In 1956, the Cadets released the single "Stranded in the Jungle," their cover version of a song recorded and released by the Jayhawks a few weeks earlier. The two versions charted simultaneously, with the Jayhawks peaking at #18 and the Cadets at #15.
In 1957, Lonnie Donegan was at #1 on the UK singles chart with "Gamblin' Man / Putting On The Style," the singers second UK #1. It was the last UK #1 to be released as a 78rpm as well as a 7" vinyl record.
In 1959, Eddie Cochran recorded "Somethin' Else."
In 1959, Elvis Presley released the single "A Big Hunk O' Love" b/w "My Wish Came True."
In 1960, Paul Anka, at age 18, became the youngest act ever to open at New York City's Copacabana nightclub.
In 1960, Eddie Cochran was at #1 in the UK with the single "Three Steps To Heaven." The American singer had been killed 3 months earlier in a car crash while touring the UK.
In 1962, Ray Charles started a 14-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music'.
In 1965, the Righteous Brothers, the Everly Brothers, the Byrds, Jody Miller, the Kingsmen, Willie Nelson, Adam Faith, and Billy Preston were among the guest performers on ABC-TV's "Shindig."
In 1965, Motown Records released "Tracks Of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson And The Miracles. The song was written by the group, based on a riff that Miracles guitarist Marv Tarplin had come up with. Their version would reach #16 on the US Pop charts. It has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and is listed by Rolling Stone magazine as #50 in its listing of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
In 1965, the Yardbirds played at The City Hall in Salisbury, England. Admission: 10 shillings ($1.40).
In 1966, the Beatles had their tenth consecutive UK #1 single with "Paperback Writer / Rain." The track is marked by the boosted bass guitar sound throughout, partly in response to John Lennon demanding to know why the bass on a certain Wilson Pickett record far exceeded the bass on any Beatles records. It was also cut louder than any other Beatles record, due to a new piece of equipment used in the mastering process.
In 1966, guest performers on ABC-TV's "Where the Action Is" included Gene Pitney, Love, Steve Alaimo, and Keith Allison.
In 1967, at EMI's Abbey Road Studios, the Beatles worked on the rhythm track of "All You Need Is Love" for a worldwide TV broadcast and live recording two days later.
In 1967, at Atlantic's New York recording studio, Aretha Franklin recorded "Chain Of Fools," which will reach #2 in the US the following January. It included the same personnel heard on her previous gold singles: the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, a tight horn section that included King Curtis, Franklin's sisters Carolyn and Erma, and the Sweet Inspirations. The track's signature intro was done by guitarist Joe South.
Also in 1967, Arthur Conley receives a Gold record for "Sweet Soul Music", a song that reached number two in the US on both the Pop and R&B charts. It was one of nine records that Conley put on the Billboard charts between 1967 and 1970.
In 1968, at Western Recorders in Los Angeles, Elvis Presley recorded "If I Can Dream" and "Memories."
In 1972, Smokey Robinson appeared in concert for the last time with The Miracles, in Washington, DC.
In 1972, Jethro Tull released the double LP 'Living in the Past' in the UK (October 31st in the US). The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts and went gold not long after its release. The title track from the album became Tull's first top-40 hit in the US, reaching #11, a full three years after it performed well in Britain.
In 1973, George Harrison started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Living In The Material World', his second US #1.
In 1973, 23-year-old B.W. Stevenson records "My Maria," which will reach #9 in the US later in the year. Although his real first name was Louis, he used the initials B.W., which stood for Buck Wheat.
In 1975, Alice Cooper broke six of his ribs after he fell off the stage during a concert in Vancouver. Several dates on his Welcome to My Nightmare tour had to be cancelled.
In 1975, Bob Marley and the Wailers played the first of 14 shows over 7 nights at Paul's Mall in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of their Natty Dread Tour.
In 1975, Jefferson Starship's LP 'Red Octopus' was released. The album, marking the return of singer Marty Balin, went to #1 in the US and became the band's biggest seller.
In 1976, Paul McCartney and Wings complete their Wings Over America tour at the Forum in Los Angeles. At a Forum show two days earlier, Ringo Starr appeared on stage during the band's final number and presented his old friend with flowers.
In 1977, Who drummer Keith Moon joined Led Zeppelin onstage in Los Angeles for spirited renditions of "Rock And Roll" and "Moby Dick."
In 1978, Burton Cummings hosted NBC-TV's "Midnight Special," with guests Randy Bachman, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti Smith, and Ronnie Montrose.
In 1979, the Knack released the single "My Sharona." It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart where it remained for 6 weeks. In the US, this was the best-selling single of 1979.
In 1979, Supertramp's album, 'Breakfast in America' rose to the top of the US album chart on the strength of three hit singles, "The Logical Song" (#6), "Goodbye Stranger" (#15), and "Take the Long Way Home" (#10). The LP would win two Grammys and sell in excess of 18 million copies worldwide.
In 1984, Duran Duran started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "The Reflex," the group's first US #1, also a UK #1.
In 1986, Rod Stewart released the album 'Every Beat of My Heart.' The tracks were recorded at One on One Studios, Can Am Recorders, The Village Recorder, The Record Plant, and Artisan Sound Recorders. It produced four singles, "Love Touch,""Another Heartache,""In My Life" and the title track, "Every Beat of My Heart."
In 1987, Madonna was pictured on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine.
In 1989, at CNE Stadium in Toronto, the Who played the first of two nights – the third and fourth concerts – on their Tommy 20th Anniversary U.S.-Canada Tour.
In 1990, actor Gary Busey, who played Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, pays $237,419 for one of Holly's acoustic guitars at an auction at Sotheby's in New York. The guitar came in a tooled leather case made by Holly himself.
Also in 1990, the decline of the music industry was never more evident than when MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" topped the Billboard R&B chart. By simply talking over Rick James' 1981 hit, "Super Freak," Hammer (real name: Stanley Kirk Burrell) would go on to win Grammy Awards for Best Rhythm & Blues Song as well as Best Rap Solo Performance.
In 1995, riding high on the success of "Leave Virginia Alone," Rod Stewart headlined the Rock Over Germany festival, along with Joe Cocker and Elton John.
In 2002, the top pop earners from US sales during 2001 were listed by Rolling Stone magazine as: Madonna at No.5 with £29.1 million ($49.5 million); Dave Matthews Band at No.4 with £31 million ($52.7 million); the Beatles at No.3 with £34.2 million ($58 million); Dr. Dre at No.2 with £37.1 million ($63 million) and, top of the list, U2 with £44.2 million ($75 million).
In 2002, Nelly started a seven week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Hot In Here."
In 2003, Diana Ross was in court and testified that she was coerced and felt intimidated to take the breath test that showed her blood alcohol level was 0.2 (well over the 0.08 limit). "He said if I don't take the breath tests, I was either going to go to the hospital or to jail," Diana said. Diana's lawyer has asked for all evidence to be suppressed. After the hearing, Diana asked the judge if it would be possible to have court paperwork processed using her married name of Diana Naess. The City Magistrate said he thought it was "a little late" for that now.
In 2003, in London, Eminem gave a $450,000 necklace to a fan in the front row of a concert. He had announced while from the stage that "I'm going to give this to the sexiest woman I see."
In 2008, Coldplay appeared at Madison Square Garden in New York City on the first night of the North American leg, Viva la Vida, 161-date world Tour.
In 2008, Culture Club frontman Boy George was denied entry into the United States by US authorities who cited looming legal issues overseas. George was arrested in 2007 after a 28-year-old male escort from Norway accused the singer of false imprisonment and assault.
In 2010, 62-year-old Gregg Allman underwent a successful liver transplant operation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Allman had begun a series of treatments for Hepatitis C, but chronic damage of his liver led doctors to recommend a transplant. In a statement to the press, Allman said "I changed my ways years ago, but we can't turn back time. Every day is a gift."
In 2010, Pete Quaife, the original bassist for The Kinks who played on such early hits as "You Really Got Me", "All Day and All of the Night" and "Tired of Waiting for You" before leaving the British band in 1969, died of kidney failure. He was 66.
In 2012, at London's Hackney Marshes, more than 100,000 people attended a two-day concert that was part of the build-up to the 2012 Summer Olympics. Performers included Jay-Z, Rihanna, will.i.am, Florence + The Machine, Leona Lewis, and Plan B.
In 2013, Bobby "Blue" Bland, who placed three songs on the Billboard Top 40, including 1962's "Turn On Your Love Light," passed away at the age of 83.
birthdays today include (among others): Myles Goodwyn (April Wine) (66), Glenn Danzig (Danzig) (59), Randy Jackson (producer, American Idol judge) (58), Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) (52), Joey Allen (Warrant) (50), Paul Arthurs (Oasis) (49), Chico DeBarge (DeBarge) (48), K.T. Tunstall (39) and Duffy (born Amie Duffy) (30)
