June 1, 1961 Experimental FM stereo is heard for the first time in the New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Schenectady, NY markets. Releases 1966:The Rolling Stones, Aftermath 1971:Joni Mitchell, Blue 1973:Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon 1973:Paul McCartney and Wings, “Live And Let Die” 1975:Willie Nelson, Red Headed Stranger 1977:KISS, Love Gun Recording 1957:Sam […]
May 23rd, 1963 Paul Revere and the Raiders sign their first major label contract with Columbia. Releases 1964: The Beach Boys, “I Get Around” 1966: The Beatles, “Paperback Writer” b/w “Rain” 1969: The Who, Tommy Recording 1940: Frank Sinatra, “I’ll Never Smile Again” 1967: Pink Floyd, “See Emily Play” 1976: Bob Dylan, Hard Rain Charts […]
May 20th, 1967 Jimi Hendrix signs with the Reprise label. Releases 1954: Bill Haley and His Comets, “Rock Around The Clock” Recording 1941: Harry James, “You Made Me Love You” 1957: Frank Sinatra, “Witchcraft” Charts 1967: The Young Rascals’ “Groovin’” hits #1 1978: Wings’ “With A Little Luck” hits #1 h3]Certifications none Source: about entertainment
May 19th, 1961 The Everly Brothers form the Calliope label, the first artist-owned label to be formed by a rock group. Releases 1973: Paul Simon, “Kodachrome” 1978: Dire Straits, “Sultans Of Swing” Recording 1958: Ritchie Valens, “Come On, Let’s Go” 1958: Peggy Lee, “Fever” 1960: The Drifters, “Save The Last Dance For Me” 1965: Elvis […]
May16th, 1970 Randy Bachman leaves the Guess Who to produce an album for Winnipeg band Brave Belt, which he eventually joins. At the suggestion of Neil Young, Bachman recruits fellow Winnipeg bassist and vocalist C.F. Turner, and the band Bachman-Turner Overdrive is born. Releases 1966: The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds Recording 1966: The Beatles: “Taxman,” […]
May 15th, 1954 A Memphis truck driver named Elvis Presley auditions with the house band at Memphis’ Hi Hat Club and is told he’ll never make it as a singer. Releases 1970: The Carpenters, Close To You 1970: Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath Recording 1972: The Temptations, “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” Charts 1965: The Byrds’ […]
April 15th, 1964 After a long day of filming for their first movie, which is still titled Beatlemania!, The Beatles relax as Ringo Starr declares, oddly, that it’s been “a hard day’s night.” John immediately begins writing the song of the same name on the back of an old greeting card; it will eventually become […]
May 10th, 1966 Struggling singer Janis Joplin, back home in her native Texas, is invited back out to San Francisco by her friend Chet Helms, who invites her to audition with a group he’s managing called Big Brother and the Holding Company. Releases 1974: Elvis Presley, “If You Talk In Your Sleep” Recording 1940: Jimmy […]
May 4th, 1959 The very first Grammy Awards are held in Los Angeles, with Record of the Year going to Domenico Modugno’s “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)” and Henry Mancini’s The Music From Peter Gunn soundtrack winning Album of the Year. The Champs’ “Tequila,” for some reason, takes home Best Rhythm and Blues Performance. […]
May 1st, 1955 A St. Louis guitarist named Chuck Berry is signed to Chess Records in Chicago after bluesman Muddy Waters recommends him to the label. Releases 1965: The Supremes, “Back In My Arms Again” 1968: Elvis Presley, Speedway 1969: Neil Young, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere 1971: Paul Simon, Paul Simon 1972: The Rolling […]