In 1947, Gene Autry recorded "Here Comes Santa Claus," which he co-wrote.
In 1959, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Ricky Nelson played four one-hour shows in the marine ballroom at the Steel Pier.
In 1961, Joe Dowell has Billboard's top tune with a cover version of an Elvis Presley album cut, "Wooden Heart". Session musicians included Floyd Cramer on piano, The Anita Kerr Singers, The Jordanaires and Ray Stevens on organ.
In 1964, after playing a show at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, New York, the Beatles met Bob Dylan for the first time at the Delmonico Hotel. Dylan and mutual journalist friend Al Aronowitz introduce the Fab Four to marijuana. John Lennon asked the folk singer what he'd like to drink, and Dylan replied, "cheap wine." The Beatles offered Dylan some speed, their drug of choice, but Bob and Al suggested marijuana instead, which the band had never tried. This shocked Dylan, who said he always thought that in their song "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," they were singing "I get high." Lennon corrected him saying the lyrics are, in fact, "I can't hide." John made Ringo smoke the joint first. Eventually each member of the band got his own private marijuana cigarette. Paul was quite taken with the thoughts it produced and ordered Mal Evans to follow him around with a notepad to write down all his marijuana-induced insights and observations.
In 1965, the Rolling Stones announce that Allen Klein, who they met three days ago, will co-manage the group along with Andrew Long Oldham. At the same time, they sign a five year recording deal with Decca Records.
In 1965, the Beach Boys' "California Girls" peaks at #3 on the Billboard chart. Brian Wilson used the same idea of naming different parts of the country in the lyrics as he did in his earlier tune, "Surfin' USA." It is one of group's' most famous songs and has been included on countless greatest hits compilations. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included the song in its of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll."
In 1965, in the UK, Sonny And Cher's "I Got You Babe" replaced the Beatles' "Help!" at the top of the charts. Ironically, in the US, the Beatles' song took over from Sonny And Cher on the Cashbox Best Sellers list.
In 1965, at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in New York City, Bob Dylan played the first night of a 40-date North American tour. After playing the first set solo, Dylan played the second set backed by a band consisting of Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Harvey Brooks and Al Kooper. This format of one acoustic and one electric set was maintained throughout the tour.
In 1965, the Lovin' Spoonful lip-synced "Do You Believe in Magic" on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand."
In 1966, nearing the end of their final tour of America, the Beatles performed one show at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, before a crowd of 45,000. The Beatles' attempt to escape from the stadium in an armored truck is thwarted when the main gate was found to be locked, and the Beatles have to spend two hours in the back of the truck before they can leave the stadium.
In 1967, the Grateful Dead and Big Brother And The Holding Company play at the wake of a Hell's Angels member who was struck by a car in San Francisco.In 1968, the Doors are awarded a Gold record for "Hello, I Love You," which had reached #15 in the UK and #1 in the US.
In 1968, working at Trident Studios, London, the Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song "Dear Prudence." They built the song instrument by instrument, utilizing the 8-track equipment at Trident. John and George played guitars, while Paul plays drums to compensate for Ringo, who had quit the Beatles on August 22.
In 1970, during a four-week engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, a security guard at the hotel received a phone call in which he was told Elvis Presley would be shot during his last show. The person demanded $50,000 to reveal the name of the potential killer. Later that day a menu was found in Elvis’ mail at the hotel on which Elvis’ face was destroyed and a gun had been drawn pointing to his heart. The threats were taken very seriously. Elvis played his last show without any incident.
In 1971, Canada's Five Man Electrical Band saw their hit single "Signs" peak at #3 on the US Pop chart. It would go on to sell over a million copies and be awarded a Gold Record by the RIAA. A string of other hits followed: "Absolutely Right," "Money Back Guarantee," "Moonshine," "Werewolf," and "I'm A Stranger Here," but none could match the band's earlier success.
In 1972, in New York City, David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars debuted at Carnegie Hall.
In 1973, Deep Purple received a Gold record for "Smoke On the Water", which hit #5 in the US on its way to selling over two million copies. It was the band's biggest success since "Hush", which also reached #5 in 1968.
In 1973, Gladys Knight & the Pips released the single "Midnight Train To Georgia."
In 1976, a 'live' version of Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way" peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was released in September 1975 and was first featured on Frampton's 1975 album, 'Frampton.'
In 1978, Devo released their debut album called 'Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo.' Produced by Brian Eno, it was recorded primarily in Cologne, Germany and released in the US by Warner Bros. Records company. The album received somewhat mixed reviews from critics and peaked at #12 on the UK album charts and #78 on the US Billboard chartsIn 1981, producer Guy Stevens died at the age of 38 years old, having overdosed on prescription drugs he was taking to reduce his alcohol dependency. Worked with Mott The Hoople, Free and the Clash. He was the president of the Chuck Berry Appreciation Society and it was Stevens who brought Berry to the UK for his first tour. He gave Procol Harum and Mott the Hoople their distinctive names.
In 1984, the Jacksons' Victory Tour broke the record for concert ticket sales as they surpassed the 1.1 million mark in only two months.
In 1986, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and Neil Young perform in a show that's billed as, Get Tough On Toxics, in Long Beach, California. The show also featured all of The Eagles except Glenn Frey, who was in the hospital with an intestinal disorder.
In 1993, Billy Joel had the number 1 album in the US when "River of Dreams" reached the top on the strength of the title track and "All About Soul". The L.P. would go on to sell over 4 million copies in America, but the album cover, which was painted by Billy's then wife Christie Brinkley, was bashed by critics, some calling it the worst album cover of the year. The couple would divorce a year later.
In 1996, Isaac Hayes, who co-wrote Sam And Dave's classic "Soul Man", sends a protest letter to presidential candidate Bob Dole, requesting Dole stop using his song, which supporters had changed to "I'm A Dole Man."
In 1998, a biopic about Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love," starring Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox, and Larenz Tate as Frankie, opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters. Little Richard and Ben Vereen made cameo appearances in the film.
In 2005, Art Garfunkel, who pleaded guilty last year to pot possession in upstate New York, was charged again after a marijuana cigarette was allegedly found in the ashtray of his car.
In 2005, Green Day cleaned up at this years MTV awards held in Miami winning seven awards including, Video of the Year for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and the Viewer's Choice Award. Best Male Video went to Kanye West for "Jesus Walks," Best Choreography went to Gwen Stefani for "Hollaback Girl" and Breakthrough Video went to Gorillaz for "Feel Good Inc." The awards went ahead despite concerns over Hurricane Katrina, which hit Florida last week, and after a shooting at a pre-awards party. Record boss Suge Knight was shot in the leg during at a party for Kanye West.
In 2007, singer/actress Miyoshi Umeki died of complications from cancer at 78.
In 2008, R&B singer/songwriter Gilbert Moorer, lead vocalist of the Esquires, died of throat cancer at age 67.
In 2009, Noel Gallagher quit Oasis, saying he could no longer work with his brother Liam. Noel, the group's lead guitarist and chief songwriter, had recently been involved in a series of rows with front man Liam, and admitted he and his brother rarely spoke, did not travel together and only saw each other on stage. The guitarist said: "It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. The band were due to play the Rock en Seine festival in Paris but cancelled at the last minute. When the support band said Oasis would not be performing, many fans thought it was a joke, but then screens at either side of the stage showed the message: "As a result of an altercation within the band, the Oasis gig has been cancelled."
In 2011, in Washington, DC, Aretha Franklin sang as a statue honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was dedicated at the National Mall.
In 2012, The Website Celebritynetworth.com named Ringo Starr as the world's richest drummer, with an estimated fortune of $300 million. Phil Collins was ranked second with $250 million, former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl was third with $225 million, The Eagles' Don Henley came in forth with $200 million and Metallica's Lars Ulrich rounded out the top five with $175 million. Also making the top ten were U2 star Larry Mullen and The Rolling Stones' Charlie Watts.
birthdays today include (among others): John Perkins (Crew-Cuts) (82), Clem Cattini (Tornados) (76), Danny Seraphine (Chicago) (65), Hugh Cornwell (Stranglers) (64), Dave Hlubek (Molly Hatchett) (62), Shania Twain (48), Jack Black (Tenacious D) (44), LeAnn Rimes (31) and Florence Welch (Florence & the Machine) (27)