1911 - The great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson is born.

1946 - Keith Hopwood of Herman’s Hermits is born on this day.

1953 - Keith Strickland of the B-52’s is born today.

1961 - Bob Dylan signs his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

1963 - Natalie Merchant of 10,000  is born.

1994 - Wilbert Harrison (”Kansas City”) dies from a stroke.

1999 - Hoy Axton dies of a heart attack.

#1 Songs This Week:

1948 - Pee Wee Hunt: “Twelfth Street Rag”

1957 - Elvis Presley: “Jailhouse Rock/Treat Me Nice”

1960 - Drifters: “Ssave the Last Dance For Me”

1974 -  Ken Boothe: “Everything I Own,” UK

1974 - Dionne Warwick and the Spinners: “Then Came You”

1974 - Barry White: ‘Can’t Get Enough,’ LP

1985 - Whitney Houston: “Saving All My Love For You”

1988 - Phil Collins: “Groovy Kind of Love”

1990 - Janet Jackson: “Black Cat”

1991 - U2: “The Fly,” UK

2008 - T.I.: “Whatever You Like”

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