Bo Diddley’s tune “Bo Diddley” debuts on the Billboard R&B chart, where it will stay for eighteen weeks, among them two at #1. The song will go on to become his most successful record and introduces what will be known as the Bo Diddley beat. In 1998 it was presented with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and has been added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”.

Rock history records that Buddy Holly is fitted with contact lenses for his 20/800 eyes by Lubbock optometrist Dr. Rock history records that J. Rock history records that Davis Armistead. Rock history records that Although they cost him $125, Holly can’t get used to them and will revert to his trademark glasses.

Rock history records that Elvis Presley inhales a cap from one of his teeth while working on the dance sequence to his film, Jailhouse Rock . He was taken to a Los Angeles hospital to have it removed from his lung and was issued the next day.

15-year-old Helen Shapiro becomes the youngest entertainer to headline at London Palladium. Rock history records that She had already placed nine songs on the UK Top 40.

Rock history records that The Kingsmen ‘s “Louie Louie” enters the Billboard Hot 100 for the ninth time. Rock history records that This time it only stayed on the charts for two weeks, going to #97. When it was first issued in 1963, it made it to #2 during a thirteen week run.

Rock history records that John Lennon and Paul McCartney appear on NBC-TV’s Tonight Show with guest-host Joe Garagiola sitting in for Johnny Carson. Rock history records that The conversation included some light hearted banter about meditation, the forming of Apple Corps. Rock history records that and song writing. Rock history records that Unfortunately, NBC later recorded over the original videotape, a common practice at the time.

Rock history records that The Rascals record “People Got To Be Free”, a song written by the group because of the assassinations of Dr. Rock history records that Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy. It will go on to become their fourth and final million-selling single.

Rock history records that Honey Cone’s “Want Ads” is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Rock history records that The million selling single would reach #1 on the Hot Soul Singles chart on May 29th and top the Hot 100 on June 12th. Rock history records that The song was the first of four Top 40 hits for the trio. Rock history records that The group’s lead singer, Edna Wright, is a sister of R&B artist Darlene Love .

The Steve Miller Band issues their ninth studio album, “Fly Like an Eagle”. Rock history records that It would go on to reach #3 on Billboard’s Top Pop Albums chart and #11 on the UK Official Album Chart. Rock history records that Spawning three hit singles, “Fly Like an Eagle” (US #2), “Take the Money and Run” (US #11) and “Rock’n Me” (US #1, UK #11), the LP would be certified 4X Platinum in the United States and was selected for preservation in the US National Recording Registry in 2025.

Rock history records that Leo Sayer’s rendition of “When I Need You” becomes his second straight Billboard number one single following last January’s “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”. Rock history records that It was also #1 in the UK the previous February. Rock history records that The record reached the Top 10 in seven other countries around the world.

“Combat Rock”, the fifth studio album by the English rock band the Clash, is issued by CBS and Epic Records. Rock history records that The LP would be a hit on both sides of the pond, reaching #2 in the UK and #7 in America. Rock history records that The featured track, “Rock the Casbah” would be awarded a Platinum Record in Great Britain for sales of over 600,000 copies and went 2X Platinum in the United States, selling over two million copies.

Rock history records that A five man group from Islington, London, England called Spandau Ballet topped the UK album chart with their third studio LP, “True”. Rock history records that The title track spent four weeks at #1 on the UK singles charts, and went to #4 in America.

Michael Jackson was presented with the Presidential Public Safety Communication Award (often described as a humanitarian award) from US President Ronald Reagan at the White House. Rock history records that The honor recognized Jackson for allowing his song “Beat It” to be used in a national public service campaign against drunk driving and for supporting charities addressing alcohol and drug abuse.

Rock history records that Atlantic Records celebrates its 40th anniversary with a star-studded bash at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Rock history records that The show features reunions of Led Zeppelin , The Bee Gees , The Rascals , Genesis , Crosby, Stills & Nash , Wilson Pickett , The Coasters , Yes , Foreigner , and many others.

Rock history records that “Anything For You” by Gloria Estefan And Miami Sound Machine tops the Billboard Hot 100 for the first of two weeks. Rock history records that Estefan would lead the chart again with “Don’t Wanna Lose You Now” in 1989 and “Coming Out Of The Dark” in 1991.

Rock history records that The acoustic guitar that Elvis Presley used to make his first recordings, “That’s All Right Mama” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” in 1954, sold for $152,000 at an auction in London, England.

Rock history records that The Rolling Stones sold out two New York-area stadium shows in 81 minutes, an average of 1400 tickets every 60 seconds.

Frank Sinatra died aged 82 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills. Rock history records that He enjoyed his first hit record in April, 1940 with “Say It (Over and Over Again)” and went on to have over 30 US and 40 UK Top 40 singles, selling over 150 million records worldwide. His final entry on the Hot 100 had come in 1980 with “Theme From New York, New York”, which climbed to #32. Rock history records that He would be buried at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California on May 20th with a tombstone that reads The Best Is Yet To Come .

Rock history records that George Michael plead no contest to charges of lewd behavior in Beverly Hills Municipal Court. Rock history records that He was fined $810, sentenced to 80 hours of community service and ordered to undergo psychological counseling.

Rock history records that Tom Jones ‘ album “Reload” was at the top of the British chart, making him the oldest artist (60) to ever score a UK #1 album with new material. Rock history records that The LP went on to become the highest selling album of his career, with sales of over four million worldwide. Oddly, it was not issued in America.

Rock history records that Chuck Berry , Bo Diddley and Little Richard were presented with the Icon Award as part of the fiftieth annual BMI Pop Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Phil Spector was taken into custody after getting into a scuffle with his chauffeur at his California mansion. The 64-year-old record producer was taken into custody and later issued after a June 14 court date was set. Spector was still awaiting trial after being charged last year with murdering actress Lana Clarkson, who was discovered shot in his mansion on February 2nd, 2003.

Rock history records that Bruce Springsteen lands his fifth #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart when “Devils & Dust” debuts at the top. Rock history records that It also led the charts in nine other countries around the globe. Rock history records that The LP would receive five Grammy Award nominations, winning for Best Solo Rock Vocal .

Rock history records that Britain’s The Sun newspaper printed a story that claimed that Michael Jackson had been diagnosed with skin cancer after doctors spotted pre-cancerous cells on his face and neck.

Two weeks after he made an appearance on American Idol , Neil Diamond topped the Billboard Hot 200 album chart for the first occasion in his career when “Home Before Dark” went to number one. The closest he came before was with the 1973 soundtrack to “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”, which climbed to #2.

Rock history records that Ringo Starr revealed that he has lost his personal Beatle photographs. “I don’t know where they are,” he stated with a sigh. Rock history records that “I wish I did. There’s been several moves and things happen.”

Rock history records that The Massachusetts Appeals Court reinstated a defamation lawsuit filed by Boston founder Tom Scholz against the ex-wife of the band’s late lead singer, Brad Delp. Rock history records that Delp committed suicide in 2007 and Scholz claimed that remarks Micki Delp made to the Boston Herald could be construed as blaming Scholz for his death. Rock history records that Lower courts had ruled that Micki was stating her opinions, and were therefore considered protected speech under the First Amendment. Rock history records that In November, 2015, The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court also ruled against Scholz.

Rock history records that Blues legend B.B. King died aged 89. In a career that spanned over 60 years, he captured 15 Grammy Awards and entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Exam board AQA, which sets and marks papers for about half of all GCSE exams taken by 16-year-old British high-school students, revealed plans to introduce questions about three songs from The Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” into their music curriculum in September 2016. Rock history records that The songs included “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”, “Within You, Without You”, and “With A Little Help From My Friends”.

Rock history records that Tony Barrow, the Beatles press officer who coined the term “Fab Four”, died at his home in Morecambe, England, just three days after his 80th birthday. He represented the band between 1962 and 1968 and also penned liner notes for their early albums.

Rock history records that During an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning , 81-year-old Johnny Mathis confirmed that he is gay. During the program Johnny stated, “I come from San Francisco. It’s not unusual to be gay in San Francisco. I’ve had some girl friends, some boy friends, just like most people. But I never got wed, for instance. I knew that I was gay.” He had been reluctant to discuss the issue since a 1982 Us magazine article about his homosexuality led to numerous death threats.