Events in 1934
- American singer, songwriter and manager Merle Kilgore was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He co-wrote the song “Ring of Fire” with June Carter Cash.
- Country-rock musician, songwriter and steel guitarist Peter “Sneaky Pete” Kleinow was born in South Bend, Indiana. He was one of the original members of The Flying Burrito Brothers, alongside The Byrds' Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons. He also worked with John Lennon and Joni Mitchell. He died on January 6, 2007, aged 72.
- Russ Columbo died after an antique pistol belonging to his friend accidentally discharged and struck him in the eye. The 26-year-old singer died under circumstances that his friends and family concealed from his ill mother because they feared the news would shock her to death. Through a carefully devised system of fake letters and old recordings made to simulate live broadcasts, they created the impression that Columbo was still alive and merely busy. The deception continued until her death ten years later.
- American soul singer Sam Gooden of The Impressions was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1965, the group had the US hit “Lilies Of The Field” at number seven.