Music History - December 31

In 1912, a rambunctious 12-year-old named Louis Armstrong fired his stepfather's pistol during New Year's Eve festivities and, as punishment, was sent to the New Orleans Home for Colored Waifs. It was there that he learned to read and write music, as well as play cornet and bugle with the school band.

In 1929, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians played "Auld Lang Syne" as a New Year's Eve song for the first time during their first annual New Year's Eve Party at the Hotel Roosevelt Grill in New York. The show was broadcast on the CBS Radio network and became the longest-running annual special program in radio history.

In 1940, as a result of a dispute between the radio networks and ASCAP (the American Society of Composers and Publishers), the radio industry was prevented from playing any ASCAP-licensed music. The ban lasted for ten months.

John Denver (born Henry John Deutschendorf) was born on this date in 1943 (died in 1997).

In 1955, based on record sales as well as radio and jukebox plays, Billboard magazine named "Unchained Melody" by Les Baxter and his Orchestra, the #1 song in the US for 1955.

In 1956, on New Years Eve, Elvis Presley appeared on Wink Martindale's local TV special in Memphis.

In 1956, Johnny Mathis released the single "Wonderful! Wonderful" b/w "When Sunny Gets Blue."

In 1957, the Fontane Sisters were guest performers on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand."

In 1961, appearing on New Year's Eve at the Ritchie Valens Memorial Concert at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, the Beach Boys play their first show under that name. Prior to this, they called themselves the Pendletons and Carl And The Passions. The gig paid them $300.

In 1961, Janis Joplin sang in public for the first time in Beaumont, TX.

In 1962, 27-year-old John Phillips marries 18-year-old Holly Michelle Gilliam. The marriage was her first and his second, and would produce one child, Chynna Phillips, vocalist of the 1990s' Pop trio Wilson - Phillips. The pair would later co-found The Mamas and Papas, but divorced in 1970.

In 1963, Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, later of the Grateful Dead, played music together for the first time.

Also in 1963, the Kinks performed live for the first time in London.

In 1965, John Lennon's estranged deadbeat father, Alf, released the single "That's My Life (My Love And My Home)," designed to ride his son's coattails and be a sequel to the Beatles "In My Life." John reportedly instructed manager Brian Epstein to make sure the single was blackballed in the UK. It was not a hit.

In 1965, the Beatles single "I Feel Fine" and album "Beatles '65" are certified Gold.

In 1965, the Beatles opened a European tour in Paris.

In 1966, the Monkees topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the Neil Diamond composition, "I'm A Believer." Because of over a million advance orders, the single went Gold two days after its release and has now sold over ten million copies worldwide. Its reign at #1 lasted for seven weeks.

In 1966, Ray Charles performed at the City Center Arena in Seattle.

In 1967, on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show," Vikki Carr sang "It Must Be Him," Miriam Makeba performed "Pata Pata," and Jay and the Techniques sang "Keep The Ball Rollin.'"

In 1967, Sonny and Cher were barred from Pasadena, California's Tournament of Roses Parade for speaking out in support of the 2,000 demonstrators who protested a year-long campaign by sheriffs and police to clear the Strip of 'loitering' teenagers. Known as "the Sunset Strip rioters," the group mainly consisted of 15-year-olds with long hair and acne who were confronted by several hundred riot-helmeted sheriff's deputies. 

In 1968, for the first time ever, Americans spent more than $1 billion on records. According to Billboard magazine, album sales were 192 million units and singles sold 187 million units.

In 1969, at a New Year's Eve concert at the Fillmore East in New York City, Jimi Hendrix introduces his new side men, bassist Billy Cox and former Electric Flag drummer, Buddy Miles. The concert is recorded for the live album, 'Band of Gypsys,' which will reach #5 in the US and #6 in the UK.

In 1969, a BBC-TV special declared John Lennon to be the "Man Of The Decade," on the same day that Rolling Stone magazine named him "Man Of The Year," while the music newspaper New Musical Express quoted him as saying he was thinking of leaving the Beatles.

On this day in 1971, "Brand New Key" by Melanie was the #1 song.

In 1971, singer David Clayton-Thomas made his last appearance with Blood, Sweat & Tears (until their brief reunion four years later).

In 1971, Elvis Presley announced to his entourage that his wife Priscilla was divorcing him, saying simply, "She says she doesn't love me anymore."

In 1971, Stevie Ray Vaughan dropped out of high school and moved to Austin with his band.

In 1972, Dick Clark's first Rockin' New Years Eve airs on ABC-TV, starring Three Dog Night, Al Green and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Clark himself did not appear on the initial program. In 1973, he began hosting the special, its name shortened to "New Year's Rockin' Eve." The show moved to ABC-TV in 1974.

Also in 1972, the MC5 play their farewell show at a New Years Eve bash at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. Their take for the night was $200.

In 1973, Journey made their live debut in San Francisco.

In 1973, Australian band AC/DC made their live debut when they appeared at Chequers Bar in Sydney.

In 1974, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were invited to join Fleetwood Mac, marking the band's tenth line-up change since 1967.

In 1974, after abandoning an earlier concept of an album that was to be recorded entirely with household objects, Pink Floyd began recording their landmark album 'Wish You Were Here.'

In 1974, ex-Faces guitarist Ron Wood denied rumors that he would be joining the Rolling Stones to replace the recently resigned Mick Taylor.

In 1975, Elvis Presley performed a New Year's Eve concert before 60,000 fans at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. He earned $800,000 for the night, a then world record for a single show by a solo artist.

In 1975, Casablanca Records' release party for Donna Summer's debut single, "Love To Love You Baby" featured a life-size cake made to look like the singer to mark her 23rd birthday.

In 1976, the Cars made their performance debut at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

In 1978, Bill Graham's Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco closed its doors for good after the Grateful Dead played their 48th concert there, a New Year's Eve show with the Blues Brothers as the opening act.

In 1978, Bauhaus played live for the first time in England.

In 1979, at a New Years Eve concert in Cleveland, Bruce Springsteen's cheek is ripped open by a fire-cracker thrown onstage from the audience.

In 1982, in New York City, the club Max's Kansas City closed. It had been a career launching pad for artists including Bruce Springsteen, the New York Dolls, and the Velvet Underground.

In 1982, singer/musician/actor/radio host "Little Steven" Van Zandt married Maureen Santora at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Bruce Springsteen was best man. After rock 'n' roll pioneer (and Reverend) Little Richard performed the ceremony, entertainment was provided by a wedding reception band consisting of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Gary U.S. Bonds, Little Milton, and the wedding band from the movie "The Godfather." Percy Sledge sang "When A Man Loves A Woman."

In 1984, on New Years Eve, Def Leppard's drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm after crashing his Corvette while racing another driver on a UK highway. The arm was re-attached, but had to be removed three days later. His right arm was also damaged, but he eventually re-joined the band using a specially adapted drum kit.

On December 31, 1985, rock and roll legend Rick Nelson was killed while en route to a New Year's Eve show in Dallas, Texas. His private DC-3 (which was previously owned by Jerry Lee Lewis) crashed in a field near DeKalb, Texas. Early press reports erroneously suggested that drug use, namely freebasing, might have played a role in the crash that killed Rick, his band, and his fiancée Helen Blair (the pilot and co-pilot survived). In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board's 1987 report determined that the fire began in a malfunctioning gas heater.

In 1991, Ted Nugent donated 200 pounds of venison to a Salvation Army soup kitchen in Detroit with the message "I kill it, you grill it."

In 1991, Pearl Jam, Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers shared the bill at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

In 1993, Barbra Streisand performed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, her first paid concert in 22 years.

In 1996, in the traditional New Year's Eve knighthood announcements of England's Queen Elizabeth II, Paul McCartney was granted knighthood.

In 1997, pianist Floyd Cramer, who scored a Billboard number 2 hit in 1960 with "Last Date", died of lung cancer at the age of 64. As a session musician, he played on many major hits for a variety of artists, including Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel". In 2003, Cramer was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1999, the Manic Street Preachers set a record in Europe for the biggest indoor concert when they played for 57,000 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

In 1999, John Fogerty sued his lawyer over what he says was incompetent handling of his 1985 copyright infringement lawsuit.

In 2003, Alex Lifeson of Rush was hit with a stun gun while being arrested for disorderly conduct at a Naples, FL New Year's celebration.

In 2003, Eric Clapton and Ray Davies of the Kinks were made CBE's by the Queen.

In 2003, guitarist Kevin MacMichael of Cutting Crew died of lung cancer at age 51.

In 2004, the Who's lead vocalist Roger Daltrey was granted knighthood by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2004, for the first time in the last 32 years, Dick Clark wasn't in New York's Time Square to celebrate New Year's Eve. The 75 year old TV host and producer was forced to watch the show from his hospital bed after suffering a mild stroke on December 6th. A spokesman said that Mr. Clark had been doing some rehab and that doctors were encouraged with his progress.

In 2005, although he wasn't actually in Times Square and his speech had slowed due to the effects of a stroke he suffered in December, 2004, Dick Clark made a return to his New Year's Rockin' Eve TV show.

Also in 2005, the John Lennon song “Imagine” was voted England’s favorite song a quarter of a century after his death.  A UK radio station conducted the poll of 7,000 listeners. The Beatles were voted into second and third place with “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be.”

In 2005, Buckingham Palace announced that knighthood would be granted to singer Tom Jones. The ceremony took place three months later.

In 2006, George Michael was paid a reported £1.5 million (about $2.35 million US) for a one-hour concert at a Russian billionaire's New Year's Eve party on his private estate 20 miles outside Moscow.

In 2009, Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi of Status Quo were awarded OBE's by the Queen.

In 2010, the Discovery Channel indefinitely postponed a program that was to reenact Michael Jackson's autopsy.

In 2010, Buckingham Palace announced that singer Annie Lennox, formerly of the Eurythmics, would be named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her charity work. She received the award from Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony six months later.

In 2010, Joseph Jones Jr., known as "Little Joe" of the group The Tams died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 64. Although he joined the band eight years after their Billboard Top Ten hit "What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am," Jones stayed with the group for 36 years before retiring in 2008.

birthdays today include (among others):  Andy Summers (Police) (71), Burton Cummings (Guess Who) (66), Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith) (62), Paul Westerburg (Replacements) (54), Scott Ian (Anthrax) (50), Bob Bryar (My Chemical Romance) (34)