In 1917, the Dixie Jazz Band One Step by Nick LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jazz Band, credited with being the first jazz record, was released in the US.
In 1939, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians recorded "Auld Lang Syne." Although it became the band's signature tune and a tradition on New Year's Eve, their recording of it never charted.
In 1955, Carl Perkins becomes the first Country artist to have a hit on the Billboard R&B chart when his "Blue Suede Shoes" makes the list.
In 1957, in Boston, the Tune Weavers recorded "Happy Happy Birthday Baby."
In 1962, the Beatles appeared on the BBC radio show "Teenager's Turn - Here We Go." Recorded at the Playhouse Theatre in Manchester, it was their first time on the BBC, their first full live performance caught on tape, and first appearance in what became their trademark Beno Dorn-designed collarless suits. They performed three cover versions: "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream),""Memphis" and "Please Mister Postman."
On this day in 1965, "Eight Days A Week" by the Beatles was the #1 song.
In 1965, during a Rolling Stones gig at The Palace Theatre in Manchester, England a female fan fell from the circle while the group were playing. The crowd below broke her fall and the girl escaped serious injury just breaking a few teeth.
In 1966, Brian Wilson released his first solo single, "Caroline, No," from the "Pet Sounds" sessions. The track was later released as part of the Beach Boys album, 'Pet Sounds.'
Also in 1966, with Phil Spector as producer, Tina Turner recorded the vocal track for Ike & Tina Turner's "River Deep-Mountain High." Spector had drawn up an unusual contract for the Turners because of Ike's control issues (and Spector's): the "River Deep-Mountain High" album and single were credited to "Ike & Tina Turner," but Ike was paid $20,000 to stay away from the studio, and only Tina Turner's vocals were used.
In 1967, working on their next album the Beatles recorded additional overdubs for "Lovely Rita," including harmony vocals, effects, and the percussive sound of a piece of toilet paper being blown through a haircomb.
In 1968, in Los Angeles, Elvis Presley recorded "A Little Less Conversation."
In 1969, Tommy Roe's "Dizzy" was certified Gold.
In 1970, Melanie released "Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)."
In 1970, Simon and Garfunkels album 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' started a ten week run at #1 on the US chart. The duo had split-up by the time of release.
In 1971, Jamacan saxophonist and flautist, Harold McNair died of lung cancer aged 39. Worked with Donovan, Melanie and Ginger Baker's Air Force, and had toured Europe with Quincy Jones.
In 1971, country music singer Mickey Gilley opened Gilley's, his Pasadena, Texas nightclub. It was the central location in the 1980 movie "Urban Cowboy."
In 1971, Poco and Linda Ronstadt played the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.
In 1973, during a showcase gig at Max's Kansas City, New York, CBS records boss John Hammond suffered a heart attack. The event was to mark the signing of his new act Bruce Springsteen.
In 1976, in London, Elton John became the first rock star since the Beatles to be immortalized with a lookalike figure at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
In 1983, Stevie Wonder and Neil Sedaka are inducted into the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame during a ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York.
In 1987, now that Beatles' albums are finally being released on CD, the Fab Four returned to the UK charts with 'A Hard Day's Night' at #30, 'Please Please Me' is #32, 'With The Beatles' sits at #40 and 'Beatles For Sale' is #45.
In 1987, the Beastie Boys became the first rap act to have a #1 album in the US with their debut album, 'Licensed To Ill.'
In 1991, the readers of Rolling Stone magazine voted George Michael best male singer and sexiest male artist. yeah...right
In 1994, the US Supreme Court ruled that parodies poking fun at an original work can be considered "fair use" and do not require permission from the copyright holder. 2 Live Crew's "Pretty Woman," a parody of Roy Orbison's 1964 hit, was the example brought before the Court for its decision.
In 1997, Darlene Love, one of two lead singers on records credited to the Crystals, was awarded $250,000 in back royalties for the group's 1960s hit recordings. The award followed four years of litigation against record producer Phil Spector.
In 1999, singer Marv Ingram (Marvin Inabnett) of the Four Preps died after a heart attack at 60. Ingram left the vocal group in 1966 and became a commodities broker.
In 2000, songwriter/fiddler/accordionist/Country Music Hall of Famer Pee Wee King died after a heart attack at age 85. He was the first to introduce drums, horns, the accordion, and electric instruments, including the pedal steel guitar, to country music.
In 2001, pianist/bandleader/Big Band and Jazz Hall of Famer Frankie Carle, known as the "Wizard of the Keyboard," died at the age of 97.
In 2005, in Seattle, Bob Dylan and Merle Haggard began their 39-show joint tour with a concert at the Paramount Theatre.
In 2006, Rod Stewart was ordered to pay $3 million to Harrah's in Las Vegas because he had defaulted on a show there in 2000.
In 2009, Jimmy Boyd, the child vocalist best known for singing the 1952, Christmas novelty hit "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," died at age 70.
In 2011, singer/drummer Phil Collins announced his retirement from the music business in order to be a full-time father to his two young sons "on a daily basis."
In 2012, sales of albums by the Monkees soared following the death of singer Davy Jones. 'Best Of The Monkees' re-entered the Billboard album chart at #20 with sales of over 17,000 units.
In 2013, jazz trumpeter/bandleader (Midnight In Moscow, The Green Leaves Of Summer) Kenny Ball died of pneumonia at 82.
In 2013, country music singer Claude King died at the age of 90.
