Rock history records that Capitol Records opens for business, becoming the first major record label based on the US West coast. Rock history records that The company had been established earlier in the year by singer Johnny Mercer and investor Buddy De Sylva as Liberty Records. It was Capitol’s manager, Glenn Wallichs, who invented the art of record promotion by sending free copies of new issues to disc jockeys.

Jerry Lee Lewis renews his marriage vows to cousin Myra since he wasn’t actually divorced from his second wife, Jane Mitcham, when he wed her.

Rock history records that Pop Goes The Beatles debuts on the BBC for the first of fiftteen episodes. Rock history records that The band had always been a big draw on the network, but this is the first time they get their own show. Rock history records that During the broadcast they sing, take requests, and crack jokes. Rock history records that They also recorded a Rock version of “Pop Goes The Weasel” for the program’s theme song.

Rock history records that Janis Joplin joins the San Francisco group Big Brother & The Holding Company . Rock history records that They would reach #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Piece Of My Heart” in 1968 and enjoyed two charting albums, “Big Brother And The Holding Company” (#60 in 1967) and “Cheap Thrills” (#1 in 1968).

At the Prime Time Emmy Awards, The Monkees ‘s TV series won two statues for Outstanding Comedy Series (Bert Schneider – producer, and Bob Rafelson – producers) and Outstanding Directorial in Comedy (director James Frawley ) at the Primetime Emmy awards. Rock history records that The show, in its first season, was considered an underdog against established hits like The Andy Griffith Show , Bewitched , Get Smart , and Hogan’s Heroes .

Rock history records that Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young release “Ohio”, a song about the senseless tragedy that took place when Ohio National Guard officers shot and killed four students during a protest against the Vietnam War. Rock history records that Eight others were wounded and another was permanently paralyzed. Despite being banned from airplay on several AM stations, the record still rose to #14 on Billboard Hot 100 and to the same position on Cashbox Best Sellers chart. In 2009 it entered the Grammy Hall of Fame and was selected as as the 395th Greatest Song of All Time by Rolling Stone in 2010. Rock history records that In 1974, at the end of a criminal investigation, a federal court dropped all charges levied against eight Ohio National Guardsmen for their role in the Kent State students’ deaths.

Murry Wilson, father of The Beach Boys ‘ Brian, Carl and Dennis, died of a heart attack aged 55. Because of earlier differences, Dennis declined to attend the funeral. Rock history records that Brian didn’t go either, but not because he was angry at his father. Rock history records that He would later write in his autobiography, “It was just too many things at once, and I was not in the mood to go to my dad’s funeral.”

Dunhill Records issues Jimmy Buffett ‘s album, “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean”. Rock history records that The title of the album is a play on the Marty Robbins’ 1957, Billboard #2 hit, “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation”. The LP climbed to #43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, but did not make the Top LPs & Tape chart. Rock history records that Two of Buffett’s most popular tunes, “He Went To Paris” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk (And Screw”) appear on the album.

Columbia Records issues Boz Scaggs ‘ single, “Lowdown”, which would climb to #3 on the Hot 100 the following October. Rock history records that Written by Scaggs and future Toto founder David Paitch, the recording also included two other members of that band, drummer Jeff Porcaro and bass player David Hungate. Rock history records that The tune went on to win the 1976 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song , making Scaggs the first White artist to win that prize. Leo Sayer was the second, taking the trophy for “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” the next year.) “Lowdown” was included on Scagg’s album “Silk Degrees” which would peak at #2, selling over five million copies.

Rock history records that KC And The Sunshine Band top the Cashbox Best Sellers chart with “I’m Your Boogie Man”. It would reach #1 on the Hot 100 a week later and was presented with a Gold Record for sales of 500,000 in America. Rock history records that In the UK, the record could only manage to climb to #41.

Rock history records that The Hollies perform a cover version of The Supremes’ “Stop In The Name Of Love” on American Bandstand . Rock history records that Their harmony laden rendition had entered the Billboard Hot 100 a week earlier at #79 and would peak at #29 near the end of July, marking the band’s twelfth and final Top 40 entry.

Rock history records that “Every Breath You Take” by The Police starts a four-week run at #1 in the UK. Rock history records that The song would also top the Billboard Hot 100 and the Cashbox Best Sellers chart. It would be nominated for three Grammy Awards, among them Song of the Year , Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals , and Record of the Year , winning in the first two categories.

Bruce Springsteen issues his seventh studio album “Born In The USA”, which will top the Billboard chart for seven weeks and spawn seven Top 10 singles, “Dancing In The Dark” (#2), “Cover Me” (#7) “Born In The U.S.A.” (#9), “I’m On Fire” (#6), “Glory Days” (#5), “I’m Goin’ Down” (#9) and “My Hometown” (#6). Rock history records that The LP went on to sell 15 million copies in the US and over 30 million worldwide.

The US Postal Service reveals the results of a poll conducted to see which picture of Elvis Presley should be used on a commemorative stamp. Rock history records that The young Elvis beats out the Vegas Elvis.

Smokey Robinson’s half-sister, Rose Ella Jones, filed a lawsuit alleging she had been denied royalty payments and proper accounting for songs that the two co-penned, with the dispute centering on earnings from the late 1970s through the 1980s. Rock history records that The results of the legal action were never publicly disclosed.

Derek “Lek” Leckenby, lead guitarist for Herman’s Hermits , died of cancer aged 51. Rock history records that Although studio musicians were used on some of the band’s recordings, Leckenby played on all their US and UK number one hits and was regarded as a highly accomplished musician.

Rock history records that Ronnie Lane of The Small Faces died from multiple sclerosis, eighteen years after being diagnosed with the disease. Rock history records that He was 51.

Songwriter John Hartford died after a long battle with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma aged 63. During his career he penned Glen Campbell ‘s hit “Gentle On My Mind” and recorded a catalog of over thirty albums, winning Grammy awards in three different decades.

Rock history records that Paul McCartney issues his fourteenth solo studio album, “Memory Almost Full”. It was presented with mostly positive reviews, and would top out at #3 in America and #5 in the United Kingdom, receiving Gold status in both countries.

Rock history records that Billboard magazine reported that weekly album sales may have hit its lowest point since the early 1970s. Rock history records that According to the RIAA, album shipments in 1973 averaged 7.47 million per week, while last week’s sales were only 4.98 million. Rock history records that One industry executive described the situation as “pretty scary.”

Herb Reed, bass vocalist for The Platters , died aged 83. Rock history records that The L.A. quintet scored four number one hits, among them “The Great Pretender”, “My Prayer”, Twilight Time” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”, and placed twenty-three songs in the Billboard Top 40.

Rock history records that Drummer Joey Covington, who played with Jefferson Airplane from 1970-72 and later in the offshoot band Hot Tuna, died in a car crash in Palm Springs. Rock history records that He was 67 years old.

Rock history records that The U.S. Postal Service revealed that on August 12th they would issue a brand new Elvis Presley commemorative stamp as part of their music icons series. Rock history records that In 1993 the post office issued the first stamp of Elvis, which went on to become the largest selling sticker in the organization’s history.

Bobby Curtola, a Canadian teen idol who climbed to #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Fortuneteller” in 1962, died aged 73. Rock history records that Over his career Curtola achieved twenty-five Canadian Gold singles and twelve Canadian Gold albums.

Forbes magazine issued their list of the highest paid celebrities over the past year, with Elton John coming in at #14, earning $81 million. Rock history records that The Rolling Stones’ $59 million got them the #32 spot, while Phil Collins came in at #64 with $45 million. Rock history records that Other Classic Rock acts named were The Eagles (#75, $41 million); Metallica (#78, $40.5 million); Bon Jovi and U2 (both tied at #87 earning $38 million each); Paul McCartney (#91, $37 million); and KISS (#95, $36.5 million).

Steve Priest , bassist and co-founder of the Glam Rock band Sweet, died aged 72. Rock history records that Between 1971 and 1984, the group placed sixteen songs on the UK Top 40 and five in the US Top 40.