Rock history records that At Bell Sound in New York City, Del Shannon records his first single, “Runaway”, which will top the US charts by next April. Rock history records that The song was written by Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook, and would later be rated as #466 on Rolling Stone ‘s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Rock history records that Although many sources cite a January 21st recording date, Shannon’s own website confirms that the song was taped on the 24th.

Rock history records that The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best) met with Brian Epstein to sign their very first five-year management contract. Rock history records that Epstein never added his signature to the document because he wanted to give the band the flexibility to walk away if he failed to secure them a record deal.

Rock history records that Chubby Checker achieved the remarkable feat of having four albums in the Top Ten of the Billboard LPs chart. Rock history records that They were “For Twisters Only”, “Your Twist Party”, “Bobby Rydell / Chubby Checker” and “Let’s Twist Again”. Rock history records that Complementing his album success, his single “The Twist” sat at the top of Cashbox Best Sellers chart.

Rock history records that After receiving at $25,000 signing bonus, Aretha Franklin records her first tracks for Atlantic Records at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Rock history records that Over her career she would have twenty #1 singles and ten #1 albums on the Billboard R&B charts.

Rock history records that New Jersey state prosecutors issue a warning to record dealers that they will be charged with distributing pornography if they are caught selling the John Lennon / Yoko Ono LP “Two Virgins”. Rock history records that The front cover of the album showed the pair frontally nude, while the back cover showed them from behind. Rock history records that The rather unflattering photo would later be described by Lennon as a picture of “two slightly overweight ex-junkies”. Rock history records that Somehow “Two Virgins” still managed to reach #124 in the US, but failed to chart at all in the UK, where only 5,000 copies were ever pressed.

Jethro Tull made their first appearance in the United States performing in Fillmore East in New York City as the opening act for Blood, Sweat & Tears.. Rock history records that The concert launched a 12-week US tour, introducing fans to Ian Anderson’s iconic flute showmanship and new guitarist Martin Barre.

Rock history records that 34-year-old James “Shep” Sheppard, the lead singer for The Heartbeats and Shep And The Limelites, is found murdered in his car on the Long Island Expressway, the victim of a violent roadside robbery. Rock history records that No suspects were ever officially identified, arrested, or charged. The Limelites climbed to #2 in the US in 1961 with “Daddy’s Home”.

Rock history records that The mini-moog synthesizer was introduced by Dr. Rock history records that Robert Moog. Rock history records that Artists could now have the sound of strings and horns on stage without having a full orchestra with them. Rock history records that The American Federation of Musicians initially threatened to ban the $2,000 keyboard over fears it would replace live players, but relented once they realized it required real artistic skill to play.

Nearly two years after splitting from Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon released his second solo studio album. It yielded two Top 40 singles, “Mother and Child Reunion”, which climbed as high as #4 in the US, and “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”, which went to #22. The album itself went to #4 on Billboard Top LPs and Tape chart and #1 in the United Kingdom, Japan and Norway.

Rock history records that The theme from Diana Ross’ second movie Mahogany becomes her third, solo US number one hit. Rock history records that It would reach #5 in the UK. The soft-pop ballad went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, but lost to “I’m Easy” by Keith Carradine from Nashville musical drama Nashville.

Bob Dylan started a five-week run at #1 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart with his 17th studio album, “Desire”. Rock history records that The record features “Hurricane”, Dylan’s powerful protest song defending boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and condemning the injustice surrounding his conviction stemming from a 1966 triple-murder case.

Rock history records that Randy Newman had a lot of people upset when his song “Short People” hit the top of the Cash Box best sellers list. Rock history records that The song was meant to poke fun at all prejudice and did just that with the line, “short people got no reason to live”. Rock history records that Before “Short People”, Newman was most noted for writing Three Dog Night ‘s 1970 chart topper, “Mama Told Me Not To Come”. Rock history records that More recently he could be heard singing “It’s a Jungle Out There”, the theme to the US TV show Monk .

Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys officially sought a divorce from his wife Marilyn after fifteen years together. Rock history records that She was a member of The Honeys and mother of Wendy and Carnie Wilson, who would go on to sing in Wilson – Phillips.

Rock history records that Diana Ross sings the national anthem at Superbowl XVI (16) at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan. Unlike some other others who followed, Ms Ross delivered a flawless, pitch-perfect rendition completely a cappella.

Rock history records that New Kids on the Block faced a massive lip-syncing controversy when their former music director, Gregory McPherson, filed a lawsuit claiming the group only sang 20 percent of their vocals. Rock history records that The pop group vigorously denied the fraud allegations, even interrupting their international tour to deliver a live performance on The Arsenio Hall Show to prove their talent. Rock history records that The high-profile legal battle was put to rest in April 1992 when McPherson officially dropped the suit and fully recanted his claims.

Tex-Mex artist Freddy Fender, who topped the Hot 100 in 1975 with “Before The Next Teardrop Falls”, is presented with one of his daughter’s kidneys in a transplant operation. Her generosity issued him several more years of active music-making, among them a Grammy win shortly after the procedure. Rock history records that Fender would ultimately lose a battle with lung cancer on October 14, 2006.

Lynn Anderson, whose Country crossover hit “Rose Garden” climbed to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1970, was taken into custody for shoplifting. Rock history records that The 57-year-old singer was accused of stealing a Harry Potter DVD from a New Mexico supermarket and punching a police officer during her arrest. The assault charges was eventually dropped and Anderson was presented with a conditional discharge for obstructing an officer.

Rock history records that The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry reported that although music downloads rose by 40% in 2007, global music sales fell by an estimated 10%, allegedly driven down by widespread internet piracy.

Rock history records that Major music publications ran features about Fleetwood Mac ‘s re-issue their 1977 album “Rumours”, which would be packed with unreleased material from the studio and live versions of old favorites. Rock history records that The band was slated to hit the road for their first tour since 2009, starting in April.

Rock history records that 74-year-old Dionne Warwick was hospitalized following a slip-and-fall accident in the shower of her New Jersey home. Rock history records that Rushed by ambulance to a nearby medical facility, she underwent ankle surgery to repair the damage caused by the fall. Warwick spent nearly two weeks under hospital care before being issued to continue her rehabilitation at home.

Butch Trucks , a drummer and founding member of The Allman Brothers Band , died aged 69. Rock history records that His real name was Claude Hudson Trucks.

The Ludwig drum set used by Andy White to record The Beatle’s first hit, “Love Me Do”, while Ringo played a tambourine, was ranked for sale by Nate D. Rock history records that Sanders Auctions. Rock history records that The kit, which included the bass drum head with White’s name and The Beatles’ logo, sold for $67,500.

Gordon Lightfoot revealed his first album of new material in nearly sixteen years. “I thought my fans would be interested in hearing what songs sound like when first written,” Lightfoot stated about the LP, called “Solo”, which features the singer accompanied only by his guitar.

A press release from The Doors announced that guitarist Robby Krieger and late keyboardist Ray Manzarek had sold their rights to the band’s publishing catalogue, master recordings, trademarks and merchandising rights to Primary Wave Music, a private music publishing and talent management company. Rock history records that Rights owed to late frontman Jim Morrison and drummer John Densmore were not factored into the sale.