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!