Week in Music History

Composer Johann Pachelbel was born.

Composer Engelbert Humperdinck was born.

Gospel baritone singer Tarzan Cooper was born.

Tommy Evans, a singer with the American doo-wop and R&B group The Drifters, was born. He was a member of the lineup that released the 1957 hit “Fools Fall in Love.”

American country singer Boxcar Willie, whose real name was Lecil Travis Martin, was born in Sterrett, Texas.

Country singer Conway Twitty, whose real name was Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was born in Friars Point, Mississippi.

He was born in Old Fort, North Carolina. He became known as a member of Bill Haley & His Comets and The Jodimars.

He was born in Henderson, Texas. He was the founder and frontman of the rhythm and blues group Archie Bell & the Drells.

She was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. She became known for her 1963 hit “Please Don't Talk to the Lifeguard.”

He was born in Douglas on the Isle of Man. He became known as a singer, songwriter and producer with the Bee Gees, which he founded with his brothers Robin and Maurice Gibb.

Guitarist Dave Allen of Gang of Four was born.

He was born in San Francisco. He became known as the drummer of Sly and the Family Stone.

Russ Field, whose real name was James Lewis Russell Field, was born in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England. He became known as the guitarist of Showaddywaddy.

Atlantic Records bought Ray Charles's contract from Swingtime Records. He thereby moved to a label that began steering him toward harder rhythm and blues rather than the polished pop and West Coast blues in which he had previously recorded.

Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery auditioned for the radio program Sunday Party on KDAV in Lubbock, Texas, hosted by disc jockey and talent scout Dave “Hipockets” Duncan. They were given a regular 30-minute Sunday afternoon broadcast slot known as The Bob and Buddy Show.

Alan Freed's first annual rock 'n' roll party began at the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn, New York. The lineup included Chuck Berry, Tony Bennett, The Nutmegs, The Rhythmettes, The Cardinals and The Four Voices.

Bassist and singer Bruce Foxton of The Jam was born in Woking, England.

Elvis Presley performed at Pontchartrain Beach amusement park in New Orleans alongside other performers, including Mrs. Jimmy Rogers, Jim Reeves, Al Terry, Jack Cardwell, Jimmy Swan, Ernie Chaffin, Ann Raye, Ray Parker and Hillbilly Evans. Elvis and the Blue Moon Boys performed in New Orleans.

A rock 'n' roll enthusiast was fined $9.80 at a London court after playing Bill Haley's “Shake Rattle and Roll” at full volume all day and neighbors complained.

Elvis Presley shared his success with his family by buying his mother a pink Cadillac.

Elvis Presley worked from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Radio Recorders recording studio on Santa Monica Boulevard, recording material for his second album and a new single. Because the pianist was absent, the piano parts were played either by Elvis or Gordon Stoker.

Nineteen-year-old Jerry Lee Lewis arrived at Sun Records hoping for an audition, but owner Sam Phillips was on vacation in Florida. Producer and sound engineer Jack Clement recorded several demos with Lewis for Phillips to hear upon his return. At the beginning of December, Lewis began recording as a solo artist and session musician.

Elvis Presley performed at 2:00 p.m. at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, with supporting acts Howard Hardin, The Burns Twins & Evelyn, Joe Termini, Wells & The Four Fays, Paul Desmond and The Jordanaires. At 10:00 p.m., he performed at Sick's Stadium in Seattle, Washington, where he played a 30-minute concert before 15,000 people. He also sang “Fool's Hall Of Fame,” a new recording released by Sun Records by Rudi Richardson. Elvis told the audience it would be his new single, but he never recorded it.

Cuban-American singer, songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan, whose real name is Gloria Fajardo, was born in Havana, Cuba. She joined Miami Sound Machine in 1977 and married its leader Emilio Estefan the following year. She became known in Latin pop and also successfully reached English-speaking audiences with hits including “Conga,” “Anything For You” and “Coming Out Of The Dark.”

As a young man, he attended Elvis Presley's performance at Sicks Stadium in Seattle.

The Biggest Show Of Stars tour began at the Brooklyn Paramount. The lineup included Buddy Holly & The Crickets, The Drifters, The Everly Brothers and Frankie Lymon. At some concerts, artists were unable to perform because of segregation laws.

Cass Lewis, bassist of the British rock group Skunk Anansie, was born.

Elvis Presley's single “Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello” reached No. 55 in the United States.

Tommy Roe reached No. 1 on the U.S. chart with “Sheila,” beginning a two-week run at the top. In the United Kingdom, the song reached No. 3. It was a re-recorded version of a song he had first released in 1960 as a member of The Satins; he wrote it when he was just 14 years old.

Australian actor, musician and singer Craig McLachlan was born.

James Brown, Booker T. & the M.G.’s and The Kinks appeared on the television program Shindig!. James Brown performed “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” which was No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time.

They released their self-titled album “The Hollies.”

The Byrds played the first of eleven consecutive concerts at the Whisky-a-Go-Go in Hollywood, California.

Boz Scaggs officially joined the Steve Miller Band as a rhythm guitarist after receiving an invitation on a postcard while performing on the streets of Stockholm. He had known Steve Miller since his youth. After returning to the U.S. from Europe, he rejoined the group and appeared on the albums Children of the Future and Sailor. He left in 1968 to pursue a solo career, during which he had eight Top 40 hits on the Billboard chart between 1976 and 1988.

Roy Orbison co-starred with Sheb Wooley in the musical comedy western The Fastest Guitar Alive, his only leading film role. The film was released in theaters in the United States and Canada. Its bizarre plot portrays Orbison as a Confederate spy who uses a special bullet-firing acoustic guitar to successfully rob the federal mint of its gold, only to be caught off guard when the Civil War ends immediately after the robbery.

Following the death of manager Brian Epstein, The Beatles met at Paul McCartney's house in St. John's Wood, London, to discuss their future. They decided not to seek a new manager and to manage their business affairs themselves, with McCartney taking over most business decisions. At the same time, they postponed their planned trip to India and began production of the long-delayed film Magical Mystery Tour, for which they had already recorded “Magical Mystery Tour” and “Your Mother Should Know.” McCartney presented the others with his idea for a film based on “Magical Mystery Tour.” This decision contributed to the creation of Apple Corps.

Elvis Presley returned to Los Angeles. For the first time in ten years, he had no work commitments or anything scheduled until January 1970. Because he was restless, he frequently traveled between his homes and took several vacations.

The Grateful Dead performed at International Raceway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees married Linda Gray, the former Miss Edinburgh, on his 24th birthday. He chose the wedding date so that he would not forget the anniversary. The couple had five children, including Stephen, who played guitar in his father's band.

Elvis Presley performed in Las Vegas at an afternoon and midnight show.

Led Zeppelin performed at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Elvis Presley performed in Las Vegas at an afternoon and midnight show.

Hawkwind performed at Powis Square in London.

Following the success of their summer replacement show, Sonny & Cher launched their fall television variety show on CBS.