In 1950, at CBS 30th Street Studio in New York City, recording began on Tony Bennett's "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams." The track was completed three days later. In October 1949, Bennett sang that song on a demo disc that earned him a contract with Columbia Records.
In 1954, the Diablos signed with Detroit's Fortune Records. They later changed their name to the Miracles and signed with Motown.
In 1956, at the Mercury Sound Studio in New York City, the Platters recorded "My Prayer" and "I'm Sorry."
In 1958, at Master Recorders in Hollywood, Ricky Nelson recorded "Poor Little Fool." The Jordanaires overdubbed background vocals for the track on April 28.
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In 1960, singer Eddie Cochran died from brain injuries he sustained when the taxi he was traveling in crashed into a lamppost in Chippenham, Wiltshire, England. He was 21. Songwriter Sharon Sheeley, who was Cochran's fiancée, and singer Gene Vincent survived the crash. The cab driver was convicted of dangerous driving, fined, disqualified from driving for 15 years, and sent to prison for six months.
In 1961, Paul Revere And The Raiders' first US chart hit, "Like Long Hair" tops out at #38 on the Billboard chart.
In 1962, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Roy Orbison recorded "The Crowd."
In 1964, Washington's FBI lab reported it could not determine the lyrics to "Louie Louie."
In 1964, at the Maritime Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 18-year-old Van Morrison made his concert debut fronting the band Them.
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In 1965, RCA and the LearJet Corporation announced the development of the combination 8 track tape player and car radio that would become available in next fall's new cars.
In 1965, "Shivaree," a Los Angeles-based music variety TV show that ran in syndication for 30 episodes, made its debut with the Supremes, Johnny Tillotson, and Brenda Holloway as the first guest performers.
In 1965, Paul McCartney spent the day shopping for furniture in Portobello Road, London disguised in a cloth cap, moustache, glasses and overcoat.
In 1965, Cannibal And The Headhunters entered the Billboard chart with "Land Of 1000 Dances," which would climb to #30. Wilson Pickett's version of the same song would reach #6 the following year.
In 1966, the Animals performed "Don't Bring Me Down" and Petula Clark sang "Sign Of The Times" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1969, the first solo concert by the Band – Bob Dylan's former backing group, and before that known as the Hawks behind Ronnie Hawkins – was held at the Winterland Auditorium in San Francisco.
In 1970, Johnny Cash performed at the White House at the invitation of US President Richard Nixon. Nixon asked him to sing "Okie From Muskogee," apparently confusing him with Merle Haggard. Cash sang his own recent hit "A Boy Named Sue" instead.
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In 1970, Paul McCartney releases his first solo album in the UK (April 20 in the US), officially ending his days with the Beatles, just as the group's single "Let It Be" reached #1 in America.
In 1971, all four former Beatles had solo singles on the UK chart: Paul McCartney with "Another Day," Ringo Starr with "It Don't Come Easy," John Lennon with "Power To The People," and George Harrison with "My Sweet Lord."
In 1971, Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World" hit the top of the US singles chart for a six week stay. It made #24 in the UK. The record became the best selling song of the year in the US, beating out Rod Stewart's "Maggie May." Hoyt Axton, son of "Heartbreak Hotel" author, Mae Axton, wrote the song.
In 1971, songwriter/saxophonist Carmen Lombardo, younger brother of bandleader Guy Lombardo, died of cancer at 67.
In 1972, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Elvis Presley performed at T.H. Barton Coliseum.
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In 1972, Elton John released the single "Rocket Man." The song first appeared on John's 1972 album 'Honky Château' and became a hit single, rising to #2 in the UK and #6 in the US.
In 1972, the Stylistics' single "Betcha by Golly, Wow" was certified Gold.
In 1973, the Eagles released 'Desperado,' a concept album based on the Dalton gang and the Old West. The album reached #41 on the charts and sold 2 million copies.
In 1973, Pink Floyd's album 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' was certified Gold. The LP remained on the charts for 741 weeks from 1973 to 1988, longer than any other album in history and has sold an estimated 45 million copies.
In 1974, Vinnie Taylor, guitarist with the Rock 'n Roll revival band Sha Na Na, died from a drug overdose.
In 1975, Elvis Presley bought a Convair 880 jet formerly owned by Delta Airlines for $250,000. He spent $600,000 refurbishing it to include personal quarters, a meeting area and a dance floor. Presley christened the aircraft Lisa Marie, after his daughter.
In 1981, "Caveman," starring Ringo Starr, Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long, Jack Gilford, and Barbara Bach (who married Ringo ten days later), opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters.
In 1982, Johnny Cash hosted NBC-TV's "Saturday Night Live."
In 1982, Vangelis was at #1 on the US album chart with 'Chariots Of Fire,' he also won an Oscar for best original score.
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In 1983, singer/songwriter/bassist/record producer Felix Pappalardi of Mountain, was shot and killed at age 43 by his wife Gail Collins when they argued over his affair with a younger woman. Collins claimed the gun went off accidentally. She was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide, sentenced to 16 months to four years in prison and released on parole in 1985.
In 1991, at the OK Hotel in Seattle, Nirvana gave their first public performance of "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
In 1991, lyricist//Songwriters Hall of Famer Jack Yellen died at the age of 97.
In 1995, R.E.M. announces the resumption of their Monster tour after the successful surgery on Bill Berry for a brain aneurysm.
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In 1998, singer/musician/songwriter/photographer Linda McCartney died of breast cancer at age 56. She had been the wife of Paul McCartney since 1969. They had three children together. Paul was at her bedside, speaking to her when she died.
In 2000, singer Gloria Gaynor guest-starred and sang her hit "I Will Survive" on an episode of Fox-TV's "Ally McBeal."
In 2002, Tammy Wynette's four daughters reached a confidential agreement with Wynette's doctor regarding her death. Wynette's daughters had earlier filed a lawsuit that claimed the Pittsburgh doctor had contributed to Wynette's death in 1998.
In 2003, singer/songwriter Earl King died of complications from diabetes at age 69.
In 2004, at the Icons of 20th Century Music auction held in Dallas, Kurt Cobain's Mark IV-style Mosrite Gospel guitar sold for $100,000, Elton John and Bernie Taupin's song writing piano went for $140,000, and a 1966 Rickenbacker guitar owned by Roger McGuinn sold for $99,000.
In 2008, Danny Federici, longtime keyboard player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died of melanoma at 58.
In 2009, Morrissey walked off of his show at the Coachella Festival, taking offense to the smell of nearby barbecues.
In 2012, Ted Nugent told an NRA rally that, if President Obama was reelected, he would "either be dead or in jail by this time next year."
In 2013, the Rascals reunited for three weeks worth of shows on Broadway called Once Upon A Dream. It was the first time they had been together for any extended period of time since 1970.
In 2013, Cleveland's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inducts Heart, Rush, Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy and Donna Summer along with Lou Adler and Quincy Jones.
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birthdays today include (among others): Jan Hammer (66), Michael Sembello (60), Pete Shelley (Buzzcocks) (59), Maynard James Keenan (Tool) (50), Liz Phair (47), Victoria Beckham (born Victoria Adams) (Spice Girls) (40) and Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) (40)
In 1954, the Diablos signed with Detroit's Fortune Records. They later changed their name to the Miracles and signed with Motown.
In 1956, at the Mercury Sound Studio in New York City, the Platters recorded "My Prayer" and "I'm Sorry."
In 1958, at Master Recorders in Hollywood, Ricky Nelson recorded "Poor Little Fool." The Jordanaires overdubbed background vocals for the track on April 28.
In 1961, Paul Revere And The Raiders' first US chart hit, "Like Long Hair" tops out at #38 on the Billboard chart.
In 1962, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Roy Orbison recorded "The Crowd."
In 1964, Washington's FBI lab reported it could not determine the lyrics to "Louie Louie."
In 1964, at the Maritime Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 18-year-old Van Morrison made his concert debut fronting the band Them.
In 1965, "Shivaree," a Los Angeles-based music variety TV show that ran in syndication for 30 episodes, made its debut with the Supremes, Johnny Tillotson, and Brenda Holloway as the first guest performers.
In 1965, Paul McCartney spent the day shopping for furniture in Portobello Road, London disguised in a cloth cap, moustache, glasses and overcoat.
In 1965, Cannibal And The Headhunters entered the Billboard chart with "Land Of 1000 Dances," which would climb to #30. Wilson Pickett's version of the same song would reach #6 the following year.
In 1966, the Animals performed "Don't Bring Me Down" and Petula Clark sang "Sign Of The Times" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1969, the first solo concert by the Band – Bob Dylan's former backing group, and before that known as the Hawks behind Ronnie Hawkins – was held at the Winterland Auditorium in San Francisco.
In 1970, Johnny Cash performed at the White House at the invitation of US President Richard Nixon. Nixon asked him to sing "Okie From Muskogee," apparently confusing him with Merle Haggard. Cash sang his own recent hit "A Boy Named Sue" instead.
In 1971, all four former Beatles had solo singles on the UK chart: Paul McCartney with "Another Day," Ringo Starr with "It Don't Come Easy," John Lennon with "Power To The People," and George Harrison with "My Sweet Lord."
In 1971, Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World" hit the top of the US singles chart for a six week stay. It made #24 in the UK. The record became the best selling song of the year in the US, beating out Rod Stewart's "Maggie May." Hoyt Axton, son of "Heartbreak Hotel" author, Mae Axton, wrote the song.
In 1971, songwriter/saxophonist Carmen Lombardo, younger brother of bandleader Guy Lombardo, died of cancer at 67.
In 1972, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Elvis Presley performed at T.H. Barton Coliseum.
In 1972, the Stylistics' single "Betcha by Golly, Wow" was certified Gold.
In 1973, the Eagles released 'Desperado,' a concept album based on the Dalton gang and the Old West. The album reached #41 on the charts and sold 2 million copies.
In 1973, Pink Floyd's album 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' was certified Gold. The LP remained on the charts for 741 weeks from 1973 to 1988, longer than any other album in history and has sold an estimated 45 million copies.
In 1974, Vinnie Taylor, guitarist with the Rock 'n Roll revival band Sha Na Na, died from a drug overdose.
In 1975, Elvis Presley bought a Convair 880 jet formerly owned by Delta Airlines for $250,000. He spent $600,000 refurbishing it to include personal quarters, a meeting area and a dance floor. Presley christened the aircraft Lisa Marie, after his daughter.
In 1981, "Caveman," starring Ringo Starr, Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long, Jack Gilford, and Barbara Bach (who married Ringo ten days later), opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters.
In 1982, Johnny Cash hosted NBC-TV's "Saturday Night Live."
In 1982, Vangelis was at #1 on the US album chart with 'Chariots Of Fire,' he also won an Oscar for best original score.
In 1991, at the OK Hotel in Seattle, Nirvana gave their first public performance of "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
In 1991, lyricist//Songwriters Hall of Famer Jack Yellen died at the age of 97.
In 1995, R.E.M. announces the resumption of their Monster tour after the successful surgery on Bill Berry for a brain aneurysm.
In 2000, singer Gloria Gaynor guest-starred and sang her hit "I Will Survive" on an episode of Fox-TV's "Ally McBeal."
In 2002, Tammy Wynette's four daughters reached a confidential agreement with Wynette's doctor regarding her death. Wynette's daughters had earlier filed a lawsuit that claimed the Pittsburgh doctor had contributed to Wynette's death in 1998.
In 2003, singer/songwriter Earl King died of complications from diabetes at age 69.
In 2004, at the Icons of 20th Century Music auction held in Dallas, Kurt Cobain's Mark IV-style Mosrite Gospel guitar sold for $100,000, Elton John and Bernie Taupin's song writing piano went for $140,000, and a 1966 Rickenbacker guitar owned by Roger McGuinn sold for $99,000.
In 2008, Danny Federici, longtime keyboard player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died of melanoma at 58.
In 2009, Morrissey walked off of his show at the Coachella Festival, taking offense to the smell of nearby barbecues.
In 2012, Ted Nugent told an NRA rally that, if President Obama was reelected, he would "either be dead or in jail by this time next year."
In 2013, the Rascals reunited for three weeks worth of shows on Broadway called Once Upon A Dream. It was the first time they had been together for any extended period of time since 1970.
In 2013, Cleveland's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inducts Heart, Rush, Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy and Donna Summer along with Lou Adler and Quincy Jones.
