Today in Music History

Composer Wilhelm Bernard Molique was born.

Lyricist and labor activist Joe Hill, born Joel Emmanuel Hägglund, was born in Gävle, Sweden. He later worked in the United States as a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and became famous for his labor songs, including “The Preacher and the Slave.”

American jazz drummer and bandleader Jonathan David Samuel Jones, known as “Papa” Jo Jones, was born in Chicago. From 1934 to 1948, he was a member of Count Basie's orchestra.

Vaughn Monroe, big-band leader, singer, trumpeter, and baritone, was born in Akron, Ohio. His signature song was “Racing With the Moon.”

British singer and music hall star Marie Lloyd died on October 7, 1922, at the age of 52, several days after collapsing during a performance in Edmonton, London.

American actress Martha Stewart, born Martha Ruth Stewart Haworth, was born in Bardwell, Kentucky. She grew up in Brooklyn and later also worked as a singer and as an actress in film and television.

American jazz and pop singer and actor Al Martino, born Jasper Cini, was born in Philadelphia. In 1952, he had the US and UK No. 1 hit “Here in My Heart” and portrayed singer Johnny Fontane in the 1972 film The Godfather.

American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Chester “Chet” Powers was born in Danbury, Connecticut. He was also known as Dino Valenti, Dino Valente, and Jesse Oris Farrow. He was one of the lead singers of Quicksilver Messenger Service and wrote “Get Together,” which was made famous by The Youngbloods.

At the age of 16, Judy Garland recorded “Over the Rainbow” on the MGM soundstage in Beverly Hills for the film The Wizard of Oz. The recording was made on October 7, 1938, and became the basis for the later film version; the commercial studio recording for Decca was not made until 1939.

Colin Cooper, singer, saxophonist, and harmonica player with the Climax Blues Band, was born in Stafford, England. The band had the hit “Couldn't Get It Right.”

Artie Shaw recorded Hoagy Carmichael's “Stardust” in Hollywood, arranged by Lennie Hayton.

English musician Martin Murray, rhythm guitarist of the beat group The Honeycombs, was born in London.

R&B singer Tony Silvester of The Main Ingredient was born in Colón, Panama, as Enrique Antonio Silvester. The group is best known for their 1972 hit “Everybody Plays the Fool.”

Glenn Miller was inducted into the U.S. Army, where he later formed the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band and used his musical talent to perform for troops and for radio broadcasts.

American singer and songwriter Judee Sill, born Judith Lynne Sill, was born in Studio City, Los Angeles. In 1971, she became the first artist signed by David Geffen to his Asylum Records label.

English singer, songwriter, drummer, and music video director Kevin Godley was born in Prestwich, Lancashire. He became famous as a member of 10cc, with whom he had the hit “I'm Not in Love,” and later performed as part of the duo Godley & Creme.

Bassist and founding member of the rock band Kansas David Hope was born in Topeka, Kansas.

David Taylor, bassist for Edison Lighthouse, was born in High Wycombe, England. He was a member of the band's original lineup, which had the UK No. 1 hit “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” in 1970.

The Frank Sinatra Show premiered on CBS as a variety program and Frank Sinatra's first television show. Despite Sinatra having a five-year contract, the program lasted only two seasons.

American singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Mellencamp, also known as John Cougar and John Cougar Mellencamp, was born in Seymour, Indiana. He was born with spina bifida and underwent experimental surgery as a child at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis that saved his life. In 1982, he had the US No. 1 hit “Jack and Diane” and the album American Fool.

The daily dance program Bandstand premiered on WFIL-TV in Philadelphia, hosted by Bob Horn. In 1956, Dick Clark took over the program, later renamed it American Bandstand, and it became a nationally renowned institution of rock and roll culture.

American bassist Ricky Phillips was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He performed with Styx, The Babys, and Bad English and also worked with Coverdale-Page and Ted Nugent.

American musician Hector “Tico” Torres was born in New York City. He became famous as the drummer and songwriter of Bon Jovi.

Marian Anderson became the first Black female singer to be engaged by the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The announcement of her engagement was published on October 7, 1954; her debut at the Metropolitan Opera followed in January 1955.

Houston police arrested Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, and several others backstage at Music Hall and fined them for alleged gambling. Some believed the real reason for the raid was opposition to the newly integrated audience. The artists nevertheless managed to return and perform a second set.

Elvis Presley and Tillman Franks traveled by bus to Houston to visit Bob Wills at Cook’s Hoedown Club; according to Franks, neither Elvis nor Wills was particularly impressed with the other.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma was born.

Elvis attended a wrestling match at Ellis Auditorium and then had dinner with wrestler Penny Banner, whom he subsequently drove to Graceland.

Elvis' Christmas Album reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart for four consecutive weeks despite Irving Berlin's campaign against Elvis's blues-influenced version of “White Christmas.”

RCA Victor received 500,000 advance orders for Elvis' Christmas Album before its release, even though only 200,000 copies had initially been pressed. The album later spent four weeks at No. 1, received diamond certification in the US, and according to sources more than 17 million copies were shipped in the US. Irving Berlin also campaigned against Presley's version of “White Christmas.”

Little Richard's “Keep A Knockin',” featuring saxophonist Grady Gaines, entered the Billboard Top 40. It reached No. 8 and remained on the chart for 12 weeks; for Richard, it was his seventh entry on the US pop chart during the previous two years.

Scotty Moore and Bill Black performed at the Texas State Fair in Dallas; during the period from October 5 to 20, they played four concerts a day.

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

The detective series Hawaiian Eye premiered on ABC, with Connie Stevens as Cricket Blake. The series ran for four seasons.

American tenor and actor Mario Lanza, born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza, died in Rome at the age of 38. He was known for hits including “Be My Love” and “Because You're Mine.”

English television producer, personality, and entrepreneur Simon Cowell was born. He served as a judge on Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, American Idol, and America's Got Talent.

Elvis Presley recorded “Flaming Star” at Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood during an evening recording session from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The song was intended for the film of the same name, reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1961, and was released in the UK on the EP Elvis by Request rather than as a standalone single.

The Biggest Show of Stars Tour performed at Wichita Forum in Wichita, Kansas.

The Beach Boys released their fourth album Little Deuce Coupe on Capitol Records. The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard chart and spent 46 weeks on the chart, later receiving RIAA platinum certification. It was among the first rock concept albums devoted entirely to automobiles. The cover featured a 1932 Ford Coupe, photographed for the album by Hot Rod magazine.

The Rolling Stones recorded “I Wanna Be Your Man,” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, at De Lane Lea Studios in London. The song, written primarily by Paul McCartney and completed together with Lennon, later reached No. 12 on the UK chart.

Police stopped soul singer Joe Tex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, while he was driving his new Cadillac. He was charged with watching a television set installed in the dashboard while driving and became only the second American motorist to be formally charged with the offense.

English singer, songwriter, and musician Sam Brown, born Samantha Brown, was born in Stratford, London. She is the daughter of musician Joe Brown and singer Vicki Brown. Her biggest hit was “Stop!”, which reached No. 4 on the UK chart in 1989.

The Beatles appeared via recording on the American television program Shindig!, whose special episode was devoted to the British Invasion. From London, they performed I'm a Loser, Boys, and Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!.

Elvis arrived at Graceland at 11:00 p.m.; he was driving a Dodge Motor Home, followed by a convoy of five automobiles.

Manfred Mann performed in Bratislava, then part of Czechoslovakia, becoming one of the first major Western bands to perform behind the Iron Curtain. Two concerts were held in Bratislava on October 7 and 8, 1965.

New Orleans R&B singer and guitarist Smiley Lewis, born Overton Amos Lemons, died at the age of 53 from stomach cancer. He recorded and wrote the song “One Night,” later made famous by Elvis Presley, and also wrote “I Hear You Knocking.”

The Rolling Stones made their final appearance on the British television program Ready Steady Go!