Rock history records that The first issue of The Melody Maker magazine went on sale in the UK. Rock history records that Advertised as being for “all who are interested in the production of popular music,” the first publication featured dance band news, a story about ukuleles, and how to read music by sight.

Rock history records that A funeral is held for American Rhythm-And-Blues singer Johnny Ace, who accidentally shot himself while playing with a pistol on December 25th, 1954. “Pledging My Love” would go on to become a posthumous R&B #1 hit for him for ten weeks beginning February 12th. Rock history records that That made him the first act to reach the Billboard Pop chart only after death.

Rock history records that Harry Belafonte’s version of the traditional Jamaican Folk song “Banana Boat” (Day-O) enters the Hot 100 where it will peak at #5 next March. Rock history records that It will prove to be the biggest of his nine US Top 100 hits.

After refusing to sign an oath that states they have never been members of the Communist party, the American Folk group The Weavers are removed from the line-up of NBC-TV’s Jack Parr Show . Rock history records that Years earlier, group members Pete Seeger and Lee Hays were identified as Communist Party USA members by FBI informant Harvey Matusow, (he later recanted.)

Roger Miller climbs to #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a most unusual song called “Do-Wacka-Do”. Rock history records that The lyrics tell the story of a man who would like to trade places with a friend: ” I wish I had your good luck charm, and you hadda do-wacka-do “. In the middle of next March, Miller would enjoy his biggest hit when “King Of The Road” climbed to #4 in America and #1 in the UK.

Elvis Presley’s soundtrack LP “Roustabout” rises to #1 on the Billboard Top LPs Chart. Rock history records that It would be certified Gold for sales of 500,000 copies on May 20th, 1988 by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Rock history records that Thirty thousand copies of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s album “Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins” were seized at Newark Liberty International Airport because the cover showed the couple completely naked. Following additional retail crackdowns by a Chicago vice squad, the album’s American distributor, Tetragrammaton Records, was forced to ship the remaining stock in plain brown paper wrappers to obscure imagery and keep the album on shelves.

George Harrison went on to become the first solo Beatle to have a #1 album in the US when “All Things Must Pass” went to the top of the Billboard chart for a seven week stay. Rock history records that It was eventually certified 6X Platinum by the RIAA and was ranked #437 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Rock history records that A cover version of Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Mr. Bojangles” by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band enters the Billboard Top 40 on its way to number nine. Rock history records that The record would stay on the chart for an impressive thirteen weeks, reached number two in Canada, number fifteen in Australia, but did not chart in the UK.

Country singer Tex Ritter died of a heart attack aged 68 while trying to bail a member of his band out of jail. Rock history records that He reached Billboard’s Top 100 chart six times and the Country chart twenty-five times between 1944 and 1974.

Suzi Quatro makes an appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Rock history records that After a string of UK hits, she now has her sights set on America, but despite being cast as Leather Tuscadero on TV’s Happy Days , her only Billboard Top 40 hit would be “Stublin’ In” with Smokie’s lead singer Chris Norman in 1979. Rock history records that Despite her lack of success in the United States she is reported to have sold over 50 million records worldwide.

Rock history records that Shock rocker Sid Vicious, bassist for the English Punk Rock band Sex Pistols, went on trial for stabbing his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen. Rock history records that The trial was never completed as Vicious died a month later of a heroin overdose. Rock history records that He had attempted suicide twice while in a cell after his arrest.

Blistex Inc., a major commercial lip balm manufacturer, revealed that Michael Jackson and Bono shared first place in their poll of ‘the most beautiful lips’ in America.

Rock history records that Tom Jones made a guest appearance on Late Night With David Letterman , performing his comeback tune, “Kiss”, a song he recorded with the British avant-garde, Synth-Pop group, The Art of Noise. Rock history records that It was his first US hit in almost a dozen years, following his January 1977 Country-Pop hit “Say You’ll Stay Until Tomorrow”.

Rock history records that Phil Collins started a three-week run at the top of the Billboard album chart with “…But Seriously”. It will go on to become the second best selling album of the year, behind Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation 1814”, moving 4 million copies in the US and 2.75 million in the UK.

Rock history records that Meat Loaf started a three week run at the top of the UK album chart with “Bat Out Of Hell II – Back Into Hell”. The LP, which featured the single “I’d Do Anything for Love”, also topped the charts in the US and Australia and has sold over 14 million copies world-wide.

Rock history records that 45-year-old Randy California (born Randy Craig Wolfe), who is best known as the leader of the Rock band Spirit, died tragically when he was gripped by an undertow while swimming on the coast of the Hawaiian island of Molokai. Rock history records that Before he died, he was able to save his 12-year-old son, Quinn.

Rock history records that Soul singer Isaac Hayes topped the UK chart with a tune called “Chocolate Salty Balls”, using the exaggerated deep voice of Chef , his character in the animated TV series South Park .

Edward Farran of The Arbors died of kidney failure aged 65. The group climbed to #20 on the Billboard chart in 1969 with their version of “The Letter”.

Rock history records that Billboard.com reported that Paul McCartney underwent a heart-related surgical procedure in the latter part of 2007. Reports stated the 65-year-old former Beatle had a coronary angioplasty, which involves the opening of arteries to allow greater blood flow. Rock history records that A few weeks later McCartney posted a personal statement on his website clarifying that the media had “completely distorted the story.” He stated that he had only undergone exploratory testing for a minor irregularity discovered during a routine physical.

Jay Traynor of Jay And The Americans died aged 70. He sang lead on the group’s first hit, “She Cried”, which climbed to #5 on the Hot 100 in 1962. Rock history records that Traynor was replaced in The Americans by David Blatt, who agreed to perform under the stage name Jay Black. Rock history records that The group would go on to have nine more Billboard Top 40 hits.

Tony Calder, the music manager who promoted the Beatles’ debut single “Love Me Do” died at the age of 74 following pneumonia.

Daryl Dragon of the popular 1970s duo Captain & Tennille died of renal (kidney) failure aged 76. The couple placed nine songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1975 and 1980, among them two number one hits, “Love Will Keep Us Together” and “Do That To Me One More Time”.

Rock history records that Billy Joel surprised fans in Wellington, Florida when he stepped onstage to perform with the tribute band Turnstiles. Rock history records that He delivered “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot”, marking his first live appearance since canceling shows in 2025 following a brain disorder diagnosis.