This day in music history

1956, RCA Records issued the first album and extended play releases by Elvis Presley.

1958, The Recording Industry Association of America introduced its awards for record sales, (RIAA). The Beatles hold the record for being awarded the most with 76 platinum certifications.

1964, Billboard reported that sales of Beatles singles currently accounted for 60 percent of the US singles market and The Beatles album Meet the Beatles had reached a record 3.5 million copies sold.

1965, Eric Clapton quit The Yardbirds due to musical differences with the other band members. Clapton wanted to continue in a blues type vein, while the rest of the band preferred the more commercial style of their first hit, ‘For Your Love’.

1965, The Beatles started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Eight Days A Week', the group's 7th US No.1.

1965, Tom Jones made his first major TV appearance on BBC TVs 'Billy Cotton Band Show.'

1966, Rod Stewart left Steampacket to work as a solo artist.

1966, Pink Floyd appeared for the first time at The Marquee in Wardour Street,
London, England.

1977, Manhattan Transfer were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Chanson D'amour', the group's only UK No.1. The retro Jazz vocal harmony group had been working in New York gay bars, singing 40s and 50s swing classics.

1985, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure received the best selling a side award at the 30th Ivor Novello Awards for 'Do They Know It's Christmas.'

1993, Eric Clapton started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Unplugged.'

1993, Lenny Kravitz started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Are You Gonna Go My Way.'

1999, Cher started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Believe', making Cher the oldest woman to top the Hot 100 at the age of 53.

2005, 50 Cent went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘The Massacre’, the US rappers first UK No.1. The album was also a US No.1 spending six weeks at the top of the chart.

1939, Born on this day, Neil Sedaka, singer, songwriter, (1959 UK No.3 single 'Oh Carol' plus over 30 US & 14 UK other Top 40 singles, 1962 US No.1 & UK No.7 single 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do').

1959, Born on this day, Greg Norton, Husker Du, (1987 album 'Warehouse Songs And Stories').

1959, Born on this day, Ronnie Rogers, guitar, T'Pau, (1987 UK No. 1 with 'China In Your Hand, 1987 US No.4 single 'Heart And Soul').

1960, Born on this day, Adam Clayton, bass, U2, (1984 UK No.3 single 'Pride, In The Name Of Love' plus over 25 other UK Top singles, 1987 UK and world wide No.1 album 'The Joshua Tree' spent 156 weeks on the UK chart. Scored five consecutive US No.1 albums from 1987.)

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