In 1942, Bing Crosby recorded the Irving Berlin song "White Christmas." Crosby recorded the song with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers in just 18 minutes. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.In 1958, at the Capitol Tower Recording Studio in Hollywood, Frank Sinatra recorded "Ebb Tide," "Angel Eyes," "Spring Is Here," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry," "Only The Lonely," and "Willow Weep For Me" for his classic "Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely" album.
In 1958, Little Anthony and the Imperials recorded "Tears On My Pillow."
In 1959, Ray Charles, the Drifters, B.B. King, and Jimmy Reed performed for an estimated 9,000 people at Atlanta's Herndon Stadium. It was one of the rock era's first outdoor music festivals.
In 1961, Ricky Nelson started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Travellin' Man." Sam Cooke turned the song down, the B-side was the Gene Pitney song "Hello Mary Lou" which became a double A side UK #1.In 1962, Chubby Checker won a Grammy Award for Best Rock and Roll Recording for "Let's Twist Again" and Ray Charles won Best Rhythm & Blues Recording for "Hit The Road Jack."
In 1963, Del Shannon's cover of the Beatles' "From Me to You" became the first song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney to appear on the American record charts.
In 1965, Bob Dylan's album 'Bringing It All Back Home' was at #1 on the UK charts, his second UK #1 album. The black and white pamphlet lying across the Time magazine with President Lyndon B. Johnson on the cover is a publication of the Earth Society, who saw its mission as protecting earth from collisions with comets and planets.
In 1965, the Beach Boys started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Help Me Rhonda," the group's second US #1. The recording session was interrupted by the Wilson brothers' drunken father, Murry, who arrived at the studio to criticize the Boys enthusiasm. The recording reel continued to record the confrontation, which still circulates among fans. It was the first single to feature a lead vocal by Al Jardine.
In 1967, the Move, Cream, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, Zoot Money, Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band all appeared at the Tulip Bulb Auction Hall in Spalding, Lincoln, England. Pink Floyd were only a support band and played in a corner of the shed with a white sheet behind them with the coloured oil shining onto it. Tickets cost $1.70. The poster advertising the show promised a "Knockout Atmosphere."
On May 29, 1969, Crosby, Stills & Nash released their self-titled debut on Atlantic Records label. It spawned two Top 40 hits: "Marrakesh Express" and "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," as well as featuring some of their best known songs including "Wooden Ships," "Long Time Gone" and "Helplessly Hoping." The album peaked at #6 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.In 1971, the Rolling Stones started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Brown Sugar." The first single released on Rolling Stones Records, it was the bands sixth US #1, and a #2 hit in the UK. The songs lyrics, which are essentially a pastiche of a number of taboo subjects, include: interracial sex, cunnilingus, slave rape, and less distinctly, sadomasochism, lost virginity, and heroin.
In 1971, three dozen Grateful Dead fans were treated for hallucinations caused by LSD after they unwittingly drank spiked apple juice served at a gig at San Francisco's Winterland.
In 1972, Paul McCartney releases his version of the nursery rhyme, "Mary Had A Little Lamb" as kind of tongue-in-cheek joke to get back at the BBC for banning his earlier single "Give Ireland Back To The Irish." It reached the US Top-30.
In 1973, Roger McGuinn, formerly of the Byrds, made his solo debut at New York's Academy of Music.
In 1975, in London, the Osmonds' appearance at Wembley Pool led to a riot by their fans.
On this day in 1975, "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" by Freddy Fender was the #1 song.
In 1976, Diana Ross started a two week run #1 on the US singles chart with "Love Hangover," her fourth US #1, it made #10 in the UK.
In 1977, Columbia Records president Goddard Lieberson died of cancer at the age of 66. Lieberson was responsible for the introduction of the LP record and for popularizing soundtracks and original cast albums.
In 1977, in Orlando, Florida, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Kenny Logins performed at the Tangerine Bowl. Tickets cost $10-$12.50 each.
In 1977, in Baltimore, Elvis Presley left the stage for more than 20 minutes in the middle of a concert. After returning, he explained that he had to leave because of an aching ankle "and nature," referring to an intestinal problem. Only a handful of audience members asked for refunds, but at the finale there was no ovation, and patrons exited shaking their heads and speculating on what was really wrong with him.
In 1981, Prince performed in Europe for the first time in a tour that started in the UK and later included concerts in Holland and France.
In 1982, Survivor released the single "Eye of the Tiger."In 1982, Paul McCartney started a three week run at #1 on the Billboard album chart with "Tug Of War". With contributions from Stevie Wonder, George Martin, Carl Perkins and Ringo Starr, the LP featured "Ebony And Ivory" and McCartney's ode to John Lennon, "Here Today."
In 1983, US school boy band (which included Bobby Brown), New Edition were at #1 on the UK singles chart with 'Candy Girl'. Songwriter & producer Maurice Starr discovered New Edition performing at a local talent show. Starr went to produce and write for New Kids On The Block.
In 1984, Tina Turner began her comeback with the release of the 'Private Dancer' album, her first in five years. In 1989, it was ranked #46 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 100 Greatest Albums of the '80s.
In 1987, Michael Jackson offered $50,000 (£29,412) to buy the remains of the Elephant Man.
In 1988, at a Levon Helm concert in New York City, Bob Dylan dueted with the Band drummer on the group's "The Weight" and Chuck Berry's "Nadine."
In 1989, John Cipollina, guitarist for Quicksilver Messenger Service, died after a lifelong battle with emphysema caught up with him at the age of 45.
In 1991, After just completing the recording of the 'Nevermind' album, Nirvana played a last-minute show at the Jabberjaw in Los Angeles. In the audience was Iggy Pop, Dave Grohl's girlfriend and L7 bassist Jennifer Finch who brought along her best friend Courtney Love.
In 1992, concerned that some pupils were overly identifying with Freddie Mercury, the sacred heart School in Clifton New Jersey decided not to sing the Queen song "We Are The Champions," at their Graduation Ceremony.
In 1992, the FBI recovered 44 nude photographs of Madonna, which had been stolen in America from fashion photographer Steven Meisel.
In 1995, a guard at Madonna's Los Angeles mansion shot and wounded an intruder carrying a wooden heart that read, "Love to my wife, Madonna." Police said 37-year-old Robert Hoskins had earlier threatened to marry or kill the singer. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for stalking, assault and making terrorist threats.
In 1997, singer songwriter Jeff Buckley disappeared after talking a swim in the Mississippi River, his body was found on 4th June 1997 after being spotted by a passenger on a tourist riverboat.In 1997, the Manic Street Preachers won the best song award for "A Design For Life" at the 42nd Ivor Novello awards. Other winners included The Spice Girls for Hit of the year with "Wannabe," Elvis Costello for Outstanding contribution to music, George Michael won Songwriter Of The Year and Most Performed work for "Fastlove."
In 1999, the Rolling Stones started the European leg of their Bridges to Babylon tour with an open-air concert in Stuttgart, Germany in front of an estimated 80,000 fans.
In 1999, skeletal remains were found by photographers looking for old car wrecks to shoot at the bottom of Decker Canyon near Malibu, California. Based on forensic evidence the remains were Philip Kramer former bassist with rock group Iron Butterfly, who had disappeared on his way home from work on February 12, 1995. His death was ruled as a probable suicide.
In 2001, the Eagles made their first ever visit to Russia when they appeared at SC Olymisky in Moscow.
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In 2002, a 16ft by 6ft mosaic designed by John Lennon went on display at The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool. The mosaic had been built into Lennon's swimming pool at his Kenwood home in Surrey where he lived between 1964 and 1968.
In 2007, a piano used by John Lennon on the night he died was put up for sale for $375,000 on The Moments in Time memorabilia website. The upright grand piano was part of the Record Plant Recording Studios in New York where the former Beatle recorded his 1971 Imagine album. Lennon was said to be so fond of the instrument that he had it moved to whichever studio he was working in and had used the piano hours before being shot on December 8, 1980.In 2009, Phil Spector was jailed for at least 19 years for murdering an actress in 2003. The producer, 69, famed for his Wall of Sound recording technique, was last month found guilty of shooting Lana Clarkson at his California home. Spector had pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder during the five-month retrial in Los Angeles. His lawyers said he would appeal. Spector was given a sentence of 15 years to life for second-degree murder and an additional four years for personal use of a gun.
In 2010, Paul McCartney feared for his safety after his tour bus came under attack from a group of thugs following a concert at the Foro Sol arena in Mexico City. The bus driver was forced to stop when a mob ran up to the vehicle and began jumping up and down on its roof. Police were eventually called and McCartney's entourage escaped unharmed.
In 2012, Lisa Marie Presley intervened to stop a letter written to her by ex-husband Michael Jackson from being auctioned. The handwritten note by the late King Of Pop was of a personal nature and was reportedly penned between 1993 and 1996. Auction house owner Darren Julien stated "We wanted to honor the request and continue our good relationship with Ms. Presley."
In 2012, in a ceremony at the White House, singer/songwriter Bob Dylan was among those who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor.
In 2012,folk/bluegrass singer/guitarist Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson died after colon surgery at age 89.
birthdays today include (among others): Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher (46),
Melissa Etheridge (52) and Procol Harum vocalist Gary Brooker (68)
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