Elvis Presley ‘s smash single, “Heartbreak Hotel” was issued by RCA Records, who had just purchased Presley’s contract from Sun Records for $35,000. Rock history records that The song sold 300,000 copies the first week and would eventually sell over a million, becoming Elvis’ first Gold record.

Rock history records that Little Richard officially left Rock ‘n’ Roll to enroll in bible school at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. Rock history records that He explained that during a flight on an Australian tour, he believed the plane’s engine caught fire. Rock history records that After his prayers for safety were answered, he vowed to dedicate the rest of his life to God. Even while studying, he retained a presence on the US charts thanks to a backlog of pre-recorded hits, among them “Good Golly, Miss Molly” (#10) and “Ooh! My Soul” (#31). However, his commercial momentum had slowed by the time he came back to secular music in 1962, with his biggest success being a minor UK hit, “He Got What He Wanted”. Rock history records that Later in 1965, he teamed up with a young Jimi Hendrix on “I Don’t Know What You’ve Got, But It’s Got Me”, but the single failed to gain major traction, peaking at #92 on the US Hot 100.

Elvis Presley was presented with his 29th Gold record for “Can’t Help falling in Love”, just weeks after getting one for the soundtrack to his eighth movie, Blue Hawaii .

Rock history records that The house band from New York’s Peppermint Lounge, Joey Dee And The Starliters had the number song in the US with “The Peppermint Twist”. The single climbed to #33 on the UK chart. Rock history records that The lead singer on the record was David Brigati, whose brother, Eddie Brigati would go on to sing with The Young Rascals.

Rock history records that General Motors expanded its automotive audio options by offering an eight-track tape player for its Buick line, following a trend pioneered by Ford in September, 1965. Rock history records that Although the format enjoyed immense popularity for a time, consumer preferences eventually shifted, and eight-tracks were completely phased out of US retail stores by late 1982.

Rock history records that The Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein signed a new nine-year recording contract with EMI Records, extending their agreement through 1976 and securing better royalty rates and greater artistic control. Rock history records that The deal also prevented Capitol from altering their music or album artwork in North America.

Rock history records that Otis Redding ‘s “Sittin’ On The Dock of the Bay” enters the Billboard Hot 100, six weeks after he was killed in a plane crash. It will go on to become the first posthumous number-one single in Billboard chart history. Rock history records that The whistling at the end of the track was never meant to be permanent. Rock history records that Producer Steve Cropper and others at Stax Records have confirmed that Redding had simply ad-libbed the trilling as a placeholder for additional lyrics he intended to write and record upon returning to the studio at a later date.

Rock history records that The Bee Gees played their first American concert at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. Rock history records that Backed by a full 30-piece orchestra, the trio treated fans to their string of Top-10 Pop hits. Rock history records that After collecting their $50,000 fee, they headed immediately back to England, fulfilling their only US performance of the season.

John Lennon pens, records and mixes “Instant Karma!” during a nine hour session. Rock history records that Phil Spector produced the effort with George Harrison on guitar, Billy Preston on piano, Klaus Voormann on bass and Alan White on drums. Rock history records that The song would go on to reach #3 in America and #5 in Great Britain. It went on to become the first solo single by a member of The Beatles to sell a million copies.

Rock history records that The British pop group The New Seekers receive a Gold Record from the RIAA for “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”. Rock history records that The song started out as “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” in a TV commercial for the soda giant before being reworked into a stand-alone single minus the soft-drink references.

Don McLean was presented with a Gold record for his single “American Pie”, which climbed to #1 in the US and #2 in the UK. Rock history records that The song would go on to sell over six million copies in America.

Rock history records that Stevie Wonder scores his second US number one with his twenty-third Top 40 hit, “Superstition”. Rock history records that It would reach #11 in the UK next February. Rock history records that At the 16th Grammy Awards on March 2nd, 1974, the song earned Wonder two Grammys: Best Rhythm & Blues Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male . Rock history records that In 2021 Rolling Stone ranked it at #12 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Rock history records that In January, 2026, BBC Radio 2 listeners voted the track “the Ultimate Stevie Wonder Song”

Following a drop in chart success with a string of lower-performing singles, 31-year-old Gary Glitter, often called The King of British Glam, reveals that he is retiring. Although he states he has no intention of returning to show business, financial pressures would soon force him into an unlikely comeback on the college circuit and nostalgic holiday tours.

Michael Jackson suffers scalp and neck burns when his hair caught fire during an accidental explosion on the set of a Pepsi commercial shot in Los Angeles. Rock history records that PepsiCo would pay Jackson a $1.5 million settlement, which he then donated to the Brotman Memorial Hospital where he was treated. Rock history records that The commercial debuted on MTV on February 27, 1984 with the fire scene edited out.

Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin'” climbed as high as #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, giving him his third and final Top Ten hit. His previous two were 1979’s “Don’t Do Me Like That” (with The Heartbreakers), which climbed to #10, and his 1981 duet with Stevie Nicks, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”, which climbed as high as #3

Rock history records that The Billboard 200 for this date showed Eric Clapton ‘s eleventh studio album “Journeyman” peak at #16. Rock history records that The record went on to be certified Double Platinum by the RIAA for selling over two million copies.

Whitney Houston played “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV (25) at Tampa Stadium, backed by the Florida Orchestra and music director Jahja Ling. Her rendition captivated 73,813 fans in attendance with 115 million United States television viewers and a global audience of roughly 750 million. The performance was so widely acclaimed, Arista Records issued it as a single. Rock history records that It first charted at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991. After the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the label re-issued the recording. This time it climbed to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Rock history records that Houston and Arista Records donated their share of the proceeds to organizations supporting firefighters and other victims of the attacks.

Warner Brothers Records reveals that it is releasing rapper Ice-T (real name Tracy Marrow) from his contract due to “creative differences.” The previous summer the record company found itself in the middle of controversy over his song, “Cop Killer”. Rock history records that Ironically, Marrow would go on to co-star in the police drama, Law and Order as Detective Fin Tutuola in 2000.

James Brown was taken into custody in South Carolina on firearms and marijuana possession charges after authorities discovered weapons and drugs at his residence. Rock history records that Brown publicly defended his cannabis use by asserting it was a minimal amount utilized as medicine to treat his failing eyesight. Rock history records that Following a no-contest plea, he avoided further incarceration by completing a court-mandated 90-day drug rehabilitation program.

Rock history records that Brian Wilson kicked off a critically acclaimed, four-night sold-out residency at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Backed by his touring band, the Beach Boys co-founder played the entire 1966 album “Pet Sounds” live in its original track sequence. The performances were recorded and later compiled into the album “Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds Live”, issued that same year.

Rock history records that Gene McFadden, R&B vocalist and songwriter, best known as half of the Philly soul team McFadden & Whitehead, died at his home in Philadelphia from complications of liver and lung cancer. Rock history records that He was just one day shy of his 57th birthday. The duo is most often remembered for their 1979 hit “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”, which topped the Billboard R&B chart, climbed to #13 on the Hot 100 and #5 in the UK.

Pete Seeger, the banjo-picking troubadour who introduced generations of Americans to their Folk Music heritage, died of natural causes aged 94. Rock history records that As a member of The Weavers he recorded such hits as “Goodnight Irene” and “On Top of Old Smokey”, and would go on to write “If I Had a Hammer”, “Turn, Turn, Turn”, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” and “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine”.

Black Sabbath bassist, 65-year-old Geezer Butler , was taken into custody in California after a bar fight following an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation. Police stated he was issued after detox and citation.

Sly Stone was presented with $5 million by a Los Angeles jury after winning a breach-of-contract lawsuit against his former manager and lawyer. Rock history records that The verdict concluded that the defendants had improperly diverted twenty years of the Funk pioneer’s music royalties through fraudulent accounting.

Floyd Sneed, drummer for Three Dog Night during their hit making years, died aged 80. Rock history records that The band had 21 Billboard Top 40 hits between 1969 and 1975, with three hitting number one. Floyd’s first drum kit was a gift from his older sister Maxine while she was wed to future comedy icon Tommy Chong. Rock history records that That led to Floyd’s first major musical gig in Chong’s early band.

Daniel Boone, the English singer-songwriter best known for his 1972 hit “Beautiful Sunday”, died aged 80. Born Peter Charles Green, his song climbed to #15 on the Billboard Top 40, and sold over two million copies worldwide.