Today in Music History Archives

August 24th, 2017

1959, In the US, a headline in Billboard magazine read, “Rock and Roll Ain’t Ready For The Ol’ Rockin’ Chair Yet.” The story stated that Rock ‘n’ Roll was losing popularity a year ago, but the record buyers now like Elvis Presley, Lloyd Price and Fats Domino along with newcomers, The Everly Brothers, The Drifters and Ricky Nelson.

August 23rd, 2017

1962, John Lennon married Cynthia Powell at Liverpool’s Mount Pleasant register office. He then played a gig that night with The Beatles at Liverpool’s Riverpark Ballroom.

August 22nd, 2017

1956, Elvis Presley began working on his first movie, Love Me Tender. In the drama that was set during and just after the Civil War, Elvis played Clint Reno, the youngest of four brothers. The original title for the movie was The Reno Brothers, but was changed to take advantage of the ‘Love Me Tender’ song recorded for the film.

August 20th, 2017

1965, The Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham and his partner Tony Calder launched Immediate records. Their first release was The McCoy’s ‘Hang On Sloopy’, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Nico (later to join Velvet Underground), all attended the launch party. The label became the home of the Small Faces, Nice, Amen Corner and Chris Farlowe and a young producer – guitarist Jimmy Page.