This Date in Rock Music History: May 1

1955:  Elvis Presley played three concerts at the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans, Louisiana.
1955:  Leonard Chess signed Chuck Berry to a recording contract.

1957:  The Kingston Trio formed in Palo Alto, California.
1957:  Elvis Presley was on the cover of the first issue of 16 Magazine.
1961:  Tony Orlando had his first hit with "Halfway To Paradise".
1961:  "(Dance The) Mess Around" by Chubby Checker is on the list of biggest movers of all-time.  The song never peaked great , but on this date it was one of the hottest songs around, moving from 79-28.
1961:  Del Shannon continued to own the #1 song with "Runaway", one of The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era*.
1962:  The Beatles began a month-long gig at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany.

New Featured Unknown/Underrated Song: The Animals with "We Gotta' Get Out Of This Place"

A new song in the spotlight this week as we feature the great songs that did not make the Top 10 but should have:

"We Gotta' Get Out Of This Place"

Animals

Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil

In this dirty old part of the city,
Where the sun refuse to shine,
People tell me there ain't no use in trying.

Now my girl you're so young and pretty,
And one thing I know is true,
You'll be dead before your time is due.
I know...

Watch my daddy in bed and tired;
Watch his hair been turning gray;
He's been working and slaving his life away.
Oh yes, I know it!

He's been working so hard,
I've been working too, babe,
Every night and day,
Yeah!  Yeah!  Yeah!  Yeah!

We gotta' get out of this place,
If its the last thing we ever do.
We gotta' get out of this place,
'Cause girl, there's a better life
For me and you.

Now my girl you're so young and pretty,
And one thing I know is true, yeah.
You'll be dead before your time is due.
I know it...

Watch my daddy in bed and tired;
Watch his hair been turning gray.
He's been working and slaving his life away.
I know...

He's been working so hard,
I've been working too babe,
Every day, baby...
Yeah!  Yeah!  Yeah!  Yeah!

We gotta' get out of this place,
If its the last thing we ever do.
We gotta' get out of this place,
Girl, there's a better life
For me and you.
Somewhere, baby,
Somehow I know it, baby.

We gotta' get out of this place,
If its the last thing we ever do.
We gotta' get out of this place,
Girl, there's a better life for me and you.
Believe me, baby.
I know it ,baby.
You know it too.

This Date in Rock Music History: April 30

1957:  Elvis Presley recorded the classic "Jailhouse Rock".  (Note:  Some websites report that Presley recorded the song "Jailhouse Rock" on April 30 and May 3, and some say that he recorded it in three sessions--2 on April 30 and May 3 at Radio Recorders and 1 at MGM Studios in Hollywood, California.  Presley did record songs for the movie 'Jailhouse Rock' on those other two days, but according to the book 'Elvis Presley:  A Life In Music' by Ernst Jorgensen, Presley completed recording of the song "Jailhouse Rock" on April 30 at Radio Recorders.)

1960:  Fats Domino recorded "Walking To New Orleans".


1960:  The Everly Brothers began seven weeks at the top of the U.K. chart with "Cathy's Clown".  It was the first release from new record company Warner Brothers.










  1962:  Ray Charles released the single "I Can't Stop Loving You".