In 1920, the Canadian Marconi Company, station XWA (Experimental Wireless Apparatus) in Montreal, Canada, gave what it would later claim to be the first scheduled radio broadcast in North America. Its call letters were changed to CFCF on November 4, 1920, and while the meaning of that call sign has never been officially confirmed, it is generally believed to be "Canada's First, Canada's Finest".
In 1941, Harry James & His Orchestra recorded "You Made Me Love You." The record peaked at #5 on the pop chart late in the year and sold more than a million copies.
In 1942, Glenn Miller & His Orchestra recorded "I've Got A Gal in Kalamazoo," with Marion Hutton & the Mordernaires and featured solos by Tex Beneke and Billy May. The single spent eight weeks at #1 in the summer of '42.
In 1957, in Los Angeles, Frank Sinatra recorded "Witchcraft."
In 1957, at Bell Sound Studios in New York City, Paul Anka recorded "Diana."
In 1957, crooner Andy Williams was at #1 on the UK singles chart with "Butterfly," the US singers only UK #1 and the first of 40 hit singles from 1957 until 2002 on the UK chart.
In 1958, Johnny Cash released the Sun Records single "Guess Things Happen That Way."
In 1960, the Silver Beetles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe, and Tommy Moore) played the first night of a short tour of Scotland backing singer Johnny Gentle, at Alloa Town Hall in Clackmannanshire. Three of the Silver Beetles adopted stage names: Paul McCartney became Paul Ramon, George Harrison was Carl Harrison, and Stuart Sutcliffe became Stuart de Stael. The Ramones later took their name from McCartney's pseudonym.
In 1964, Rudy Lewis, the lead singer of The Drifters on their hits "On Broadway" and "Up On The Roof," died under mysterious circumstances the night before the group was set to record "Under the Boardwalk." He was 28 years old. Rather than reschedule the studio session to find a new front man, former Drifters backup singer Johnny Moore was brought back to perform lead vocals for the recording. The single reached #4 in the US the following July and #45 in the UK.
On this day in 1964, "My Guy" by Mary Wells was the #1 song.
Also in 1964, Elvis Presley's 15th feature film 'Viva Las Vegas,' co-starring Ann-Margret, opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters.
In 1966, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who grew tired of waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon to arrive for their gig at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England so they took to the stage with the bass player and drummer of the local band that opened the show. When Moon and Entwistle finally arrived in the middle of the set, a fight broke out, with Townshend hitting Moon on the head with his guitar. Moon and Entwistle quit the band, (and rejoined a week later).
In 1966, Bob Dylan and The Band played at the ABC Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland. Some members of the audience were unhappy with Dylan "going electric," and attempted to overpower the band by playing their own harmonicas.
In 1967, the Beatles premiered their new album, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' and John Lennon and Paul McCartney gave live interviews about the making of the album, on Kenny Everett's BBC radio program, "Where It's At." All the album tracks were played except "A Day In The Life," which the BBC banned a day earlier because of its seemingly positive attitude toward drug use.
Also in 1967, the Young Rascals score the second of their three Billboard #1 records when "Groovin" reached the top. It made #8 in the UK. Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati wrote this song because their work schedule would only allow them to see their girlfriends on Sunday afternoons.
In 1967, Manuel Fernandez, founding member and organist for Los Bravos on their 1966 hit "Black Is Black," committed suicide. He was just 23 years old.
In 1968, the Beatles, armed with a bunch of new songs after their visit to India, met at George Harrison's home in Esher, Surrey. They taped 23 new songs on George's 4-track recorder, many of which would end up on The Beatles' next two albums, (the White Album) and Abbey Road. The demos include: "Cry Baby Cry,""Revolution,""While My Guitar Gently Weeps,""Blackbird" and "Child of Nature" (a Lennon song that became "Jealous Guy").
In 1969, Chicago singer/bassist Peter Cetera attended a Cubs-Dodgers baseball game in Los Angeles, where four Marines who disapproved of his long hair beat him so badly that his jaw was broken and he lost four teeth. He spent five hours in surgery and two days in intensive care. The incident had an effect on Cetera's career and, according to him, an impact on his singing style. "With my jaw wired together, I went on the road and I was actually singing through my clenched jaw, which, to this day, is still the way I sing."
In 1970, the final feature film involving the Beatles 'Let It Be' was premiered simultaneously in London and Liverpool a week after the film's US release. The film was originally planned as a television documentary which would accompany a concert broadcast. When plans for a broadcast were dropped, the project became a feature film. Although the film does not dwell on the dissension within the group at the time, it provides some glimpses into the dynamics that would lead to The Beatles' break-up.
In 1978, Paul McCartney went to #1 on the US singles chart with "With A Little Luck," his sixth solo US #1.
In 1978, two days after its world premier in Dallas, the biopic "The Buddy Holly Story," starring Gary Busey, had a second premiere in Holly's hometown of Lubbock, Texas.
In 1979, Elton John performed in Leningrad in the Soviet Union.
In 1985, Daryl Hall and John Oates headlined a concert for the grand re-opening of the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem. The performance was recorded and later released as a 'live' album which also featured two of the original Temptations, David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick.
In 1988, at the height of the "Is Elvis Dead?" phenomenon, ex-wife Priscilla Presley held a press conference to confirm his death in 1977.
In 1988, musician/arranger/producer (worked with Buddy Holly, Jackie Wilson, the McGuire Sisters, Teresa Brewer)/bandleader Dick Jacobs died at age 70.
In 1989, Ferry 'Cross The Mersey' by Ferry Aid started a three week run at #1 on the UK singles chart. The song was recorded to raise funds for the Hillbsbourgh Football victims, Gerry Marsden, Paul McCartney, Holly Johnson and The Christians all featured on the recording.
In 1989, Paula Abdul started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Forever Your Girl," her second US #1, a #24 hit in the UK.
In 1997, U2 caused traffic chaos in Kansas City, Missouri after they paid for traffic control to close down five lanes so they could shoot the video for 'Last Night On Earth.' Apart form major traffic jams a passing Cadillac crashed into a plate glass window trying to avoid a cameraman.
In 1998, Frank Sinatra's funeral was held at Beverly Hills' Church of the Good Shepherd. Celebrities in attendance included Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan, Jack Nicholson, Sophia Loren, Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Bob Newhart, Faye Dunaway, Angie Dickinson, and Sinatra ex-wife, Mia Farrow. A Dylan statement read, in part, "Right from the beginning, he was there with the truth of things in his voice... He was one of the very few singers who sang without a mask." Ten years later, the U.S. Congress declared May 13 Frank Sinatra Day.
In 1998, Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward was taken to hospital in London after suffering a heart attack during a band rehearsal.
In 2000, the Guess Who perform in their home town of Winnipeg, leading to a reunion tour. The line-up featured Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Jim Kale, Donnie McDougall and Garry Peterson. Kale would be replaced by another former member, Bill Wallace, before the first show.
In 2001, R.E.M. started a two-week run at #1 on the UK album chart with 'Reveal'.
In 2003, the South Carolina State Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services pardoned James Brown for all past crimes in the state...including drug, weapons and assault charges. Brown, who appeared before the board, sang "God Bless America" after the decision.
In 2007, Linkin Park went to #1 on the UK album chart with 'Minutes To Midnight' the bands fifth Top 20 UK album. Also a US #1.
In 2008, the US Congress passed a resolution designating May 13th as Frank Sinatra Day to honor his contribution to American culture.
In 2009, Michael Jackson delayed the opening four nights of his 'This Is It' UK tour at London's O2 arena. Concert promoters AEG Live said the delay was necessary because the singer needed more time for dress rehearsals. The first show, on 8 July, was pushed back by five nights. Three other July dates would now not take place until March 2010.
In 2009, former Creedence Clearwater Revival front man John Fogarty announced to the press that he had finished his latest CD, 'The Return of the Blue Ridge Rangers,' a sequel to his 1973 solo album. Released on August 25th, it would peak at #25 on the Hot 200.
In 2012, Robin Gibb, one-third of the Bee Gees and a singer-songwriter who helped to turn disco into a global phenomenon by providing the core of the soundtrack to 'Saturday Night Fever,' died from cancer aged 62. Bee Gees hits including: Massachusetts, I've Gotta Get a Message to You, How Deep Is Your Love and Stayin' Alive, established their pop legacy by placing their falsetto harmonies at the centre of the 70s disco boom.
In 2012, drummer/songwriter Robert Nix, a founding member of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, died following surgery at 67.
In 2013, Ray Manzarek, keyboard player and founder member of the The Doors died aged 74. Manzarek, who had suffered from bile duct cancer for many years, died in a clinic in Rosenheim, Germany, with his wife and brothers at his bedside. He formed The Doors with lead singer Jim Morrison in 1965 after a chance meeting in Venice Beach, Los Angeles.
