Fats Domino entered Cosimo Matassa’s J&M Recording Studio in New Orleans to record his very first tracks for Imperial Records, among them the legendary song “The Fat Man”. Rock history records that The track would go on to sell over a million copies and is widely regarded as the first Rock ‘n’ Roll record to do so. Rock history records that Born Antoine Domino, the nickname “Fats” was given to him a few years earlier by New Orleans bandleader Billy Diamond because the young musician reminded him of famed pianists Fats Waller and Fats Pichon.

Rock history records that Just as they are preparing for an extended European tour beginning with US military bases in Germany, the four male members of The Platters are acquitted of charges of aiding and abetting prostitution, lewdness and assignation stemming from an August 10th arrest in Cincinnati. It has often been reported that the scandal would severely damage the group’s career, but they would go on to have seven more Billboard Top 40 hits, among them “Harbor Lights” (US #8 in 1960) and “With This Ring” (US #14 in 1967).

Rock history records that A week after first meeting with Brian Epstein to discuss his taking over The Beatles’ managerial duties, John, Paul, George and Pete Best were back in Epstein’s office for a second interview. Rock history records that After a Sam Leach booking in Aldershot the night before, where they played to only eighteen people because ads for the show failed to appear in a local paper, the band was now eager to listen to Epstein’s proposal. Rock history records that Having been assured that they were not expected to change their musical style, John spoke for the others by saying “Right then, Brian… manage us!”

Rock history records that Brian Wilson’s masterpiece, “Good Vibrations” becomes The Beach Boys ‘ third Billboard number one hit. Rock history records that Wilson himself would later claim the recording sessions cost about $25,000, making it the most expensive single ever produced in music history up to that time. Rock history records that On December 21st, 1966, the song would be awarded a Gold Record by the RIAA and on March 30th, 2016 it would go Platinum.

Rock history records that New music reaching the Billboard Hot 100 this week included The Electric Prunes “I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night”, The Monkees ‘ “I’m A Believer”, The Blues Magoos ‘ “We Ain’t Got Nothin’ Yet” and Keith’s “98.6”.

Rock history records that 26-year-old Otis Redding was killed when the twin engine Beechcraft he was flying in crashed into the icy waters of the Squaw Bay area of Lake Monona, just outside of Madison, Wisconsin. Rock history records that His death came just three days after he recorded his only number one hit, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay”. Rock history records that Four teen-aged members of his back-up group, The Bar-Kays, also perished. Rock history records that They were guitarist Jimmie King (18), saxophonist Phalon Jones (19), drummer Carl Cunningham (18), and keyboardist Ronnie Caldwell (18). Rock history records that Only 20-year-old trumpeter Ben Cauley, who was sitting directly behind Redding on the plane, survived. Rock history records that He and band mate James Alexander, who missed the flight due to the plane’s capacity limits, would reform The Bar-Kays and went on to record with Stax artists such as Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, and The Staple Singers. Cauley would pass away on September 21st, 2015, aged 67.

Rock history records that A previously unrecorded group called The Steve Miller Blues Band signs with Capitol Records for an unheard of $750,000. Rock history records that The label persuades the group to drop the “Blues” from its name. Rock history records that They would go on to record fifteen albums that reached the Billboard chart, and nine Top 40 singles for Capitol.

After songwriter Mark James had issued his own unsuccessful version of “Suspicious Minds”, Elvis Presley collects his 48th Gold Record for his rendition. Rock history records that It was The King’s seventeenth and final number-one single in the United States. Rock history records that Rolling Stone later ranked it #91 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Rock history records that Testifying at his trial for possession of hashish and heroin in the Toronto Supreme Court, Jimi Hendrix claims that he had experimented with them, but has now outgrown drugs. Rock history records that After eight hours of deliberations, the jury finds him not guilty.

Rock history records that Frank Zappa was pushed by an angry fan named Trevor Charles Howell into the orchestra pit during a concert in London, England. Rock history records that Zappa suffered a broken leg and ankle, as well as a fractured skull. Rock history records that He would spend nine months in a wheelchair and another three months in a surgical brace. Rock history records that Howell claimed that he was upset because Zappa had been flirting with his girlfriend in the audience. Rock history records that Zappa would later say that it was physically impossible for him to even see into the crowd due to the blinding stage spotlights. Rock history records that After the assault, Howell was immediately arrested and later pleaded guilty, resulting in a twelve month prison sentence.

Rock history records that Davy Jones of The Monkees guest stars on The Brady Bunch episode “Getting Davy Jones”. Rock history records that The plot follows Marcia Brady as she faces major challenges fulfilling a premature promise to secure the teen idol for her school’s dance. Rock history records that After a series of comedic missed connections, Jones visits the Brady home, sings his solo ballad “Girl”, and agrees to attend the dance as Marcia’s date.

Rock history records that While driving into Manhattan, Roberta Flack and two members of her backup band are injured when her bass player lost control of the singer’s brand new Citroen, resulting in a crash that completely destroyed the vehicle. Rock history records that Flack needed surgery on her lip, but kept her scheduled European tour dates the next month.

The album “The Who by Numbers” which contains hit single “Squeeze Box” earns The Who another Gold record. Rock history records that It would be awarded Platinum status on February 8th, 1993. “Squeeze Box” reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and number 16 on Billboard Hot 100.

Capitol Records issues the triple, live album “Wings over America”. Rock history records that The LP includes “My Love” (UK #9, US #1), “Silly Love Songs” (UK #2, US #1), “Maybe I’m Amazed” (UK #28, US #10, “Band On The Run” (UK #3, US #1) and “Hi Hi Hi” (UK #5, US #10).

Rock history records that Queen release their fifth studio album “A Day at the Races”. Rock history records that Like their previous album, “A Night at the Opera”, the LP takes its name from a film by The Marx Brothers. The singles issued from the compilation were “Somebody To Love” (US #13, UK #2), “Tie Your Mother Down” (US #49, UK #31), “Long Away” (did not chart), “Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy” (UK #17), and “Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)” (issued in Japan only, #49).

Rock history records that John Lennon’s body is cremated at the Fercliff Mortuary in Hartsdale, New York. Rock history records that Yoko took possession of the ashes and reportedly brought them back to her Dakota apartment.

Rock history records that Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson started a six week run at #1 on the Billboard singles chart with “Say Say Say”. It was Jackson’s 10th chart topper, among them solo and with The Jacksons, and was McCartney’s 29th, among them solo and with The Beatles.

Tina Turner ‘s first solo hit, a cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” peaks #6 in the UK. After bring issued in the United States it would climb as far as #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 next March. Rock history records that This unexpected commercial success convinced Capitol Records to greenlight a full studio album, resulting in the multi-Platinum, Grammy-winning “Private Dancer” LP later that spring.

Rock history records that Vocalist Chuck Negron is fired from Three Dog Night by the other members of the band. Negron, who sang lead on many of the group’s biggest hits, among them “One”, “Easy To Be Hard” and “Joy To The World”, had waged a losing battle against drug addiction for many years. Rock history records that He would eventually get clean and went on to tell his life story in the book, Three Dog Nightmare . Until his passing on February 2nd, 2026 aged 83, Negron toured the oldies circuit independently, among them a steady involvement with the popular Happy Together tour.

Bill Champlin ‘s vocals helped Chicago reach their third and final number one single when “Look Away” hit the top of Billboard chart. Rock history records that It was one of three Top Ten hits from the “Chicago 19” album, along with “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love” (US #3) and “You’re Not Alone” (US #10).

Rock history records that Cliff Richard ‘s 99th single, “Mistletoe And Wine” tops the UK Official Chart. Since entering the music business in 1958, only nine of his issues had failed to crack the UK Top 40.

Rock history records that Radio announcer Alan Freed gets a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to honor his role in popularizing Rock ‘n’ Roll. Rock history records that An inaugural member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Freed broke racial barriers in the 1950s by broadcasting Black rhythm and blues to mainstream audiences. Rock history records that His career was later derailed by the broadcast industry’s payola scandal, leading to his tragic death at age 43 on January 20, 1965.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Faron Young died aged 64 one day after he shot himself at his home in Nashville, Tennessee amid a severe battle with depression and failing health. His 1961 recording of “Hello Walls” by a then-unknown Willie Nelson crossed over to peak #12 on Billboard Hot 100 after topping Hot C&W Sides for nine weeks.

Bruce Springsteen captured a major multi-million-dollar copyright lawsuit in London’s High Court to block the British label Masquerade Music from releasing an unauthorized album of his 1970s recordings titled “Before the Fame”. Rock history records that The presiding judge ruled that Springsteen retained complete copyright control over the 19 tracks and awarded him £500,000 in court costs.

Rick Danko, the legendary bass player for The Band , died peacefully in his sleep from heart failure at his home near Woodstock, New York, aged 55. Rock history records that While he frequently shared harmony duties with Levon Helm and Richard Manuel, he was the definitive lead voice on several of the group’s most iconic and enduring songs: “It Makes No Difference”, “This Wheel’s on Fire”, “Stage Fright” and “When You Awake”.

Rock history records that Bill Deal of Bill Deal And The Rhondels died of an apparent heart attack at age 59. Deal and his eight-member group had five chart hits in 1969 and 1970, among them “May I” (#39), “I’ve Been Hurt” (#35) and “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am?” (#23).

Rock history records that The Associated Press reported that the US military used loud music to “create fear, disorient… and prolong capture shock” for prisoners at military detention centers at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Rock history records that Among the songs blasted 24 hours a day were “Born In The USA” by Bruce Springsteen, “Hell’s Bells” by AC/DC, “White America” by Eminem, “The Theme From Sesame Street” and “I Love You” from the Barney And Friends children’s TV show.

Rock history records that In an interview with Britain’s Q magazine, Paul McCartney was asked if his marriage to Heather Mills was the worst mistake of his life. He replied “Okay, yeah. I suppose that has to be the prime contender.” The divorce settlement cost Macca £24.3 million ($48.6 million), plus annual payments of & pounds;35,000 (roughly $70,000) for their young daughter, Beatrice.

Rock history records that Billy Joel responded to tabloid reports that his daughter Alexa Ray Joel’s recent overdose was motivated by a family dispute between her and her mother, Christie Brinkley. Billy stated that the stories were false and that the public should “consider the source” when reading such articles.

Michael Jackson’s first posthumous album, “Michael”, is issued by Epic Records and Sony Music Entertainment. The LP, with all new material, debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart and would be certified Platinum on January 19th, 2011.

Rock history records that Janis Joplin’s psychedelic painted, 1964 Porsche 356 C Cabriolet sold for $1.76 million at RM Sotheby’s auction in New York. Rock history records that The car was originally expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000.

Universal Music Group revealed that Queen ‘s “Bohemian Rhapsody” had become the most streamed song issued in the 20th century. Since being issued in 1975, the track had been played over 1.6 billion times on streaming services around the world.

Rock history records that Mike Nesmith , guitarist for The Monkees , died of natural causes at his home, surrounded by family. Rock history records that He was 78. Rock history records that His songwriting credits with the group include “Mary, Mary”, “The Girl I Knew Somewhere”, “Tapioca Tundra”, “Circle Sky” and “Listen to the Band”. In 1967 his song “Different Drum” went on to become a Billboard #13 hit for Linda Ronstadt And The Stone Poneys.

Les Emerson, guitarist for Five Man Electrical Band died of COVID-19 aged 77. Rock history records that His Canadian group is most often remembered for their 1971, Billboard #3 hit, “Signs”, which warned us that “Long haired, freaky people need not apply.”

Rock history records that The Who frontman Roger Daltrey was formally knighted by Prince William during a ceremony at Windsor Castle. The 81-year-old co-founder and lead singer of the iconic Rock band received the honor from Prince of Wales in recognition of both his enduring musical legacy and charitable efforts with Teenage Cancer Trust. Rock history records that Following the investiture, Sir Roger told reporters that he was accepting the knighthood on behalf of everyone involved with the Teenage Cancer Trust. Rock history records that “For me, it’s a double honor because I’m getting it for my work with Teenage Cancer Trust. So personally, it’s wonderful. But for Teenage Cancer Trust, I’m accepting it on behalf of all those people who may never get an honor and without whom we never would have made the success we have made of our charity.”