In 1891, the Music Hall (later Carnegie Hall) had its grand opening with its first public performance. The first performer was Pyotr Llych Tchaikovsky.
In 1900, "The Billboard" (later called "Billboard") began weekly publication instead of monthly after six years of publication.
In 1956, Elvis Presley scored his first US #1 single and album when “Heartbreak Hotel” went to the top of the charts. His debut album also went to #1.
In 1960, Roy Orbison released the single "Only the Lonely (Know How I Feel)." The cut went to #2 on the US Billboard pop music charts on 25 July 1960 (blocked by Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry") & #14 on the Billboard R&B charts. It reached #1 in the UK. In 1999, the legendary song was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it #232 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
Chris Montez recorded "Let's Dance" in 1962. It went to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, and to #2 in the UK Singles Chart.
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In 1962, the Shirelles were presented with a Gold record for "Soldier Boy", a song that was recorded in one take and originally intended as an album filler. It was the second million seller for them, following their first number one hit, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." The girls would later find the US Top 10 again with "Dedicated to the One I Love,""Mama Said,""Baby It's You" and "Foolish Little Girl."
In 1963, on a recommendation by George Harrison, Dick Rowe (head of A&R at Decca records, and the man who turned down The Beatles) went to see The Rolling Stones play at Crawdaddy Club, London. The band were signed to the label within a week.
In 1965, ABC-TV's "Shindig!" featured performances by the Isley Brothers, Glen Campbell, Sonny & Cher, the Chambers Brothers, Ray Peterson, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Boyd, all participating in a "Tribute to Elvis" episode.
In 1966, "Monday, Monday" by the Mamas & the Papas was the #1 song in the US.
In 1966, Manfred Mann were at #1 on the UK singles chart with "Pretty Flamingo." The recording features future Cream bassist Jack Bruce, who briefly joined the band in 1965. On their Top Of The Pops appearance, singer Paul Jones performed whilst standing on one leg.
In 1967, "San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie entered the US charts where it will eventually hit #4. The John Phillips written song became a sort of anthem during the hippie movement.
In 1968, Buffalo Springfield played their last show. Richie Furay formed Poco, Neil Young began a solo career and Stephen Stills teamed up with David Crosby and Graham Nash in Crosby, Stills and Nash.
In 1970, at RCA Studio A in New York City, Perry Como began recording "It's Impossible." The track was completed the following day. Months later when it peaked at #10 on the pop music chart, Como had racked up Top 25 hits in four consecutive decades – the 1940s, '50s, '60s and '70s.
In 1972, blind blues guitarist Reverend Gary Davis died of a heart attack aged 76. His unique finger-picking style influenced many other artists.
In 1972, the first day of the three day Bickershaw Festival, Wigan, England, with The Grateful Dead, Dr John, Donovan, The Kinks, Captain Beefheart, Hawkwind, America, Family, Country Joe MacDonald, Wishbone Ash, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Brinsley Schwarz and the Flamin Groovies.
In 1973, Elvis Presley went to #1 on the US album chart with 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite'.
In 1973, Led Zeppelin performed for 56,800 fans at Tampa Stadium.
In 1973, Clint Holmes'"Playground In My Mind" cracks the Billboard Top 40 where it will reach #2 during a 15 week run. Although he would follow up with other records, this would prove to be Holmes' only US chart entry.
In 1974, Television appeared at CBGB's in New York City, supported by the Stillettoes (later to become Blondie, who were playing their first show at CBGB).
In 1977, country music singer Loretta Lynn was pictured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
In 1979, Peaches and Herb started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Reunited," it made #4 in the UK.
In 1982, jazz vibraphonist/percussionist Cal Tjader died after a heart attack at age 56.
In 1983, bass singer Clarence Quick of the Dell-Vikings died following a heart attack at the age of 46.
In 1983, the one thousandth edition of Britain's music show, Top of the Pops is broadcast on BBC-TV. The weekly version of the show ran from January 1st, 1964 to July 30th, 2006.
In 1984, Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr married Pretenders vocalist Chrissie Hynde. They had a daughter before divorcing in 1990.
In 1986, Michael Jackson signed his second contract with Pepsi, which agreed to pay him $15 million and sponsor his solo world tour.
In 1986, the announcement was made that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would be located in Cleveland, OH.
In 1987, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Bryan Adams began a North American concert tour.
In 1988, Pepsi becomes the first company to feature a non-Russian in its Soviet advertising when Michael Jackson appears in a TV commercial.
In 1989, Ronnie Milsap's "Greatest Hits Volume 2" album was certified Platinum.
In 1990, a John Lennon tribute concert was held in Merseyside, England with Al Green, Joe Cocker, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Lenny Kravitz, Lou Reed, Joe Walsh, Wet Wet Wet, The Christians, Kylie Minogue and Deacon Blue.
In 1990, Jason Bonham delighted guests at his wedding reception when he played a five-song set with his late father's Led Zeppelin bandmates, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones.
In 1990, during a North American tour Nirvana appeared at the Einstein-A-Go-Go in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
In 1992, Radiohead released 'The Drill EP,' their first record in the UK. The band were still called "On a Friday" when the songs for this EP were recorded; they changed their name to Radiohead the following month.
In 1995, singer Doug Phillips, lead vocalist of the Dartells, died at the age of 50.
In 1997, management company Ignition sent emails to over 100 Oasis unofficial websites threatening legal action over their alleged unlawful breach of copyright over Oasis music featured on the sites.
In 1997, in Kent, Ohio, Crosby, Stills & Nash performed their hit with Neil Young, "Ohio," to help mark the anniversary of the killing of four anti-war protesters by Ohio National Guardsmen at Kent State University on May 4, 1970.
In 2002, two disc jockeys from Denver's KRFX-FM, Rick Lewis and Michael Floorwax, stopped a live radio interview with Detroit rocker Ted Nugent after he used derogatory racial terms for Asians and Blacks. The station received dozens of complaints.
In 2006, Michael Jackson demanded an apology from GQ Magazine which printed a series of photos featuring a Jackson impersonator along with an article called "Where's Michael?" which documented the writer's quest to find Jackson in Bahrain.
In 2008, singer Jerry Wallace died of congestive heart failure at the age of 79.
In 2009, actress Ola Ray, a former Playboy Playmate, filed a lawsuit against Michael Jackson and his production company, alleging unpaid royalties from her work in the video for "Thriller".
In 2013, Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant obtained a temporary restraining order against an overzealous female fan he alleged was a threat to his safety. Plant said that the woman had been harassing him for over three years and believed that they are in a relationship, even though Plant insists the pair has never met.
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