Births
1956 Guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones of the Clash is born.
1956 Rocker Chris Isaak is born.
Deaths
1979 Elvis' father, Vernon, dies of a heart attack in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was 63.
Events
1955 Decca Records announces Bill Haley & The Comets have sold more than 3 million records in thirteen months. Both "Rock Around The Clock" and "Shake Rattle & Roll" have sold a million copies, while "Dim, Dim the Lights" and "Mambo Rock" have sold about 500,000.
1956 In a LOOK Magazine article entitled, "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Controversy," swing band leader Benny Goodman comments about rock 'n' roll, "I guess it's okay, man. At least it has a beat."
1965 The Strangeloves "I Want Candy" makes its way into the Hot 100.
1973 Mick Jagger is named in a London paternity suit by Marsha Hunt. She claims Jagger is the father of her two year old daughter. Jagger takes a blood test and the suit is proved unsuccessful.
1975 Veteran R&B arranger/producer Van McCoy earns his first gold record for the disco smash, "The Hustle". It turns out to be the biggest dance craze of the decade.
1976 Peter Frampton's "Baby I Love Your Way" is released.
1977 Elvis Presley makes what will be his last public appearance with a concert at Indianapolis' Market Square Arena.
1986 In Pittsburgh, 25 people are injured at at Run D.M.C. concert. The city considers banning rock concerts.
1992 Elton John and Eric Clapton play the first of three sell-out dates at London's Wembley Stadium. It is the first public outing for John since undergoing painful hair transplants. Bonnie Raitt was the opening act.
