In 1956, a Washington D.C. disc jockey named Bob Rickman created the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Elvis Presley. Much of the national coverage of the singer has been critical, as evidenced by the many headlines which refer to him as a hillbilly and a threat to society.
In 1958, while resting at his Graceland home after visiting his mother at a Memphis hospital, Elvis Presley receives a call from his father, telling him that his mother has passed away. At her funeral two days later, Elvis was so overcome with grief he was unable to stand and had to be supported by friends. Over 500 police were at the service to keep the gigantic crowd at bay.
In 1961, Wanda Jackson's biggest hit, "Right Or Wrong" enters the Billboard Pop chart on its way to #29.
In 1962, unhappy with drummer Pete Best's role in the Beatles, Brian Epstein and the other three members decided to sack him. Best played his last gig the following night at the Cavern, Liverpool. Ringo Starr who was nearing the end of a three-month engagement with Rory Storm & the Hurricanes at a Butlin's holiday camp received a telephone call from John Lennon, asking him to join the Beatles. Ringo gave Rory Storm three days notice and on August 18, appeared as a member of The Beatles for the first time.
In 1962, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Roy Orbison recorded "Leah" and "Workin' For The Man."
In 1964, at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, the Beatles recorded "I'm A Loser" in eight takes with no overdubs. John Lennon, who wrote and sang lead on the song, later said it was "me in my Dylan period" and added with a laugh, "Part of me suspects I'm a loser and part of me thinks I'm God Almighty."
In 1964, at CBS 30th Street Studio in New York City, Tony Bennett recorded "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)."
In 1964, 30 year old Johnny Burnette drowns after being knocked unconscious by a cruiser's collision with his fishing boat at Clear Lake, California. His version of "You're Sixteen" was a US Top Twenty hit in 1961.
In 1965, 25 year-old Charles Fizer of the R&B vocal group the Olympics was killed during the Watts Riots. The group reached the US Top 10 in 1958 with "Western Movies."
In 1965, the Beatles taped an appearance for CBS-TV's The Ed Sullivan Show at Studio 50, New York City. They performed "I Feel Fine,""I'm Down,""Act Naturally,""Ticket to Ride,""Yesterday" and "Help!’" The tape aired on September 12, 1965 and marked their fourth appearance on the program.
In 1966, London's Catholic Herald calls John Lennon's remark regarding the Beatles being more popular with teens than Jesus, "arrogant." However, the publication went on to say that "it's probably true."
In 1966, Little Anthony & The Imperials, (Steve Van Zandt’s band), The Shadows and The Castiles (with Bruce Springsteen on vocals) all appeared at the Surf ‘n See Club in Seabright New Jersey.
In 1966, the Beatles appeared at Cleveland stadium, Ohio, the first concert to be held at the stadium.
In 1967, Cliff Richard's biggest US hit, "Devil Woman" entered the Billboard chart, where it would reach #7. A huge star in his native UK, Richard also achieved nine US Top 40 hits.
In 1969, Johnny Cash's single "A Boy Named Sue" was certified Gold, his first million-seller.
In 1970, Stephen Stills is arrested on cocaine possession charges at a motel in La Jolla, California, after being found crawling along a corridor in an incoherent state. He was later released on $2,500 bail.
In 1972, pianist/composer/author/actor/TV host Oscar Levant died after a heart attack at age 65.
In 1981, Judge Joseph Evans orders that Elvis' estate does not have to make any more payments to Col. Tom Parker, ending his 36 year hold on much of the king's finances.
In 1981, the BBC recording of the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana reached #1 on the UK album chart.
In 1982, Marshall Crenshaw's "Someday Someway" enters the Billboard Hot 100 where it will peak at #36. The song was included in the soundtrack to the film Night Shift, which helped launch the careers of Michael Keaton and Shelley Long.
In 1985, Michael Jackson outbids Paul McCartney for the entire ATV music publishing catalogue, which includes most of the Lennon / McCartney songbook. Jackson paid 47.5 million US dollars for the company, in an act that will permanently sour the friendship between the two stars.
In 1988, lead singer, poet and frontman of Hawkwind, Robert Calvert died of a heart attack. He was a member of Hawkwind from 1972-1979 during which time he co-wrote their hit single "Silver Machine"and directed their Space Ritual Tour.
In 1988, guitarist Roy Buchanan died after hanging himself by his own shirt in Fairfax County Jail, Virginia after being arrested for drunkenness. Buchanan released over 15 solo albums; Jeff Beck dedicated the song "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" to Buchanan in 1975 on his 'Blow by Blow' album.
In 1992, Tony Williams of The Platters died of emphysema at the age of 64. He sang most of the group's hits up until 1961 when he was replaced by Sonny Turner.
In 1994, "Stay (I Missed You)" by Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories was the #1 song.
In 1995, the Grateful Dead decided to disband after the recent death of founder/leader Jerry Garcia.
In 1995, Foo Fighters made their network television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman when they performed their new single "This Is A Call."
In 2001, a pizza-stained piece of paper signed by three of the four Beatles sold for $48,000 to an anonymous collector at an auction in Melbourne. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison all signed the paper during their 1964 tour of Australia. Drummer Ringo Starr had laryngitis and was not on the tour. A fan managed to get the autographs while the band was staying in a hotel in Adelaide.
In 2002, Dave Williams lead singer of the heavy rock band Drowning Pool was found dead on the band's tour bus during Ozzy Osbournes Ozzfest tour in Manassas, Virginia. The autopsy concluded that he suffered from a form of heart disease. The bands debut album, 'Sinner,' had sold over 1 million copies in the US since its release in June 2001.
In 2005, Faith Hill was at #1 on the US chart with 'Fireflies,' Hill's third consecutive album to debut at #1 on both the country and Billboard album charts.
In 2006, wearing an orange Department of Sanitation vest, dark Capri pants and none of his trademark stage makeup, former Culture Club front man Boy George (real name: George O'Dowd), swept trash and leaves off a New York City sidewalk. The singer was sentenced to community service after pleading guilty in March to falsely reporting a burglary at his Manhattan apartment, where responding police officers found cocaine. He was eventually reassigned to sweep a gated Department of Sanitation parking lot after the media surrounding him on the street caused too much chaos, but news crews still crowded outside the fence.
In 2009, George Michael was arrested and questioned on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs. The 46-year-old singer was later released without charge after his Land Rover was in collision with a lorry on the A34 in Berkshire.
In 2010, jazz singer/songwriter/actress Abbey Lincoln died at the age of 80.
In 2012, four members of the J. Geils Band announced their intention to tour using that name despite a lawsuit by guitarist John "J." Geils claiming that he owns the trademark.
In 2013, Michael Jackson's former wife, 54-year-old Debbie Rowe, testified in Los Angeles Superior Court that "Michael had a very low pain tolerance." Giving evidence in a civil action filed by Katherine Jackson over her son's death in 2009, Ms Rowe went on to say "Unfortunately, some of the doctors decided that when Michael was in pain, they would try to see who could give him the best pain killer."
In 2013, Allen Lanier, a founding member of Blue Oyster Cult, who scored a Billboard #12 hit in 1976 with "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," passed away after a long battle with lung disease. He was 67.
