club of Great Britain at a luncheon at the Savoy Hotel in London.
1964:  Nineteen year-old Rod Stewart recorded his first single "Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl" with the Hoochie Koochie Men.  Future Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones played on the song.
1964:  The Kinks had the top song in the U.K. with "You Really Got Me".
1965:  The Byrds spend a second session recording the song "Turn!  Turn!  Turn!" at Columbia Studios in Los Angeles. (They began recording on September 1 and finished the song with three more sessions September 14-16.)
1965:  Revolver by the Beatles shot up from #45 to #1 to leave no doubt which was the top album.  

This Date in Rock Music History: September 9

1954, Elvis Presley played at the opening of the Lamar-Airways Shopping Center in Memphis, Tennessee.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 8

1956:  Eddie Cochran signed a one-year deal with Liberty Records.

1956:  Elvis Presley was on the cover of TV Guide.
1957:  Paul Anka and Jimmy Rodgers appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
1958:  Paul Anka started a tour of Southeast Asia in Tokyo, Japan.
1962:  "The Loco-Motion" by Little Eva remained #1 on the R&B chart for a third week.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 7

1957:  Sam Cooke released the single "You Send Me" on Keen Records.
1958:  Georgia Gibbs and Johnnie Ray appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.  (Note:  some websites claim the performances were on September 6.  The show aired Sundays on CBS.  In 1958, Sunday fell on September 7.)

1959:  Frankie Avalon, the Coasters, Lou Rawls, Bobby Rydell and Annette Funicello performed on closing night of their four-day appearance at the Michigan State Fair as part a tour organized by Dick Clark.

1959:  Lloyd Price moved back up to #1 on the R&B chart with "I'm Gonna' Get Married".

This Date in Rock Music History: September 6

1959:  "Bad Boys" by the Miracles was the first single on Barry Gordy's newly-formed Motown Records.
1960:  Sam Cooke's daughter, Tracy, was born.

1961:  Bob Dylan performed at the Gaslight Cafe in New York City.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 5

1964:  A new British group first appeared on the charts on this date.  Manfred Mann, which had released the single "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" on August 31, first appeared on the chart with that release.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 4

1952:  Gladys Knight & the Pips formed following a birthday party for Bubba Knight in Atlanta, Georgia.

1959:  "Mack The Knife" by Bobby Darin was banned by a radio station in New York City.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 3

1955:  Bill Haley & the Comets refused an offer to tour Australia because of a fear of flying.

1955:  Chuck Berry logged a third week at #1 on the R& B chart with "Maybellene".
1962:  The Beatles, Billy J. Kramer, the Coasters, and Rory Storm and the Hurricanes played the first of three Monday night gigs at the Queen's Hall in Widnes, Cheshire, England.  The Hurricanes by this time had gotten over the defection of drummer Ringo Starr to the Beatles.
1963:  Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records was absorbed by Warner Brothers Records.
1966:  The Supremes stood on top of the R&B chart with "You Can't Hurry Love".
1966:  What Now My Love gave Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass their third #1 album out of six released.  
1966:  The great song "Born Free" was #1 on the Easy Listening chart for Roger Williams.
1966:  The Association were making their move as "Cherish" jumped from #66 to #27.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 2

1957:  Elvis Presley had the #1 R&B song with "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear".
1965:  The Beatles earned a Gold record for the single "Help!"
1965:  The Rolling Stones recorded a performance for the BBC-TV show Ready Steady Go!  (Note:  several websites claim that the Rolling Stones and Manfred Mann appeared on 'Ready Steady Go!' on this date.  The program aired on Fridays, which fell on September 3 and September 10 in 1965.  The Stones and Manfred Mann appeared on the show on September 10, according to 'TV.com', with footage of the Stones taped on September 2.)

This Date in Rock Music History: September 1

1953:  Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery auditioned for KDAV's Sunday Party in Lubbock, Texas.  The duo began a Sunday afternoon slot that became The Bob and Buddy Show.

1956:  Jerry Lee Lewis (19 years old at the time) pulled up to Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee hoping for an audition with owner Sam Phillips.  Phillips was on vacation so Lewis recorded some demos to pass on to Phillips when he got back.
1957:  Buddy Holly & the Crickets, the Everly Brothers, the Drifters and Frankie Lymon performed as The Biggest Show of Stars tour began at the Paramount in Brooklyn, New York.  
1958:  "Little Star" from the Elegants was #1 on the R&B chart.  
1965:  Glen Campbell, the Kinks, James Brown and Booker T. & the M.G.'s appeared on Shindig!.
1966:  The Byrds began an 11-day run at the famous Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 31

1957: Elvis Presley performed at Empire Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

1959: Bobby Vee appeared on the music charts for the first time as "Suzie Baby" debuted.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 30

1959:  Carole King married songwriting partner Gerry Goffin.

1961:  The Paris Sisters released the single "I Love How You Love Me".
1962:  The Beatles played at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England in the afternoon and then joined Gerry and the Pacemakers at the Riverpark Ballroom in Chester.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 29

1958:  Alan Freed's  Big Beat Show 4th anniversary concert premiered at the Fox Theater in Brooklyn, New York after being turned down by the Paramount.  Frankie Avalon, Bill Haley & the Comets and Jimmy Clanton performed.

1959:  The Quarrymen got a break when the Les Stewart Quartet got into a clash amongst themselves and refused to play at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool.  George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney played in their place and after the show, the group was hired by owner Mona Best to play regular Saturday night gigs.
1960:  "Kiddio" by Brook Benton, which would go on to become one of the biggest R&B hits of the 60's, took over at #1.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 28

1961:  Elvis Presley moved from 61 to 26 on this date with "Little Sister".
1962:  Elvis Presley reported for pre-production work on the movie It Happened at the World's Fair in Culver City, California to record songs for the soundtrack album.  Presley would then travel to Seattle, Washington, site of the World's Fair, to film the movie on location.  (Note:  some websites report Elvis began filming the movie on August  27 or 28.  According to the book 'The Elvis Movies' by James L. Neibaur, filming began August 27.  But according to the official website for Graceland, Presley began work on the movie August 28.  Filming of the movie in Seattle did not begin until September 5 )
1963:  Peter, Paul & Mary performed "Blowin' In The Wind" and "If I Had A Hammer" for Civil Rights marchers gathered at the Washington Mall in Washington, D.C. to hear the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. speak.  Bob Dylan and Joan Baez also performed.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 27

1962:  "He's A Rebel" was released on this date.  The song was credited to the Crystals, even though Phil Spector had the Blossoms record the song because the Crystals were on tour.
1964:  The Beatles performed before 14,000 fans at the Cincinnati Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1964:  The Honeycombs topped the U.K. chart with "Have I The Right".
1965:  The Beatles visited Elvis Presley at his home at 565 Perugia Way in Bel-Air, California. 
1966:  Petula Clark moved to #1 on the Easy Listening Chart with "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love".
1966:  Everyone was singing it, because its message was the message of a generation--Stevie Wonder's version of "Blowin' In The Wind" hit #1 on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 26

1961:  Bobby Lewis enjoyed his eighth week at #1 on the R&B chart with "Tossin' And Turnin'".

1963:  Cilla Black appeared in a major concert for the first time, opening for the Beatles at the Odeon Cinema in Southport, England.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 25

1956:  The Platters spent another week at #1 on the R&B chart with the classic "My Prayer".
1957:  Paul Anka topped the U.K. chart with "Diana".
1958:  Jimmy Clanton had the top R&B song with "Just A Dream".

This Date in Rock Music History: August 24

This Date in Rock Music History: August 23

1962:  John Lennon married Cynthia Powell at the Mount Pleasant Registry Office in Liverpool, England with fellow Beatles George Harrison and Paul McCartney present.

Eagles Greatest Hits Now Top-Selling Album in History

The Eagles' Greatest Hits Album 1971-1975 has now surpassed Michael Jackson's Thriller as the top-selling album in history, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The Eagles' compilation has now been certified with 38 million albums sold compared to 33 million for Thriller.  The Eagles have also moved into third place as the RIAA has certified that the album Hotel California has sold 26 million.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 22

1956:  Elvis Presley began filming his first movie Love Me Tender.  It was originally going to be called The Reno Brothers.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 21

1958:  Ricky Nelson recorded "Lonesome Town" at Master Recorders in Hollywood, California.

1961:  Bobby Lewis made it seven weeks in a row at #1 with "Tossin' And Turnin'".
1961:  Elvis Presley notched his sixth #1 album with Something for Everybody.
1965:  Gary Lewis & the Playboys had the #1 Easy Listening song for a third week with "Save Your Heart For Me".
1965:  Out of Our Heads by the Rolling Stones was the new #1 album.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 20

1955:  A new singer debuted on the chart for the first time on this date.  "Maybellene" was his first hit and the man's name was Chuck Berry.
1960:  Connie Francis began her first movie Where the Boys Are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
1964:  Shirley Bassey recorded "Goldfinger" at CTS Studios in London for an upcoming James Bond movie of the same name.
1966:  "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by the Temptations was #1 for the eighth week on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 19

1957:  Pat Boone was featured on the cover of Newsweek magazine.

 
1959:  Another of the famous days in the Rock Era, as on this date Bobby Darin released the classic single "Mack The Knife".

This Date in Rock Music History: August 18

1956:  One of the great early songs of the Rock Era, "My Prayer" from the Platters, was #1 on the R&B chart.
1958:  The Kalin Twins had the top U.K. song with "When".

This Date in Rock Music History: August 17

1959:  Elvis Presley made history when he had the #1 song for the second straight week with "A Big Hunk O' Love".  Elvis had long ago easily set the record for most weeks at #1 and no one knew it at the time, but this second week at #1 with "A Big Hunk O' Love" is that one that gave him 60 total weeks at the top in his career, one more than the Beatles would register in their amazing career.  Presley would end up with 80.
1959:  Brook Benton remained at #1 on the R&B chart with "Thank You Pretty Baby".

Buy Aretha: From These Roots

This book's price has really been jumping, so if you want it, better get it as soon as possible.  I suggest buying the Collectible since none of the sellers of the new book are credible (all under 98%).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0375500332

Aretha Has Died at Age 76

We are extremely sorry to report that the incomparable Aretha Franklin has died in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan at the age of 76.


She not only brought joy to millions with her amazing voice; she inspired women with her anthems "Respect" and "Think", two of The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era*.

Rest in peace, Aretha.  You did so much for the world.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 16

1957:  Ricky Nelson recorded "Be-Bop Baby" at Master Recorders in Hollywood, California.
1957:  The Everly Brothers recorded "Wake Up Little Susie" in Nashville, Tennessee.
1957:  Buddy Holly & the Crickets played at none other than the Apollo Theater in the neighborhood of Harlem in Manhattan, New York for one week beginning on this date.  The tour was set up by Norman Petty, working with promoter Irving Feld.  (Note:  contrary to the movie 'The Buddy Holly Story' and numerous websites, which indicate that the Apollo didn't know the group was white, and did not discover this until they showed up, management at the Apollo did indeed know.  The Schiffman family, which owned the theatre, were aware that the Crickets were white.  Frank Schiffman's sons, Bobby and Jack, had seen the Crickets in Washington, D.C. during the first leg of the tour, according to the book 'Buddy Holly:  A Biography' by Ellis Amburn.  Unlike the other theatres which booked the Crickets only to be shocked that they were white, the Apollo booked them because black record-buyers were sending "That'll Be The Day" to the top of the R&B charts.)
1960:  Elvis Presley began filming of the movie Flaming Star.
1962:  Twelve-year-old Stevie Wonder released his first 45, "I Call It Pretty Music (But The Old People Call It The Blues)".  Marvin Gaye was the drummer.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 15

1958:  Buddy Holly and Maria Elena Santiago were married at Buddy's parents' home in Lubbock, Texas.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 14

1957:  Nat King Cole canceled his television show on NBC after a year-long search for a sponsor was fruitless.

Praying for the Queen of Soul

From Twitter reports by her friends, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill in Detroit, surrounded by friends and family.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 13

1959:  Bobby Darin signed a $1 million contract with Paramount Pictures.
1964:  The Supremes recorded "Baby Love".
1964:  Manfred Mann topped the U.K. charts with "Do Wah Diddy Diddy".
1965:  The Beatles released the album Help! in the United States.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 12

1956:  Elvis Presley received the key to the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.
1956:  The Platters performed on The Ed Sullivan Show.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 11

1957:  Jerry Lee Lewis performed on The Steve Allen Show on NBC-TV.  (Note:  some websites claim Lewis was on 'The Big Beat Show' on ABC-TV.  He performed on that show on August 2--on August 11, he was on 'The Steve Allen Show', according to 'Spin' magazine and 'TV.com'.  'The Big Beat Show" only lasted four episodes, with the last one being on August 2, the date that Lewis performed.)
1958:  "Patricia" by Perez Prado was #1 on the R&B chart.
1958:  In Billboard's second chart, Ricky Nelson remained at #1 ("Poor Little Fool") but Domenico Modugno rose from 54 to 2 with "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)".
1962:  Kid Galahad starring Elvis Presley premiered in theaters.  (Note:  there are websites which report the film's release as July 25 (one quotes a 'Variety' magazine article about the movie premiere from July 25, 1962 which we cannot find.  The official Graceland website reports that the film opened nationally in theaters on August 28 (some websites say August 29).  Unfortunately, there are no sources which definitively decide the correct date for the premiere, but our best research indicates that the film premiered on August 11.)

This Date in Rock Music History: August 10

1954:  Elvis Presley sang his new song "That's Alright Mama" at Overton Park in Memphis, Tennessee.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 9

1958:  Cliff Richard signed a recording contract with EMI Records and also began a four-week residency at Butlins Holiday Camp in Clacton-On-Sea, Essex.
1960:  Johnny Horton recorded "North To Alaska" at Quonset Hut Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
1963:  The British television show Ready Steady Go! debuted on the BBC.
1964:  The Rolling Stones were live at the New Elizabeth Ballroom in Belle Vue, Manchester.
1965:  The Silkie recorded their version of "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away".  Paul McCartney played guitar, George Harrison played tambourine and John Lennon produced the song.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 8

1957:  We were introduced to the Fat Man as Fats Domino released his debut album This Is Fats.
1960:  Ferrante & Teicher had one of the fastest-rising songs of the decade as "Theme From 'The Apartment'" moved from #85 to #36.
1960:  Chubby Checker performed his smash hit "The Twist" on American Bandstand.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 7

1954:  Elvis Presley appeared at the Eagle's Nest in Memphis, Tennessee.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 6

1955:  "A Fool For You" by Ray Charles & His Band topped the R&B chart.
1956:  Chuck Berry, LaVern Baker, Frankie Lymon and Connie Francis (singing for actress Tuesday Weld) began work on the movie Rock, Rock, Rock!
1960:  The Beatles went to evaluate drummer Pete Best at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool, England.  Best was with the group the Blackjacks and was the son of Casbah owner Mona Best.
1960:  Chubby Checker performed "The Twist" on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show.
1963:  Bob Dylan began recording the album The Times They Are A-Changin'.
1964:  Rod Stewart appeared on television for the first time with his group the Hootchie Coochie Men on the British show The Beat Room.
1965:  The Beatles released the album Help! in the U.K.  They released the album the following week (August 13) in the United States.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 5

1956:  Doris Day enjoyed the #1 spot in the U.K. with "Whatever Will Be Will Be". 

1957:  It was the national debut of American Bandstand on ABC-TV, hosted by Dick Clark.  Clark had hosted the show locally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since 1952.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 4

1957:  The Everly Brothers appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show to perform "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Bye Bye Love".

1958:  Billboard Magazine introduced the Hot 100, a chart that was meant to show the popularity and chart movement of single releases.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 3

1956:  Elvis Presley performed at the Olympia Theater in Miami, Florida, where he would do seven shows in two days.
1959:  The Kingston Trio were on the cover of Life magazine.
1959:  "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles moved into the #1 slot on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 2

1953:  Skeeter Davis was injured in a car crash outside Cincinnati in which her singing partner, Betty Jack Davis, was killed.  

1957:  The Official Elvis Presley Fan Club was started in the U.K.
1961:  The Beatles began their famous gig as headliners at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 1

1954:  Fats Domino, Muddy Waters, the Clovers, the Orioles and Little Walter performed at the "Moondog Jubilee of Stars Under the Stars" at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.  (Note:  some websites report that the event was on July 31, but the correct date is August 1, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Goldmine magazine.)
1960:  Aretha Franklin recorded her first non-gospel songs "Today I Sing The Blues", "Over The Rainbow", "Love Is The Only Thing" and "Right Now" at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City.
1960:  Elvis Presley was named Public Enemy #1 by the East German newspaper Young World.  Which explains why there is no more East Germany--anyone that dumb has no right being a country.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 31

1959:  Neil Sedaka recorded four takes of the song "Oh Carol!" that he had written for Carole King.

1959:  Cliff Richard ruled the U.K. chart with "Living Doll".
1961:  "The Boll Weevil Song" by Brook Benton was #1 on the Easy Listening chart for the third week.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 30

1954:  Elvis Presley performed at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis, Tennessee.
1956:  Brenda Lee recorded "Jambalaya" during her first recording session in Nashville, Tennessee.
1957:  The Elvis Presley movie Loving You opened in theaters nationwide.
1960:  Elvis Is Back was the #1 album in the U.K.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 29

1963:  Elvis Presley had the top U.K. Song with "(You're The ) Devil In Disguise".

1965:  The Beatles' movie Help! premiered at the Pavilion in London.
1966:  Bob Dylan suffered a serious accident when he crashed his motorcycle near Woodstock, New York.
1966:  Cream made their live debut at The Twisted Wheel in Manchester, England.
1966:  The Small Faces and Spencer Davis helped usher in the National Jazz and Blues Festival in England, being held for the first time at the Royal Windsor Racecourse in Windsor. 
1967:  The International Love-In Festival took place at Alexandra Palace in London with Pink Floyd, the Animals and the Crazy World of Arthur Brown among others.  
1967:  Petula Clark's "Don't Sleep In The Subway" continued to set the pace for a third week on the Easy Listening chart.  
1967:  "All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles moved up from #71 to #29 on this date.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 28

 

1955:  Chuck Berry released his first single on this date as "Maybellene" was sent to radio stations.1961:  The Tokens recorded "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
1963:  Judy Collins, John Lee Hooker, and the Tarriers performed on the second day of the Newport Folk Festival.
1963:  The Beatles concluded a week of shows at the Odeon Cinema in Weston-Super-Mare, England.
1963:  "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" by Rolf Harris was #1 for a third week on the Easy Listening chart.