Rock history records that Wilbert Harrison’s recording of Leiber and Stoller’s “Kansas City” rose to the top of the Billboard singles chart. Cover versions by Hank Ballard And The Midnighters, Rocky Olson, Rockin’ Ronald & The Rebels, and Little Richard all made an appearance in March of 1959, but the Harrison version was by far the most popular. Rock history records that Further success for Harrison would have to wait until 1970 when “Let’s Work Together” made it to number 32 in the US.

Rock history records that Lesley Gore ‘s “It’s My Party” enters Billboard’s Top 40, where it will reach #1. Rock history records that It will also become a Top Ten hit in the UK.

Rock history records that The Beatles kicked off their first British tour as a headline act with a concert in Slough, England. Rock history records that Roy Orbison and Gerry And The Pacemakers also appear on the bill. Rock history records that Although Orbison was originally intended to be the headlining act, the reaction to The Beatles caused them to be promoted to co-headliners, closing the show in the traditional headlining spot.

After hitting #22 the previous year with “Twistin’ Matilda”, Jimmy Soul climbed to #1 on the Billboard chart with “If You Wanna Be Happy”, a song about the benefits of marrying an ugly woman. Rock history records that It would prove to be his final entry as the follow-up, “Treat ‘Em Tough” flopped completely, after which Jimmy entered the US Army. Rock history records that Soul, whose real name was James Louis McCleese, died of a heart attack in 1988, aged 45.

Rock history records that The Animals record “House Of The Rising Sun” in one take at De Lane Lea Studios on Kingsway in London. Rock history records that The song would top the UK singles chart the following July and reach number one in America two months later. Rock history records that In 1999, the record was given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

Rock history records that The Hollies record “Bus Stop” at EMI Studios in London. The song will go on to become the band’s twelfth UK hit, rising to #5, and their second to reach the Top 40 in America where it also went to the fifth position.

Reprise Records issues Tiny Tim ‘s rendition of “Tiptoe through the Tulips”, a remake of a 1929 hit for Nick Lucas. Rock history records that Although he recorded the novelty tune in falsetto, the 36-year-old Tim, whose real name was Herbert Khaury, actually had a beautiful voice. Rock history records that “Tiptoe” would climb to #17 in America in mid-June.

It should have been a great time in the life of Archie Bell when his song “Tighten Up” climbed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rock history records that Instead, he was resting in a West German hospital after he injured his leg in a truck accident while stationed in Germany with the US Army. Rock history records that Although the record was a big hit in the US, it didn’t chart at all in the UK.

Rock history records that Ray Stevens had the whole country saying “Don’t look Ethel”, the hook line from his second straight Billboard chart topper, “The Streak”. Rock history records that Somehow the song sold a million copies in the United States, earning a Gold Record. Rock history records that It would also lead the hit parade in the UK a month later.

Rock history records that Forty-four people were injured, four seriously, in a riot at a Bay City Rollers concert at the Mallory Park racetrack in Leicestershire, England. Rock history records that The band was set up in the middle of a small lake and throngs of fans tried to swim out to meet them. Rock history records that Pandemonium ensued and The Rollers never got to perform.

The Buddy Holly Story , starring Gary Busey as rock-and-roll pioneer Buddy Holly, had its regional premiere in several Texas and Oklahoma cities, among them Holly’s hometown of Lubbock, Texas. The movie will be a critical and commercial success, although insiders stated it had little historical accuracy. Rock history records that Busey would later be nominated for an Oscar Award for his performance in the film, but lost to Jon Voight for his role in the war drama Coming Home .

Diana Ross officially signed a $20 million, seven-year recording contract with RCA Records, ending her over 20-year association with Motown Records. Rock history records that At the time, it was the most lucrative recording contract in music history and gave Ross significant artistic and production control over her albums.

Rock history records that The Scottish Rock band Simple Minds make their breakthrough in North America when “Don’t You (Forget About Me”) tops the Billboard singles chart. Rock history records that The song was written specifically for the film The Breakfast Club and was only the second tune recorded by the group that they did not write.

Rock history records that Just six weeks after being charged with assaulting his wife with intent to murder, James Brown spent the night in jail on charges of drug possession and fleeing from police. Rock history records that The assault charge was eventually dropped after Adrienne Brown declined to testify, but the drug and failure to stop for police charges resulted in The Godfather Of Soul being sentenced to six years in prison.

Rock history records that A judge in Tampa, Florida gave permission to original Byrds drummer Michael Clarke to continue using the Byrds’ name for another group he had formed.

Rock history records that Bette Midler stars in the Seinfeld episode “The Understudy”. Rock history records that The plot has George (Jason Alexander) crashing into catcher Bette Midler to score the winning run during a softball game. Rock history records that Kramer (Michael Richards) then goes out of his way to help Bette, becoming a huge nuisance in her life.

Rock history records that The Isley Brothers were at the top of the US album chart with “Body Kiss”, the group’s first US #1 in over thirty years.

Clint Warwick, the original bassist for The Moody Blues , died from liver disease aged 63. Clint departed the band in 1966 after playing on their only number one hit, “Go Now”.

Rock history records that Gordon Lightfoot made a triumphant return to the stage at Massey Hall in Toronto, two years after he nearly died from an abdominal aneurysm. Rock history records that Greeted by a standing ovation, he quipped, “Sorry I’m late.”

Rock history records that Lawyers for Michael Jackson dropped an effort to block an auction of the Pop star’s personal belongings and other Jackson family items after a confidential agreement had been reached with representatives of an auctioneer, the current owner of the materials, and a New Jersey man who claimed a warehouse full of Jackson memorabilia after a failed business venture wound up in bankruptcy court.

Rock history records that Four days after suffering a stroke, Bo Diddley walked around the intensive-care unit at Creighton University Medical Center and doctors were encouraged that the singer-songwriter-guitarist would be able to perform again. Rock history records that Unfortunately, the only time he ever sang in public was an impromptu, one song performance at the unveiling of a plaque devoted to him in early November. Rock history records that He would pass away after suffering heart failure at his home on June 2nd, 2008.

Jerry Vale, a crooner who placed thirty-four songs in the Top 100 of the Billboard Pop and Adult Contemporary charts between 1953 and 1971, died of natural causes aged 83. Rock history records that Born Genaro Louis Vitaliano, he is most often remembered for the songs, “You Don’t Know Me” (#14 in 1956), “Have You Looked Into Your Heart” (#24 in 1965) and “Pretend You Don’t See Her”, which was featured in Martin Scorcese’s 1990 film, Goodfellas .

UK born Country artist Frank Ifeild died in Sydney, Australia aged 86. He enjoyed seventeen Top 40 hits in Great Britain, among them four number ones, “I Remember You”, “Lovesick Blues”, “The Wayward Wind” and “Confessin’ That I Love You”. Rock history records that He cracked the Billboard Top 40 just once, with “I Remember You” in 1962.