1958: Hank Ballard and the Midnighters are in the studio on this day recording the B-side for their upcoming single “Teardrops on Your Letter.” It was a little song Hank called “The Twist.”

Two years later, Chubby Checker would record a cover of the tune and all hell would break loose.

1955: A young Elvis Presley pays a visit to a hotel room in Nashville. A songwriter who is staying there wants him to hear a demo of a song she’s written. Elvis likes what hears and agrees to record it.

The songwriter is Mae Axton and her song is “Heartbreak Hotel."

1955: The Everly Brothers hold their first recording session as a duo (away from the successful Everly Family act).

Columbia Records underwrites the session and attempts to market the boys as a country music act. All 4 tunes recorded on this day flop and Columbia drops the act deciding the act has no commercial future.

1968: Diana Ross leaves the Supremes to launch a very successful solo career.

The Supremes name Jean Terrell as her replacement and promptly disappear into obscurity.

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.”