Music History - December 19

In 1952, at the Skyline Club in Austin, Texas, Hank Williams performed his last show.

In 1955, Carl Perkins recorded the hit "Blue Suede Shoes."

In 1956, Elvis Presley made US chart history by having 10 songs on Billboard's Top 100.

In 1957, Elvis Presley had his draft notice served on him for the U.S. Army. He went on to join the 32nd Tank Battalion, Third Armor Corps based in Germany.

In 1957, Jerry Vale was the guest performer on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand."

On this day in 1958, "The Chipmunk Song" by David Seville & the Chipmunks was the #1 song.

On December 19, 1958, Bobby Darin recorded the immortal cut "Mack The Knife." The song was introduced to the US hit parade by Louis Armstrong in 1956, but the song is most closely associated with Bobby Darin, who recorded his version at Fulton Studios on West 40th Street, New York City.  In 1959 Darin's version reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.   In 2003, the Darin version was ranked #251 on Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.

In 1960, Neil Sedaka's "Calendar Girl" was released on RCA Victor Records. The song would climb to #4 on the Hot 100 and become Sedaka's sixth record to make the US charts.

In 1960, Frank Sinatra recorded his first session with his very own record company, Reprise Records. Frank did "Ring-A-Ding-Ding" and "Let’s Fall in Love."

In 1960, at North Hollywood High School, the Four Preps recorded a "live" version of "More Money For You And Me," which became their sixth and last Top 40 single.

In 1962, after girlfriend Anita Wood left him due to his romantic indecision, Elvis Presley decided to invite Priscilla Beaulieu, a girl he met in Germany, to visit him in Memphis. Upon arrival, Priscilla met Elvis at his father Vernon's house. Since she was so nervous about her visit, Elvis prescribed sleeping pills, which caused her to sleep for almost two days.

In 1962, at CBS 30th Street Studio in New York City, Tony Bennett recorded "The Good Life."

In 1964, "Come See About Me," the third release from the Supremes album 'Where Did Our Love Go,' becomes their third straight US #1 single. 

In 1964, the Beatles fourth album, 'Beatles For Sale,' started a seven-week run at the top of the UK album chart. It would stay in the Top 20 for an amazing 46 weeks.

In 1967, Buffalo Springfield performed at the Community Concourse in San Diego.

In 1968, in Hollywood, Friends Of Distinction recorded "Grazing In The Grass."

In 1969, Mick Jagger was fined in Marlborough, U.K. for possession of marijuana.

In 1970, Elton John's first US hit, "Your Song" enters the Billboard Hot 100, where it will reach number eight. An excellent version of the tune had already been recorded by Three Dog Night for their "It Ain't Easy" album, but they didn't issue it as a single.

In 1970, President Nixon complimented Mike Curb of MGM Records after he dropped a number of artists for supposedly advocating drug use. Among those dropped was Connie Francis.

In 1973, in Atlanta, Jim Stafford recorded "Wildwood Weed."

Ron Woods joined the Rolling Stones in 1974.

On December 19, 1975, as if disco wasn't bad enough, the US music scene reaches a new all time low when "Convoy" by C.W. McCall earned a Gold record. It would go on to top the Billboard Pop in early January. The novelty tune tells the story of interstate truck drivers and their run-ins with the law. It reached #2 in the UK. 

In 1978, ABC aired the TV special "The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait," with Richard and Karen plus guest stars Gene Kelly, Georgia Engel, and Kristy & Jimmy McNichol.

In 1978, Queen played the Forum in Inglewood, California.

In 1979, Elvis Presley's personal physician, George Nichopoulos, was charged with 'illegally and indiscriminately' prescribing over 12,000 tablets of uppers, downers, and painkillers for the Rock and Roll star during the 20 months preceding his untimely death. Although he was acquitted this time, he was charged again in 1980 and again in 1992 and was stripped of his medical license in July 1995.

In 1985, country music singer Johnny Paycheck was arrested for shooting a man during a fight in Hillsboro, Ohio. Paycheck claimed the act was self-defense. After several years spent fighting his conviction and 7-year sentence, in 1989 he began 22 months in prison before being pardoned by Ohio Governor Richard Celeste.

In 1986, a California Superior Court Judge refuses to reinstate a lawsuit brought against Ozzy Osbourne by the parents of a teenager who committed suicide while listening to Osbourne's "Suicide Solution". The judge ruled that Ozzy is protected by The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gives him the right to freedom of speech.

In 1987, the Pet Shop Boys had their third UK #1 single with their version of “Always on My Mind." The duo had performed a version of "Always on My Mind” on Love Me Tender, a TV special commemorating the 10th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. Their performance was so well-received that the group decided to record the song and release it as a single.

In 1987, Paul Simon, the musician, and Paul Simon, the presidential candidate, hosted NBC-TV's "Saturday Night Live" together.

Also in 1987, two girls were crushed to death in the rush in Nashville before a Public Enemy concert.

In 1992, "The Neil Diamond TV special "Christmas in Washington" aired on NBC.

In 1993, Michael Clarke, drummer with The Byrds, died of liver failure at age 47. He also worked with the Flying Burrito Brothers, Firefall and Jerry Jeff Walker. Before his death, Clarke had expressed a wish of alerting children to the dangers of alcoholism. Following his wishes, Clarke’s girlfriend Susan Paul started a foundation in Clarke’s name, called the Campaign for Alcohol-free Kids. He and the rest of The Byrds were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in January 1991.

In 1996, Lubbock, Texas honored its native son by renaming Avenue H as Buddy Holly Avenue.

In 1997, blues singer/guitarist/harmonicist Jimmy Rogers, best known for his work in the 1950s as a member of Muddy Waters' band, died of colon cancer at 73.

In 1998, at the United Center in Chicago, the Dave Matthews Band recorded "Live in Chicago 12-19-98," which became a two-disc set that was not released until October 2001.

In 2000, 10,000 Maniacs guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure at age 42. He is best known for “Hey Jack Kerouac,” “What’s the Matter Here” and “Candy Everybody Wants.”

In 2000, jazz bassist Milt Hinton died at the age of 90.

Also in 2000, gospel/soul/R&B singer/guitarist Roebuck "Pops" Staples of the Staple Singers died of complications from a concussion at 84.

In 2001, VH1 premiered "Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story."

Also in 2001, Dick Clark filed a $10 million lawsuit against Recording Academy President Michael Greene. The charge was that Greene would bar artists who appear first on Clark's American Music Awards from performing on the Grammy Awards.

In 2001, Madonna appeared on NBC-TV's "Dateline."

In 2002, R&B singer (Love Potion No. 9) Billy Mitchell, lead vocalist of the Clovers on their biggest hit, died of colon cancer at the age of 71.

In 2006, two giant eyeballs donated by Pink Floyd, raised £16,500 for the homeless charity Crisis. The 6 foot-high props, made to promote the Pulse DVD, were on the auction site eBay for a week and attracted 46 bids. Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, a vice-president of Crisis, said extra help was needed in the winter months.

In 2008, pianist/singer/arranger Page Cavanaugh died of kidney failure at age 86.

birthdays today include (among others): Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire) (72), John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) (68), Doug Johnson (Loverboy) (56) and Kevin Shepard (Tonic) (45)