This Date in Rock Music History: July 8

1954:  Sam Phillips, Elvis Presley's manager, gave Memphis D.J. Dewey Phillips of WHBQ Radio a copy of Presley's "That's All Right (Mama)" for his radio show and Presley appeared on Phillips' show.  Phillips that night became the first DJ to play an Elvis Presley song.  (Note:  several websites claim Phillips played the song on July 6 or 7.  According to the newspaper 'The Knoxville Journal', the official Graceland website and the book 'Turn It Up!  American Radio Tales 1946-1996' by Bob Shannon, the correct date is July 8.)
1958:  The soundtrack to Oklahoma! became the first album to be certified Gold by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA).

This Date in Rock Music History: July 7

1955:  Elvis Presley used part of his proceeds from an $5,000 advance to buy his mother a pink Cadillac.  Elvis and his parents had lived in low-income housing their entire lives.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 6

1956:  John Lennon met Paul McCartney at a dinner at St. Peter's Church in Liverpool, England and invited him to join his group the Quarrymen.  (Note:  several websites incorrectly state that the meeting took place on June 15.  It was July 6, as the poster advertising the event clearly shows.)

This Date in Rock Music History: July 5

1954:  Elvis Presley went into the recording studio for the first time, recording "That's All Right (Mama)" and "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
1958:  Ray Charles' appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival was recorded for the live album Ray Charles at Newport.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 4

1955:  Gene Vincent was in a serious accident when a car in Norfolk, Virginia hit his motorcycle, crushing his leg.
1956:  Elvis Presley performed a charity concert for the Memphis Press-Scimitar's Milk Fund in Memphis, Tennessee.
1958:  Buddy Holly and Frankie Avalon performed three concerts at the Buck Lake Ranch in Angola, India.
1958:  The Everly Brothers rolled into the #1 position in the U.K. with "All I Have To Do Is Dream".
1959:  The Brothers Four recorded the song "Greenfields".
1960:  Brian Hyland had the highest-debuting song with "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini".

This Date in Rock Music History: July 3

1965:  Cher had her first solo hit debut on the chart as "All I Really Want To Do" made the list.
1965:  Elvis reigned at #1 on the Easy Listening chart for the seventh week with "Crying In The Chapel".

This Date in Rock Music History: July 2

1956:  Another of the famous days in the Rock Era as Elvis Presley went into the recording studio and recorded "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" at RCA Studios in New York City on this date.
1956:  Buddy Holly released his first solo single "Love Me" on Decca Records.