1967: Two young songwriters named, Reginald Dwight and Bernie Taupin sign their first contract for song publishing. Reg will soon change his name to Elton John. The duo were both underage at the time and had to have the contract witnessed by their parents.

1965: This was the day that legendary promoter Bill Graham (Fillmore East, Fillmore West) staged his first rock concert - a benefit for the San Francisco Mime Troupe at the Calliope Ballroom starring the Jefferson Airplane. He would open the Fillmore one year later.

So many birthdays today…

Ike Turner (1931-2007)

Art Garfunkel (82)

Graham Parsons (Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers) (1946-1973)

Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) (76)

1967: Pink Floyd begins their first concert tour of America. The tour ends earlier than planned with front man Syd Barrett’s increasingly erratic behavior causes the band problems.

1963: The Beach Boys release “Be True to Your School.” The single, which features the University of Wisconsin fight song, peaks at #6 on the pop charts.

As time goes by, the single’s B-side becomes even more famous than the A-side. It’s Brian Wilson’s “In My Room.”

1958: The Communist leaders of East Germany proclaim Elvis Presley “Public Enemy #1.” A party publication aimed at East Germany’s young people also claims “The 23 year old star Presley is no artist and enjoys only limited brain power.”

The leaders were probably right from their point of view as American rock & roll did more to undermine the Communist way of life more than all of the politicians put together!

1952: The Sir John Trio of St. Louis, headed by boogie-woogie pianist Johnnie Johnson, is desperate to find a replacement when their guitar player has a stroke. Johnson decides to hire a young hairdresser named Chuck Berry.

1970: A court in Miami sentenced Doors’ front man Jim Morrison to six months in prison for indecent exposure during a concert in the city that took place in March of the previous year.

The case was still being appealed when Morrison died the next July. Jim would ultimately receive a posthumous pardon for his conviction.

1957: Bobby Helms is in the studio today recording a little song he wrote called “Jingle Bell Rock.” The song will sell over one million copies before the end of the year and go on to become the best-known rock & roll Christmas tune.