In 1932, Annunzio Paolo Mantovani gave a concert at Queen's Hall in England, garnering excellent reviews and launching his career as a light orchestra conductor with a cascading strings musical signature. In the United States between 1955 and 1972, Mantovani released more than 40 albums, with 27 reaching the Top 40 and 11 the Top Ten. His biggest success was with the album 'Film Encores,' which made it to #1 in 1957.
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Born on this day in 1939, DJ Wolfman Jack. Master of ceremonies for the rock 'n' roll generation of the '60s on radio, and later on television during the '70s. Died of a heart attack 1/7/95.
In 1949, at the Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood for his first session, Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded what became his first hit on the country music chart, "Tennessee Border."
In 1957, at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, Chuck Berry recorded "School Day," backed by guitarist Hubert Sumlin, bassist Willie Dixon, and drummer Fred Below. The session(s) were produced by the Chess brothers – Leonard and Phil. It is one of his best known songs and is often considered a rock and roll anthem. It was first released as a single and later appeared as the lead track on Berry's first album, 'After School Session.'
In 1957, Elvis Presley began filming his second movie, his first in color, "Loving You," co-starring Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey, Dolores Hart, and James Gleason.
Also in 1957, country music singer Patsy Cline was the winning contestant on "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" program on CBS-TV with her performance of "Walkin' After Midnight."
In 1958, in Pittsburgh, the Everly Brothers played the Syria Mosque with supporting acts Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Jimmie Rodgers, Paul Anka, Danny & The Juniors, the Rays, the Royal Teens, the Tune Weavers, Margie Rayburn, Eddie Cochran, the Shepherd Sisters, the Hollywood Flames, and the Mello-Kings.
In 1959, the Kingston Trio, one of the foremost groups behind the folk music craze, receive their first Gold record for "Tom Dooley," a folk song based on the 1866 murder of a woman named Laura Foster in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
In 1962, singer Jackie Wilson sang "That's Why" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
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In 1964, Peter and Gordon recorded the Lennon / McCartney tune "A World Without Love." It was released as their first single in February 1964, reaching #1 in the UK Singles Chart in April. The song was written by Paul McCartney and attributed to Lennon–McCartney. The B-side was "If I Were You" written by Peter and Gordon. In June 1964, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. It was included on the duo's debut album in the UK, and in the US on an album of the same name. It is one of two songs written by Lennon–McCartney to reach #1 in the US by an artist other than the Beatles. The other is "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by Elton John.
In 1965, over 3,000 screaming fans met the Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison at Sydney Airport when they arrived for a 16 date of tour in Australia and New Zealand.
In 1965, the Animals had to cancel their planned show at New York City's Apollo Theater after U.S. Immigration officials demanded that the group leave the country.
In 1966, Beatle George Harrison married his long-time girlfriend, fashion model Patti Boyd, whom he met on the set of the Beatles' first movie, 'A Hard Day's Night.' She would leave an unfaithful Harrison in the mid-'70s and hooked up with Eric Clapton, who would write the song "Layla" about her. Those two would marry in May 1979, but split in 1988.
In 1967, Davy Jones began recording Neil Diamond's "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" with studio musicians and Diamond's producer Jeff Barry. Although Jones was the only Monkee involved in the recording, it was released six weeks later as the next Monkees single and earned them their third Gold Record.
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On January 21 1968, Jimi Hendrix recorded his version of the Bob Dylan song "All Along the Watchtower" at Olympic Studios in London. Rolling Stone Brian Jones and Dave Mason from Traffic both played on the session. The Hendrix version, released six months after Dylan's original recording, became a Top 20 single in 1968. This version of the song appears at #48 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and in 2000, British magazine Total Guitar named it top of the list of the greatest cover versions of all time. The song also had the #5 spot on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.
In 1968, the Buckinghams sang "Susan" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1970, the Elvis Presley film 'Change of Habit' was released. It would be his last movie except for documentaries and concert films.
In 1970, after a successful 15-week summer replacement tryout in 1969, ABC-TV presented "The Johnny Cash Show" as a regular primetime series, with first night guests Arlo Guthrie, Jose Feliciano, and Bobbie Gentry. The series lasted for 14 months.
In 1973, at Honolulu's International Centre in Hawaii, the Rolling Stones began an 11-date Pacific tour.
In 1974, at the insistence of his son Chip, Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter invited Bob Dylan to a party at the Governor's Mansion. After it was over, Carter noted that Dylan "never initiates conversation, but he'll answer a question if you ask him."
On this day in 1974, "You're Sixteen" by Ringo Starr was the #1 song.
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In 1978, the soundtrack album 'Saturday Night Fever' started a 24 week run at #1 on the US album charts, it went on to sell over 30 million copies world wide, making it the best selling soundtrack album of all time.
In 1982, B.B. King donated his entire record collection of over 20,000 discs to Mississippi University's centre for the Study of Southern Culture.
In 1983, bassist Lamar Williams, of the Allman Brothers Band and Sea Level, died of lung cancer at 34.
In 1984, soul singer Jackie Wilson died aged 49. Wilson suffered a massive heart attack while playing a Dick Clark show at the Latin Casino in New Jersey on September 29, 1975, falling head-first to the stage while singing "Lonely Teardrops," and had remained in a coma until his death 8 years later.
In 1984, Yes hits number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with their only Top Ten hit, "Owner Of A Lonely Heart." It reached #28 hit in the UK.
In 1987, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts the Coasters, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Bill Haley, B.B. King, Clyde McPhatter, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Smokey Robinson, Muddy Waters, Hank Williams and Jackie Wilson. Bruce Springsteen inducted Roy Orbison into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1989, Bobby Brown went to #1 on the US album chart with 'Don't Be Cruel.'
In 1989, Phil Collins scored his seventh US #1 single with "Two Hearts."
In 1989, six weeks after his death Roy Orbison started a three-week run at #1 on the UK album chart with 'The Legendary Roy Orbison' collection.
In 1989, Steve Wahrer, drummer and vocalist for the Trashmen on their 1964 hit "Surfin' Bird," died of throat cancer at the age of 47.
In 1995, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, singer Tony Bennett performed during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXIX. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers, 49-26.
In 1996, Cannibal and the Headhunters lead singer Francisco Garcia died at the age of 49. The group's biggest hit was "Land Of A Thousand Dances", which reached number 30 in 1965.
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In 1997, 'Colonel' Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager and agent died of a stroke in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 87. Born Andreas van Kuijk, a Dutch immigrant who changed his name as soon as he arrived in the US, Parker never applied for a green card and feared deportation his entire life. He briefly managed country singers Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow.
Also in 1997, songwriter Jesse Levine died of kidney failure aged 58. Co-wrote, "Knock Three Times" and "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" both US & UK #1's for Dawn in the early 70's.
In 1999, blues singer/songwriter/Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Charles Brown died of congestive heart failure at age 76.
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In 2002, 81 year old Peggy Lee, best known in the Rock era for her 1958 version of "Fever", passed away after suffering a heart attack at her Bel Air, California home. Lee worked with Benny Goodman, Randy Newman, Quincy Jones and was nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, winning Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her 1969 hit "Is That All There Is?" and had charted 46 times from 1945 to 1969, ten times in the Top Ten. She had suffered a stroke in 1998 and had been battling heart disease and diabetes.
In 2002, singer Rosemary Clooney underwent lung cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. She died of the disease in June 2002.
In 2003, Jethro Tull's former keyboardist David Palmer changed his name to Dee Palmer after successfully undergoing a sex change operation.
In 2004, Jay-Z was part of the group that bought the New Jersey Nets for $300 million.
In 2006, Bon Jovi escaped serious injury when a plane on which they were riding skidded off the runway at Hamilton International Airport.
In 2006, country music singer Kix Brooks replaced Bob Kingsley as host of the syndicated radio show "American Country Countdown."
In 2010, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry issued a statement that said global government legislation is essential to the survival of recorded music. The IFPI said that "Copyright holders cannot hope to micro-manage the behavior of every consumer" and "there is a growing threat to local artists posed by piracy."
In 2010, R&B singer Robert "Squirrel" Lester of the Chi-Lites died of cancer at age 67.
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Some of the musicians celebrating birthdays today include: Placido Domingo (73), Mac Davis (72), Chris Britton (Troggs) (70), Jim Ibbotson (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) (67), Billy Ocean (64), Nigel Glocker (Saxon) (60), Rob Brill (Berlin) (58), Mark Trojanowski (Sister Hazel) (44) and Cat Power (born Charlyn Marshall) (42)
In 1949, at the Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood for his first session, Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded what became his first hit on the country music chart, "Tennessee Border."
In 1957, at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, Chuck Berry recorded "School Day," backed by guitarist Hubert Sumlin, bassist Willie Dixon, and drummer Fred Below. The session(s) were produced by the Chess brothers – Leonard and Phil. It is one of his best known songs and is often considered a rock and roll anthem. It was first released as a single and later appeared as the lead track on Berry's first album, 'After School Session.'
In 1957, Elvis Presley began filming his second movie, his first in color, "Loving You," co-starring Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey, Dolores Hart, and James Gleason.
Also in 1957, country music singer Patsy Cline was the winning contestant on "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" program on CBS-TV with her performance of "Walkin' After Midnight."
In 1958, in Pittsburgh, the Everly Brothers played the Syria Mosque with supporting acts Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Jimmie Rodgers, Paul Anka, Danny & The Juniors, the Rays, the Royal Teens, the Tune Weavers, Margie Rayburn, Eddie Cochran, the Shepherd Sisters, the Hollywood Flames, and the Mello-Kings.
In 1959, the Kingston Trio, one of the foremost groups behind the folk music craze, receive their first Gold record for "Tom Dooley," a folk song based on the 1866 murder of a woman named Laura Foster in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
In 1962, singer Jackie Wilson sang "That's Why" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1965, over 3,000 screaming fans met the Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison at Sydney Airport when they arrived for a 16 date of tour in Australia and New Zealand.
In 1965, the Animals had to cancel their planned show at New York City's Apollo Theater after U.S. Immigration officials demanded that the group leave the country.
In 1966, Beatle George Harrison married his long-time girlfriend, fashion model Patti Boyd, whom he met on the set of the Beatles' first movie, 'A Hard Day's Night.' She would leave an unfaithful Harrison in the mid-'70s and hooked up with Eric Clapton, who would write the song "Layla" about her. Those two would marry in May 1979, but split in 1988.
In 1967, Davy Jones began recording Neil Diamond's "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" with studio musicians and Diamond's producer Jeff Barry. Although Jones was the only Monkee involved in the recording, it was released six weeks later as the next Monkees single and earned them their third Gold Record.
In 1968, the Buckinghams sang "Susan" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1970, the Elvis Presley film 'Change of Habit' was released. It would be his last movie except for documentaries and concert films.
In 1970, after a successful 15-week summer replacement tryout in 1969, ABC-TV presented "The Johnny Cash Show" as a regular primetime series, with first night guests Arlo Guthrie, Jose Feliciano, and Bobbie Gentry. The series lasted for 14 months.
In 1973, at Honolulu's International Centre in Hawaii, the Rolling Stones began an 11-date Pacific tour.
In 1974, at the insistence of his son Chip, Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter invited Bob Dylan to a party at the Governor's Mansion. After it was over, Carter noted that Dylan "never initiates conversation, but he'll answer a question if you ask him."
On this day in 1974, "You're Sixteen" by Ringo Starr was the #1 song.
In 1982, B.B. King donated his entire record collection of over 20,000 discs to Mississippi University's centre for the Study of Southern Culture.
In 1983, bassist Lamar Williams, of the Allman Brothers Band and Sea Level, died of lung cancer at 34.
In 1984, soul singer Jackie Wilson died aged 49. Wilson suffered a massive heart attack while playing a Dick Clark show at the Latin Casino in New Jersey on September 29, 1975, falling head-first to the stage while singing "Lonely Teardrops," and had remained in a coma until his death 8 years later.
In 1984, Yes hits number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with their only Top Ten hit, "Owner Of A Lonely Heart." It reached #28 hit in the UK.
In 1987, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts the Coasters, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Bill Haley, B.B. King, Clyde McPhatter, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Smokey Robinson, Muddy Waters, Hank Williams and Jackie Wilson. Bruce Springsteen inducted Roy Orbison into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1989, Bobby Brown went to #1 on the US album chart with 'Don't Be Cruel.'
In 1989, Phil Collins scored his seventh US #1 single with "Two Hearts."
In 1989, six weeks after his death Roy Orbison started a three-week run at #1 on the UK album chart with 'The Legendary Roy Orbison' collection.
In 1989, Steve Wahrer, drummer and vocalist for the Trashmen on their 1964 hit "Surfin' Bird," died of throat cancer at the age of 47.
In 1995, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, singer Tony Bennett performed during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXIX. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers, 49-26.
In 1996, Cannibal and the Headhunters lead singer Francisco Garcia died at the age of 49. The group's biggest hit was "Land Of A Thousand Dances", which reached number 30 in 1965.
Also in 1997, songwriter Jesse Levine died of kidney failure aged 58. Co-wrote, "Knock Three Times" and "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" both US & UK #1's for Dawn in the early 70's.
In 1999, blues singer/songwriter/Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Charles Brown died of congestive heart failure at age 76.
In 2002, singer Rosemary Clooney underwent lung cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. She died of the disease in June 2002.
In 2003, Jethro Tull's former keyboardist David Palmer changed his name to Dee Palmer after successfully undergoing a sex change operation.
In 2004, Jay-Z was part of the group that bought the New Jersey Nets for $300 million.
In 2006, Bon Jovi escaped serious injury when a plane on which they were riding skidded off the runway at Hamilton International Airport.
In 2006, country music singer Kix Brooks replaced Bob Kingsley as host of the syndicated radio show "American Country Countdown."
In 2010, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry issued a statement that said global government legislation is essential to the survival of recorded music. The IFPI said that "Copyright holders cannot hope to micro-manage the behavior of every consumer" and "there is a growing threat to local artists posed by piracy."
In 2010, R&B singer Robert "Squirrel" Lester of the Chi-Lites died of cancer at age 67.
