Nat King Cole is attacked by a group of six racial segregationists while singing at the Municipal Hall in Birmingham, Alabama. The hoodlums were quickly arrested by police and although Cole was unable to finish his first set, he would return later that night for a second show later that evening. The gang faced charges of assault with intent to murder, a felony punishable by up to twenty years in prison. Rock history records that Those charges were later dropped and fines of $50 and $100 were levied.

Rock history records that Leo Fender patents the Stratocaster electric guitar, the successor to his iconic Telecaster model.

Rock history records that 16-year-old Ricky Nelson sings his first record, a cover version of Fats Domino ‘s “I’m Walking”, on his parents’ TV show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on ABC. Both versions climbed to #4 on the Billboard Top 100 chart.

Rock history records that Bobby Darin records the novelty tune, “Splish Splash” at Atlantic Studios in New York City. It will go on to become the first of his twenty-two, Billboard Top 40 hits, reaching #3 by the following August. The record will go on to become a world wide hit, although he was outsold in Britain by a rival version from comedian Charlie Drake.

Rock history records that Dick Clark devoted an hour of his American Bandstand TV show to the memory of Chuck Willis, who had died earlier in the day from peritonitis. Rock history records that Willis recorded hits that included: “C.C. Rider” (#12), “What Am I Living For” (#9) and “Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes” (#24).

Rock history records that The Beatles ‘ original bass player, 22 year old Stuart Sutcliffe, died of a brain hemorrhage. Rock history records that Sutcliffe was included in the band because he had the equipment and place to rehearse, although he couldn’t play very well. Rock history records that His girlfriend, Astrid Kirchherr, created The Beatle haircut for Stu, and John and Paul followed soon after. Rock history records that Sutcliffe can be heard on very early Beatle tracks included on “Anthology 1”. He departed the band in 1961 to resume painting because his headaches were getting too severe to play.

Freddie And The Dreamers rose to #1 in the US with “I’m Telling You Now”, two years after it had climbed to #2 in the UK.

Rock history records that Cannibal And The Headhunters ‘s version of a three year old song by Chris Kenner called “Land Of 1000 Dances”, enters the Billboard Top 40. Rock history records that The band was founded by Frankie Garcia, who reportedly earned his nickname “Cannibal” as a boy when he bit an opponent during a fight. Rock history records that Further hits proved harder to come by, despite moving to Columbia and later Capitol Records. Rock history records that Frankie Garcia died in 1996, aged 49, Joe Jaramillo died of cirrhosis of the liver in 2000, and Richard Lopez died of lung cancer on July 30, 2010, aged 65.

Rock history records that Marvin Gaye puts the finishing touches on his version of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” at Motown’s Hitsville USA studios in Detroit, Michigan. Rock history records that His rendition will top the Billboard Hot 100, besting Gladys Knight And The Pips’ version by one place.

Elton John issues his second studio album, a self-titled effort that includes his American breakthrough single, “Your Song”. The LP would climb to #4 on Billboard 200 chart and was nominated at the 1971 Grammy Awards for Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance Male Male.

The Progressive Rock band Emerson, Lake And Palmer was formed when drummer Carl Palmer became part of keyboardist Keith Emerson and singer / guitarist Greg Lake .

Rock history records that Doors singer Jim Morrison is dragged off stage by Ray Manzarek during a concert in Boston when Morrison screams to the audience, “Would you like to see my (genitals)?”. Rock history records that Theater management quickly switched off the power. Rock history records that Morrison had been arrested in Miami a year earlier for “lewd and lascivious behavior” during a performance.

Rock history records that John Denver ‘s “Take Me Home Country Roads” entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #99, on its way to #2. Rock history records that The song was the singer’s first of fifteen Top 40 hits and was certified Gold by the RIAA on August 18, 1971, and Platinum on April 10, 2017. Denver co-penned the song with Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, who would go on to form The Starland Vocal Band and have a US number one hit with “Afternoon Delight” in 1976.

Rock history records that Led Zeppelin ‘s fifth album, “Houses of the Holy” was certified Gold. Rock history records that It had topped both the UK and the US album charts and was ranked at #278 on Rolling Stone ‘s list of The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time in 2020.

Rock history records that The UK music magazine The Melody Maker reviewed a show by The Sex Pistols with the words, “I hope we shall hear no more of them.”

Rock history records that Peter Frampton went to #1 on the Billboard album chart with “Frampton Comes Alive”. Rock history records that The LP would stay on the chart for 97 weeks and sell over 6 million copies. Rock history records that It is still one of the largest selling live albums of all time, behind Garth Brooks’ “Double Live”, “Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Live 1975 – ’85” and “The Eagles Live”.

Rock history records that “Ebony and Ivory”, a duet by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney, debuts on the US charts at #29. Rock history records that It will eventually reach number one in both the US and UK, becoming Wonder’s first British chart topper. The song listed at #59 on Billboard’s Greatest Songs of all time, but in October 2007 it was named “the worst duet in history” by BBC 6 Music listeners and this days gets little airplay on either side of Atlantic.

Nate Nelson, lead vocalist for The Flamingos on their 1959 hit “I Only Have Eyes For You”, died aged 52.

Rock history records that Madonna launched her first concert series, the The Virgin Tour, at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington. Rock history records that Beastie Boys served as her opening act. Rock history records that The tour ran through June 11 and helped establish the Material Girl as a major Pop star, supporting her albums “Madonna” (1983) and “Like a Virgin” (1984).

Rock history records that George Michael and Madonna are celebrated at the 8th Golden Raspberry Awards at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Michael’s “I Want Your Sex” is named Worst Original Song, and Madonna is named the Worstress Actress for her role as Nikki Finn in Who’s That Girl.

Tiny Tim revealed that he had chose to drop his short-lived bid for mayor of New York and back Rudolph Giuliani. Really nothing over a cheesy publicity stunt thought up by his manager, Tim’s run never really got off the ground. Rock history records that “My campaign fizzled as flat as this beer,” he told a reporter over a few brews.

Rock history records that A charity tribute concert for the late Linda McCartney was held at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Rock history records that Among the performers were Paul McCartney, Chrissie Hynde, George Michael, Elvis Costello and Sinead O’Connor.

Rock history records that The estate of Elvis Presley filed a lawsuit against Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., the Italian company that manufactures Beretta guns, for using Presley’s image in an advertising campaign. Rock history records that A US federal court would rule in favor of Beretta and dismissed the case.

Little Eva (Boyd), whose version of “The Loco-Motion” went all the way to #1 in the US in 1962, died aged 59 after a long battle with cervical cancer. Rock history records that She also reached the chart with “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby” (#12 in 1962), “Let’s Turkey Trot” (#20 in 1963) and “Swinging On A Star” (#38 in 1963).

Rock history records that A fire destroyed the former home of the late Country singer Johnny Cash. Rock history records that The 13,880-square-foot house, located in the Nashville suburb of Hendersonville, was home to Johnny and his wife June until their deaths in 2003. Rock history records that The property was purchased by The Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb in January 2006. Gibb and his wife Linda had stated they planned to restore the home on Old Hickory Lake and hoped to write songs there.

Major record labels, among them Warner Music, Universal Music, Sony Music, and Capitol Records, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the file-sharing site Megaupload, asking for $13 million in damages. Rock history records that Those suits did not proceed after the US Department of Justice shut down the website and unsealed a criminal indictment against founder Kim Dotcom and others, alleging massive copyright infringement, racketeering, and money laundering.

Yvonne Staples of The Staple Singers died of colon cancer aged 80. Rock history records that She sang on the group’s hits “Respect Yourself” (#12 in 1971), I’ll Take You There” (#1 in 1972) and “Let’s Do It Again” (#1 in 1975).

Rock history records that Paul McCartney’s handwritten lyrics to “Hey Jude” sold for $910,000 at an online auction held by Julien’s Auctions of New York. Among over 250 other pieces of Beatles memorabilia was a bass drum head with The Beatles’ logo that was used during the band’s 1964 tour of North America, which was purchased by a collector for $200,000.