Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle and Roll" was released in 1954.
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In 1954, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded “Rock Around the Clock” at Pythian Temple studios in New York City. Written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers, the song was first recorded by Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights. Considered by many to be the song that put rock and roll on the map around the world, Haley’s version was used over the opening titles of the film Blackboard Jungle and went on to become a worldwide #1.
In 1955, the national radio show "Your Hit Parade" celebrated its 20th anniversary.
In 1957, the 'King of Skiffle' Lonnie Donegan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Cumberland Gap.' The Scottish musician was a former member of Chris Barber's Jazz Band.
In 1957, "Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Easter Jubilee" opened for a ten-day run at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater. Performers included Bo Diddley, Buddy Knox, LaVern Baker, Charlie Gracie, Jimmy Bowen, the Three Chuckles, the Cleftones, the Del Vikings, the Harptones, Bobby Marchan, the Penguins, and the Rhythm Jesters
In 1959, Brook Benton sang "It's Just A Matter Of Time" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1961, Percy Faith won Record of the Year for Theme From a Summer Place at the 3rd Grammy Awards. Song of the Year was the Theme From Exodus (Ernest Gold) and Best New Artist Bob Newhart also won Album of the Year for The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.
In 1963, Bob Dylan performed his first major solo concert at the Town Hall in New York City.
In 1963, the Beatles meet the Rolling Stones for the first time in Richmond, England.
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In 1966, Jan Berry, the younger half of Jan and Dean was paralyzed after he ran his Corvette into a parked truck on a side street in Beverly Hills. Berry suffered total physical paralysis for over a year as well as extensive brain damage which made it impossible to return to performing. The pair started their hit streak in 1958 with "Jennie Lee" and followed with "Baby Talk", "Surf City", "Sidewalk Surfin'", "Drag City", "Dead Man's Curve", "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena" and "Popsicle". Jan's accident ended their career as hit makers, although they attempted a comeback in 1978 after the biographical movie, Dead Man's Curve, was shown on TV (Berry was able to walk again after extensive therapy).
In 1967, Mick Jagger was punched in the face by an airport official during a row at Le Bourget Airport in France. Jagger lost his temper after The Stones were being searched for drugs resulting in them missing their flight.
In 1968, in New York, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention performed at a National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences dinner. He called the event "a load of pompous hokum" and from the stage yelled: "All year long you people have manufactured this crap, now for one night you're gonna have to listen to it!"
In 1969, the Fifth Dimension score their first #1 and their eighth Billboard Top 40 hit with "Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In."
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In 1969, Simon & Garfunkel released the single "The Boxer." One of the duo's most highly produced tracks, the song took more than 100 hours to record at multiple locations, including Nashville, St. Paul's Chapel in New York City, and Columbia studios. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song #105 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
In 1971, Crosby, Stills Nash & Young's live album 'Four Way Street' was certified Gold.
In 1972, at the RCA Victor Studio in New York City, John Denver recorded "Rocky Mountain High."
In 1973, the film 'That'll Be The Day', premiered in London, featuring David Essex, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Billy Fury and Dave Edmunds.
In 1973, Stevie Wonder became one of the first contemporary music stars to appear on PBS-TV's "Sesame Street."
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In 1975, David Bowie announced his second career retirement, saying, 'I've rocked my roll. It's a boring dead end, there will be no more rock 'n' roll records from me.'
Elton John led the US Pop chart in 1975 with "Philadelphia Freedom," a song inspired by Billie Jean King's World Team Tennis League entry.
In 1975, during a North American tour, Pink Floyd played the first of two nights at The Cow Palace, Daly City, San Francisco, California.
In 1975, Linda Ronstadt released the single "When Will I Be Loved."
In 1975, singer/dancer Josephine Baker died following a stroke at the age of 68.
In 1979, Mickey Thomas became the new lead singer of Jefferson Starship. He had been the vocalist on "Fooled Around And Fell In Love," Elvin Bishop's hit in 1975.
On this day in 1988, "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" by Billy Ocean was the #1 song.
In 1988, Sonny Bono was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California. He served one four-year term.
In 1989, two DJs on Los Angeles station KLOS ask “whatever happened to David Cassidy?” The singer called the station and the presenters invited him onto their show. Cassidy played three songs live on air and was subsequently signed by a new record label.
Also in 1989, Herbert Mills of the Mills Brothers died of viral meningitis at the age of 77. The vocal group had several hit records in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and are most often remembered for their 1968, #23 hit, "Cab Driver". Donald Mills, the last of the original group passed away in 1999.
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In 1989, Garth Brooks' self-titled debut album was released.
In 1990, the Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Centre announced that Asteroids 4147-4150, would be named Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr after the four members of The Beatles.
In 1990, during their Behind The Mask World Tour, Fleetwood Mac played the first of five nights at Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia.
In 1999, Shania Twain became the only female artist in music history to sell at least 10 million units with back to back releases.
In 1999, country music singer/Grand Ole Opry member "Boxcar Willie" (born Lecil Travis Martin) died of leukemia at the age of 67.
In 2000, Metallica filed suit against Napster, the University of Southern California, Yale University and Indiana University for copyright infringement, unlawful use of digital audio interface device and violations of the Racketeering Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
In 2000, Bo Diddley filed suit against Nike for using his name and image without permission. Nike was accused of continuing to use his image after a contract expired in 1991.
In 2005, Mariah Carey released 'The Emancipation of Mimi', the album entered the US chart at number one, going six times platinum in less than a year, and subsequently became the most successful album of 2005.
In 2008, with her latest single "4 Minutes," Madonna surpassed Elvis Presley as the artist with the most all-time Top Ten Hits on the Billboard pop chart (37).
In 2010, the Vatican's official newspaper L'Osservatore Ramano published a story praising the Beatles and saying that it forgives John Lennon's 1966 comment that the group was "bigger than Jesus."
birthday wishes to (among others): Herbie Hancock (73), Steppenwolf leader John Kay (69), David Cassidy (63), Pat Travers (59), Vince Gill (56), Amy Ray - Indigo Girls (49), Guy Berryman - Coldplay (35) and Brendon Urie - Panic at the Disco (26)
In 1955, the national radio show "Your Hit Parade" celebrated its 20th anniversary.
In 1957, the 'King of Skiffle' Lonnie Donegan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Cumberland Gap.' The Scottish musician was a former member of Chris Barber's Jazz Band.
In 1957, "Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Easter Jubilee" opened for a ten-day run at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater. Performers included Bo Diddley, Buddy Knox, LaVern Baker, Charlie Gracie, Jimmy Bowen, the Three Chuckles, the Cleftones, the Del Vikings, the Harptones, Bobby Marchan, the Penguins, and the Rhythm Jesters
In 1959, Brook Benton sang "It's Just A Matter Of Time" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1961, Percy Faith won Record of the Year for Theme From a Summer Place at the 3rd Grammy Awards. Song of the Year was the Theme From Exodus (Ernest Gold) and Best New Artist Bob Newhart also won Album of the Year for The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.
In 1963, Bob Dylan performed his first major solo concert at the Town Hall in New York City.
In 1963, the Beatles meet the Rolling Stones for the first time in Richmond, England.
In 1967, Mick Jagger was punched in the face by an airport official during a row at Le Bourget Airport in France. Jagger lost his temper after The Stones were being searched for drugs resulting in them missing their flight.
In 1968, in New York, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention performed at a National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences dinner. He called the event "a load of pompous hokum" and from the stage yelled: "All year long you people have manufactured this crap, now for one night you're gonna have to listen to it!"
In 1969, the Fifth Dimension score their first #1 and their eighth Billboard Top 40 hit with "Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In."
In 1971, Crosby, Stills Nash & Young's live album 'Four Way Street' was certified Gold.
In 1972, at the RCA Victor Studio in New York City, John Denver recorded "Rocky Mountain High."
In 1973, the film 'That'll Be The Day', premiered in London, featuring David Essex, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Billy Fury and Dave Edmunds.
In 1973, Stevie Wonder became one of the first contemporary music stars to appear on PBS-TV's "Sesame Street."
Elton John led the US Pop chart in 1975 with "Philadelphia Freedom," a song inspired by Billie Jean King's World Team Tennis League entry.
In 1975, during a North American tour, Pink Floyd played the first of two nights at The Cow Palace, Daly City, San Francisco, California.
In 1975, Linda Ronstadt released the single "When Will I Be Loved."
In 1975, singer/dancer Josephine Baker died following a stroke at the age of 68.
In 1979, Mickey Thomas became the new lead singer of Jefferson Starship. He had been the vocalist on "Fooled Around And Fell In Love," Elvin Bishop's hit in 1975.
On this day in 1988, "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" by Billy Ocean was the #1 song.
In 1988, Sonny Bono was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California. He served one four-year term.
In 1989, two DJs on Los Angeles station KLOS ask “whatever happened to David Cassidy?” The singer called the station and the presenters invited him onto their show. Cassidy played three songs live on air and was subsequently signed by a new record label.
Also in 1989, Herbert Mills of the Mills Brothers died of viral meningitis at the age of 77. The vocal group had several hit records in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and are most often remembered for their 1968, #23 hit, "Cab Driver". Donald Mills, the last of the original group passed away in 1999.
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In 1990, the Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Centre announced that Asteroids 4147-4150, would be named Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr after the four members of The Beatles.
In 1990, during their Behind The Mask World Tour, Fleetwood Mac played the first of five nights at Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia.
In 1999, Shania Twain became the only female artist in music history to sell at least 10 million units with back to back releases.
In 1999, country music singer/Grand Ole Opry member "Boxcar Willie" (born Lecil Travis Martin) died of leukemia at the age of 67.
In 2000, Metallica filed suit against Napster, the University of Southern California, Yale University and Indiana University for copyright infringement, unlawful use of digital audio interface device and violations of the Racketeering Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
In 2000, Bo Diddley filed suit against Nike for using his name and image without permission. Nike was accused of continuing to use his image after a contract expired in 1991.
In 2005, Mariah Carey released 'The Emancipation of Mimi', the album entered the US chart at number one, going six times platinum in less than a year, and subsequently became the most successful album of 2005.
In 2008, with her latest single "4 Minutes," Madonna surpassed Elvis Presley as the artist with the most all-time Top Ten Hits on the Billboard pop chart (37).
In 2010, the Vatican's official newspaper L'Osservatore Ramano published a story praising the Beatles and saying that it forgives John Lennon's 1966 comment that the group was "bigger than Jesus."
birthday wishes to (among others): Herbie Hancock (73), Steppenwolf leader John Kay (69), David Cassidy (63), Pat Travers (59), Vince Gill (56), Amy Ray - Indigo Girls (49), Guy Berryman - Coldplay (35) and Brendon Urie - Panic at the Disco (26)