1968: Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” is released six weeks after he died in a plane crash in Madison, Wisconsin. It would go on to become the first posthumous #1 record in American pop history.

Little known fact: Redding had intended to return to the studio and record lyrics in place of the whistling that closes the song.

1963: A folk trio called the Rooftop Singers hits the top of the Billboard charts with their recording of “Walk Right In.” Turns out the song was written in 1930 and the composer, Gus Cannon, had been living in poverty until the royalty checks from this new recording starting rolling in.

2013: Without offering any explanation, Tina Turner gives up her U.S. citizenship and becomes a citizen of Switzerland. It couldn’t be for tax reasons as Switzerland has a higher tax rate than the U.S.

1962: The Beatles sign a contract making Brian Epstein their manager. Epstein’s cut is a full 25% (meaning no one individual Beatle would be paid more than Epstein). Interestingly, Epstein himself never signed the contract.

1956: In an attempt to curtail the scourge known as rock ‘n’ roll, police in Cleveland, Ohio begin enforcing a 1931 law that prohibits kids under 18 from dancing in public unless accompanies by a parent or guardian.

1959: Buddy Holly was in the studio for the last time. He recorded the vocals for "Slippin' and Slidin'", "Wait 'Til the Sun Shines Nellie", "Love Is Strange", "Dearest" and "Smokey Joe's Café."

A great day to be in the studio! Here are the rock classics recorded on this day:

1961: “Runaway” – Del Shannon

1964: “A World Without Love” – Peter & Gordon

1965: “Mr. Tambourine Man” – The Byrds

1958: St. Louis radio station KWK decides rock & roll is finished. They give every rock record a “farewell spin” and then smash it live on the air. Station manager, Robert T. Convey calls the action "a simple weeding out of undesirable music."

No word on how long Mr. Convey remained employed at the station.

We often (and rightfully) celebrate rock & roll birthdays, but look at who we lost on this day:

1998: Carl Perkins

2006: Wilson Pickett

2007: Denny Doherty (Mamas & Papas)

2008: John Stewart (composer & member of the Kingston Trio)

1964: The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” enters to U.S. pop charts at #45  the highest ever debut by a record up to that time. Beatlemania officially begins in the U.S.