Music History

American singer Evelyn Thomas, known primarily for the 1980s hi-NRG dance hits “High Energy”, “Masquerade”, “Standing at the Crossroads”, “Reflections” and “Weak Spot”. Thomas died on July 21, 2024, at the age of 70.

American singer, songwriter and bassist John Cowan was born in Minerva, Ohio. He became known as the singer and bassist of New Grass Revival and also performed with The Doobie Brothers and other projects.

Alex Lifeson, born Aleksandar Zivojinovic (Zhivojinovic), was born in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, to parents of Serbian origin. He grew up in Toronto, Ontario. He became known as the co-founding guitarist of the progressive rock band Rush, which had, among others, the British hit “Spirit of Radio” and the US hit “New World Man”. In 1996, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Rick Downey, drummer of the American hard rock band Blue Öyster Cult, was born. In 1976, the group had the US single "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" at No. 12, and in 1978 it had a UK single at No. 16. Blue Öyster Cult have sold more than 24 million records worldwide.

Bassist Horace Panter, also known as Sir Horace Gentleman, was born in Croydon, England. He became known as a member of 2 Tone and ska band The Specials. In 1981, the group had the UK No. 1 single “Ghost Town”.

Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery auditioned for the radio program Sunday Party on KDAV in Lubbock, Texas, hosted by disc jockey and talent scout Dave “Hipockets” Duncan. They were given a regular 30-minute Sunday afternoon broadcast slot known as The Bob and Buddy Show.

American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer and conductor John Zorn was born in New York.

Elvis Presley worked for Crown Electric from April 20, 1954, until October 15, 1954.

Billboard magazine zveřejnil článek o Elvisu Presleym, v němž ho označil za nového zpěváka schopného rockovat skladby pro country i R&B publikum.

Elvis Presley vystoupil v Eagle's Nest v Memphisu v Tennessee. Šlo o první z jeho dvanácti vystoupení v tomto podniku během roku a vystoupení zahrnovalo skladby „That's All Right“ a „Blue Moon of Kentucky“.

Johnny Cash se oženil s Vivian Liberto v kostele St. Ann's Catholic Church v Memphisu.

The Crew-Cuts se svou verzí skladby „Sh-Boom“, známé také jako „Life Could Be a Dream“, dostali na první místo amerického žebříčku, kde zahájili sedmitýdenní pobyt na vrcholu.

English drummer Pete Thomas was born in Hillsborough, Sheffield. He became known for his work with Elvis Costello and The Attractions, with whom he had, among other hits, the UK hit “Oliver's Army”. He also worked as a session drummer with Suzanne Vega, Neil Finn and other artists.

Elvis Presley performed in Memphis, where he performed “That's All Right (Mama)” for the first time.

Guitarist and singer Bryan Bassett of Wild Cherry was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The group was known for the hit “Play That Funky Music,” which reached No. 1 in the US and No. 7 in the UK in 1976.

British singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Jackson, born David Ian Jackson, was born in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England. He became known for experiments with new wave, jazz and pop. In 1980 he had the UK No. 5 hit “It's Different For Girls” and in 1982 the US No. 6 hit “Steppin' Out.”

Jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny was born.

Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore and Bill Black performed at Bellevue Park in Memphis.

The Platters, B.B. King and Johnny Otis were the headline acts at a sold-out concert at the Savoy Ballroom in Hollywood, California. The event was a huge success and demonstrated the exceptional concert appeal of R&B in Los Angeles at the time.

Elvis worked at Crown Electric until mid-October 1954. The Presleys lived at 2414 Lamar Avenue, which they rented through the end of 1954 and into mid-1955.

Drummer Steve Smith of Focus and Journey was born in Whitman, Massachusetts.

Elvis Presley worked for Crown Electric until mid-October 1954.

Mark Avsec, keyboardist and songwriter of Wild Cherry, was born. Wild Cherry had the 1976 US number-one hit and UK number-seven hit “Play That Funky Music”.

Perez Prado recorded the song “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White”.

English rock drummer Stephen „Steve“ Holley was born in London. He became known as a member of Wings from 1978 to 1981.

English singer, songwriter and producer Declan Patrick MacManus, known as Elvis Costello, was born in Paddington, London. His stage surname came from his father, who performed as Day Costello. In 1979 he had the UK hit “Oliver's Army” with The Attractions, and the album “Armed Forces” spent 28 weeks on the chart.

Elvis worked for Crown Electric and remained there until the middle of October 1954.

Elvis Presley worked at Crown Electric, where he remained until mid-October 1954.

Michael Chetwood, keyboardist with T'Pau, was born. T'Pau had the UK No. 1 single “China In Your Hand” in 1987 and the song “Heart And Soul”, which reached No. 4 in both the US and UK.

Elvis Presley performed at Eagle’s Nest in Memphis with the Tiny Dixon Band. He sang “That's All Right” and “Blue Moon Of Kentucky”.

Ronald Beitle, drummer with the American funk rock group Wild Cherry, was born. In 1976, the group had the US No. 1 single “Play That Funky Music”, which reached No. 7 in the UK.

Elvis Presley worked at Crown Electric until the middle of October 1954.

Butch Vig, the American drummer, producer, and member of Garbage, was born on August 2, 1955, in Viroqua, Wisconsin. He produced, among other recordings, Nirvana’s “Nevermind” and albums by The Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth.

Elvis Presley performed at Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock, Arkansas, as part of the All-Star Jamboree tour.

Bill Haley filed a lawsuit against Dave Miller, founder of Essex Records, over unpaid royalties from earlier recordings.

Elvis Presley performed at the Municipal Hall Auditorium in Camden, Arkansas, at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. as part of the All-Star Jamboree. Other performers included Webb Pierce, Red Sovine, Bud Deckelman, Charlie Feathers, and Wanda Jackson.

Elvis Presley performed at the eighth annual Country Music Jamboree at Overton Park Shell in Memphis. Others appearing included Webb Pierce, Sonny James, Johnny Cash and Wanda Jackson. The concert drew more than 4,000 people.

Elvis Presley performed at River Stadium in Batesville, Arkansas, as part of the 12th annual White River Carnival. He performed songs including “That's All Right,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” “Good Rocking Tonight” and “Baby Let's Play House.”

“A Fool for You” by Ray Charles and his group reached No. 1 on the R&B chart.

Bill Haley & His Comets vystoupili v pořadu The Ed Sullivan Show se skladbou „Rock Around the Clock“.

Elvis Presley vystoupil v Magnolia Gardens v Houstonu a následně v klubu Cook's Hoedown v Houstonu.

Drummer D.J. Fontana, who occasionally performed with Elvis Presley, became a regular member of his backing band.

Elvis Presley performed at the Mayfair Building in Tyler, Texas. This marked the beginning of a week-long tour with Jim Ed and Maxine Brown.

English drummer and percussionist Charlie Morgan was born in London. He worked with Tom Robinson Band, Kate Bush, Elton John, Orleans, Paul McCartney and Tina Turner, among others.

Elvis Presley performed with The Browns at the Rodeo Arena in Henderson, Texas.

Chuck Berry's “Maybellene” entered the Billboard Top 100 at No. 13, two weeks after reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard R&B chart, and later climbed to No. 5. The song is now regarded as one of the pioneering rock 'n' roll singles.