Dick Clark reveals his first Caravan of Stars tour, which would feature The Skyliners , who were still riding high on their hit “Since I Don’t Have You”. Rock history records that Chubby Checker, Duane Eddy, Bobby Darin, Fabian, Buddy Holly, Annette Funicello and Bo Diddley also toured with the Caravan. Rock history records that This landmark announcement followed a new partnership between Clark and promoter Irvin Feld (who later owned Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus ( and Barnum to organize high-profile Rock ‘n’ Roll package tours.

Rock history records that The US Army grants Jimi Hendrix an honorable discharge on the basis of unsuitability. A month earlier his platoon sergeant filed a report that stated: “He has no interest whatsoever in the Army…. It is my opinion that Private Hendrix will never come up to the standards required of a soldier. I feel that the military service will benefit if he is discharged as soon as possible.” Hendrix would later falsely claim that he had was presented with a medical discharge after breaking his ankle during his 26th parachute jump.

Motown Records issues The Contours version of “Do You Love Me” on the Gordy label. Rock history records that The song, written by Berry Gordy, would reach #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The same tune would top the UK charts in October, 1963 for Brian Poole And The Tremeloes, and climbed to #11 for The Dave Clark Five in June, 1964.

Del Shannon ‘s cover version of the Beatles’ “From Me To You” went on to become the first song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, where it would stay for four weeks, reaching #77. Rock history records that The Beatles’ rendition climbed to #116. Rock history records that The title of the song was inspired from a letters column called From You To Us that ran in the popular British music newspaper, The New Musical Express .

Neil Diamond made his US national television debut on American Bandstand , where he played what would go on to become his first Billboard Top 40 hit, “Cherry, Cherry”. Rock history records that The song would reach #6 next October and start an amazing string of thirty-eight chart entries.

Rock history records that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones were found guilty in London, England on drug possession charges resulting from arrests in February. Jagger received a sentence of three months in jail and Richards to a year, but the pair would only spend one night in custody. Rock history records that On July 31, 1967, the Court of Appeal overturned Richards’ conviction due to a lack of evidence and reduced Jagger’s sentence to a conditional discharge.

Rock history records that Donovan ‘s “Hurdy Gurdy Man” enters the Billboard Top 40, where it will reach #5. Rock history records that A hurdy-gurdy is a string instrument that produces sound by a hand-crank-turned, rosined wheel rubbing against the strings. Rock history records that The wheel functions much like a violin bow, and single notes played on the instrument sound similar to those of a violin.

Rock history records that Tiny Tim ‘s “Tiptoe Through the Tulips With Me” peaks at #17 in the US. Rock history records that The original version of the song, recorded by Nick Lucas in 1929, held the #1 position for ten weeks. Rock history records that Although Tim’s falsetto performance caused many to believe that he had no real talent, he actually possessed a beautiful voice which he showcased during live performances.

Rock history records that 29-year-old American Soul singer Shorty Long drowned after his boat capsized after being swamped by the wake of a passing freighter on the Detroit River. Rock history records that A year earlier, Shorty, whose real name was Frederick Earl Long, enjoyed a Billboard #8 single with the novelty song “Here Comes The Judge”. Rock history records that He also served as an MC for many of the Motown Revue shows and tours. Five months after his death, Motown issued his final album, “The Prime of Shorty Long”.

Rock history records that The Status Quo achieve their only hit record in America when “Pictures Of Matchstick Men” enters the Billboard Top 40, where it will top out at #12. Guitarist Francis Rossi stated he penned most of the song while sitting in a toilet, trying to get away from his wife and mother-in-law. Shortly after the song went on to become a hit, the band dropped “The” from their name.

Rock history records that The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their final concert with the original lineup of Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding, and Mitch Mitchell at Mile High Stadium during the Denver Pop Festival. The band played several of their most famous tracks, among them “Fire”, “Foxy Lady”, “Purple Haze”, and a pre-Woodstock rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Rock history records that Following the show, bassist Noel Redding immediately quit the group and flew back to London, citing growing tensions and Hendrix’s desire to expand the band without consulting him.

Rock history records that The City Council of Memphis, Tennessee voted to officially change the name of a twelve mile stretch of Highway 51 South to Elvis Presley Boulevard. Rock history records that The official renaming ceremony and the erection of the first street sign took place on January 17, 1972 and was attended by Memphis Mayor Wyeth Chandler and Elvis’s father, Vernon Presley.

Rock history records that Ian Gillan officially leaves Deep Purple at the conclusion of their show in Osaka, Japan. Rock history records that He had submitted a letter of resignation some time earlier due to exhaustion and internal tensions. Rock history records that Graham Bonnet will briefly take his place before David Coverdale comes on board.

Rock history records that Canada’s Gordon Lightfoot scores his first US number one single with “Sundown”. Rock history records that It also topped the Easy Listening chart and made it to #13 on the Hot Country Singles chart. Lightfoot’s best previous outing had been “If You Could Read My Mind” which climbed to #5 in 1971.

Elton John makes a surprise appearance at a concert at the Oakland Coliseum with The Eagles and The Doobie Brothers . Rock history records that He would perform a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Oh Carol” during the Eagles encore and played played piano on “Listen to the Music” with The Doobies.

Tim Buckley, a popular performer and song writer during the 1960s and early ’70s, died from a drug overdose aged 28. Between 1966 and 1974 he had issued nine albums.

Rock history records that Peter Frampton is involved in an auto accident in The Bahamas. Rock history records that He suffers a broken arm and cracked ribs and will be laid up for several months.

Lowell George, the slide guitarist who left The Mothers of Invention to form Little Feat, died of a massive heart attack in his Arlington, Virginia, hotel room aged 34.

Rock history records that Bruce Springsteen kicks off his Born In The USA tour in St. Paul, Minnesota with Nils Lofgren replacing newly departed Steve Van Zandt on guitar. Rock history records that Van Zandt would return to The E Street Band when it was reformed briefly in 1995, and on an ongoing occasional basis in 1999. Rock history records that During his absence, Van Zandt took one of the core roles in The Sopranos , playing level-headed but deadly mob consigliore and strip club owner, Silvio Dante. It was during this show that Springsteen filmed the iconic music video for “Dancing in the Dark”, with a then-unknown Courteney Cox.

The Cooper-Hewitt Museum, a part of the Smithsonian Institute, auctions off John Lennon’s 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V at Sotheby’s in New York. Rock history records that The car, which Lennon donated to the museum in 1977, was sold to the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum for a then record price of $2,299,000. Rock history records that When John had the car painted from its original black in April, 1967 it drew some public outrage. Rock history records that An old woman in London’s downtown attacked the car using her umbrella and yelling: “You swine, you swine! How dare you do this to a Rolls-Royce!”

MCA Records issues Tiffany ‘s self-titled debut album. Rock history records that It would go on to peak at #1 on Billboard’s Top Pop Albums chart for two weeks, making the 16-year-old the youngest female artist to top that list. Rock history records that Certified 4X Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, the album sold over seven million copies worldwide. Rock history records that The LP contains her biggest hit single, a remake of Tommy James ‘ “I Think We’re Alone Now”, which went to number one in both the US and the UK. James’ original climbed as high as #4 in April, 1967.

Brenda Richie, the wife of Pop star Lionel Richie , was taken into custody in Beverly Hills, California after allegedly hitting the singer and another woman, Diane Alexander, after she found them together. She was issued on $5,000 bail and charges against her were eventually dropped. Lionel would later lament, “That’s the saddest day in the life of a marriage. When you know you may love each other, still, and you have a history that you will always have, but it’s over. And you know it.” The couple divorced in 1993, and in 1995, Richie wed Alexander. Rock history records that That union would end in 2004.

Rock history records that The British newspaper The Guardian reported that many compact discs would fade and distort over the next few years due to manufacturing defects, causing panic throughout the music industry. Rock history records that The general consensus among music lovers later changed, and it is now believed that most properly manufactured CDs are estimated to last between 50 and 200 years.

Rock history records that Tom Jones is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame at 6608 Hollywood Boulevard. Rock history records that He was accompanied at the ceremony by his mother, Freda, and his sister, Sheila. Rock history records that At the time, he had placed twenty-seven songs on the UK Top 40 chart and eighteen on the Billboard Top 40.

Rock history records that Barbra Streisand shattered records by grossing $16 million during her high-profile comeback residency at Madison Square Garden. Rock history records that These landmark shows featured unprecedented ticket prices, which ranged from $50 up to $1,000 for premier charity seating. The performances were captured for her live album, “The Concert”, which rose to #10 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned triple-Platinum certification.

Rock history records that Ringo Starr’s first-ever TV commercial, for Pizza Hut, debuts in the US. Rock history records that The 30-second spot teased a reunion of “the lads,” which turned out to be members of The Monkees, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork, instead of Ringo’s former Beatles bandmates. Rock history records that A devout vegetarian, Starr later claimed that making the ad was the first time he ever ate pizza.

George Harrison reveals that he had been receiving radiation treatment for throat cancer caused by smoking. Harrison states he had been given a clean bill of health by saying, “I’m not going to die on you folks just yet.” That sad event would take place on November 29th, 2001.

German pianist Horst Jankowski, who climbed to #12 in the US and #3 in the UK with “A Walk In The Black Forrest” in 1965, died of lung cancer aged 62.

Rock history records that Gene Simmons of KISS films a music video in downtown Los Angeles that featured a cast of porn stars.

Rock history records that Vandals desecrate the graves of Lynyrd Skynyrd ‘s Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. Rock history records that Van Zant’s casket was pulled out of its marble mausoleum and left on the ground, but not opened, while Gaines’ urn was removed from its mausoleum, and his cremated remains were spilled onto the grass. Rock history records that Officials estimated that 99% of the ashes were later recovered. A few weeks later, the families chose to move the remains to undisclosed, more secure locations to prevent further tampering.

Al Jardine took legal action against the remaining members of The Beach Boys for $4 million, alleging that they were excluding him from playing in the band. Rock history records that The suit would prove unsuccessful and Jardine was later force to be billed as Al Jardine, Family, And Friends and Al Jardine And The Endless Summer Beach Band.

Rosemary Clooney, one of the most popular singers in America in the 1940s and 1950s, died of lung cancer aged 74. Rock history records that Among her biggest hits were “Come On-a My House” (#1 in 1949), “This Ole House” (#1 in 1953) and “Hey There” (#1 in 1954). Rock history records that She was actor George Clooney’s paternal aunt.

George McCorkle, the rhythm guitarist for The Marshall Tucker Band , died of cancer aged 60. He penned many MTB songs, among them the band’s first Country Top 40 hit, “Fire on the Mountain”.

News reports surfaced that Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie, had sought a divorce from her fourth husband, Michael Lockwood, just months after the couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary last January. Rock history records that The legal process was extremely contentious and was not finalized until May, 2021, nearly five years after the original filing. Lisa Marie had previously been wed to Danny Keough from 1988 until 1994, Michael Jackson from 1994 to 1999 and Nicolas Cage from 2002 to 2004.

Eugene Pitt, the lead vocalist for The Jive Five, who scored a Billboard #3 hit with “My True Story” in 1961, died aged 80. Rock history records that The group charted on the Hot 100 with three other songs, “Never Never” (#74 in 1961), “What Time Is It?” (#67 in 1962) and “I’m A Happy Man” (#36 in 1965).

Gary Duncan, guitarist and vocalist for the influential San Francisco Psychedelic Rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service , died aged 72. Rock history records that Never known for hit singles, the group still placed eight albums on the Billboard charts between 1968 and 1975.

Benny Mardones , most often remembered for his 1980, #11 hit, “Into The Night” died aged 73 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Rock history records that He achieved the rare feat of having that same song return to the Billboard chart when it rose to #20 in 1989 after Phoenix, Arizona radio station KZZP started playing it again.

Former Uriah Heep vocalist John Lawton died aged 74. Lawton became part of the band in 1976, replacing original lead singer David Byron just as the band was working on its 10th album, “Firefly”. Rock history records that A year later, the LP “Innocent Victim” would produce the huge, international hit, “Free Me”. Rock history records that Though Lawton would leave the band in 1979, he remained on good terms with his former bandmates.