Music History - May 1st

Born on May 1, 1930, blues artist, Little Walter. First harmonica player to amplify his harmonica, giving it a distorted echoing sound. He died on February 15th 1968.

In 1942, the American War Production Board commandeers all facilities for the production of jukeboxes, turning them over to the manufacture of war materials.

In 1955, on tour with Hank Snow's All Star Jamboree, Elvis Presley played three shows at the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sun Records had just released Elvis' fourth single, "Baby, Let’s Play House."

In 1955, Leonard Chess signs Chuck Berry to a recording contract after he came highly recommended by Muddy Waters.

In 1962, the Beatles started a month long residency at The Star Club, in Hamburg, Germany.

Also in 1962, Britain's first Cinebox, a device that showed 16mm color film of musicians performing their hits on a 21 inch screen, is installed in London, England. As you might expect, the device flashed paid advertising messages whenever the machine was idle.

In 1965, after just two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" by Herman's Hermits hits #1.

In 1965, the Supremes release "Back In My Arms Again", which will become their fifth consecutive US number one hit.

In 1966, The Beatles made their final live, paid appearance in the UK when they played a 15 minute set at the NME Poll Winners concert at Empire Pool, Wembley. Also appearing were The Spencer Davis Group, The Fortunes, Herman's Hermits, Roy Orbison, Cliff Richard, The Rolling Stones, The Seekers, The Small Faces, Dusty Springfield, The Walker Brothers, The Who and The Yardbirds. The Fab Four were not filmed because a financial agreement could not be reached.

On May 1, 1967, 32 year old Elvis Presley married 21 year old Priscilla Beaulieu, a girl he first met in 1959 when she was just 14 years old. When Elvis got out of the army in 1960, Beaulieu moved into the King's Graceland mansion with her family's blessing. The wedding ceremony took place at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and although the marriage license was only $15, the wedding cake cost $3,500. Elvis gave his new bride a $4,000 ring that featured a three karat diamond surrounded by twenty smaller diamonds. She gave him a plain gold band. Priscilla's maid of honor was her sister, Michelle. Joe Esposito and Marty Lacker were duel best men, but the rest of the "Memphis Mafia" were conspicuously absent because they hadn't been invited. The ceremony was followed by a reception for 80 guests.

In 1967, the F.B.I. arrests The Beach Boys' Carl Wilson on charges of avoiding the military draft and refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance. He is later released and joins the rest of the band in Ireland for a European tour.

In 1969, Bob Dylan recorded an appearance for The Johnny Cash Show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. After two solo numbers from Dylan, Johnny Cash joined him for a rendition of Girl From The North Country. In this primetime show, Cash enjoyed booking contemporary performers as guests; Neil Young, Kenny Rogers and The First Edition (who appeared a record four times on his show), James Taylor, Ray Charles and Eric Clapton were all booked to appear on forthcoming shows.

In 1970, the Jimi Hendrix Experience played the first of 13 US shows this month when they appeared at the Milwaukee Auditorium.

In 1974, The Carpenters play for US President Richard Nixon and the West German Chancellor at the White House.

In 1975, the Rolling Stones announced their U.S. tour while playing in the back of a flatbed truck going down 5th Avenue in New York.

In 1976, the Bellamy Brothers topped the Cashbox Best Sellers list and the Billboard Hot 100 with "Let Your Love Flow". The song was a #7 hit in the UK.

In 1977, the 'White Riot Tour' kicked of at the Roxy in London with The Clash, The Jam and The Buzzcocks.

In 1978, Boney M's double sided hit, "Rivers Of Babylon / Brown Girl In The Ring" was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.

In 1979, Elton John becomes the first pop music star to perform in Israel.

In 1980, the South African government banned Pink Floyd's single "Another Brick In The Wall," after black children adopted the song as their anthem in protest against inferior education.

In 1982, Barry Manilow scored his first UK #1 album when 'Barry Live In Britain' went to the top of the chart. The LP was recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall in London in January and would go on to reach Platinum status.

In 1984, Mick Fleetwood filed for bankruptcy. The founder of Fleetwood Mac had released a solo album called "The Visitor" in 1981. Although the critics loved it, "The Visitor" ended up losing a lot of money, as did Fleetwood's real estate investments, leading to eventual financial ruin.

In 1986, songwriter and producer Hugo Peretti died aged 70. Wrote and produced many classic hits including, "Can't Help Falling In Love," "Twistin' The Night Away," "Shout," "The Hustle" and "You Make Me Feel Brand New."

In 1988, Billy Joel escapes punishment for defamation charges brought against him by Jack Powers, whom he called a "creep" during an interview with Playboy magazine. The judge cited the 1st Amendment and dropped all charges.

On May 1, 1988, Pink Floyd's, 'Dark Side of the Moon' finally dropped off the US albums chart after a run of 725 weeks (almost 14 years).

In 1989, police in California are called to a jewelers store after employees reported a suspicious person. He turned out to be Michael Jackson, who had donned a wig, fake moustache, false teeth and eyelashes to go shopping. Officers had him remove his disguise and show his identification.

In 1993, Cliff Richard went to #1 on the UK album chart for the seventh time with a cleverly titled LP called 'The Album.'

In 1997, the house where Kurt Cobain committed suicide went up for sale. The asking price for the five-bedroom house built in 1902 was $3 million. The carriage house where the Nirvana guitarist died had been demolished.

In 2000, a $1.8 million civil fraud suit was filed against Neil Young in Los Angeles Superior Court by a former Village Voice writer who claims Young reneged on an agreement to have a biography written about him when Young blocked the book's publication.

In 2003, 58 year old Barry White suffered a stroke that affected his speech and the right side of his body. He was forced to retire from public life and passed away on July 4th.

In 2005, Coldplay became the first British band to have a new entry in the US Top 10 singles chart since The Beatles. Coldplay's latest single 'Speed Of Sound' entered the chart at number eight, only the second time a UK band has achieved the feat. The Beatles managed it with 'Hey Jude' in 1968.

In 2005, Matchbox 20 singer Rob Thomas went to #1 on the US album chart with his first solo album 'Something To Be.' This marked the first time a male artist from a rock group had debuted at number one with his first solo album since the Billboard Top 200 was introduced 50 years ago.

In 2009, an anonymous fan won a two hour, one on one guitar lesson with Queen's Brian May after bidding more than £7,500 at a charity auction in London. The auction was held in support of the Action for Brazil's Children Trust, of which May is a patron.

In 2011, former Village People vocalist Victor Willis launched a $1.5 million lawsuit against his old band mates over back royalties. The singer, who portrayed a policeman in the group, left the line-up in 1979.

In 2012, former teen Pop star Bobby Vee revealed on his website that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. "Needless to say it was a moment that stunned my family and myself to the core," the 69-year-old singer wrote. "Since this time I have chosen to remain private and to focus on what is most important to me: my family and my music."

birthdays include (among others): Judy Collins (74), Rita Coolidge (68),  Nick Fortuna (Buckinghams) (67), Ray Parker Jr. (59), Steve Farris (Mr. Mister) (54), Johnny Colt (Black Crowes) (47), Tim McGraw (46) and D'arcy Wretzky (Smashing Pumpkins) (45)