Music History

Scott Joplin signed a contract for a royalty of 1% on every copy sold of “The Maple Leaf Rag”, with a minimum selling price of 25 cents.

Orville Gibson founded the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd. in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Its first electric guitar, the ES-150, was produced in 1936, and in 1946 the company introduced the P-90 single-coil pickup, which was later used on the first Les Paul model in 1952.

Oscar Hammerstein announced plans to build five opera houses in New York.

Columbia Records lowered the price of its 12-inch classical records to $1.

Atlantic Records bought Ray Charles's contract from Swingtime Records. He thereby moved to a label that began steering him toward harder rhythm and blues rather than the polished pop and West Coast blues in which he had previously recorded.

Savoy Records announced that artists wishing to record cover versions of songs had to obtain permission from the US Copyright Office. The company also revised its royalty system, with royalties now to be calculated according to the number of records manufactured rather than simply those sold.

At a meeting in Memphis with manager Bob Neal, Colonel Tom Parker and his father Vernon Presley, he signed a new contract that appointed Parker as a “special adviser” with control over virtually every aspect of Elvis's career. On the same day, Mitch Miller of RCA Victor rejected a proposal to offer $20,000 to acquire Elvis, saying that no singer was worth that amount.

The J.P. Seeburg Corporation introduced its new Dual Music System jukebox, the first equipped to hold one hundred singles and two-song-per-side Extended Play discs.

Colonel Tom Parker became Elvis's “special adviser” and effectively took over his management duties from Bob Neal.

An official Elvis Presley fan club was established in the United Kingdom.

Specialty Records hired Sonny Bono as an A&R executive.

Cliff Richard signed a recording contract with EMI Records that would last for the next 45 years. He also began a four-week engagement at Butlins Holiday Camp in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, as Cliff Richard and the Drifters. His debut single “Move It” followed in the UK on August 29, reaching No. 2.

Elvis Presley bought a black Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II.

Barbra Streisand signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. Although financially modest, the contract gave her creative control over her music.

Brian Epstein signed The Beatles’ first formal management contract with the group. John Lennon and Ringo Starr signed it themselves, while the parents of the underage George Harrison and Paul McCartney signed on their behalf. The contract entitled Epstein to 25% of the group’s income above a specified earnings threshold.

Jerry Lee Lewis accepted a $9,500 offer to perform at the opening of the new Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas.

The Browns became members of the Grand Ole Opry.

Frank Sinatra sold two-thirds of his record company Reprise to Warner Brothers, which subsequently took over its operation.

The record company Reprise Records, owned by Frank Sinatra, became part of Warner Brothers Records.

Brian Epstein signed a contract to manage the New Christy Minstrels, whose members in subsequent years would include Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes and Barry McGuire.

The Rolling Stones announced that Allen Klein, whom they had met three days earlier, would become their manager alongside Andrew Loog Oldham. At the same time, The Rolling Stones signed a five-year recording contract with Decca Records.

The Who had their equipment van stolen outside Battersea Dogs' Home in England while they were inside getting a guard dog. One source valued the equipment at $10,000, while another put it at more than £5,000. The van was later recovered. Some sources describe the incident as the theft of the van and equipment, while others emphasize the theft of equipment from the van.

The Beatles announced that they would manage their own affairs following the death of their manager Brian Epstein.

Following the death of manager Brian Epstein, The Beatles met at Paul McCartney's house in St. John's Wood, London, to discuss their future. They decided not to seek a new manager and to manage their business affairs themselves, with McCartney taking over most business decisions. At the same time, they postponed their planned trip to India and began production of the long-delayed film Magical Mystery Tour, for which they had already recorded “Magical Mystery Tour” and “Your Mother Should Know.” McCartney presented the others with his idea for a film based on “Magical Mystery Tour.” This decision contributed to the creation of Apple Corps.

The Beatles officially launched their own multimedia company and record label, Apple Corps.

Elton John signed a recording contract as a solo artist with Uni Records, a division of MCA Records.

A party was held in New York to celebrate the official opening of Electric Ladyland Studios.

A celebration of the official opening of Electric Ladyland Studios was held in New York. Jimi Hendrix had opened the studio. He died a few months later, but the studio continued operating and was later used for recordings by John Lennon, AC/DC, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa and Guns N’ Roses, among others.

In New York City, an official celebration was held for the opening of Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, a studio complex founded by Jimi Hendrix. The studio took a year to build and cost one million dollars. Guests included Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ron Wood and the then little-known Patti Smith. Artists who later recorded there included Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, AC/DC, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa and Guns N' Roses. Hendrix subsequently traveled to London to perform at the Isle of Wight Festival and died before he could return to the studio to record.

After performing at Max's Kansas City in New York City, Aerosmith signed a recording contract with Clive Davis at Columbia Records (CBS Records) worth $125,000.

Elvis Presley attended a press conference with Colonel Parker and the president of RCA at which the Aloha from Hawaii show, scheduled for January 14 of the following year, was announced.

Producer Bill Aucoin saw KISS perform at a New York hotel, offered to become their manager and promised them a recording contract.

Henry McCullough and Denny Seiwell left Wings because they did not want to travel with Paul McCartney to Nigeria to record Band On The Run. Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney and Denny Laine therefore recorded the album as a trio.

Eric Clapton received a gold record for the album "461 Ocean Boulevard", which contained his No. 1 hit "I Shot the Sheriff". The album was later certified platinum in the U.S. for sales of more than one million copies.

Roberta Flack's song “Feel Like Makin' Love” received a gold certification.

George Harrison founded his own record label, Dark Horse Records.

Elvis Presley leased a private aircraft for one year. He paid a $26,000 deposit and a monthly rental fee of $13,000.

Stevie Wonder signed a seven-year, seven-album deal with Tamla/Motown worth a total of $37 million. The contract included a guaranteed $13 million advance, high royalty rates, performance bonuses and extensive artistic control over his music.

Don Kirshner staged the first Rock Music Award Show in Santa Monica, California. Among the honorees were Eagles, Stevie Wonder and Bad Company.

He canceled the rental of a Fairchild aircraft and instead purchased a Jet Commander for $508,000. He later flew from Memphis to Las Vegas, but due to breathing difficulties, the aircraft had to make an unplanned landing in Dallas. After resting for several hours at a motel, he continued his journey.

Sex Pistols received a £40,000 signing bonus after signing a recording contract with EMI Records.

The Sex Pistols signed with EMI Records for £40,000 (about $68,000). Three months later EMI terminated the contract, stopped production of "Anarchy in the U.K." and deleted it from its catalogue, saying the volume of adverse publicity surrounding the band made it impossible to promote their records.

The Who purchased Shepperton Studios in London for half a million dollars.

The Buzzcocks signed a contract with United Artists, an EMI label.

California Governor Jerry Brown appointed singer and longtime environmental activist Helen Reddy to the state Parks Commission.

Blondie signed their first contract with a major record label, Chrysalis Records. The group had been signed to the independent label Private Stock Records, which released their self-titled debut album in late 1976. Chrysalis Records bought out their existing contract with Private Stock and acquired the rights to the original recordings.

Def Leppard signed a contract with Phonogram Records with an initial advance of £120,000 ($180,000) and a 10 percent share of sales during the first two years.

Despite a long run of hit records in the UK, Gary Glitter declared bankruptcy.