Week in Music History

Composer and pianist Cécile Chaminade was born in Paris, France.

Country singer Webb Pierce was born in West Monroe, Louisiana. He became known, among other things, for his popular version of “In the Jailhouse Now” from 1955.

Fourteen-year-old Benny Goodman landed his first professional engagement as a clarinetist aboard a cruise ship sailing on Lake Michigan near Chicago.

Blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas.

Jazz trombonist Urbie Green was born in Mobile, Alabama.

Country singer Mel Tillis was born in Dover, Florida. He became famous for hits including “I Ain't Never”, “Good Woman Blues” and “Coca-Cola Cowboy”.

American soul singer Yusuf Hazziez, known as Joe Tex, was born in Rogers, Texas. He became famous for hits including “Hold What You've Got”, “Skinny Legs and All” and “I Gotcha”.

Actress and singer Connie Stevens was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1960, she had the hit "Sixteen Reasons", which reached No. 3.

Phil Balsley, baritone singer with The Statler Brothers, was born in Staunton, Virginia.

Les Brown and his Band of Renown recorded the song “Joltin' Joe DiMaggio”.

British bassist and singer Johnny Gustafson was born in Liverpool, England. He performed with groups including The Big Three, The Merseybeats, Roxy Music, Quatermass and Ian Gillan Band.

English guitarist and songwriter John Renbourn was born. He became known for his work with Bert Jansch and as a member of the folk-rock group Pentangle.

American singer, songwriter and guitarist Michael Johnson was born in Alamosa, Colorado. He became famous for hits including “Bluer Than Blue”, “The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder” and “Give Me Wings”.

Airrion Love, singer with The Stylistics, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Keith Carradine, known for his leading role in the 1975 film Nashville, where he sang his song “I'm Easy”, was born in San Mateo, California. In 1984, he portrayed a director in Madonna's “Material Girl” music video.

Andy Fairweather Low, singer and guitarist with Amen Corner, was born in Ystrad Mynach, Wales. He also performed as a backing vocalist on The Who's album "Who Are You".

Pop and rock drummer Liberatori “Liberty” DeVitto was born in New York City. He became best known as Billy Joel's drummer.

Northern Irish drummer Les Binks was born. He is best known as the drummer of Judas Priest from 1977 to 1979.

Les Paul and Mary Ford reached No. 1 on the Billboard Best Seller chart on August 8 with “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You)”, beginning an eleven-week run at the top. The song also reached No. 1 on the Cash Box chart, where it remained for five weeks, and No. 7 in the UK.

Drummer D.J. Fontana, who occasionally performed with Elvis Presley, became a regular member of his backing band.

Elvis Presley performed at the Mayfair Building in Tyler, Texas. This marked the beginning of a week-long tour with Jim Ed and Maxine Brown.

Alister "Ali" Score, drummer with A Flock Of Seagulls, was born in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.

Elvis Presley performed at the Municipal Auditorium in Orlando, Florida, at 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.

English singer, guitarist and songwriter Christopher Foreman, also known as Chrissy Boy, was born in London. He became famous as the guitarist of the ska band Madness.

Dennis Drew, founding member and keyboardist of alternative rock group 10,000 Maniacs, was born in Jamestown, New York.

Elvis Presley took Venetia Stevenson, Lamar Fike, George Klein and other friends to the Memphis Fairgrounds and then to a private midnight screening of the film "Loving You" at the Strand theater.

Fats Domino released his debut album "This Is Fats".

Bing Crosby and his second wife Kathryn had their first child together, Harry Lillis Crosby III.

Chris Foreman, guitarist for Madness, was born in London, England.

Brian Hyland reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Cash Box Best Sellers chart with "Itsy Bitsy, Teenie Weenie, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini". In the U.K., the song reached No. 8.

Elvis Presley recorded four songs at Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood for the film "Flaming Star" during an overnight recording session.

David Evans, known as The Edge, was born in East London. He later became known as a member of U2.

Elvis Presley released the single "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame" / "Little Sister". The single reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 on the Easy Listening chart and spent four weeks at No. 1 in the U.K.

Lonnie Donegan achieved his biggest American hit with “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour on the Bedpost Overnight”, which reached No. 5.

Paul Jackson, bassist for T'Pau, was born. The group had the UK No. 1 hit “China In Your Hand” and the song “Heart And Soul”, which reached No. 4 in both the U.S. and UK.

Rikki Rockett, born Richard Allan Ream, founding member and drummer of the rock band Poison, was born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Dave Evans, known as The Edge and guitarist for U2, was born.

American rapper Mohandas Dewese, known as Kool Moe Dee, was born in New York City.

The film Follow That Dream, starring Elvis Presley, was released in New York. Elvis portrayed the lead role of Toby Kwimper, a member of a family that settles along the Florida coast.

The Beatles arrived on the island of Guernsey, where they performed two concerts at Candie Gardens. They flew there from Jersey in a twelve-seat aircraft and were to receive £1,000 for both concerts.

The Searchers reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart with "Sweets for My Sweet" on August 8, 1963, when the chart was published showing the song at the top for the first time.

Bob Dylan released the album "Another Side of Bob Dylan" on Columbia Records.

Earl-Jean Reavis of The Cookies entered the Billboard Top 40 at No. 38 with "I'm Into Something Good", her highest chart position. Three months later, Herman's Hermits reached No. 13 with the same song.

The soundtrack to Elvis Presley's film "Kissin' Cousins" reached No. 5 on the U.K. album chart.

The Animals entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at No. 60 with “House of the Rising Sun”. The song later rose to No. 1 and became their only U.S. No. 1 hit.

The Dave Clark Five moved from No. 60 to No. 22 on the U.S. chart with “Because”.

The Young World Singers released “Ringo For President” on Decca Records. The song was created ahead of the U.S. presidential election and reached No. 132 on the Billboard Hot 100.