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On August 22, 1906, the Victor Talking Machine Company of Camden, New Jersey began to manufacture the Victrola (record player). The hand-cranked unit, with horn cabinet, retailed for $200. Records were purchased separately, usually in the appliance stores that sold the machines, at a cost of between $1 and $7. Famed conductor John Philip Sousa predicted "a marked deterioration in American music" and said that generations of amateur musicians would give way to "canned music."In 1938, Count Basie & His Orchestra, featuring tenor saxophonist Lester Young and trumpeter Buck Clayton, recorded "Jumpin' At The Woodside."
In 1945, Frank Sinatra recorded "Nancy (With The Laughing Face)," with lyrics written by comic actor Phil Silvers and music by Jimmy Van Heusen.
In 1947, at the Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood, the King Cole Trio, featuring pianist/vocalist Nat "King" Cole and backed by an orchestra conducted by Frank DeVol, recorded "Nature Boy."
In 1948, at the Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood, the King Cole Trio, featuring pianist/vocalist Nat "King" Cole, recorded "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons."
In 1956, Elvis Presley began working on his first movie, 'Love Me Tender.' In the drama that was set during and just after the Civil War, Elvis played Clint Reno, the youngest of four brothers. The original title for the movie was 'The Reno Brothers,' but was changed to take advantage of the "Love Me Tender" song recorded for the film.
Also in 1956, the Five Satins make their debut on the Billboard R&B chart with a song they recorded in a New Haven, Connecticut church basement, "In The Still of the Night." Originally issued as a "B" side on the tiny Standord label, the song was re-released by Ember Records after some strong local sales. The 45 would rise to #3 on the R&B chart and #24 on the Pop chart, selling over a million copies.
In 1962, in what is believed to be their first filmed performance, the Beatles were photographed by Granada Television during their lunchtime appearance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool for the show "Know The North." At the end of one song, fans can be heard shouting "We want Pete!" in reference to drummer Pete Best, who'd just been dismissed from the band. The film was not aired until October 17, 1962.
In 1964, after releasing a half dozen singles that either stalled in the upper reaches of Billboard's Hot 100 or failed to chart at all, the Supremes scored their first hit record when "Where Did Our Love Go" went to number one in the US for the first of two weeks. It made it to #3 in the UK. The song was first offered to The Marvelettes, who disliked the tune and refused to record it.
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On Augsut 22, 1964, Liberty Records reported the album "The Chipmunks Sing the Beatles" was selling 25,000 copies a day. The stereo mix of the album mimics the stereo mixing of the early Beatles albums, with vocals predominantly in one channel and the instrumental backing in the other. In a December 1982 Goldmine magazine interview, Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. remembered that his father "thought it would be a cute idea for a Chipmunk record and he spoke with the Beatles. When he was in London, he even met the Beatles, who were very supportive of the idea."In 1965, in Portland, Oregon, the Beatles gave two performances at Memorial Coliseum. In between shows, they were visited in their dressing rooms by Beach Boys Carl Wilson and Mike Love.
In 1965, at Granada Television's studio in Manchester, England, about 200 screaming Rolling Stones fans broke through security barriers while waiting for the band to appear, causing security guards to turn fire hoses on them.
In 1966, the Beatles' 'Revolver' album was certified Gold.
In 1967, at Chappell Recording Studios in London, the Beatles recorded a portion of "Your Mother Should Know," at the first of three sessions for the song. The track was completed on November 7th.
In 1968, Ringo Starr quit the Beatles during the "White Album" sessions when the constant bickering and tension became too much for him. The news of Ringo's departure was kept secret, and he rejoined the sessions on September 3. After Ringo walked out, the remaining Beatles recorded "Back In the USSR," with Paul on drums and John playing bass.
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On August 22, 1969, before filming a video for "The Long and Winding Road," the Beatles held their last group photo shoot on the lawn of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's home in Tittenhurst in Ascot, England. Three pictures from this session were used for the front and back covers of the compilation album 'Hey Jude.'In 1970, at Criteria Studios in Miami, Derek and the Dominos began work on their first and only studio album, "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs."
In 1970, Elvis Presley announced his first tour since 1958.
In 1970, four former session musicians who called themselves Bread, topped the Hot 100 with "Make It With You", a song written by their lead singer, David Gates. It made #5 in the UK.
Also in 1970, Anne Murray's "Snowbird" entered Billboard's Hot 100 on its way to a million seller, marking the first time in history that an American Gold record was awarded to a solo Canadian female.
After leaving the Animals the year before, Eric Burdon made a return to the charts when his new band, War, scored a number 3 hit in 1970 with "Spill The Wine". Although Burdon would split from War in 1971, the rest of the group would have many more hits without him, including "The World is a Ghetto", "The Cisco Kid", "Gypsy Man", "Slippin' Into Darkness" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?."
In 1978, Sid Vicious performed for the last time at a London club. He played with Rat Scabies of the Damned, Glen Matlock and Nancy Spungen.
in 1980, Queen performed at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
In 1981, the first Monsters of Rock Festival was held at Donnington Castle in England.
On this day in 1984, "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr. was the #1 song.
In 1985, former Imperial labelmates Rick Nelson and Fats Domino began filming the PBS special "Rockin' with Rick and Fats," Nelson's last television appearance before his death later that year in a plane crash.
In 1997, in London, U2 played the first of two sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium.
In 1998, during his show at the Arrowhead Pond (now the Honda Center) in Anaheim, California, Elton John was joined onstage by comic actor and fan Jim Carrey. Carrey first dueted with him on a serious version of "Rocket Man," then played the piano by bashing his head onto the keys.
In 1998, Mark David Chapman said that he did not want any of the money that would be made from the sale of the signed "Double Fantasy" album that John Lennon signed for him the same day he was killed. Chapman was currently serving sentence for the December 8, 1980 murder.
In 2003, singer/songwriter/musician/Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer/Country Music Hall of Famer Floyd Tillman died at the age of 88.
In 2003, Kjell Henning Bjoernestad a Norwegian Elvis Presley impersonator set a world record by singing the rock 'n' roll legend's hits non-stop for over 26 hours. The previous record was set by British Elvis fan Gary Jay who sang for 25 hours 33 minutes and 30 seconds.
In 2004, 81 year old Al Dvorin, the announcer who uttered the phrase "Elvis has left the building" was killed in a car crash on the way home from an Elvis convention in California. He had been asked to announce his now famous words by Col. Tom Parker, who wanted to inform concert goers that Elvis would not return for an encore.
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In 2006, Bruce Gary, drummer for the Knack on their multi-million selling hit" My Sharona" passed away at the age of 54. (Bruce Gary pictured far left)In 2008, singer Ralph Young of the duo Sandler and Young died at age 90.
In 2009, John Carter, a member of both the Dells and the Flamingos, died of lung cancer at the age of 75. He is one of the few artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with two different acts.
In 2010, plans were announced to auction the toilet seat from John Lennon's Tittenhurst Park home in Berkshire, England. It was expected to sell for at least $1,500.
In 2011, R&B singer/songwriter Nick Ashford, who wrote and sang with his wife Valerie Simpson, died of throat cancer at age 70.
In 2011, lyricist (w/ his partner composer Mike Stoller) Rock & Roll Hall of Famer/Songwriters Hall of Famer Jerry Leiber died of cardiopulmonary failure at the age of 78.
birthdays today include (among others): Ron Dante (68), Gary 'Mutha' Withem (Gary Puckett & the Union Gap) (67), Donna Jean Godchaux (Grateful Dead) (66), David Marks (Beach Boys) (65), Ian Mitchell (Bay City Rollers) (55), Vernon Reed (Living Colour) (55), Juan Croucier (Dokken, Ratt) (54), Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears) (52), Debbi Peterson (Bangles) (52), Tori Amos (50) and Paul Doucette (Matchbox 20) (41)
