October 1st, 1962:The Beatles sign their first real management contract with Brian Epstein, with George and Paul’s fathers signing for their sons, who are still minors. Epstein gets 25 percent of the group’s earnings. Releases 1964:The Beatles Vs. The Four Seasons 1966:Cat Stevens, “I Love My Dog” 1969:The Beatles, Abbey Road 1970:Elvis Presley, Almost In […]
August 16th, 1957 Buddy Holly and The Crickets, still being billed by the band name only, begin a six-night engagement at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater, the first white rock act to play the venue. Although crowds boo a little at first — many, including the venue, assumed they’d be seeing R&B vocal group The Crickets — […]
August 13th, 1964 The Kinks score their first hit as “You Really Got Me,” written by Ray Davies on his mother’s piano, enters the British charts. Releases 1965:The Beatles, Help! 1966:The Supremes, “You Can’t Hurry Love” Recording 1930:Guy Lombardo, “Go Home And Tell Your Mother” 1952:Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, “Hound Dog” 1959:Brenda Lee, “Sweet […]
August 12th, 1877 Thomas Edison finishes the prototype of his new invention, the phonograph, and hands it over to his master mechanic John Kreusi to build. Kreusi bets Edison two dollars that the contraption will never work. Releases none Recording 1940:Will Bradley, “Down The Road Apiece” 1953:The Four Lads, “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” 1958:The Crests, “Sixteen […]
August 8th, 1969 Photographer Iain MacMillan shoots the cover for what would be the Beatles’ last recorded album, Abbey Road, just outside the studios of the same name where the band recorded most of its classic songs. The photo, which merely shows the band crossing the street while walking away from the studio, has become […]
October 4th, 1961: Bob Dylan debuts at Carnegie Hall, playing for a grand total of 53 fans. Releases 1943:Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, “Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby?” 1974:John Lennon, Walls and Bridges Recording 1939:Ted Weems, “That Old Gang Of Mine” 1968:The Beatles, “Martha My Dear,” “Honey Pie” Charts 1969:Creedence Clearwater […]
June 5, 1959 A young kid named Robert Zimmerman, a greaser of sorts known for his long hair and black leather jackets, graduates from Hibbing High School in Hibbing, MN. Within a few years, he would become a New York folksinger and change his name to Bob Dylan. Recording 1957:Bill Justis, “Raunchy” 1968:The Beatles, “Don’t […]
June 4, 1972 Pink Floyd begin to record their next album, tentatively titled Eclipse, at Abbey Road Studios in London. It would eventually be released as Dark Side of the Moon. Releases 1962:The Beach Boys, “Surfin’ Safari” 1963:The Searchers, “Sweets For My Sweet” 1969:The Beatles, “The Ballad Of John And Yoko” b/w “Old Brown Shoe” […]
June 3, 1959 Billboard Magazine responds to the growing popularity of stereophonic recordings by splitting its album chart in two: one chart for mono, one for stereo. Releases 1967:The Doors, “Light My Fire” 1972:The Eagles, “Take It Easy” 1972:Pink Floyd, Obscured By Clouds Recording 1952:Frank Sinatra, “Birth Of The Blues” 1965:Gary Lewis and the Playboys, […]
June 2, 1976 Paul McCartney and Wings set a new indoor stadium attendance record of 67,100 at the Seattle Kingdome. Releases 1956:Gene Vincent and his Blue Caps, “Be-Bop-A-Lula” 1965:James Brown, “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” 1967:The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 1967:David Bowie, David Bowie Recording 1964:The Beatles: “Any Time At All,” […]