In 1945, Ella Fitzgerald recorded "It's Only A Paper Moon."
In 1945, at RCA Victor Studio 2 in New York City, Perry Como recorded "Temptation."
In 1947, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, Tex Williams & His Western Caravan recorded "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)," which became Capitol Records' first million-seller.
In 1951, Frank Sinatra recorded "I'm a Fool to Want You." It peaked at #14 on the pop record chart during the summer of 1951.
In 1954, the Spaniels released the single "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight," which peaked at #5 on the R&B Best Sellers chart.
In 1958, CBS Laboratories announced the invention of stereophonic records. Although the new format would be playable on ordinary phonographs, when used on the proper equipment, a new rich and fuller sound would be heard.
In 1958, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, Sheb Wooley recorded "The Purple People Eater," which reached #1 in the Billboard pop charts in 1958.
In 1959, Annette Funicello performed "Tall Paul" and "Jo-Jo the Dog Faced Boy"on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand."
In 1960, two anti-payola bills are introduced in US Congress by Representative Emanuel Celler of New York. He blames payola for "the cacophonous music called Rock and Roll" and says that Rock and Roll would never have gained popularity, "especially among teenagers," if not for the result of payola.
The very first record ever released by Del Shannon, "Runaway" entered the Billboard chart in 1961 on its way to becoming a million selling, number one hit. In 2004, Rolling Stone rated the song as #466 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
On this day in 1962, "Johnny Angel" by Shelley Fabares was the #1 song.
In 1962, at Radio Recorders in West Hollywood, Elvis Presley recorded "Return To Sender" and "Girls! Girls! Girls!"
In 1964, the Beatles held the top six positions on the singles chart in Australia.
In 1967, at London's Saville Theatre, Fats Domino played his first UK concert, sharing the bill with the Bee Gees and Gerry and the Pacemakers.
In 1969, at the Capitol Tower Recording Studio in Hollywood, Glen Campbell recorded "Try A Little Kindness."
In 1970, Ringo Starr released 'Sentimental Journey,' his first solo album.
In 1971, Three Dog Night's version of Hoyt Axton's "Joy To The World" enters the Billboard Hot 100 on its way to becoming the biggest selling single of the year.
In 1972, Grand Funk Railroad fired producer/manager Terry Knight for alleged nonpayment of royalties. He promptly sued them for breach of contract, resulting in a protracted legal battle during which the band dropped Railroad from their name. Later Knight repossessed the band's instruments and other gear after a concert at Madison Square Garden.
In 1973, Jerry Garcia was arrested for possession of cocaine and LSD after being stopped for speeding.
In 1973, according to a report in Rolling Stone magazine, Carlos Santana had become a follower of Indian spiritual teacher Sri Chimnoy, and also had changed his name to "Devadip," which means "the lamp of the light of the Supreme."
In 1979, Eric Clapton married George Harrison’s ex-wife, Patti Boyd, for whom Clapton wrote the song, "Layla." The wedding took place in Tucson, Arizona with George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney in attendance. The marriage lasted nine years.
Bruce Springsteen's first video, "Rosalita," premiered on BBC-TV in 1979.
On this day in 1982, "I Love Rock 'N Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts was the #1 song.
In 1984, Metallica performed for the first time in the U.K.
In 1986, at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana, Van Halen began a 112-date North American tour with Sammy Hagar as their new lead singer.
In 1997, Ian Dury, the English rocker who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s as founder and lead singer of the British band, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, died of colorectal cancer a few weeks short of his 58th birthday.
In 1998, ground was broken in Phoenix for Alice Cooperstown, the rocker's sports bar and restaurant, "Where Jocks and Rock Meet," to be built three blocks from the Arizona Diamondbacks' baseball stadium.
In 1999, the Bee Gees end their One Night Only tour by playing the first concert at Sydney's new Olympic Stadium.
In 2002, Lyle Lovette was trampled by a bull while trying to help his uncle who had just been thrown by the animal. Lovette's lower right leg was broken in several places.
In 2003, the Rolling Stones postponed their planned Hong Kong concert series after a SARS outbreak in the city. They later did a benefit show in Hong Kong to demonstrate that it was once again a safe place to visit.
In 2003, John Lennon's childhood home in Liverpool is opened to the public.
In 2006, Elvis Presley's Graceland was declared a US national historic landmark.
In 2007, Jefferson Airplane/Starship vocalist Grace Slick and former manager Bill Thompson sued former bandmate Paul Kantner for touring with different musicians under the name "Paul Kantner's Starship," claiming he was in violation of both trademark rights and an $80,000 legal settlement he signed in 1985.
In 2008, with her single "Bleeding Love," Leona Lewis became the first British woman in more than 20 years to top the Billboard Hot 100. Kim Wilde was the last to do it with her 1987 cover version of the Supremes hit "You Keep Me Hangin' On."
In 2103, Gordon Stoker, the tenor voice of The Jordanaires who backed Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves and many more, passed away at the age of 88. Estimated sales of records that the vocal group sang on total more than eight billion copies.
