Oldies

1956 - Buddy Holly signed a recording contract with Decca Records. He left the "e" out of his last name (Holley) and dropped it from his stage name as well. 1958 - The "Annette" serial began on ABC-TV's "Mickey Mouse Club." The first episode was an introduction to the series presented by the housekeeper. 1960 - The House of Representatives Special Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight opened hearings on disc jockey […]

1958 - The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) formed a New York chapter. NARAS is better known as the Grammy Awards organization. 1967 - Due to a Musicians' Union ban, the Rolling Stones were not allowed to play their hit "Let's Spend the Night Together" when they appeared on an ITV show. 1986 - Prince released the song "Kiss." 1989 - Metallica's concert at Reunion Arena in […]

1954 - The Drifters recorded "White Christmas." 1955 - James Brown recorded "Please Please Please." 1959 - Frankie Avalon and Jimmy Clanton took over headlining the Winter Dance Party after the death of Buddy Holly. 1961 - Johnny Burnette was rushed to a hospital in Hollywood for an emergency appendectomy. 1966 - The Rolling Stones' "19th Nervous Breakdown" was released in the U.K. 1969 - "Carl Perkins Day" was celebrated […]

1956 - The Coasters signed with Atlantic Records. 1957 - Fats Domino sang "Blueberry Hill" and "Blue Monday" on the "Perry Como Show" on television. 1959 - Frankie Avalon's "Venus" was released. 1959 - The Coasters song "Charlie Brown" was released. 1963 - The Beatles began their first British tour supporting Helen Shapiro. 1973 - NBC-TV debuted "Midnight Special." 1973 - Keith Emerson injures his hands when a rigged piano […]

1956 - The Rock and Roll Ice Revue opened at the Roxy Theater in New York City. 1964 - The governor of Indiana declared that the song "Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen was pornographic. He requested that the state's radio stations not play the song. 1963 - Neil Young, at age 17, performed his first professional date at a country club in Winnipeg. 1969 - Joni Mitchell made her Carnegie […]

1962 - Warner Bros. Records signed Peter, Paul & Mary. 1966 - The Bobby Fuller Four's "I Fought The Law" was released. 1969 - The "Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" debuted on CBS-TV. 1972 - David Bowie performed as "Ziggy Stardust" for the first time. 1972 - Smokey Robinson left The Miracles. 1979 - Emerson, Lake & Palmer disbanded. 1983 - Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac married Kim Anderson at her […]

1956 - Elvis Presley released "Heartbreak Hotel." 1958 - Little Richard entered Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL. This was after he announced that he was giving up rock & roll so he could serve God. 1961 - Leontyne Price made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. 1964 - The Rolling Stones appeared as judges on the British TV show "Juke Box Jury." 1968 - The […]

1956 - At Decca Records' Nashville studios, Buddy Holly's first official recording session took place. "Blue Days, Black Nights" was recorded and became his debut single. 1966 - Eric Burdon (The Animals) sang lead vocals for Manfred Mann at a London concert. 1970 - Australia's first rock festival ended. The Ourimbah Rock Festival had begun the previous day. 1970 - John Lennon wrote and recorded "Instant Karma." 1974 - The […]

1940 - Mary Martin recorded "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." 1958 - Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" became the first single to ever enter the U.K. pop chart at Number One. 1963 - Cilla Black debuted as a vocalist at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. 1969 - Creedence Clearwater Revival released the single "Proud Mary." 1970 - Australia's first rock festival began. The Ourimbah Rock Festival ended the next day. 1980 […]