In 1926, the first issue of The Melody Maker magazine went on sale in the UK. Advertised as being for "all who are interested in the production of popular music", the first issue featured dance band news, a story about ukuleles and how to read music by sight.
In 1936, Bing Crosby began a 10-year tenure as host of the NBC Radio program "Kraft Music Hall."
In 1955, the funeral of Johnny Ace was held in Memphis, TN. 5,000 people attended.
In 1957, at Jackie Wilson's last session with the group, the Dominoes recorded "To Each His Own."
In 1962, after refusing to sign an oath that says they have never been members of the Communist party, the American Folk group, the Weavers are removed from the line-up of NBC-TV's Jack Parr Show.
In 1966, the 4 Seasons sang "Let's Hang On" while guesting on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1968, RCA released the album, "Elvis' Golden Records, Volume 4."
In 1969, Led Zeppelin played the first of four nights at the Whisky A Go-Go, Los Angeles, during the band’s first North American tour. Support group was the Alice Cooper band.
In 1969, in London, the Beatles gathered at Twickenham Studios to begin rehearsals for their new project, conceived by Paul McCartney and tentatively titled "Get Back." What was intended to be a bare bones, "return to roots" production that would bring the band back to the camaraderie of their earliest days, proved instead to be a disaster. The studios were cold, a lot of the material was subpar, the band seemed half-hearted, and all four of them began sniping at each other over issues left unresolved from when they worked on the 'White Album.' No professional multi-track recordings were made of these sessions at Twickenham since they were simply rehearsing for a proposed live performance. Recording for the album was done at Apple Studios between January 22 and 31, including their famous rooftop performance on January 30. The film and album were released as 'Let It Be' after the band broke up, and the Beatles went on to record one more studio album, 'Abbey Road.'
In 1970, at the Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville, Marty Robbins recorded his composition "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife." It became his 14th #1 record on the country music chart.
In 1971, George Harrison became the first solo Beatle to have a #1 album in the US when 'All Things Must Pass' went to the top of the Billboard chart for a seven week stay. It was eventually certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA and was ranked #437 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
In 1972, Elvis Presley buys a $10,000 robe inscribed "The People's Champion" and presents it to boxer Muhammad Ali.
In 1974, singer/actor Woodward Maurice "Tex" Ritter died of a heart attack at age 68 while trying to bail a member of his band out of jail.
In 1975, US District Court Judge Richard Owen ruled in New York, that John Lennon and his lawyers will have access to Department of Immigration files pertaining to his deportation case.
In 1977, jazz pianist/composer (Misty) Erroll Garner died after a heart attack at age 55.
In 1979, the trial of ex-Sex Pistol, Sid Vicious for the October 1978 murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen, opened in New York City. Vicious died of a heroin overdose, thereby not living to hear the verdict.
In 1979, songwriter Wayne Walker died at the age of 53.
In 1980, singer Larry Williams was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head in his Los Angeles, California, home at age 45. Williams had the 1957 US #5 and U.K. #21 single “Short Fat Fannie.” He also was known for “Bony Moronie” and “Dizzy Miss Lizzy.” The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dr. Feelgood, Flying Burrito Brothers, Johnny Winter, Little Richard, The Who, Ritchie Valens and Bill Haley & His Comets all covered his songs.
In 1981, R&B singer David Lynch of the Platters died of cancer at age 51.
In 1989, Tom Jones made a guest appearance on Late Night With David Letterman, performing his comeback tune, "Kiss," a song he recorded with The Art of Noise. It was his first US hit in almost a dozen years.
In 1990, Phil Collins started a three-week run at the top of the Billboard album chart with '...But Seriously.' It will become the second best selling album of the year, behind Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814.'
In 1997, 45 year old Randy California, who is best known as the leader of the Rock band Spirit, died tragically when he was gripped by an undertow while swimming on the coast of the Hawaiian island of Molokai. Before he died, he was able to save his 12 year-old son, Quinn.
In 1998, record producer (Beach Boys, Bobby Darin, Glen Campbell) Nik Venet died of lymphoma at age 62.
In 2000, jazz cornet and trumpet player/composer Nat Adderley died of complications from diabetes at age 68.
In 2003, Edward Farran of The Arbors died of kidney failure at the age of 64. The group reached #20 on the Billboard chart in 1969 with their version of "The Letter".
In 2007, Cristin Keleher, who once broke into former Beatle George Harrison's Hawaii home, was found dead at age 34 after an apparent murder-suicide in California. She made headlines in December 1999 by entering Harrison's Maui estate and then cooking herself a frozen pizza. Police said her body and that of a 48-year-old man had been found in a car. Both had gunshot wounds to the head.
In 2008, Billboard.com reported that Paul McCartney underwent a heart-related surgical procedure in the latter part of 2007. Reports said the 65-year-old former Beatle had a coronary angioplasty, which involves the opening of arteries to allow greater blood flow. McCartney recovered sufficiently to perform in a televised New Year's Eve program with Kylie Minogue.
In 2009, according to official U.S. sales figures, AC/DC were the biggest sellers of 2008 with over 3.4 million in sales. Lil Wayne was in second place with 3.3 million, Taylor Swift was third with 3.2 million, Coldplay fourth with 2.5 million and Metallica fifth with 2.3 million.
birthdays today include (among others): Chick Churchill (Ten Years After) (68), Dawn Silva (Sly & the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic) (59), Scott Underwood (Train) (52), Robert Gregory (Babybird) (46) and Douglas Robb (Hoobastank) (38)