In 1955, RCA Records placed a half page ad in Billboard magazine claiming that Elvis Presley was 'the new singing rage!'
In 1956, two years before his first hit record, singer Bobby Darin made his first television appearance, singing "Rock Island Line" on CBS's "Dorsey Brothers Stage Show."
In 1957, Charlie Gracie sang his current hit, "Butterfly," on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1958, Big Records released "Our Song" by a teenage duo from Queens, New York, Tom and Jerry. The duo will become famous in the '60s under their real names, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
In 1959, Elvis Presley released the single "(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I" b/w "I Need Your Love Tonight."
In 1960, Record Retailer, a publication that featured a chart showing the Top 50 records by sales, is launched in the UK. Their first number one was "Poor Me" by Adam Faith.
In 1961, Bruce Channel's "Hey Baby" sat at the top of the Pop chart in America and at #2 in the UK.
In 1963, two days after an emotional public prayer service that was attended by an estimated 25,000 people in Nashville, Patsy Cline's body was buried quietly at Shenandoah Memorial Park in her hometown of Winchester, Virginia.
In 1964, Roy Orbison recorded "It's Over."
In 1965, "Shindig!" on ABC-TV featured the Drifters, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dobie Gray, and the Beau Brummels.
Also in 1966, at Western Recorders in Hollywood, Brian Wilson produced the instrumental track for the Beach Boys'"God Only Knows." There were 23 musicians involved, but Carl Wilson was the only Beach Boy who played on the session. The vocals were recorded over the following month by three members of the group: Carl Wilson singing lead, Brian Wilson and Bruce Johnston doing backup vocals, probably the only well-known Beach Boys track that has just three voices on it. Mojo magazine ranked "God Only Knows" as the 13th-greatest song of all time.
In 1967, the Monkees held the #1 position on the US album chart with 'More Of The Monkees.'
In 1968, the 5th Dimension sang "Up-Up And Away" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show.
In 1970, Grand Funk Railroad began recording "Closer To Home."
In 1971, Allan Klein, selected by John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr to manage the Beatles' business affairs following the death of Brian Epstein, was prevented from carrying out his new duties when Paul McCartney sued for dissolution of the group.
In 1972, the album 'America' by America was certified Gold.
In 1975, John Lennon released the single "Stand By Me" in North America.
In 1977, at 7am in the morning on a trestle table set up out-side Buckingham Palace, London, The Sex Pistols signed to A&M Records, (the real signing had taken place the day before). The contract lasted for six days.
On this day in 1978, "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water" by Andy Gibb was the #1 song.
In 1979, at the invitation of his good friend Porter Wagoner, R&B legend James Brown appeared at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville's Ryman Auditorium performing traditional renditions of "Tennessee Waltz" and "Your Cheatin' Heart," as well as his 1960s hit "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag." Reaction among longtime Opry members was split. Some, like Jean Shepard, disapproved of Brown's set, while Barbra Mandrell applauded the unusual guest appearance.
In 1981, at a concert in London, Jimmy Page joined Jeff Beck for three encore jams. It was the first time the Led Zeppelin guitarist had performed on stage since the breakup of his band.
In 1984, Van Halen held the #1 position on the US singles chart with "Jump."
In 1988, 30 year old Andy Gibb, younger brother of Bee Gees Robin, Maurice and Barry, died from a viral infection in his heart. Andy hadn't had a chart hit since 1981, but did have a stint as host of the Solid Gold TV show. Shortly before his death and just after he declared bankruptcy, Andy had signed a record deal and was working on a new album for Island Records that was never completed.
In 1989, R&B singer Doc Green of the Drifters (1958-1962) died of cancer at age 54.
In 1990, according to Billboard magazine, New Kids On The Block receive 125,000 calls a day to their 1-900 number.
In 1992, Willie Nelson's album 'Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson' was certified Platinum and his 'Greatest Hits & Some That Will Be' album was certified 3x Platinum.
In 1996, Alanis Morissette won Best Album and Best Rock Album (for 'Jagged Little Pill'), Best Female Singer, Best Songwriter and Best Single at the 25th Juno Awards in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
In 2000, in New York City, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders and two other people were arrested after slashing leather goods at a Gap store as part of a protest organized by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
In 2000, The Daily Mail published pictures of Paul McCartney dancing with a cowgirl on the bar of a New York club. McCartney sang along to "Whole Lotta Shakin" through a megaphone and mimicked a strip tease in front of 100 onlookers.
In 2003, Natalie Maines, lead singer of the country music act the Dixie Chicks, told an audience in London, "Just so you know, we're ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas." After word of her statement reached the U.S., the Dixie Chicks faced a firestorm of criticism from conservatives and George Bush supporters that included radio stations banning their music and protest groups outside their concerts.
In 2005, an hour late and still in his pajamas, Michael Jackson showed up for his child molestation trial in Los Angeles and was threatened with jail time for making the court wait. Jackson heard testimony from a teenage Neverland Ranch visitor who testified that the singer tried to get him drunk using soda cans filled with red wine, which Jackson allegedly called "Jesus' Blood," and white wine that he called "Jesus Juice."
Also in 2005, a survey carried out by Music Choice concluded that "Angels" by Robbie Williams was the song Britons would most like played at their funeral. Frank Sinatra's "My Way" was second and Monty Python's "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" was voted into third place.
In 2005, 53-year-old Danny Joe Brown, the original lead singer of Molly Hatchet, died from renal failure due to complications from diabetes. Brown was the front man for the band's self-titled album in 1978, which went Platinum. In 1979, the next album, 'Flirtin' With Disaster' sold over 2 million copies.
In 2008, pop diva Madonna, rocker John Mellencamp, singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen, British Invasion pioneers The Dave Clark Five and instrumental Rock legends The Ventures were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
In 2008, coinciding with their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Ventures Day was declared in the instrumental group's home state of Washington.
In 2009, tickets for a one-off Paul McCartney gig in Las Vegas sold out seven seconds after going on sale. The former Beatle was booked to perform at the opening of the New Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on April 19 in front of 4,000 fans.
In 2010, Pink Floyd won a court battle with EMI that prevents the record company from selling single downloads and ringtones on the Internet from the group's albums. Pink Floyd's back catalogue is second in sales to only the Beatles.
