Week in Music History

American jazz singer and pianist Jeri Southern, born Genevieve Lillian Hering, was born in Royal, Nebraska.

Damita Jo, American singer and actress known in part for her cover of “If You Go Away,” was born in Austin, Texas.

Rick Huxley, bassist for The Dave Clark Five, was born in Dartford, Kent, England.

Brazilian jazz drummer and percussionist Airto Moreira was born in Itaiópolis, Brazil. He became known as a member of Quarteto Novo and also worked with Miles Davis and Return to Forever.

Country singer and songwriter Sammi Smith, born Jewel Faye Smith, was born in Orange County, California.

Greg Leskiw, guitarist for The Guess Who, was born in Manitoba, Canada.

Guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of The McCoys Rick Derringer, born Richard Zehringer, was born in Fort Recovery, Ohio.

American bassist and session musician Willie Weeks was born in Salemburg, North Carolina.

Samantha Sang, born Cheryl Lau Sang, was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Irish music manager Louis Walsh, known for his work with Westlife, Boyzone and Girls Aloud, was born in Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland.

Elvis Presley performed at the eighth annual Country Music Jamboree at Overton Park Shell in Memphis. Others appearing included Webb Pierce, Sonny James, Johnny Cash and Wanda Jackson. The concert drew more than 4,000 people.

Doris Day was at No. 1 on the UK singles chart with “Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera).” It was her second UK No. 1 hit.

Elvis Presley performed twice at Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida.

American Bandstand made its national debut on ABC with Dick Clark as host. The show had previously aired locally in Philadelphia from 1952. The Chordettes were the first guests, and the first record played was “That'll Be the Day” by Buddy Holly.

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

The Coasters remained at No. 1 on the R&B chart for an eleventh week with “Searchin'.”

Pat Smear, born Georg Albert Ruthenberg, co-founder and lead guitarist of the punk band The Germs and later a member of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, was born in Los Angeles, California.

Frankie Avalon released the single “Just Ask Your Heart.”

Pete Burns, born Peter Burns, founder and frontman of Dead or Alive, was born in Port Sunlight, England.

The Isley Brothers recorded “Shout” at RCA Victor's Music Center of the World in Manhattan, New York City.

Stuart Croxford Neale, a member of Kajagoogoo, was born.

Chuck Berry's second wife, Themetta Suggs, gave birth to their second child, Chuck Berry Jr.

Marilyn Monroe died in Brentwood, Los Angeles, at the age of 36 from a barbiturate overdose.

Mike Nocito, bassist for Johnny Hates Jazz, was born in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Adam Yauch, also known as MCA, rapper, bassist and founding member of the Beastie Boys, was born in New York City.

The Beach Boys recorded “When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)” at United Western Studios in Hollywood. The song later reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 7 on the Cashbox chart and No. 1 on the Canadian singles chart.

The Beatles began a three-week run at No. 1 on the UK singles chart with “Help!” It was their eighth consecutive UK No. 1 hit, and the song reached No. 1 on charts in eleven countries that year.

Jeff Coffin, a three-time Grammy Award winner, American saxophonist and composer and member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and the Dave Matthews Band, was born in Massachusetts.

During the filming of “Easy Come, Easy Go,” a freight train collided with a flatcar carrying filmmakers and actors due to faulty signaling. Jan Berry was thrown from the impact and suffered a complicated fracture of his left leg. Director Barry Shear was also seriously injured, and at least 12 to 17 people were injured in total. Paramount Pictures subsequently canceled the project, and the film was never completed.

Jan Berry broke his leg on the first day of filming “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and several other people were injured. Paramount subsequently canceled the film.

Sonny & Cher made their UK debut with a performance at the 100 Club in London.

Jennifer Finch, an American musician and photographer best known as the bassist of the punk rock band L7, was born in Los Angeles, California.

The Beatles released their seventh studio album, “Revolver,” in the UK on Parlophone. The album reached No. 1 on the UK Record Retailer chart and later topped the U.S. Billboard Top LPs, where it spent six weeks at No. 1. It topped the UK chart for seven weeks. The U.S. release followed three days later.

The Monkees performed at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri.

Luther Perkins, Johnny Cash's guitarist and longtime member of his backing group The Tennessee Three, died at the age of 40, two days after a fire at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee, from injuries sustained in the fire.

The Who performed at the International Amphitheater in Chicago, Illinois.

Creedence Clearwater Revival released “Green River,” their third studio album and the second of three albums they released in 1969. The album was a major artistic and commercial success for the group.

Elvis Presley performed at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in an evening Dinner Show followed by a Midnight Show.

George Harrison brought his new Moog synthesizer to the studio, which The Beatles used while completing the “Abbey Road” album. Two Moog overdubs were recorded for “Because.” Harrison was among the first musicians in Britain to use the new instrument.

The Stooges released their self-titled debut album. Its raw sound and distorted guitars later became a major influence on a number of punk bands.

Wayne Newton reached No. 1 on the Cashbox chart with “Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast,” where it spent one week. The song reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

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 performed both an evening and midnight show at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas.

A rock and roll revival concert was held at Wembley Stadium featuring Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Billy Fury, Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Rick Springfield made his first appearance on the U.S. chart with “Speak to the Sky.”

Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway reached No. 1 on the R&B chart with “Where Is the Love.”

The Allman Brothers Band performed at the Sports Arena in San Diego, California.

Wizzard played their first concert at the Rock 'n' Roll Festival at Wembley Stadium. Also on the bill were Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and Gary Glitter.