Music History

Elvis Presley completed his military service at Fort Hood in Texas, where he spent six months training with tanks as part of the 2nd Armored Division.

Elvis Presley completed his basic and advanced military training at Fort Hood, Texas, and departed with his unit on September 19 for Germany, where he continued his service with the 3rd Armored Division.

The USS Randall arrived in Bremerhaven, West Germany, where more than 1,500 fans were waiting for Elvis Presley and where he gave his first European autograph. He then traveled with his unit by military train to Friedberg, where he joined the US Army’s 3rd Armored Division; his time in Germany lasted until early 1960.

Little Anthony and the Imperials recorded Neil Sedaka’s song “The Diary”. The songwriter was dissatisfied with their version and decided to record it himself, giving him his first chart hit.

Painter and multi-instrumentalist Martin Cooper was born in Liverpool. He is best known as a keyboardist and member of the British electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.

Tommy Edwards reached No. 1 on the US Billboard chart with “It’s All in the Game”.

During an official U.S. Army press conference at Ray Kaserne barracks in Friedberg, West Germany, 23-year-old Elvis Presley was asked by reporters whether he feared that fans would forget him during his two-year military service. Presley admitted that it was possible but said that he had already achieved success. Meanwhile, his management arranged for pre-recorded singles to be released regularly, keeping him on the charts during his service.

American pop singer and songwriter Robbie Nevil was born on October 2, 1958, in Los Angeles. He became known for the hits “C'est la Vie,” “Dominoes,” and “Wot's It to Ya” and later worked as a songwriter and producer of music for Disney projects such as The Cheetah Girls, High School Musical, and Hannah Montana.

1958?lang=en" class="rmh-link">The Biggest Show Of Stars 1958 tour opened at Worcester Auditorium in Worcester, Massachusetts, as the fall continuation of the tour. Performers included Buddy Holly, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Darin, The Olympics, Dion & The Belmonts, Bobby Freeman, The Elegants, Jimmy Clanton, The Danleers, Duane Eddy, Clyde McPhatter, and The Coasters.

American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Barbara Kooyman, also known as Barbara K. MacDonald and Barbara K, was born in Wausau, Wisconsin. She co-founded the duo Timbuk 3 with her then-husband Pat MacDonald; their best-known song was The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades.

During his military service in Germany, after arriving at the hotel in Bad Homburg, Elvis had dinner with Vernon, Minnie, Red West, and Lamar Fike. A crowd of fans gathered outside the hotel.

Cliff Richard and The Shadows played their first concert together at Victoria Hall in Hanley, England, alongside the Kalin Twins and Eddie Calvert. Their collaboration lasted ten years, until 1968.

Billboard published an article warning that the payola scandal, involving secret payments by record companies to disc jockeys for playing their records, was rapidly getting out of control. The scandal soon ended the career of pioneering rock'n'roll radio personality Alan Freed.

“Rockin' Robin” by Bobby Day reached No. 1 on the rhythm and blues chart.

During his military service in Germany, Elvis Presley received permission to live off base with his family. The Presleys moved into the Hilberts Park Hotel in Bad Nauheim, and Elvis left for the base every morning and returned at 6:00 p.m.

Johnny Mathis released his first Christmas album, Merry Christmas. The album later became one of the most successful Christmas recordings, receiving 5× Multi-Platinum certification and selling more than 5 million copies.

“Tom Dooley” by The Kingston Trio climbed from No. 83 to No. 37 on the U.S. chart.

Tim Mooney, American drummer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and sound engineer, was born in Las Vegas. He became known for his work with The Sleepers, Toiling Midgets, Negative Trend and American Music Club.

Georgia Gibbs performed “The Hula-Hoop Song” on The Ed Sullivan Show, helping to further popularize the hula hoop.

Elvis Presley was staying at the Grunwald Hotel in Bad Nauheim, Germany, during his military service.

Al Jourgensen, singer with Ministry and Revolting Cocks, was born.

Eddie Cochran recorded the classic song "C'mon Everybody," which became a 1959 UK No. 6 single for Cochran and a 1979 hit for The Sex Pistols.

Eddie Cochran recorded the song “C'mon Everybody” for Liberty Records. It was released as the B-side of the single “Don't Ever Let Me Go.” Radio DJs soon flipped the record and favored the energetic, rebellious song. It became Cochran's final U.S. Top 40 hit, reaching number 35.

Elvis Presley was serving in the military in Germany and staying at the Grunwald Hotel in Bad Nauheim.

American country singer and songwriter Tanya Tucker was born on October 10, 1958, in Seminole, Texas. She became famous with her debut hit “Delta Dawn,” released in 1972 when she was 13. Her other successful songs include “What's Your Mama's Name” and “Blood Red and Goin' Down.” She reached number one on the U.S. country chart ten times.

Elvis Presley's album King Creole reached No. 2 on the US album chart.

Frank Sinatra's album Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely reached number one on the US album chart.

The single "Tears on My Pillow" reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Little Anthony and the Imperials' biggest hit. Over the following seven years, the group scored six more hits, including "Goin' Out of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad", both of which reached the Top 10.

Billboard magazine published an article about the vocal group The Teddy Bears, noting that 18-year-old Phil Spector, writer and arranger of their hit “To Know Him Is to Love Him,” was studying to become a court stenographer. The same issue featured the Best Sellers in Stores chart for the last time, as retail sales data had been incorporated into the new Hot 100 chart.