In 1954, Billboard magazine showed Elvis Presley at #8 on their list of the Most Promising New Hillbilly or Country Singers.
In 1955, an R&B group called the Famous Flames, lead by singer James Brown, cut their first demo of "Please, Please, Please" at a radio station in Macon Georgia. It will lead to their signing with King Records.
In 1956, Elvis Presley bought a new Harley-Davidson motorbike. Presley spent the day riding round Memphis on his new bike with actress Natalie Wood.
In 1957, in Denver, Alan Freed's "The Biggest Show of Stars for 1957" concert tour played the Arena Auditorium. Performers included the Everly Brothers, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Chuck Berry, Paul Anka, Frankie Lymon, Buddy Knox, Clyde McPhatter, Jimmy Bowen, LaVern Baker, the Drifters, Eddie Cochran, the Bobettes, Johnnie & Joe, and the Spaniels.
In 1957, at Master Recorders in Hollywood, Sam Cooke recorded "I'll Come Running Back To You."
In 1957, the Four Esquires were guest performers on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand."
In 1958, Russian leaders dub Elvis Presley as "public enemy number one."
In 1959, after cracking the US Top 40 twice while with Atlantic Records, Ray Charles signs with ABC-Paramount, where he will have 24 more Billboard hits.
Also in 1959, for the first time since 1954, Elvis Presley doesn't have a record on any of the Billboard charts. He is currently in Germany serving with the US Army.
In 1960, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, the Everly Brothers recorded "Temptation."
In 1962, while the Beatles were appearing at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, a recording was made on a small, portable tape recorder which would be pressed and issued by Singasong Records in 1977 as "Live! At the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, 1962".
In 1963, the Beatles began their first headlining tour in the UK with two shows in Gloucestershire, England, earning £300 a night. The set list: "I Saw Her Standing There,""From Me To You,""All My Loving,""You Really Got A Hold On Me,""Roll Over Beethoven,""Boys,""Till There Was You,""She Loves You,""Money," and "Twist And Shout." Some girls camped out for tickets two days in advance.
In 1963, at RCA Victor's Music Center Of The World in Hollywood, Lorne Greene recorded "Ringo."
In 1964, the Dave Clark Five appear on The Ed Sullivan Show singing their hit "Glad All Over". Sullivan likes them much better than The Rolling Stones, saying that unlike the latter, the DC5 are "nice, neat boys."
In 1965, in Rochester, New York, the Rolling Stones' concert ended abruptly when 3,500 excited fans stormed the stage just seven minutes into the show. After three attempts to resume the concert, police cancelled it, with only six songs played.
In 1966, three Elvis Presley albums are certified Gold: his 1956 debut album, 'Elvis Presley,''Elvis' Golden Records, Vol. 2' and 'Elvis' Golden Records, Vol. 3.'
In 1966, the Doors played the first night of a monthlong residency at the Ondine Discotheque, Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
Also in 1966, with "Good Vibrations" at the top of the UK chart, the Beach Boys kick off the first of seven sold out shows at Finsbury Park Astoria in London, England. Over 600 city buses were adorned with posters announcing their arrival.
In 1969, "Suspicious Minds" reaches the top of the Billboard chart, becoming Elvis Presley's 17th and final US #1 hit during his lifetime. Elvis had recorded it in a 4 AM to 7 AM session last January, with the eighth take being the keeper. The song climbed to #2 in the UK.
In 1969, the Beatles scored their 13th US #1 album with 'Abbey Road.'
In 1969, Faces were signed by Warner Brothers Records.
In 1970, the Festfolk Quartet perform their first live show in Gothenburg, Sweden. They would later change their name to ABBA.
In 1971, Sly and the Family Stone continue to cancel many concerts at the last minute because Sly doesn't show up. Of 80 concerts booked in 1970, he cancelled 26 and ducked out of 12 of 40 shows in '71. The band is still successful on the radio however, enjoying the hits "Family Affair" and "There's a Riot Goin' On".
In 1972, the 33rd and final film of Elvis' career, Elvis On Tour opens in the US. It would be awarded the 1972 Golden Globe Award for Best Documentary, making it the only Elvis film to win an award of any kind.
In 1975, Elton John, who teamed up with Neil Sedaka on last week's Billboard chart topper, "Bad Blood", took over the top spot himself with "Island Girl".
In 1975, Wings began an 11-date tour at the Entertainment Centre in Perth, as the band toured Australia for the first time.
In 1975, the Carpenters were forced to cancel their upcoming European tour because of Karen Carpenter's struggle with anorexia.
In 1979, Bob Dylan opened his Slow Train Coming tour in San Francisco, CA. He is booed when the set is all religious material.
In 1987, Dire Straits' CD 'Brothers In Arms' passes the three million sales mark, becoming the UK's all-time best selling album.
In 1990, nearly twenty years after their first US chart appearances, two former teen heart-throbs returned to Billboard's Hot 200 album list. The Partridge Family's David Cassidy reached #27 with his self titled LP, while Donny Osmond was enjoying the success of 'My Love Is A Fire,' which would climb to #21.
In 1993, Fats Domino's album "Christmas Is A Special Day" was released on EMI/Right Stuff. It was his first major-label album in 25 years.
In 1996, U2 allowed fans to watch them record a new album via an internet link to their studio in Dublin, Ireland.
In 2000, the Recording Industry Association Of America introduces guidelines for Parental Advisory labeling on recordings.
In 2000, Ben Folds Five broke up.
In 2002, for a party in Morocco to celebrate his 33rd birthday, P Diddy hired two private jets to fly 300 guests from New York to Marrakech.
In 2003, Bruce Springsteen and Michael J. Fox perform the song Light of Day from Fox's 1987 movie at a Parkinson's Disease benefit.
In 2004, 61 year old Terry Knight, the former manager of Grand Funk Railroad, was murdered at his home in Killeen, Texas. Knight was defending his daughter during a domestic disturbance when he was stabbed by her boyfriend, 26 year old Donald Alan Fair. Knight began his music career by leading a Michigan band called Terry Knight and the Pack, who scored a Billboard top 50 hit with "I, Who Have Nothing".
On this day in 2004, "My Boo" by Usher and Alicia Keys was the #1 song.
In 2005, pianist/composer/bandleader Lyle Russell Cedric "Skitch" Henderson died at age 87.
In 2008, drummer and singer Jimmy Carl Black passed away after a bout with lung cancer. He was 70. He was a member of The Keys, The Soul Giants, The Mothers of Invention and Jimmy Carl Black and the Mannish Boys. He also worked with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Joe Cocker, The Grateful Dead and The Turtles
