In 1922, the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast the first orchestral concert, the first program of dance music, the first radio talk program, and the first regular bulletin of general news from London, provided by the Reuters news source.
In 1957, the Four Esquires and Johnny Crawford were the guest performers on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand."
In 1957, the Champs recorded "Tequila.""Tequila" became a #1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its release and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day. The track would be the Champs' only hit song, relegating them to one-hit wonder status.
In 1958, at the Capitol Tower in Hollywood, Frank Sinatra recorded "Come Dance With Me."
In 1958, at Coastal Recording Co. in New York City, Bobby Darin recorded "Beyond The Sea."
In 1959, at the Atlantic studios in New York City, the Drifters recorded "This Magic Moment."
In 1960, Marty Robbins released the single "Don't Worry."
In 1964, at United Recording Studios in Hollywood, Dean Martin recorded "In The Chapel In The Moonlight."
In 1964, the Beach Boys performed "Little Saint Nick" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" in their first appearance on ABC-TV's "Shindig!" That night during their flight from Los Angeles to a concert in Houston, Brian Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown which led to his immediate retirement from touring. Studio musician Glen Campbell, who had performed on several Beach Boys recordings, was hired to take his place on stage, and eventually was replaced by Bruce Johnston who became a permanent member of the group.
In 1964, pirate radio station Radio London started broadcasting.
In 1966, the UFO club, London's premiere psychedelic hangout, opened with Pink Floyd as the house band.
Also in 1966, in the UK, after it was announced that union rules would be enforced barring lip-syncing by musicians on television, the ITV musical program "Ready Steady Go!" aired its last show, featuring the Who, Mick Jagger, Eric Burdon, the Spencer Davis Group, Donovan, and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich.
In 1968, at Apple's Christmas party, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, handed out presents to the children of the staff.
In 1969, for the first time Elton John met with what became his classic behind-the-scenes team – songwriter Bernie Taupin, arranger Paul Buckmaster, and producer Gus Dudgeon – to begin work on his first solo album.
In 1972, John Lennon's film "Imagine" premiered on national TV.
Also in 1972, at Madison Square Garden in New York, ex-Grand Funk Railroad manager Terry Knight showed up at the band's scheduled concert with a court order allowing him to seize $1 million in money and/or assets owed to him by Grand Funk. Realizing that the band couldn't get paid if they didn't perform, Knight and deputy sheriffs waited for the end of the concert to impound the band's instruments and equipment.
In 1974, George Harrison released a holiday single, "Ding Dong, Ding Dong."
In 1977, Cat Stevens converted to Islam and changed his name to Yusef Islam.
In 1985, two Judas Priest fans shot themselves after listening to the album Stained Class.
In 1987, Roger Waters and David Gilmour settled their differences allowing Waters to perform as Pink Floyd and Gilmour to receive royalties.
In 1992, guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Eddie Hazel, lead guitarist of Parliament/Funkadelic, died from internal bleeding and liver failure at 42.
In 1994, singer Dan Hamilton, lead vocalist of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, died after a stroke while being treated for Cushing's syndrome at the age of 48.
In 1997, Jackie Landry of the Chantels died of cancer at the age of 56. The group placed four songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1958 and 1961, including "Maybe" (#15) and "Look In My Eyes" (#14), as well as an answer to Ray Charles'"Hit The Road Jack" called "Well, I Told You" (#29).
In 1999, unemployed musician Cristin Keleher broke into George Harrison's Maui house and made herself at home, heating a frozen pizza, drinking beer from the refrigerator, doing laundry, and calling her mother in New Jersey, before Hawaiian authorities arrived to arrest her. Convicted of breaking and entering and theft, she served four months in jail.
In 2000, pianist/conductor/comedian Victor Borge died of heart failure at the age of 91.
In 2002, Sir Paul McCartney was granted his own coat of arms. The crest features a bird that appears to be holding a guitar in its claw. Four curved emblems resembling beetles' backs reflect his career with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The motto is "Ecce Cor Meum," Latin for "Behold My Heart," which is the title of an oratorio he composed.
In 2007, jazz pianist/composer Oscar Peterson died of kidney failure at the age of 82.
In 2008, songwriter Clint Ballard, Jr., who discovered and managed the Kalin Twins, died at the age of 77.
