1939 - Norma Tanega (”Walking My Cat Names Dog”) is born.

1941 - Joe Terranova of Danny & the Juniors is born.

1942 - Marty Balin of Jefferson Starship is born.

1951 - Phil Collins of Genesis is born.

1956 - Elvis Presley records “Blue Suede Shoes” at RCA Studios in New York.

1961 - Jody Watley of Shalamar is born.

1968 - Bobby Goldsboro records “Honey.”

1969 - The Beatles film and record “Get Back” on the roof of the Apple Building in Baker Street, London.

1973 - Kiss make their live stage debut at the Coventry Club, Queens, New York.

1974 - Greg Lake is arrested for swimming nude in a Salt Lake City hotel pool which is clearly visible from the street.

1990 - Bob Dylan is honored in France and becomes a commander in the Order of Arts and Letters.

1996 - Producer Bob Thiele, who helped discover artists like Buddy Holly and Jackie Wilson and produced albums by Charles Mingus, Quincy Jones and Teresa Brewer (whom he married), dies in New York aged 73.

#1 Songs This Week:

1961 The Shirelles: “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”

1964 - The Searchers: “Needles and Pins,” UK

1971 - George Harrison: “My Sweet Lord”

1982 - Hall & Oates: “I Can’t Go For That”

1988 - Tiffany: “I Think We’re Alone Now”

1988 - INXS: “Need You Tonight”

1999 - Brittany Spears: “Baby One More Time”

Tags: this day in rock n roll, today in rock history

1947 - David Byron of Uriah Heep is born.

1949 - Tommy Ramone of The Ramones is born.

1959 - The Champs release “Tequila.”

1961 - Eddie Jackson of Queensryche is born.

1962 - Peter, Paul & Mary sign with Warner Brothers Records.

1969 -  Peggy Lee records “Is That All There Is.”

1974 - Grand Funk records “The Loco-Motion.”

1978 - Whitesnake is formed by David Coverdale.

1992 - R & B songwriter/artist Willie Dixon dies of heart failure at the age of 76. 

1995 - Garth Brooks said that Hootie and the Blowfish had done more for music that year than he did, so he refused to accept his American Music Award for Favorite Overall Artist.

#1 Songs This Week:

1969 - Fleetwood Mac: “Albatross.”

1972 - Various: “Concert for Bangladesh,” UK

1977 - Rose Royce: “Car Wash”

1983 - Men at Work: “Down Under,” UK

Tags: this day in rock & roll, This Day in Rock & Roll History, today in rock history

1929 - Mr Acker Bilk (”Stranger on the Shore”) is born.

1944 - Brian Keenhan of the Chambers Brothers is born.

1946 - Rick Allen of the Box Tops is born.

1954 - The film ‘The Glenn Miller Story’ starring James Stewart opens in London.

1956 - Elvis Presley makes his TV debut appearance on the Dorsey Brothers Stage show.

1967 - Brian Poole leaves the Tremeloes.

1968 - Sara McLachlan is born.

1977 - Joey Fatone of  ‘N Sync is born.

1978 - Athe request of a fan, Ted Nugent carves an autograph with a knife on the fan’s arm.

1980 - Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys is born.

1985 - “We Are The World” is recorded in Hollywood by various stars raising money for hunger relief in Africa.

1997 - Pat Boone releases an album of heavy metal tunes (which eventually costs him his Christian TV program).

#1 Songs This Week:

1959 - Platters: “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”

1962 - Gene Pitney “Town Without Pity”

1965 - Moody Blues: “Go Now,” UK

1971 - Dave Edmunds: ” I Hear You Knocking”

1989 - Mark Almond & Gene Pitney: “Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart”

1998 - Martina McBride makes an appearance in the “Nancy” comic strip on a concert Tshirt worn by Aunt Fritzi.

Tags: this day in rock, today in rock n roll

1914 - The great blues guitarist Elmore James is born.

1919 - David Seville, creator of the Chipmunks is born.

1930 - Bobby Bland (”Turn on Your Love Light”) is born.

1945 - Nick Mason of Pink Floyd is born.

1947 - Nedra Talley of the Ronettes is born.

1951 - Brian Downey of  Thin Lizzy is born.

1951 - Seth Justman of the J Geils Band is born.

1956 - “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley is released.

1956 - Bill Haley, the Platters, Lavern Baker, Shirley and Lee, the Drifters, Joe Turner, Bo Diddley, Roy Hamilton and others begin the largest tour to date, promoted by Irvin Field.

1958 - Little Richards enrolls in Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama to get his divinity degree.

 1959 - Johnny Horton records “The Battle of New Orleans.”

1962 - Dee Dee Sharp begins recording  “Mashed Potato Time.”

1968 - The Bee Gees make their US stage debut, earning $50,000 for their appearance at Anaheim Convention Centre, California. Then they immediately fly back to England.

1971 - David Bowie arrives in the US for his first visit.  He does not perform but enjoys the publicity from wearing a dress in Texas.

1997 - At the American Music Awards, Pat Boone reveals his new “metal” direction, wearing leathers and a studded collar.

2005 - R.E.M. are forced to cancel a gig for the first time since 1995 when their crew and gear is held at the Estonian/Russia border.

#1 Songs This Week:

1958 - Danny & The Juniors: “At the Hop”

1962 - Joey Dee: “The Peppermint Twist”

1966 - Overlanders: “Michelle,” UK

1973 - Stevie Wonder: “Superstition”

1977 - Barry Manilow: “Weekend in New England”

Tags: this day in rock & roll, This Day in Rock & Roll History, today in rock

1934 - Huey ‘Piano’ Smith (”Rockin Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu) is born.

1939 - Marshall Lieb of the Teddy Bears (”To Know Him Is To Love Him”).

1943 - Jean Knight (”My Big Stuff”) is born.

1951 - David Briggs of the Little River Band is born.

1956 - Buddy Holly has his first professional recording session in Nashville (no hits from this one.)

1957 - Buddy Holly and the Crickets appear on the Ed Sullivan show.

1957 - Edward Van Halen (Eddie) is born.

1958 - Norman Hassan of UB40 is born.

1962 - “The Twist” is banned as impure by the Buffalo Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church.

1963 - Andrew Ridgeley of Wham is born.

1963 - Jazzy B of Soul II Soul is born.

1964 - The British invasion of America begins as the Beatles’  “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” hits #1 in the US.

1967- Eric Burdon stands in for Paul Jones (he is sick) at a Manfred Mann concert at Marquee.

1979 - Patti Smith falls off a stage  in Tampa, Florida and requires 22 stitches. 

1979 - Bob Dylan forms his own record label - Accomplice.

#1 Songs This Week:

1961 - Elvis Presley: “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

1962 - Beatles: “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”

1963 - Rooftop Singers:” Walk Right In”

1974 - Ringo Starr: You’re Sixteen”

1991 - Surface: “The First Time”

Tags: this day in rock, this day in rock and roll, today in rock & roll history

1938 - Etta James is born.

1954 - Richard Finch of KC and the Sunshine Band is born.

1958 - Gary Tibbs of Adam and the Ants is born.

1960 - Andy Cox of Fine Young Cannibals is born.

1960 - Sam Cook records “Chain Gang.”

1970 - Yoko Ono and John Lennon shave their heads and declare 1970 “Year One.”  They donate their hair to ‘Blakc House’ and interracial center in North London.

1984 - Yoko Ono donates $375,000 to Liverpool’s Strawberry Fields retirement home.  It was the inspiration for her husband John Lennon’s song.

1986 - Albert Grossman, one-time manager of Bob Dylan, dies of a heart attack while flying to London.

2006 - Motley Crue receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

#1 Songs This Week:

1957 - Frankie Vaughan: “Garden of Eden,” UK

1964 - Lesley Gore: “You Don’t Own Me”

1969- The Seekers: “Best of the Seekers,” LP

1975 - Carpenters: “Please Mr Postman”

1986 - A-Ha: “The Sun Also Shines on TV”

1986 - Barbra Streisand: ‘The Broadway Album,’ LP

Tags: This Day in Rock & Roll History, today in rock, today in rock and roll

1933 - Zeke Carey, singer with the doo-wop group, the Flamingos, is born in Bluefield, WVA

1936 - Country violinist Doug Kershaw is born.

1939 - Novelty singer/songwriter Ray Stevens is born.

1941 - Aaron Neville of the Neville Brothers is born in New Orleans.

1941 - Neil Diamond is born in Brooklyn, NY.  He has had three #1hits.

1947 - Warren Zevon is born in London.

1949 - Blues Brother John Belushi is born in Chciago.

1957 - Elvis Presley records “Teddy Bear.”

1962 - Danny Peppermint is electrocuted by a mike at the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas.  He recovers and records “The Peppermint Twist.”

1979 - The Clash’s “I Fought the Law” becomes the first single released by the group in the US.

1982 - Diana Ross sings the national anthem at Superbowl XVI.

1993 - Keith Richards performs in Las Vegas for the first time with his solo group, the X-Pensive Winos.

#1 Songs This Week:

1949 - Evelyn Knight & The Stardusters: “A Little Bird Told Me.”

1958 - Elvis Presley: “Jailhouse Rock,” UK

1958 - Danny & The Juniors: “At The Hop.”

1961 - Bert Kaempfert: “Wonderland By Night.”

1966 - Simon & Garfunkel: “The Sounds of Silence.”

1969 - Tommy James & The Shondelles: “Crimson and Clover.”

1971 - Dave Edmunds: “I Hear You Knocking.”

1981 - Adam and the Ants: “Kings of the Wild Frontier,” UK LP

Tags: this day in rock, This Day in Rock & Roll History, today in rock and roll

1944 - Jerry Lawson of the Persuaders is born in Ft Lauderdale, FL

1948 - Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters is born Oakland, CA.  The sisters have two million-seller #2 songs.

1950 - Danny Federici, keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is born.

1950 - Patrick Simmons, guitarist and founding member of the Doobie Brothers is born.

1950 - Bill Cunningham, bassist for the Box Tops is born in Memphis, TN

1953 - Ron Zander, lead singer of Cheap Trick is born in Rockford, IL

1957 - Bill Haley and the Comets attend the Austrian premier of their movie ‘Don’t Knock the Rock’ while on tour there.

1958 - The Crickets release “Maybe Baby.”

1959 - 6,000 people attend the first night of the Winter Dance Party in Milwaukee at the Million Dollar Club with Buddy Holly despite 17 below zero temperatures and 19 inches of snow.  It becomes known as the ill-fated Winter Dance Party.

1962 - Tony Bennet records “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

1963 - Janis Joplin leaves Texas and hitchhikes to San Francisco with her friend Chet Helms.

1969 - Alan Parsons starts as the Beatles’ engineer with “Get Back,” part of the Let It Be sessions.

1972 - R & B singer, Big Maybelle (Mabel Louise Smith) dies in Cleveland at the age of 51.

1973 - Neil Young is handed a piece of paper while onstage in New York.  He reads out loud that a peace accord has been struck in Vietnam.  The crowd cheers for 10 minutes.

1978 - Terry Kath, guitarist and founder of Chicago dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

1978 - Vic Ames of the Ames Brothers dies in a car accident at the age of 51.

1986 - The first induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is held.  Some of those inducted are Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.

1988 - Tiffany is the first teenager to hit the US charts since Steve Wonder hit #1 in 1963. 

 1988 - Randy Travis’ ‘Always and Forever’ becomes the longest running #1 LP in history on the US country charts.  It is on the top for 29 weeks.

#1 Songs This Week:

1959 - Jane Morgan: “The Day The Rain Came,” UK

1963 - Steve Lawrence: “Go Away Little Girl.”

1968 - American Breed: “Bend Me Shape Me.”

1973 - Carly Simon: “You’re So Vain.”

1988 - Michael Jackson: “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

Tags: This Day in Rock & Roll History; today in rock, this day in rock and roll

1935 - Sam Cooke is born in Clarksdale, Mississippi.  His biggest hit is the #1 song, “You Send Me.”

1940 - Addie ‘Mickie’ Harris of the Shirelles is born.

1946 - Meatloaf is born as Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas.  His high school football coach gives him the nickname that sticks.

1953 - Steve Perry of Journey is born.  His biggest solo hit, “Oh Sherry,” makes it to #3 in 1984.

1959 - Jimmie Rodgers is the subject of the TV show “This is Your Life,” and is given his first three gold records.

1960 - Mike Hutchence of INXS is born.

1960 - Sam Cooke signs with RCA Records.

1963 - Gerry and the Pacemakers record “How Do You Do It.”

1963 - Elvis Presley records “Bossa Nova Baby.”

1963 - The Drifters record “On Broadway.”

1965 - Steve Adler of Guns ‘n’ Roses is born.

1966 - The Beach Boys record “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”

1971 - Movie ‘Mad Dogs and Englishment’ with Leon Redbone and Joe Cocker premiers in London.

1981 - A naked picture of John Lennon appears in his obituary in ‘Rolling Stone.’

1998 - Singer Toni Braxton files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection listing over $1 million in liabilities

#1 Songs This Week:

1958 - Platters: “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.”

1965 - Petula Clark: “Downtown.”

1972 - Don McLean: ‘American Pie,’ Lp

1976 - Diana Ross: “Theme from ‘Mahogany’ (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)”

1977 - Wings:’Wings Over America,’ Lp

1994 - Bryan Adams/Rod Stewart/Sting: “All For Love.”

Tags: this day in rock, This Week in Rock & Roll History, today in rock and roll