This day in music history

1954, Bill Haley recorded 'Rock Around The Clock' at Pythian Temple studios in New York City. Considered by many to be the song that put rock and roll on the map around the world. The song was used over the opening titles for the film 'Blackboard Jungle', and went on to be a world-wide No.1 and the biggest selling pop single with sales over 25 million. Written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers, 'Rock Around The Clock' was first recorded by Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights.

1957, The 'King of Skiffle' Lonnie Donegan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Cumberland Gap.' The Scottish musician was a former member of Chris Barber's Jazz Band.

1963, Bob Dylan performed his first major solo concert at the Town Hall in New York City.

1969, The 5th Dimension started a six week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In', a No.11 hit in the UK.

1973, The film 'That'll Be The Day', premiered in London, featuring David Essex, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Billy Fury and Dave Edmunds.

1975, David Bowie announced his second career retirement, saying, 'I've rocked my roll. It's a boring dead end, there will be no more rock 'n' roll records from me.'

1975, Elton John started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Philadelphia Freedom', his fourth US No.1, it made No.12 in the UK.

1998, Pulp went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'This Is Hardcore.'

2010, The Vatican's official newspaper L'Osservatore Ramano published a story praising The Beatles and saying that it forgave John Lennon for his 1966 comment that the group was "bigger than Jesus." Lennon told a British newspaper in 1966 - at the height of Beatlemania - that he did not know which would die out first, Christianity or rock and roll.

1940, Born on this day, Herbie Hancock, US keyboard player, composer of film soundtracks, (1983 UK No.8 single 'Rockit'). Worked with Miles Davis Chick Corea.

1944, Born on this day, John Kay, guitar, vocals, Steppenwolf, (1968 US No.2 and 1969 UK No.30 single 'Born To Be Wild').

1949, Born on this day, Donald Ray Mitchell, Was Not Was, (1992 UK No.4 single 'Shake Your Head').

1950, Born on this day, David Cassidy, US singer, (1972 UK No.1 single 'How Can I Be Sure', plus nine other UK Top 40 singles), The Partridge Family, (1970 US No.1 single 'I Think I Love You', 1972 UK No.3 single 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do').

1956, Born on this day, Alexander Briley, The Village People, (1978 US No.2 and 1979 UK No.1 single 'Y.M.C.A.').

1958, Born on this day, Will Sergeant, Echo And The Bunnymen, (1983 UK No.8 single 'The Cutter').

1965, Born on this day, Sean Welch, The Beautiful South, (1990 UK No.1 single 'A Little Time' plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles).

1978, Born on this day, Guy Berryman, bass, Coldplay, (2000 UK No.4 single
'Yellow', 2000 UK No.1 album 'Parachutes' and the 2005 worldwide No.1 album ‘X&Y').

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