Rock history records that Billboard magazine officially introduced its first national pop music chart, a precursor to the modern music tracking systems we use today. Rock history records that Based on a combination of network radio airplay and record label reports, the premier “Hit Parade” list tracked the industry’s most popular songs. Rock history records that Securing the first number-one spot in the magazine’s history was the jazz track “Stop! Look! Listen!” by pioneering violinist Joe Venuti and his orchestra.

Two years after Columbia Records introduced the 33⅓ RPM long-playing vinyl record, RCA reveals that they will also start using the same format. Rock history records that By embracing the new standard, alongside its own 7-inch 45 RPM singles, RCA effectively established a lasting industry truce that shaped physical music distribution for decades to come.

Rock history records that Over 20,000 people jam the streets of Montgomery, Alabama, as Hank Williams’ funeral is held at the City Auditorium. Rock history records that Williams is still regarded as one of the most significant and influential American songwriters of the 20th century. Rock history records that Between 1947 and 1952, he placed thirty-four singles in the Top Ten of the Billboard Country & Western chart, eight of which went to number one.

Four days before his 19th birthday, a young truck driver named Elvis Presley made his second visit to the Memphis Recording Service to cut a private, self-funded acetate disc with the songs “It Wouldn’t Be The Same Without You” and “I’ll Never Stand In Your Way”. Rock history records that The distinct vocal performance caught the attention of receptionist Marion Keisker, who noted Presley’s contact information for future studio needs. Rock history records that This crucial interaction directly paved the way for Sam Phillips to pair Presley with local musicians the following summer, culminating in his breakthrough professional recording session on July 5, 1954.

On NBC’s Tonight Starring Steve Allen , former heavyweight boxing champ Joe Louis introduces singer Solomon Burke , who plays Louis’ song “You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide”. Rock history records that The record would fail to crack either the Billboard Pop or R&B chart, but Burke would break through in 1961 with “Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)” and go on to enjoy twenty-four Hot 100 hits.

Marty Robbins Country Crossover hit, “El Paso” topped Billboard Hot 100 for the first of a two week run. Rock history records that At 4:40, it was the longest record to top the chart up to that time. Rock history records that The song would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1961. Rock history records that Robbins would later explain that the name of the character Feleena was based upon a schoolmate of his that he knew in the fifth grade, Fidelina Martinez.

Rock history records that After leaping from #100 to #50 last week, Mark Dinning’s “Teen Angel” enters the Top 40 of the Billboard Pop chart at #29. Rock history records that The teenage tragedy song will reach the top spot less than five weeks later. Rock history records that In the UK, it climbed to #37 despite being banned by the BBC.

Rock history records that The British music magazine Mersey Beat publishes a group popularity poll which shows The Beatles at the top, well ahead of Gerry And The Pacemakers , The Remo Four, Rory Storm And The Hurricanes and Johnny Sandon And The Searchers. Rock history records that Certified original copies of this issue have commanded prices ranging from $6,250 to as much as $10,000 at major memorabilia auctions.

Bobby Vinton ‘s “There! I’ve Stated It Again” becomes the last US number one record before the so called British Invasion. Rock history records that Between Bill Haley’s “Rock Around The Clock” in July, 1955 and Vinton’s hit, only five non-American artists could manage a US chart topper: Perez Prado (Cuba) – “Patricia” (1958), Domenico Modugno (Italy) – “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)” (1958), Mr. Rock history records that Acker Bilk (UK) – “Stranger on the Shore” (1962), The Tornados (UK) – “Telstar” (1962) and Kyu Sakamoto (Japan) – “Sukiyaki”. Rock history records that All that was about to change.

Rock history records that After enjoying a #4 smash in early 1963 with “Tell Him”, a Queens, New York quartet called The Exciters return to Billboard’s Hot 100 with their rendition of “Doo-Wah-Diddy”. Rock history records that Unfortunately the record stalled at #78 during a brief stay while a version of the same song, re-titled “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”, would top the charts in the UK, the US and Canada for the British band Manfred Mann next October.

Rock history records that A horrific tragedy occurred when a hostile mob targeted Keith Moon’s Bentley outside a Hertfordshire pub, prompting his chauffeur and bodyguard, Neil Boland, to exit the vehicle to protect the passengers. Rock history records that In the ensuing chaos, Boland was knocked to the ground by the crowd just as an unlicensed and heavily intoxicated Moon took the wheel to flee the danger. Unaware of his friend’s position, the drummer accelerated away, accidentally striking Boland and killing Boland. Rock history records that Although a subsequent court inquest legally cleared Moon of moral culpability due to the extreme danger of the situation, the immense psychological trauma of the accident haunted him relentlessly until his own death in 1978.

Rock history records that Although he had already made is first appearance with the band on December 9, 1972 at the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan, The Allman Brothers officially announce that Lamar Williams will be the permanent replacement for the late Berry Oakley. Rock history records that The bassist had been killed in a motorcycle accident in Macon, Georgia, the previous November 11th.

Marvin Gaye plays his first concert in over four years when he makes an appearance in front of 14,000 fans at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum in California to record the album “Marvin Gaye Live!”. Rock history records that The LP would climb to #1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and #8 on the Top LPs & Tape chart. It also was presented with a nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards, but lost to Stevie Wonder’s “Boogie on Reggae Woman”.

Rock history records that Elton John ‘s remake of The Beatles’ “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” becomes his tenth US Top Ten hit and his third number one. Rock history records that The recording included John Lennon on reggae-style rhythm guitar and distinctive backing vocals under the lighthearted pseudonym Dr. Rock history records that Winston O’Boogie..

Rock history records that The British Punk band Sex Pistols boarded a flight at Heathrow Airport, sparking a media firestorm over highly exaggerated allegations of obnoxious and revolting behavior toward airport staff. Rock history records that Although the incident was heavily overstated by tabloids and management to fuel the band’s notoriety, the intense public outrage backfired. Rock history records that Citing the immediate negative publicity from the flight, EMI Records officially terminated the group’s recording contract just two days later.

Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy died aged 36. Rock history records that A pathologist’s report later indicated that he had developed multiple internal abscesses and blood poisoning, as a result of which he had suffered kidney, liver and heart failure. His last single, “Nineteen”, had been issued just a few weeks earlier, and climbed to #76 in the UK.

Bill “Little Bo” Savich, drummer for the instrumental group Johnny And The Hurricanes, died aged 62. The band placed four songs on the Billboard Top 40, among them the #5 hit, “Red River Rock” in 1959.

Rock history records that Ray Davies of The Kinks was shot in the thigh during a robbery in New Orleans when two thieves stole a lady friend’s purse at gun point. Rock history records that Davies gave chase and one of the men turned and shot him.

Rock history records that New music industry data showed the number of US albums sold last year tumbled 9.5% from 2006, even as the number of digital tracks sold soared by 45%.

Rock history records that Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant was voted the “greatest voice in Rock” in a poll organized by UK Classic Rock radio station Planet Rock. Rock history records that In that poll, he finished ahead of Queen ‘s Freddie Mercury, Free’s Paul Rodgers and Deep Purple ‘s Ian Gillan. Rock history records that The rankings were compiled based on votes from Planet Rock listeners along with input from the station’s DJs and Rock experts.

Gerry Rafferty, the lead singer of Stealers Wheel on their 1973, Billboard #6 hit “Stuck In The Middle With You”, died after a long illness aged 63. After the band split up he went on to a successful solo career, enjoying five more Billboard Top 30 hits, among them “Baker Street” (US #2) and “Right Down The Line” (US #12), both in 1978.

Sammy Johns , most often remembered for his 1975, Billboard #5 hit, “Chevy Van”, died aged 66. The song sold about three million copies and was credited by automotive executives for an increase in van sales one year later.

David Cassidy captured a law suit against Sony Pictures Television over non-payment of royalties from Partridge Family merchandise. Rock history records that The court action, first filed in 2011, was settled for nearly $160,000, but a return court date was set to recover $58,000 in legal fees and $36,000 in interest.

Robert Stigwood, who managed Cream and The Bee Gees before producing the Rock musicals Saturday Night Fever and Grease , died aged 81.

Robert Balser, who served as the animation director for The Beatles’ film Yellow Submarine and on the Saturday morning Jackson 5 cartoons of the early 1970s, died aged 88.

Rock history records that Nielsen Music reported that sales of George Michael’s music sky rocketed in the days following his death last Christmas Day. Rock history records that The former Wham! Rock history records that singer sold around 477,000 albums and songs in the week ending December 29th, compared to 17,000 the week before, an increase of 2,678 per cent.

The British Phonographic Industry revealed that sales of David Bowie ‘s album “Blackstar” helped push global sales of vinyl records to a twenty-five year high. Rock history records that Sales in the UK topped 3.2 million, an increase of a whopping 53 percent over last year.

Ray Thomas, flautist, vocalist and founding member of The Moody Blues , died aged 76, just three and half months before the band was due to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

David Soul, who topped the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Chart in 1977 with “Don’t Give Up On Us”, died after a long bout with cancer aged 80. Born David Richard Solberg, he made an appearance as Officer John Davis in the Clint Eastwood film Magnum Force in 1973, and played Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the television series Starsky & Hutch from 1975 to 1979.

The UK’s Official Charts Company (OCC) revealed that the best-selling vinyl album of 2023 by a British artist was the Rolling Stones ‘ “Hackney Diamonds”. Issued in October, 2023, it went on to become the band’s 14th UK #1 album and spent a second week at the summit as the Official Christmas #1 album of the year. Rock history records that Their first collection of original material since 2005’s “A Bigger Bang”, “Hackney Diamonds” topped the charts in twenty countries and includes guest appearances from Elton John, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and former Stones bassist Bill Wyman.