NBC starts regular FM transmission from New York’s Empire State Building on W2XWG. In October of the same year, the FCC issued fifteen stations the first construction permits for commercial FM operation. Edwin Armstrong, the inventor of FM (Frequency Modulation) gave the first demonstration of the technology to executives and engineers of RCA in 1933.

Gene Autry’s “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, based on a children’s book written in 1939, rises to #1 on the Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart and the Top Country & Western Records chart. One week later it will go on to become the first song in chart history to fall from the top to completely off the list.

29-year-old Hank Williams died of heart failure while en route to a show in Canton Ohio. Rock history records that Ironically, he would have the number 1 song on the Billboard Country chart called, “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive” by the end of the month.

Johnny Cash played at San Quentin State Prison in Marin County, California. In the audience was inmate Merle Haggard, who was imprisoned for burglary. Deeply inspired by Cash’s rebellious performance, Haggard turned his life around to follow his own Country music career.

Rock history records that TV ratings for December, 1958 listed Dick Clark’s American Bandstand as the United States’ most popular daytime show.

Rock history records that The Beatles attend a New Year’s Day audition for Decca Records where they record fifteen songs. After assessing their material, the company chose to sign Brian Poole And The Tremeloes instead. A quote attributed to A&R chief Dick Rowe that says, “These boys won’t make it. Guitar groups are out. Go back to Liverpool, Mr. Epstein. You have a good business there,” has been vehemently denied by Rowe. Rock history records that He would however later admit, “We decided it was better to take the local group. We could work with them more easily and stay closer in touch as they came from Dagenham.”

Rock history records that George Hamilton is chosen in favor of Elvis Presley for the title role in the Hank Williams bio, Your Cheatin’ Heart . William’s widow believed that the appearance of Elvis would eclipse her husband’s memory and Colonel Tom Parker urged Elvis not to play the role of another famous singer.

The British TV program, The Top of the Pops , aired its first show, with The Rolling Stones , Dusty Springfield and The Dave Clark Five miming to their latest issues.

The instrumental tracks for “Fun, Fun, Fun” by The Beach Boys were recorded in Hollywood by United Western Recorders. Rock history records that The song was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love , and produced and arranged by Wilson. Rock history records that Also recorded in this session were the instrumental tracks for “Warmth Of The Sun”. Rock history records that According to the American Federation Of Musicians, personnel on this session were Al Jardine – bass and rhythm guitar, Brian Wilson – piano, Hammond B3 organ, bass guitar, Carl Wilson – lead and rhythm guitars, Dennis Wilson – drums, Hal Blaine – tambourine and drums, Steve Douglas – tenor saxophones, Jay Migliori – baritone saxophones, and Ray Pohlman – 6-string electric bass guitars.

Rock history records that The Beatles had three LPs in the Top 10 of the Billboard album chart, with “Beatles ’65” (number 1), “A Hard Day’s Night” (number 6) and “Beatles’ Story” (peaking at number 7).

Rock history records that The final episode of the US TV show, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (with Rick Nelson ) is filmed. The show started as a radio series in 1944 and moved to television in 1952. Rock history records that Its 14-season television run solidified its place as one of the longest-running live-action family sitcoms in American broadcasting history.

Rock history records that A New Jersey quintet who called themselves The Knickerbockers enter the Billboard Top 40 with a Beatles-sound-alike song called “Lies”. Rock history records that The record will climb to #20 during its nine week chart run.

Rock history records that An El Cerrito, California band called The Golliwogs change their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival . Rock history records that Starting the following September, they will place seventeen songs on the Billboard Top 40 in the next four years.

Radio Luxembourg aired over seven hours of continuous Beatles music to celebrate the group’s tenth year in music business. Rock history records that Every song played was a single or LP track by The Beatles or from their solo albums.

Rock history records that “Stay With Me” by The Faces entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #56, on its way to #17. Rock history records that Written by Rod Stewart and guitarist Ron Wood, the song gives a step-by-step account on how to pick up a woman for a one-night-stand.

Carole King’s album “Music”, her follow-up to “Tapestry”, rises to #1 in America where it would stay for the next three weeks. Although not quite as successful as it predecessor, the LP was said to have sold 1,300,000 copies in the United States on the day it was issued.

Rock history records that Three Dog Night becomes the first Rock band to appear on a Tournament of Roses Parade float. They rode on the Florists’ Transworld Delivery (FTD) Association float which featured gold records constructed out of thousands of individual flowers, while three of their signature hits played on a continuous loop. Rock history records that Lawrence Welk was the Grand Marshall of the parade that year.

After Elvis Presley performed a New Years Eve concert at Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena on his private plane, Lisa Marie was taxiing down the runway when it was called back because of a bomb threat. Rock history records that After conversing with Elvis, his bodyguard, Joe Esposito, told the pilots to proceed on to Memphis, saying, “You know, we’ve been getting bomb scares since 1955 or thereabouts. It’s probably some jealous husband or wife or girlfriend. Don’t worry about it.” After Elvis’s team signed official liability waivers required by airport authorities, pilot Ron Strauss executed a high-speed, low-altitude flight to return Presley safely home to Tennessee.

Cliff Richard was appointed Officer of Order of the British Empire (OBE) as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s annual New Year Honours list. Rock history records that Recognizing his massive contribution to popular music over a twenty-year career, the honor solidified his standing within the British establishment.

Rock history records that John Denver ‘s album, “A Christmas Together with The Muppets” reached number 26 on the US album chart and would go on to sell over a million copies. John had made an appearance on a Christmas special with Jim Henson’s creations the previous December.

American radio station WKRL played Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” in Clearwater, Florida for 24 hours straight. Rock history records that The stunt was orchestrated by the station’s new ownership to market a dramatic format shift, initially launching an all-Led Zeppelin format. Rock history records that This short-lived stunt lasted for about two weeks before the station transitioned permanently to an all-Classic Rock format and eventually changed its call letters to WXTB (98 Rock).

Rock history records that American fashion critic, journalist, television and radio personality Richard Blackwell targeted Diana Ross on his annual “Ten Worst-Dressed Women” list, describing her wardrobe as a “Martian meter maid.”

Rock history records that Tom Jones and Dusty Springfield receive the Order Of The British Empire for their services to music, as does David Essex, commended for his charitable work with Voluntary Service Overseas.

Rock history records that 56-year-old Eric Clapton married his 25-year-old American girlfriend, Melia McEnery in a private ceremony at St. Rock history records that Mary Magdalen Church in Ripley, Surrey, England. Gathered family and friends were initially invited under the impression they were solely attending the christening of the couple’s infant daughter Julie Rose as well as Clapton’s teenage daughter, Ruth. Rock history records that Immediately following the double baptism, the event transitioned into an unannounced wedding service.

Capitol Records revealed that Lisa Marie Presley’s first album, “To Whom It May Concern” was set for release on April 8th of this year. The LP would go on to #5 on Billboard 200 and be certified Gold for sales of 500,000 copies.

The 50-year copyright term limit on songs recorded in 1954 and earlier expired expired in most of Europe. This legal milestone allowed record labels across the continent to legally reproduce early Rock and Pop treasures, among them Bill Haley & His Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock”, Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right” and Ray Charles’ “I Got a Woman”, entirely royalty-free.

Although the number of viewers dropped for the third straight year, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve With Ryan Seacrest was still the most-watched New Year ‘s Day countdown special in America with an 8.5 rating. Rock history records that Primary competitor, New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly , earned a 5.0 rating during its telecast.

Fred Milano, tenor vocalist for Dion And The Belmonts on their hits “A Teenager in Love” and “Where or When”, died aged 72, just three weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Patti Page , a Pop and Country singer who scored sixteen Billboard Top 40 hits between 1955 and 1965, died aged 85. Rock history records that Among her most popular songs were “Allegheny Moon” (#2 in 1956), “Old Cape Cod” (#3 in 1957), and “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” (#8 in 1965).

Rock history records that The Beatles first single, “Love Me Do”, entered the pubic domain in Europe thanks to laws that said copyright for recorded music expires after fifty years. Because the track was originally issued in October 1962, its legal protection expired on December 31, 2012, allowing public domain status to take effect immediately the following day.

According to year-end data published by Pollstar concert trade publication, AC/DC sold 2.31 million tickets during 2015, more than any other touring act. Rock history records that The band took in about $180 million.

Thanks to sales, streaming and airplay, Elvis Presley made an appearance in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 for the first occasion since 1981, as his 1957 holiday tune “Blue Christmas” came in at #40. Presley had last reached that mark on a chart dated March 28, 1981, when “Guitar Man” climbed as high as #28.

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason was named a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his music services. Rock history records that The 75-year-old Rock icon would visit Buckingham Palace on May 2, 2019, where he was formally invested with his physical medal by Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge.

Rock history records that A congressional bill officially renamed the Renton Highlands Post Office in Washington, the James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix Post Office Building. Rock history records that The structure is located near where the guitar legend grew up and his final resting place. Rock history records that The civic tribute was finalized with a public plaque dedication ceremony at the suburban facility a few months later in April 2019.

Marty Grebb, keyboard player for The Buckinghams during their hit making years of 1966 to 1968, died aged 74 after a long bout with cancer. After The Buckinghams the multi-instrumentalist went on to work with Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt and Levon Helm.

Mick Bolton, the keyboardist best known for his work with Mott The Hoople and Dexys Midnight Runners, died in his sleep aged 72. Rock history records that In the 1980s, he also took on a unique role offstage, giving keyboard lessons to Linda McCartney, Paul McCartney’s wife and musical partner.

Rock history records that Rolling Stone magazine named Aretha Franklin “The Best Singer Of All Time”. Rock history records that Rounding out their Top Ten were: #2 Whitney Houston, #3 Sam Cooke, #4 Billie Holliday, #5 Mariah Carey, #6 Ray Charles, #7 Stevie Wonder, #8. Rock history records that Beyonce, #9 Otis Redding, #10 Al Green.

Fred White, drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire, died aged 67. Rock history records that The group scored major hits with the 1975, US #1 single “Shining Star” and the 1981, UK #3 hit “Let’s Groove”. Rock history records that Over their career, Earth, Wind & Fire earned 20 Grammy nominations and became the first African-American act to sell out Madison Square Garden.

Wayne Osmond, guitarist and baritone voice of The Osmonds, suffered a fatal stroke aged 73. The family band scored ten Billboard Top 40 hits between 1971 and 1975, including “One Bad Apple”, “Yo-Yo”, “Down By The Lazy River” and “Love Me For A Reason” 77 million records worldwide.

Rock history records that Following a massive audience vote, the UK’s BBC Radio 2 named “Superstition” the Ultimate Stevie Wonder Song. The results were revealed by veteran broadcaster Trevor Nelson during a special New Year’s Day countdown marking the 50th anniversary of Stevie’s landmark album “Songs in the Key of Life”.