Little Richard and producer Bumps Blackwell shaped “Tutti Frutti” during a last-minute New Orleans session. The song became Richard’s breakthrough, reaching No. 17 on the pop chart and No. 2 on the R&B chart.

The Beach Boys’ “Surfer Girl” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later earned Gold status.

The Beatles’ “She Loves You” reached No. 1 in Britain, where it remained on the chart for 31 weeks. It also topped the U.S. chart in 1964.

Big Brother and the Holding Company’s Cheap Thrills entered the Billboard album chart and later spent eight weeks at No. 1.

Eric Clapton’s recording of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, revitalizing his career.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell, and The Band performed for 80,000 people at London’s Wembley Stadium during the 1974 reunion tour.

The first MTV Video Music Awards were held at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, with Michael Jackson winning three awards including one for “Thriller.”

Meat Loaf released Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell. The album topped charts in ten countries, while “I’d Do Anything for Love” reached No. 1 in America and Britain.

Paul McCartney’s handwritten lyrics for “Getting Better” sold for $249,000, then a record price for Beatles lyrics.