In 1951, the number one record on America's R&B chart was a song called "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston And His Delta Cats. Many Rock historians say that this was the first true rock and roll record. Although Brenston sang, played sax and is credited as composer, 'His Delta Cats' were actually Ike Turner And His Kings of Rhythm.
In 1958, Link Wray's guitar instrumental "Rumble" first appears on American music charts. Even though it has no lyrics what so ever, the song was banned by many US radio stations who feared the title would promote teen violence. Despite the boycott, the song would still rise to #16 and sell over a million copies. Link would follow it with a tune called "Jack The Ripper."
In 1958, the Everly Brothers started a four-week run at #1 in the US with “All I Have to Do is Dream.” Written by the husband and wife songwriting team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, the track was recorded in just two takes.
In 1958, at Columbia 30th Street Studio in New York City, Johnny Mathis recorded "A Certain Smile."
In 1959, singer Eddie Fisher married actress Elizabeth Taylor. It was his second marriage, her fourth. They divorced in 1964.
In 1961, in Hamburg, West Germany, the Beatles signed a recording contract with producer Bert Kaempfert. That evening they played at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg.
In 1962, Billboard magazine reported that the previous year's most-played jukebox record was "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean, followed by Chubby Checker's "The Twist."
In 1963, Bob Dylan walked out of dress rehearsals for "The Ed Sullivan Show" when CBS censors informed him that he could not perform "Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues" because of its lyrics which mocked the US military. CBS officials asked Dylan to substitute it for another song, but the singer reportedly said: "No, this is what I want to do. If I can't play my song, I'd rather not appear on the show."
In 1964, the winners at the sixth annual Grammy Awards are announced. Henry Mancini's "The Days of Wine and Roses" is Record and Song of the Year. The Album of the Year is 'The Barbra Streisand Album' and Best Rock and Roll Recording goes to Nino Tempo and April Stevens for 'Deep Purple.'
Also in 1964, the Beach Boys started a four week run at the top of the Billboard album chart with a 'live' LP called 'Beach Boys Concert,' the group's first US #1.
In 1965, in Hollywood, the Rolling Stones re-recorded "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," which they had first recorded in Chicago two days earlier. In 2006 it was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. Mick Jagger would later say "It was the song that really made the Rolling Stones, changed us from just another band into a huge, monster band."
In 1965, ABC-TV's "Shindig!" featured performances by the Moody Blues, the Olympics, Brenda Holloway, Dick and Dee Dee, and Dino, Desi & Billy.
In 1967, Pink Floyd appeared at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, giving a special concert Games For May - Space Age Relaxation For The Climate Of Spring. This was reportedly the first show to include loudspeakers placed at the back of the hall to give a "sound in the round," ie quadraphonic, effect. The sound system, developed by EMI technicians, was stolen after the show and not recovered for some years.
In 1967, Archie Bell of Archie Bell And The Drells is drafted into the US Army. Months later, their single "Tighten Up" will reach the Top Ten.
In 1968, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap performed "Young Girl" and "Lady Willpower" on CBS-TV's the Ed Sullivan Show.
In 1968, Brian Jones made his final live appearance with the Rolling Stones when they appeared at the New Musical Express Poll Winners Concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley, England.
In 1971, Mick Jagger marries Nicaraguan fashion model Bianca Perez Morena de Macias in St. Tropez, France. The guest list includes the other members of the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills. The couple separated in 1977.
In 1972, Paul McCartney and Wings released "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
In 1973, Led Zeppelin started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart with their fifth album 'Houses Of The Holy.' The historic LP has now been certified 11 times Platinum by the RIAA.
In 1975, Jefferson Starship gave a free concert in New York’s Central Park in front of 60,000 fans. The band and concert sponsor, WNEW-FM, were forced to pay $14,000 for cleaning up and damage done to the park after the event.
In 1977, Led Zeppelin received the outstanding contribution to British music at the second Ivor Novello Awards held at the Grosvenor Hotel, London.
In 1977, after being dropped by both EMI and A&M records in less than 6 months, Virgin records announced they had signed the Sex Pistols.
In 1978, John Denver's album 'I Want to Live' was certified Platinum.
In 1979, the new Jefferson Starship, with Mickey Thomas replacing Grace Slick as lead vocalist, debuted at a free concert in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Thomas had been the lead singer on Elvin Bishop's 1976 hit "Fooled Around and Fell in Love"."
On this day in 1981, "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes was the #1 song.
In 1981, Van Halen kicked off their 82 date North American Fair Warning Tour at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In 1981, "Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music," starring Lena Horne, with Claire Bathé, Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Tyra Ferrell, opened at New York's Nederlander Theatre for 333 performances.
In 1983, Meat Loaf filed for bankruptcy, even though his 'Bat Out of Hell' LP sold millions of copies in the late 1970s. Later, 'Back Into Hell' would bring him back to the charts with the hit single, "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)." At the time of his bankruptcy, Meat Loaf's latest album 'Midnight at the Lost and Found' was sitting at #7, but the album's single, "If You Really Want To" stalled at #59.
In 1985, at the Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts, Phil Collins began the North American leg of his No Jacket Required World Tour.
In 1987, all 40-thousand tickets for three Pink Floyd concerts in September at the Forum in Montréal sold out in 4½ hours.
In 1989, drummer Ron Wilson of the Surfaris died of a brain aneurysm at the age of 43.
In 1991, in London, Peter Gabriel, MC Hammer, Chris De Burgh, and Tom Jones were among the performers at a Wembley Stadium concert to raise money for Iraq's Kurdish refugees.
In 1994, Depeche Mode played the first night on the North American leg of their 159-date Exotic Tour at the Cal Expo in Sacramento, California.
In 1998, British media reported that Elton John had split with his manager of 30 years, John Reid. Reports said the two had argued over John's career and financial matters.
In 2000, thieves stole the gates to Strawberry Fields the Merseyside landmark immortalized by the Beatles song. The 10-foot high iron gates were later found at local scrap metal dealers.
In 2001, Perry Como, , died at the age of 88.
In 2002, Dionne Warwick was arrested at Miami International Airport for possession of marijuana after authorities found 11 joints in a lipstick case in her carry-on bag. The charges were dropped after she completed a drug program and made a contribution to charity.
In 2006, in Nashville, James Taylor played the first of two nights at the Ryman Auditorium.
In 2008, Paul McCartney was granted a divorce from his second wife, Heather Mills. The settlement gave her a lump sum of 16.5 million pounds, together with assets of 7.8 million pounds, which included the properties she owned at the time. Paul was later quoted as saying "There'll be no more nagging, no more chaos, no more Heather... bliss. I have peace at last."
In 2013, thieves stole more than one million rand (£70,000) in takings after a Justin Bieber concert at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium. The gang, armed with ropes, hammers and chisels, broke into a strongroom where the takings from the Justin Bieber concert and a gig the previous evening by Bon Jovi.
